for Cass County, MI (especially Dowagiac, Michigan)

Winter Weather Advisory:
* SNOW WILL TAPER OFF THIS MORNING WITH LITTLE ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATION. IMPACTS...

* UNTREATED ROADS WILL CONTINUE TO BE COVERED WITH SNOW AND SLUSH CAUSING DIFFICULT TRAVEL CONDITIONS TODAY. (Tuesday Jan. 31, 2017)

Berrien County, MI (Winter Weather Advisory) - Jan. 30 - 31, 2017

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 P.M. THIS EVENING TO 9 A.M. EST TUESDAY (Jan. 31, 2017) ... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORTHERN INDIANA HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 7 P.M. THIS EVENING TO 9 A.M. EST TUESDAY. HAZARDOUS WEATHER... * MODERATE SNOW WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA OVERNIGHT AND PERSIST THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING. * SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE ADVISORY AREA. IMPACTS... * ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY.

according to National Weather Service announcement at www. weather. com/
https://weather.com/weather/alerts/localalerts/l/49120:4:US?phenomena=WW&significance=Y&areaid=MIZ077&office=KIWX&etn=0003

School Closings (Monday 1/30) - SW Michigan due to Snow Warning

Jan. 30, 2017:
Brandywine Schools, Edwardsburg Schools, Niles District Schools, St. Mary's school, Niles.

Medieval Quartet concert (January 29, 2017) - 4 p.m. DeBartolo Performing Arts Center

"French Secular Songs of the Late Middle Ages" by the Notre Dame Medieval Quartet
4 p.m. Sunday 1/29/2017
Free but tickets required
Further information telephone box office 574-631-2800.
A concert of French secular song from the late Middle Ages performed by the Notre Dame Medieval Quartet.

The quartet is made up of faculty and students from the Sacred Music Program. In addition to its director, Prof. Paul Walker, countertenor, the members include Joshua Boggs, countertenor, and Matthew Kelly and Prof. Mark Doerries, tenors.

The group will present late medieval music as it was often performed at the time, with one singer per part and without instruments. The program offers songs by Guillaume de Machaut from the Ars Nova period, by Solage and Jacquemin de Senleches (including the latter's famous "La harpe de melodie") in the mannerist style, and the early Renaissance sounds of Dufay and Binchois. Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear fascinating and beautiful music that is seldom performed.

Family friendly, all ages are welcome. Dialogue or vocals in a foreign language.
http://dpactickets.nd.edu/single/PSDetail.aspx?psn=8702

Remembering seven astronauts in crew of NASA Challenger (1/28/1986)

The NASA family lost seven of its own on the morning of Jan. 28, 1986, when a booster engine failed, causing the Shuttle Challenger to break apart just 73 seconds after launch.
https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_gallery_2437.html

Student Film Festival features "Standing Rock" Pipeline Protest (footage last year)

28th Annual Notre Dame Student Film Festival

Viewings (Thursday - Saturday evening)

Where: DeBartolo Performing Arts Center

Cost: $4-7

See: http://dpactickets.nd.edu/single/PSDetail.aspx?psn=8744

The Notre Dame Student Film Festival screens films made by ND undergraduates during the past year as class projects in the Department of Film, Television, and Theatre. All films are shot on location and often feature the acting talents of Notre Dame students and faculty. Audience members are invited to vote for their favorite film via text message, and the Audience Choice Award is presented after the final screening.

Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 27, 2017 & Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 6:30 & 9:30* p.m.
*Audience choice award presented after 9:30 screening on Saturday
Browning Cinema, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, Univ. of Notre Dame campus

2017 Featured Films
Some films may contain mature content.

Peace at the Pipeline
Erin Lattimer, Ryan Leen
Two Notre Dame students travel to Standing Rock, North Dakota and find that the story isn't the protest, it's the people.

http://calendar.nd.edu/events/cal/day/20170128/35_All+Events/CAL-2c9360a9-59bafbb7-0159-bc63ba04-00001c3acalendar@nd.edu/

Ticket box office http://dpactickets.nd.edu/

Thanks for page views in the New Year (Author-Editor)

