Plans for retired Pope (Benedict XVI) Funeral - Jan. 5, 2023

 Where: St. Peter's Basilica

Vatican City

WHO: Pope Francis will officiate at the Funeral Mass

The retired Pope Emeritus (Joseph Ratzinger) died Saturday 

31 December 2022 at Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, Vatican City

TIME: 9:30 a.m. (Rome time)

Among those eulogizing in Dec. 2022 the accomplishments of the

retired Pope were the World Council of Churches (WCC)

Pope Benedict XVI was the first Pope to have belonged to a 

Committee of the WCC, as one of the Catholic members of

its Faith & Order Commission.  MORE Responses at National

Catholic Reporter web article (12/31/2022):

https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/latest-plans-retired-pope-benedict-xvis-funeral

"Auld Lang Syne" lyrics (poet Robert Burns in 1788)

 Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne?

FOR AULD LANG SYNE, MY JO,

FOR AULD LANG SYNE.

WE'LL TAK A CUP O' KINDNESS YET,

FOR AULD LANG SYNE.

for more lyrics see CNN Web background article/essay

https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/31/us/auld-lang-syne-lyrics-and-history-trnd/index.html

Retired Pope (Emeritus) Benedict XVI : Joseph Ratzinger, theologian

 The retired Papal leader of the Roman Catholic Church

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has passed away,

according to papal announcement to the press

Dec. 31, 2022 at his residence in retirement

MATER ECCLESIAE MONASTERY (Vatican City)

His body will lie in state at St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

beginning 2 January 2023.

Further announcements about the funeral and entombment

are forthcoming.

Full Moon for January will be 1/6/2023: Wolf Moon

 According to Old Farmer's Almanac (almanac.com ):

the First Full Moon will be a micro-moon (opposite of "Super Moon")

on Friday Jan. 6, 2023

reaching peak illumnation at 6:09 p.m. 

Details at Web page

https://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-january

Ski Swiss Valley / also Snowboarding (Jones, Michigan) - SW Michgan

 Open today

Dec. 26, 2022

Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboarding area - now open

for 2022

Ski Rental for hours of operation $25

Ticket prices vary - different days and holidays

see details at

http://www.skiswissvalley.com/hours-rates/

Winter Weather Advisory - Berrien, Cass Counties, Michigan - 12/25/2022

National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for

Xmas Day 2022

until 10 a.m. today Eastern Time

Snow expected.

Total accumulations = 2 inches 

paired with blowing and drifting snow and wind chill.

Westerly wind gusting as high as 30 mph.

Plan on slippery road conditions

Visibility could be significantly be reduced due to blowing snow

HEALTH IMPACT: Hypothermia could be a result

of high subzero wind chill if precautions and frostbite prevention

not taken.

Blizzard Warning continues until 1 p.m. 12/24

National weather Service

warns residents of SW Michigan (Berrien, Cass counties)

that travel is NOT safe and that

roads remain snow-covered and treacherous

Temperatures are in single digits and winds remain high

Saturday Dec. 24, 2022

Amtrak suspends for Xmas weekend some services in Midwest and cross-Country

 from THE HILL dot-com

In a news alert Wed. 12/21/2022

Amtrak has suspended some services through Sunday 12/25

due to a massive winter storm sweeping across the nation.

Amtrak has suspended some Midwest and cross-country routes

temporarily.

https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/3785167-amtrak-suspending-some-service-due-to-massive-winter-storm/

School closings

Berrien and Cass Counties MICHIGAN

Blizzard Warning - Friday 12/23/22

No Classes nor Athletic/extra-curricular events through weekend

Berrien Springs Public Schools

Brandywine Public Schools

Cassopolis Schools - no evening activities

Coloma Schools

Dowagiac Schools - 

Edwardsburg Schools

Lakeshore Schools

Niles Community Schools

2022 report on life expectancy - United States falls another drop of 7 months

 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday 12/22/22

that the average citizen's life expectancy fell 7 months, following a previous decrease

of 1.8 years in 2020

Details at TheHill dot-com

Every age group from 1 year olds to 85-yr.-olds saw a decrease in life

expectancy - for men and for women.