Thanks for your page views (268) on Jan. 24, 2017.  Thus far -- 249 pageviews (Jan. 25th). Friday Jan. 27 - 254 page views. -- Jan. 29 - 226 page views -- Jan. 30 - 248 page views -- Jan. 31 - 220 page views.  Today is Feb. 5 (Sunday) -- 145 page views.
Feb. 7 = 228;  Feb. 8 = 250. Feb.9 = 217 page views; Feb. 11 = 129 page views; Feb. 12 = 156.
Monday Feb. 13 = 435 page views. Feb.  16 = 237 page views. Feb/17 = 416. Feb/ 19 = 186 Feb. 21 = 197;  Feb. 22 = 146 page views; Feb. 23 = 169 page views. Feb. 26 = 162 page views. Feb. 27 = 233 page views.
Keep in touch via the "Comments" option as well as emailing me at my Gmail account.

Happy New 2017!
Tim Shaw.

When is Chinese New Year (Lunar Calendar) for 2017? Winter? Spring?

from China Highlights dot-com:
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival in China, is the most important traditional holiday in China. January 28, 2017. [ Year of the Rooster ]
http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/spring-festival/chinese-zodiac-years-of-2011-to-2020.htm

Noon, Jan. 25, 2017 - Springfield, IL - Gov. Bruce Rauner

from Illinois News Network (www.ilnews.org/ ):
The state’s year-and-a-half-long budget impasse will be lingering over Gov. Bruce Rauner’s State of the State Address in Springfield on Wednesday (Jan. 25, 2017).
This will be Rauner’s third State of the State. At noon he’s expected to highlight successes from the past two years and address the looming challenges.
https://ilnews.org/11850/rauner-deliver-third-state-state-address/

Announced by Speaker Paul Ryan via press briefing and Twitter (speech to Joint session of Congress) Feb. 28

Coverage at The HILL -- http://thehill.com/

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Tuesday that
he’s invited President Trump to speak before a joint session
of Congress on Feb. 28, 2017.

Ryan announced the invitation during a press conference in the Capitol and on Twitter.

Trump's remarks will technically not be a State of the Union address. It is traditional,
however, for incoming presidents to speak before Congress in their first months in office.
Trump’s five most recent predecessors each delivered speeches before joint sessions
of Congress shortly after their inaugurations, but none were officially considered
to be State of the Union addresses. Former President Obama’s speech before Congress
in 2009, for instance, was billed as an address on the nation’s economic recovery.
Trump hasn’t yet indicated if his speech will focus on a particular topic

February 3 -- workshop on Ste. Brigid -- Kindling the Flame -- National Cathedral, Washington D.C.

Kindling the Flame: A Creativity Retreat

for the Feast of St. Brigid

Friday, February 3 | 6:00 p.m.

Celebrated throughout the Celtic world for her warm hospitality and wise counsel, Saint Brigid has also been an inspiration for poets and artists, even establishing a school of art in Kildare during her lifetime. On the Celtic calendar, her feast day marks the beginning of spring where stirrings of new life offer the promise of renewal and growth. Explore the stirrings in your own spirit with an evening of creative contemplative practices inspired by her life and legend and rekindle the creative spark in your life.  For more information contact programs@cathedral.org.
Terri Lynn Simpson is the founder of Anam Cara Retreats. Celtic spirituality is her path, writing is her practice, and inviting people into thin places where they may share their stories and experience the presence of the Holy is her work. In addition to having a graduate degree in theology and a doctorate in Spirituality and Story, Terri is a long-time student of Celtic spirituality. Grounded in the three-fold practices of prayer, pilgrimage, and poetry, she weaves strands of these Celtic influences into the retreats, pilgrimages and workshops she leads in the US and in the UK for churches, healing ministries, women’s groups, and faith based non-profit organizations.

Post-Inaugural Prayer Service (Jan. 21 at National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.) - 10 a.m. Eastern Time

President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend an interfaith service at the Washington National Cathedral the day after his inauguration, continuing a longtime tradition.
Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, Catholic Cardinal Donald Wuerl, and Imam Mohamed Magid of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society will be joined by Jewish, Mormon, and Hindu leaders and more than half a dozen evangelicals at the ceremony on Saturday (Jan. 21, 2017), which will feature prayers, readings and hymns, but no sermon.
The 2017 National Prayer Service has been a subject of controversy similar to the political one that preceded Trump’s swearing-in at the Capitol. In dueling commentaries, the past and present deans of the neo-Gothic church disagreed about whether the church that calls itself “A House of Prayer for All People" should open its doors to the 45th president.
http://religionnews.com/2017/01/21/cathedral-prayer-service-to-show-diversity-after-controversy/

at Cathedral website =

2017 Inaugural Prayer Service

Saturday, January 21 |10 a.m.
The President and Vice President will come to the Cathedral for an interfaith service of prayer, music and scripture readings, designed to reflect the diversity of our nation and to remind the President that he is called to lead all us, not just a narrow few.
www.cathedral.org/

Second Foggy morning (until 10 a.m.)

January 20 -- Advisory issued by State Weather Office, Lincoln, IL

DENSE FOG ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM CST THIS MORNING... * VISIBILITY. . .  DENSE FOG WITH VISIBILITIES DOWN TO A QUARTER MILE WILL BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD THROUGH EARLY MORNING.   THE FOG SHOULD BEGIN TO LIFT BY MID-MORNING

Dense Fog Advisory -- 9 p.m. Jan. 19 - 9 a.m. Jan. 20, 2017

DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 P.M. THIS EVENING TO 9 A.M. CST FRIDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LINCOLN HAS ISSUED A DENSE FOG ADVISORY... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 P.M. THIS EVENING TO 9 A.M. CST FRIDAY. * VISIBILITY... LOCALIZED AREAS WILL SEE VISIBILITY DOWN TO A QUARTER MILE THIS EVENING... WITH THE DENSE FOG BECOMING MORE WIDESPREAD AFTER MIDNIGHT. THE FOG SHOULD BEGIN TO LIFT AROUND MID-MORNING FRIDAY.

-- source : National Weather Service as reported in WEATHER CHANNEL (www.weather.com)

Red Cross Blood Drive at Cowden-Herrick

Jan. 17, 2017
1:30 - 5:30 p.m.
High School hosts Blood Drive; Canteen; can make reservation of time to donate
http://www.redcrossblood.org/

Dense Fog (Jan. 16, 2017) - Shelby County IL advisory to drivers

from WEATHER channel (www.weather.com/ )

DENSE FOG ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 P.M. CST TODAY... * TIMING... DENSE FOG WILL SPREAD NORTH INTO PARTS OF SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS DURING THE EARLY MORNING HOURS. * VISIBILITY... DROPPING TO ONE-QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES. * IMPACTS... RAPID FLUCTUATIONS IN VISIBILITIES WILL CAUSE HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A DENSE FOG ADVISORY MEANS VISIBILITIES WILL FREQUENTLY BE REDUCED TO LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE.

Cancellations (Jan. 15, 2017)

Sunday, January 15
All activities at the Effingham Community of Christ, including live web broadcast, have been canceled today
Today's worship service and all activities are canceled at First Presbyterian Church in Effingham
Heartland Baptist Church in Altamont has canceled all services.

Patchy Fog and Freezing Rain (Shelby and Effingham Counties, IL) - Jan. 15, 2017

6 a.m. outlook and forecast (from XFM 97.9 Effingham radio and online news):
Freezing rain and sleet likely before 11am,
 then rain or freezing rain likely between 11am and 1pm, then rain likely after 1pm.
 Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 36. East northeast wind 3 to 5 mph. 

Impact of Freezing Rain - Southern Illinois (posted news Public Radio, Carbondale)

www.wsiunews.org/

Freezing Rain Impacts Trees and Power Lines

By Brad Palmer • 15 hours ago , Jan. 13, 2017       

            

Brad Palmer, WSIU Radio

Most communities reported light ice buildups on elevated surfaces such as trees, power lines, and vehicles.
Power outages were reported across several communities in southern Illinois, especially in Jackson County, where at one point Friday afternoon, around 1,500 Ameren customers were without power.