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3784852-us-life-expectancy-fell-again-in-2021-driven-by-covid-and-drug-overdoses/

Blizzard Warning

 from 4 p.m. Eastern Thursday (12/22) until 1 p.m. Eastern Saturday

12/24 [Xmas Eve 2022]

Total Snow Accumulations 6 - 12 "

More expected in Cass and Berrien Counties, Michigan

Winds Gusting as high as 55 mph

Travel will be difficult to impossible

North IN and SW Michigan

Gretchen Whitmer - Jan. 2023

Inauguration details at

https://www.wsjm.com/2023/01/01/whitmer-gilchrist-inaugurated-for-second-terms/

The re-elected Governor of Michigan will be sworn into

office on 1/1/23 and celebrate the day with voters and supporters

of all ages.

ALSO

sworn in were Lt. Governor Gilchrist,

Attorney General Dana Nessel,

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson,

and Supreme Court justices Bernstein, Bolden, and Zahra.

Where: Lansing, MI at the State Capitol

Details at Detroit FREE PRESS

https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/19/governor-gretchen-whitmer-inauguration-2023-lansing/69739451007/

Time of Winter Solstice (December 2022)

 4:48 p.m. Eastern

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

information in article for Michigan Live!

Marks the moment when the Earth Northern Hemisphere is at

maximum tilt away from the Sun.

That day will be the least amount of sunlight and the

changing amounts will add up until the Summer Solstice 2023

when the amount of daylight will reach its peak.

Tyler Buchner

 The Dec. 30, 2022

Gator Bowl (Jacksonville, FL)

is a second chance for the injured and now rehabilitated

Quarterback for the Notre Dame (IN) Fighting Irish

Men's Football Team (NCAA)

to face a major opponent (South Carolina) and

bring home a first Bowl victory for new Head Coach

Marcus Freeman.

Buchner was starting QB for two of Notre Dame's

losses in the 8-4 season.

The Irish began with a loss to the Ohio State University

Buckeyes at South Bend, IN and Buchner was injured

during the loss to Marshall University.

Notre Dame this season also lost to USC at Los Angeles

Memorial Coliseum (California).

When will twice-impeached, never-conceding Former #POTUS be charged with crimes/felonies?

 Dec. 19, 2022

End of January 6 Commission (bipartisan) business hearing was

a unanimous referral to the Dept. of Justice (Executive Branch)

of charges that include:

Insurrection

Obstruction of justice

Conspiring to defraud the United States

Dereliction of Duty

https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/20/politics/trump-january-6-committee-analysis/index.html

Winter Storm Watch (Thursday night - Saturday morning) Dec. 22 - 24, 2022

Counties: Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch in Michigan

up to 6 inches

Blizzard conditions possible for parts of N. Indiana, SW Michigan, NW Ohio

Thurs. 12/22 evening 7 p.m. through Xmas Eve (12/24) 7 a.m.

West Winds could gust 55 mph and will cause blowing and drifting snow.

United Methodist General Conference (scheduled April 2024): will be composed of 2020 elected clergy & laity

The 2024 General Conference will be a momentous meeting, delayed from Spring 2020,

when the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated that the planned meeting in Minnesota

be cancelled.  However, the Judicial Council has announced that all the

Conference delegations will be seated from those elected for 2020.

Details at UM News dot-com article

https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-court-no-new-elections-needed-for-gc2024?mkt_tok=MDc4LUpYUS02NDMAAAGIvDHRAkX75dtctuEbrhKMtfPna1isXnTXP1binCtJ3s0UuOHBngcpOBgH8ze7g1peEwwIGKzGRK5Acx7gCqJi5_p83IW88e1hL-kqh1wuyVKB-A

Notre Dame's QB, Tight End, 2 others

 Who are the Fighting irish Football starting players who have opted 

NOT to play in the 12/30/2022 "Gator Bowl" (Jacksonville, FL)

for head coach Marcus Freeman and Offensive coach Tommy Rees?