Habitat for Humanity (Effingham, IL) -- work postponed until Jan. 21, 2017

Cancellation - Postponements (97.9 XFM radio station web site):

Saturday, January 14, 2017
Habitat for Humanity volunteers will not work today due to the weather. Please plan to work next Saturday January 21 at 8:00 a.m.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service - Jan. 16, 2017 - Serve Illinois dot-gov

from www.serve.illinois.gov/

January 16, 2017

"Life's most persistent and urgent questions is: What are you doing for others?" – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Each year, thousands of Illinoisan​s make the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday "a day on, not a day off." Illinois was the first state in the union to honor Dr. King with a holiday, and we proudly continue that tradition of honoring a man who made our world a better place.

This year Serve Illinois asks you to join your neighbors in giving back. For more information on the day of service, and to find volunteer opportunities, please visit MLKDay.gov.

Lake Land College - Mattoon, IL Main Campus and other branch locations

from The X Radio (97.9 X FM station Effingham, IL):

Friday, January 13
SCHOOL CLOSINGS
Lake Land College will be closing at 3:00 p.m. today - - all classes canceled

Saturday, January 14

Lake Land College will be closed -- all classes canceled

St. Hilary's Day - weather superstitions - from PROJECT BRITAIN web site

St Hilary's feast day on 13th January has gained the reputation of being the coldest day of the year due to past cold events starting on or around this date.
One of the most severe winters in history began around 13 January in 1205, when the Thames River in London froze over and ale and wine turned to solid ice and were sold by weight.

"So began a frost which continued till the two and twentieth day of March, so that the ground could not be tilled; whereof it came to pass that, in summer following a quarter of wheat was sold for a mark of silver in many places of England, which for the more part in the days of King Henry the Second was sold for twelve pence; a quarter of beans or peas for half a mark; a quarter of oats for thirty pence, that were wont to be sold for fourpence. Also the money was so sore clipped that there was no remedy but to have it renewed."
—Stowe's Chronicle

In 1086, a great frost also started spreading over the country on St Hilary's Day.

http://www.projectbritain.com/calendar/january/hilary.html

School Cancellations (Jan. 13, 2017) - Fayette County, some Effingham County School Districts

as noted at "X RADIO" www.979xfm.com/

St. Elmo Unit 202 schools have canceled school for Friday Jan. 13, 2017;
South Central Unit 401 schools and St. Peter Lutheran School will also be closed Friday;
Brownstown Unit 201 schools will be closed Friday;
Altamont Unit 10 schools will be closed Friday.

Winter Weather "Watch" - Cautionary word from National Weather Service (Jan. 13 - 15, 2017)

Issuing Office: Lincoln, IL

Source: National.Weather.Service

4:13a.m. CST, Thursday January 12, 2017

... WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LINCOLN HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING. * TIMING... WINTER WATCH ISSUED FOR WINTER STORM FROM MID DAY FRIDAY THROUGH MID DAY SUNDAY. * MAIN IMPACT... WINTRY PRECIPITATION THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND WILL RESULT IN HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS... ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES... OVERPASSES... AND UNTREATED ROADS.

Bicentennial for Southern Illinois County -- "Bond County"

Article in OWL_CREEK_GAZETTE = Bicentennial Series

On January 4, 1817, Bond County was formed as an act of the territorial legislature.  The
county was named for Shadrack Bond.  The honor was bestowed for Bond's service as a
congressional delegate.  Bond later became the first governor of Illinois.  Bond County
was formed out of Madison County in 1817 and was one of 11 original counties when Illinois
applied for statehood in 1818.  At one time, Bond County was one of the largest counties (26
miles in width and extending southward from 6 miles farther south to Lake Superior to the north.

Hills Fort became the first county seat of Bond County.  The fort was built around 1811, possibly
before, as dates are conflicting.  Isaac Hill built a cabin that was used as his headquarters for
surveying the area.  He was sent here by President Thomas Jefferson.  As more settlers came and
there was more need for protection from the Indians, a blockhouse and stockade walls were
erected.  Hills Fort was the site of an Indian attack September 1814.  Four Rangers were killed
and three injured in an ambush as the group left the fort on patrol.

Hills Fort was not the county seat for long. As the seat of justice was moved to Perryville later in the year.  Perryville was in what is now Fayette County.  When Fayette itself was formed as a county
in 1821, the Bond County Seat was by necessity moved to Greenville. . .

see www.owlcreekgazette.com/

Extreme Wind Advisory - until evening, Jan. 10, 2017

UNTIL 7 PM CST THIS EVENING... * TIMING... THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING. * WINDS... SOUTHERLY WINDS UP TO 35 MPH AND GUSTS 45 TO 50 MPH. * IMPACTS... TRAVEL MAY BECOME DIFFICULT... ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES ON EAST-WEST ORIENTED ROADS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED.

issued by National Weather Service, Lincoln, IL.

part of description at "weather.com/ "

Historian - chronicler Stephen Ambrose (born on this date in 1936) -- he died in 2002

from Writer's Almanac (American Public Media, Garrison Keillor):
January 10 is the birthday of best-selling historian Stephen Ambrose, born in Lovington, Illinois (1936). Ambrose's father was a Navy doctor during World War II, and the family followed him from post to post around the country until he was shipped overseas. The war ended, Ambrose's father came home and took up a private practice in Wisconsin, and Ambrose decided he'd take over when he grew up.
A pre-med student, he was annoyed when his state university requirements compelled him to take an American history class the second semester of his sophomore year. It was called, "Representative Americans," and was based on biographies of individuals throughout the country's history; the first class focused on George Washington. The professor said that the students would be completing their own biography of an unknown Wisconsinite, which they would have to use primary research from the state historical society to write. The result, the professor promised, would add to the sum of the world's knowledge.
"And that just hit me like a sledgehammer," Ambrose later said. "It had never before occurred to me that I could add to the sum of the world's knowledge." He changed his major to history, and at the end of the term wrote a 10-page biography of a Civil War-era one-term Wisconsin Congressman named Charles Billinghurst. Ambrose marveled that he was now the world's leading expert on Charles Billinghurst. "Now what I soon learned was, the reason for that was that nobody else cared about Charles A. Billinghurst," Ambrose laughed. But his next epiphany was what transformed him from a historian to a world-class storyteller: "But I can make 'em care if I tell the story right."
He became the biographer of Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon, he wrote a best-selling book about the Lewis & Clark expedition titled Undaunted Courage (1996), and wrote multiple books on World War II, like Citizen Soldiers (1997) and Band of Brothers (1992).

Presidential Address

from WHITE HOUSE dot-gov reminder :

My farewell address

In 1796, as George Washington set the precedent for a

peaceful, democratic transfer of power, he also set a

precedent by penning a farewell address to the American

people. And over the 220 years since, many American

presidents have followed his lead.

On Tuesday, January 10, I’ll go home to Chicago

to say my grateful farewell to you, even if you can’t

be there in person.

I’m just beginning to write my remarks. But I’m thinking

about them as a chance to say thank you for this amazing

journey, to celebrate the ways you’ve changed this country

for the better these past eight years, and to offer some

thoughts on where we all go from here.

Since 2009, we’ve faced our fair share of challenges, and

come through them stronger. That’s because we have

never let go of a belief that has guided us ever since our

founding — our conviction that, together, we can change

this country for the better.

https://medium.com/the-white-house/my-farewell-address-25e732d1539b#.6b9idkekn

Wind Advisory (Jan. 10, 2017) 3 a.m. until 7 p.m. - Shelby County, IL

The national weather service in Lincoln, IL (www.weather.com) has issued a wind advisory until 7 p.m. CST this evening.  Southerly winds up to 35 m.p.h. and gusts up to 45 - 50 m.p.h.  Winds this strong may make driving difficult.  Use extra caution.
PART of information at Weather Channel Online:
https://weather.com/weather/alerts/localalerts/l/62422:4:US?phenomena=WI&significance=Y&areaid=ILZ061&office=KILX&etn=0001

"Sequel Bowl" Jan. 9, 2017 proves to be Great NCAA championship match-up

from reporting in ESPN web article =

It's hard for any sequel to live up to the original, but this year's Clemson-Alabama rematch in the College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T somehow did the trick.
We got more than a little drama, thanks to a back-and-forth fourth quarter that culminated with a Deshaun Watson-to-Hunter-Renfrow touchdown pass with one second left to give the Tigers a 35-31 victory.
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/14553634/alabama-clemson-rematch-one-best-national-title-games-ever