Quarterback Drew Pyne (will instead enter NCAA 

transfer portal in 2023);

TE Michael Mayer (will seek NFL Draft 2023);

DB Jayden Bellamy (Transfer Portal);

DL Jacob Lacey (Transfer Portal).

https://dknation.draftkings.com/2022/12/13/23504520/notre-dame-gator-bowl-game-players-opt-out-nfl-draft-transfer-portal-injuries-michael-mayer

Jelly-filled doughnuts and sufganiyot

This weekend : 12/18 Sunday late afternoon in Downtown area

South Bend, IN (1st night of Hanukkah 2022)

Menorah lighting

speeches by local rabbis 

WHERE: Jon Hunt Plaza at Morris Performing Arts Center

5:30 p.m. Eastern - FREE

Sponsor:  Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley (IN) https://www.facebook.com/thejewishfed/

https://www.abc57.com/news/community-chanukiah-lighting-in-downtown-south-bend-december-18

A hidden Cezanne self-portrait

 Cincinnati (OH) Art Museum curators notices odd cracking and surface

on an 1865 "Still Life" painting by the French master;

X-ray revealed a likely self-portrait underneath at the base level

of the canvas; details here at a web article

https://cincinnatiartmuseum.org/about/blog/revealing-a-hidden-c%C3%A9zanne/

Winter Weather Advisory (Friday until Saturday) - Southern Berrien County, SW Michigan

National Weather Advisory has announced a

Winter Weather advisory

Snowy and ice-covered roads

from 1 a.m. today 12/16 until 7 a.m. Saturday 12/17.

89-year-old passed over for 2023 job of President Pro Tempore (4th in line for POTUS)

 According to comments by Sen. Majority leader Schumer,

the oldest member of the U.S. Senate (Dianne Feinstein, sr. Senator CA)

will be passed over as the successor to Patrick Leahy (Vermont) who retired

1/3/2023.

The New President Pro Tempore will be Senator Patty Murray (Washington State)

Both women have been Senators since Nov. 1992.

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3738557-schumer-to-nominate-murray-as-senate-president-pro-tempore/

Citizens living in Territory of Puerto Rico will have 3-choice referendum

 H.R. Bill passed 12/15/2022

Statehood

or

Independence

or 

Independence w/free association.

Vote will take place Nov. 2024.

The proposal would commit Congress to accepting

Puerto Rico as the 51st State of the Union.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/house-democrats-pass-referendum-decolonize-puerto-rico-95374401

POTUS announces 2023 trip to Africa (surprise mid-December, 2022)

 In addition to a trip to several allied nations in the continent of Africa,

(details to be worked by State Dept., Defense Dept., Secret Service)

Pres. Joe Biden announced Dec. 15 at a summit with several

national leaders that the African Union  (55 nations) should be admitted to the 

"Group of 20" where ongoing concerns on the Global Climate Crisis

are before the group of world's largest economies.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/15/president-biden-announces-africa-trip/10901814002/

End of Finals Week (August - December 2022)

 University of Notre Dame, S. Bend, IN

last day of Final Examinations is

Dec. 16, 2022

https://events.nd.edu/events/2022/12/16/final-exams-no-review-sessions/

Country Bake Shop (Roseland, IN suburb 50-yr. business) South Bend, IN details

 To close 12/31/2022

New Owner has bought from longstanding  owner - plans for future unclear

The Custom Bakery - pastries, cookies

Wedding Cake Room and daily selection/s

https://www.visitsouthbend.com/listing/country-bake-shop/8967/

local NBC affiliate WNDU (near Holy Cross College, St. Mary's College, ND) 

interview of owner who will close the Bake Shop to spend more time with

grandchild

Geminid Meteor Showers

 Peak visibility tonight

Dec. 13, 2022

annual "light show"

Shortest day (length of sunlight) of the year 2022

 In Northern Hemisphere

the WINTER SOLSTICE

will take place on Dec. 21, 2022

8 hours 46 minutes

Who is Benoit Blanc?