Freezing Weather poses risks -- After 12:01 a.m. - 3 a.m. Tuesday 1/10/2017

for Shelby County, IL:

RAIN SHOWERS WILL DEVELOP ACROSS CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS TONIGHT... MAINLY AFTER MIDNIGHT. AIR TEMPERATURES WILL INITIALLY BE IN THE LOWER TO MIDDLE 30S EARLY THIS EVENING... BUT WILL STEADILY RISE INTO THE UPPER 30S AND LOWER 40S OVERNIGHT. WHILE THE AIR TEMPERATURE IS EXPECTED TO BE ABOVE FREEZING WHEN THE LIGHT PRECIPITATION BEGINS... MANY ROAD SURFACES WILL REMAIN NEAR OR SLIGHTLY BELOW FREEZING. AS A RESULT... SCATTERED SLICK SPOTS MAY DEVELOP ON SECONDARY ROADS... OVERPASSES... AND UNTREATED SURFACES AS THE RAIN SHOWERS BEGIN.

Mission Day at Cunningham Children's Home, Urbana, IL (middle and High School youth fellowship groups)

from IL Great Rivers Annual Conference of United Methodist Church (list serv announcement):

The Annual Mission Day at Cunningham Children's Home will be Saturday, March 11, 2017

from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Middle school and high school youth groups are invited to join the agency

for an inspiring day as we offer a first-hand look at the mission and exemplary

programs offered at Cunningham.

Youth will learn:

*       what happens daily to help the vulnerable and hurting youth that we serve

*       the importance of faith for healing

*       the involvement of United Methodists in our mission

*       how to put their prayers, presence, gifts, and service into action

Contact Bernice Dallas by email or by calling 217-337-9058 with any questions.

El Dia de Reyes (Three Kings Day) - Jan. 6 annually

from www.mexonline.com/
January the 6th is a special day in Mexico. Known as 'El Dia de Reyes' (Three Kings Day), this holiday represents the height of the Christmas season. The date marks the culmination of the twelve days of Christmas and commemorates the three wise men who traveled from afar, bearing gifts for the infant baby Jesus. The children of Mexico in particular look forward to this holiday as traditionally, gifts are exchanged on this date, not on Christmas day.

In Mexico and many other Latin American countries, Santa Claus doesn't hold the cachet that he does in the United States. Rather, it is the three wise men who are the bearers of gifts, who leave presents in or near the shoes of small children. The holiday is also known by the name of the Epiphany which dates back to the 4th century. A grand feast would be held on this day to honor the occasion of Jesus' baptism and to pay homage to the three wise men.

	Los Tres Reyes Magos

Many believe mysterious events preceded Jesus' birth with perhaps the most notable being the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem. This new star appeared in the evening sky just prior to the arrival of Jesus. Three wise men or Magi as they were then known, whose names were Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar, traveled a far distance to pay homage to the Christ child. They brought with them fine gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Three Kings Day remains an important holiday for the people of Mexico. In addition to the gift-giving aspect of the day there is also a culinary treat that is specific to the holiday. Known as 'Rosca de Reyes' (King's Cake), this holiday dessert offers much in the way of symbolism. Shaped in the round to signify a king's crown, this sweet bread holds a special surprise. Baked inside is a small plastic figurine representing the baby Jesus. Whoever finds this token is obligated to host an upcoming party for the occasion of 'Dia de la Candelaria' (Candlemas Day) which occurs each year on February 2nd.

Half-Marathon Feb. 11 2017 at Crab Orchard Nature Preserve - "Fly with the Eagles"

Fly With The Eagles Half Marathon

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, February 11th, 2017; 9:00 a.m.

Distance:13.1 miles  // From the starting line at the Williamson County Emergency Agency on Highway 148, runners follow a route that takes them through portions of the wildlife refuge’s 44,000 acres. They’re home to hundreds of species of animals and plants and feature a wide range of lands, including hardwood forests, grazing fields, farmlands and wetlands, especially for the flocks of Canadian geese that spend the winter there each year. Runners will encounter mostly gently rolling terrain throughout the course as well as two bridge crossings over Crab Orchard Lake, on the way to and back from the wildlife refuge.
	Notes   On the day of the race (Feb. 11), the average low is 22°F and the average high is 44°F. Race day Registration and packet pick up    7:00 a.m. 8820 Route 148, Marion IL. 62959  Awards in  Five Year Age Groups Hooded sweatshirts Medals to all finishers Make Check payable to: River to River Runners  Mail to: Gene Tincher 2708 Childers Rd. Marion IL 62959  (618)694-9035  EMAIL Click Here Entry Forms should be submitted by Jan. 31, 2016 to ensure a sweatshirt.   Make checks payable to RRR, $30.00 ($25.00 RRR members who pre-register)

Winter Weather Advisory (S. IL area) - Thursday Jan. 5, 2016

Issued by National Weather Service for this quadrant of Illinois -- www.weather.com/ --
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 3 PM CST THURSDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LINCOLN, IL HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 3 PM CST THURSDAY. * TIMING... SNOW WILL SPREAD EAST ACROSS SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS AROUND 2 OR 3 AM OVERNIGHT AND THEN DIMINISH FROM THE WEST DURING MID AFTERNOON THURSDAY. THE HEAVIEST SNOWS WILL BE ALONG AND SOUTH OF I-70. * ACCUMULATIONS... 2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW. * WINDS... NORTHWEST 5 TO 10 MPH. * IMPACTS... THE WINTRY PRECIPITATION WILL RESULT IN HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS... ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES... OVERPASSES... AND UNTREATED ROADS. PARKING LOTS AND SIDEWALKS WILL BECOME SLIPPERY AS WELL.

Until 10 a.m. - Shelby County, IL - Weather Advisory

... DENSE FOG ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 A.M. CST THIS MORNING (Tuesday January 3, 2016)... * VISIBILITY... ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS IN MANY AREAS. * IMPACTS... LOW VISIBILITY AND RAPID CHANGES IN VISIBILITY WILL CAUSE HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A DENSE FOG ADVISORY MEANS VISIBILITIES WILL FREQUENTLY BE REDUCED TO LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE. IF DRIVING... SLOW DOWN... USE YOUR HEADLIGHTS.

National Weather Service via Weather Channel Online (www.weather.com/)

Sky Events

article at www.almanac.com (Old Farmer's Almanac) =
What will make 2017 so special celestially?  The mainland United States will have its first total solar eclipse in 38 years.  It’s not too early to plan where you’ll be.  The moon’s shadow will travel along a narrow 150 mile wide path and that’s where you want to be on August 21.  Go online and search NASA total solar eclipse August 21 and you’ll see a map of the moon’s path.  Maybe you even have friends or relatives somewhere in that trajectory.  Start planning now.

January 1: Moon, Venus, Mars

And give a toast to the Dog Star that it sends some of its magical canine energy and keeps the weather clear that day, during 2017’s “Dog Days” of summer. Or wait, hold off on that toast for a few hours, until later that day. Because, in a bit more magic, at dusk on January 1, during evening twilight, the crescent Moon will form a gorgeous conjunction and sit right beneath dazzling bright Venus, with dim orange Mars a bit higher up. Yes, the year will begin auspiciously

Weather Outlook for Shelby County, IL (morning and entire day January 2, 2017): National WEATHER service

PATCHY DENSE FOG EXPECTED THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING (January 3)... WIDESPREAD FOG IS EXPECTED THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING. THE FOG MAY BE LOCALLY DENSE... REDUCING THE VISIBILITY TO ONE-QUARTER MILE OR LESS IN SPOTS. VISIBILITIES MAY IMPROVE SOMEWHAT LATE THIS MORNING OR THIS AFTERNOON... BUT SHOULD WORSEN AGAIN TONIGHT. MOTORISTS SHOULD SLOW DOWN... USE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS... AND ALLOW EXTRA TRAVEL TIME WHEN DRIVING THROUGH AREAS OF FOG.
www.weather.com/