Talented detective invented by screenwriter/director

Rian Johnson for KNIVES OUT (series of detective-comedies-thrillers)

Portrayed by Daniel Craig

Based on famous historian-lecturer Shelby Foote

Origin MISSISSIPPI

Feast Day to be observed, But ONLY if it doesn't fall on Sunday

 Today is an anniversary of a "New World" religious 

high holy day for Hispanic (esp. Mexican) R. Catholics

"Our Lady of Guadalupe"

It is not observed in local parishes however on its date

12/12

if the 12th of December falls on a Sunday.

see USCCB dot-org web page

https://www.usccb.org/events/2022/feast-our-lady-guadalupe

Free Christmas Cookies & Beverage

Dec. 17, 2022 

10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Hammes Bookstore (Univ. of Notre Dame, IN)

Join authors and President John Jenkins for chilren's storytime

and photos w/Santa

a take-home Xmas ornament activity

Authors = Mike Brown & Grace Jagala

https://events.nd.edu/events/2022/12/17/bookstore-christmas-open-house/

American pit bull "Bice" part of Pet Therapy for Ukrainian children & youth

 from ABC News coverage (December 2022)

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/dog-therapy-kids-facing-trauma-war-ukraine-95047038

the playful 8-yr.-old Pit Bull Terrier arrived this week at an activity

center near Kyiv, Ukraine's capital

CENTER for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation

describes a 30-minute session led by the Pit Bull & handler & psychologist

Darina Korozei

The Dead Sea (Israel - Jordan) is Dying! Photo collection with captions (NPR.org)

 https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2022/12/11/1139524126/photos-dead-sea-water-level-dropping-sinkholes-erosion

The water level is dropping 4 feet each year

the main part of the lake is 950 feet deep (15% shallower and 1/3 of the

surface area measured 50 years ago (1972 survey))

as the lake recedes it changes the landscape in ways both

beautiful and ominous

SOLUTIONS have been proposed but no action taken

Difficulties include climate change + sinkholes and abandonment of

previous resorts and tourist locales

Dec. 11 - Historic West Washington Neighborhood Walking Tour - South Bend, IN

 Annual walking tour and holiday hospital visits by South Bend

residents and visitors to nearby downtown South Bend, IN urban vicinity

(near Four Winds South Bend Cubs Stadium)

Places welcoming are:

Oliver Inn

Tippecanoe Place

St. Paul's Memorial U.M. Church

Private homes at 710 W. Washington

724 W. Washington

920 W. Washington Street

more details at DTSB.com (DownTown South Bend website)

https://www.downtownsouthbend.com/downtown-historic-walking-tour

Free

1 - 5 p.m. no registration required; may start where you wish - in what order

you and your group select

When is Hanukkah 2022 (8 nights)?

 for this year and this month the Hanukkah nights begin at:

Dec. 18, 2022

and end on:

Dec. 26, 2022.

www.chabad.org/ 

https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/671899/jewish/When-Is-Hanukkah-Chanukah-Celebrated-in-2022-2023-2024-2025-and-2026.htm

Respect for Marriage Act (law ensuring status of Bi-racial, Same-Sex marriages) passes House 258-169

 from story by NPR correspondents

Thursday Dec. 8, 2022 was the historic day when bipartisan support ruled the day

258 - 169

the bill dismantled the 1990s "Defense of Marriage" act (Clinton-Gingrich era)

and codified same-sex marriage recognition between the states.

An amendment by Collins,  Tillis, Portman (GOP) ensured that non-profit

not be required to help perform a same-sex marriage ceremony.

More details at NPR.org

https://www.npr.org/2022/11/29/1139676719/same-sex-marriages-bill-senate-vote

Amy Grant, U2, Gladys Knight, George Clooney, Tania Leon

 Who are the Kennedy Center Honors class for Dec. 28, 2022

CBS will air the ceremony (taped)

between 8 - 10 p.m. Eastern

Honoring the important figures in music and the arts

https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/honors/

Domestic Hour

 The 1A (NPR daily call-in program) : Friday discussion of

National and Regional issues -- listeners interact via FaceBook

and Twitter comments - questions.

Guest journalists, politicos on board today at 10 a.m. Eastern

Anita Kumar

Steve Clemons,

Mario Parker

https://the1a.org/segments/warnock-walker-griner/

December 9, 2022 (second Friday)

Gift of Lights - Potawatomi Zoo - Holiday event tonight Dec. 9

Special event during December annually

Potawatomi Zoo, South Bend, IN (Near IUSB campus area)

500 S. Greenlawn, Zip 46615

Phone 574-235-9800

Light show for families and couples, zoo friends and patrons

Admission $ Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door

hours after sundown (weather today may be slushy, rainy)

5 - 9 p.m.

Future Fridays in December : Dec. 16

Saturday 12/17; Sunday Dec. 18

https://www.potawatomizoo.org/lights/

Wed. Dec. 21, 2022 Noon to 6 p.m. Blood Drive

 Spectrum Health Lakeland Niles (MI) Hospital meeting room

31 N. St. Joseph Ave., Niles, MI 49120

register at versiti.org

Make a lifesaving difference and donate a pint of blood

at this volunteer event ahead of the holidays.

Full Cold Moon Dec. 7, 2022

 details from Old Farmer's Almanac (www.almanac.com)

December's full moon reaches peak illumination on December 7, 2022

at 11:09 p.m. Eastern Time

The Full Cold Moon has a very high trajectory so start looking for it as it

rises above the horizon; it will be above the horizon longer that most

monthly full moons.

The Cold Moon is a Mohawk name that conveys the frigid conditions of

this time of year when cold weather begins to first grip us all of us.

https://www.almanac.com/full-moon-december

Mitten Tree 2022 - drop-off to 1109 Bell Road, Niles, MI 49120

 Please bring your children-sized, teen-styles, adult (M & F)

MITTENS, GLOVES, & HATS

to Greater Niles Senior Center Mon. to Fridays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Details available at 269-683-9380 // nilesseniorcenter@sbcglobal.net

The items donated will be given to area schools.

Your handmade or purchased items will warm hands, heads, and hearts!

You can also bring "TOYS FOR TOTS" until Dec. 12, 2022:

new, unwrapped toys brought to the Donation Box inside the main Entrance.

Notre Dame's last day of Fall Term classes, reading days, Exam period (Dec. 4 - 16, 2022)

 University of Notre Dame, near S. Bend, IN

According to EVENTS page

Last day of class (Fall Semester 2022) is Dec. 8

Reading Days follow Friday Dec. 9, Sat. Dec. 10, Sunday Dec. 11

Week of exams (Monday Dec. 12 until Friday Dec. 16)

https://events.nd.edu/events/2022/12/08/last-class-day/

What and When was the Christmas Star? - Prof. Grant Mathews, Univ. of Notre Dame lecture

 Dec. 9, 2022

7 p.m. Digital Visualization Theater, Jordan Hall of Science, campus

Free event open to the public

Join physicist Grant Mathews as he shares the astrophysical details of

a "Christmas Star" (Gospel of Matthew chapter 2) : what explains the

description best: comet, supernova, planetary alignment?

https://events.nd.edu/events/2022/12/09/presentation-what-and-when-was-the-christmas-star-with-prof-grant-mathews/

High Winds ahead of a cold front - Friday 7 p.m.

 Dec. 2, 2022

from 7 p.m. Eastern tonight

until 10 a.m. Saturday 12/3

Gusts up to 45 miles per hour

Southwest winds will be replaced overnight with the apporach

of a cold front, dropping from 50 degrees F. to the teens

https://weather.com/weather/alerts/localalerts/l/c19fd083f8fef1bbbe76e6eca494d09cbcfc55627cddf8c383d665d066b73b14?phenomena=GL&significance=W&areaid=LMZ043&office=KIWX&etn=0019

Chess Tournament Dec. 3, 2022 @ 620 E. Main st. Niles MI

 Niles District Library announces

December CHESS Tournament - 1st saturday

10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Must be members of Chess Federation: non-member board available

FREE

details at FaceBook

https://www.facebook.com/events/1327878521315839/1327878524649172/?ref=newsfeed