Transfiguration Day (Orthodox Christian Calendar) - Religion & Ethics Newsweekly definition

August 6, 2012

Transfiguration of the Lord (Orthodox Christianity)
The Transfiguration of Jesus is an event reported by the Synoptic Gospels in which Jesus was transfigured upon a mountain (Matthew 17:1-6, Mark 9:1-8, Luke 9:28-36). Jesus becomes radiant, speaks with Moses and Elijah, and is called “Son” by God. The transfiguration put Jesus on par with the two preeminent figures of Judaism: Moses and Elijah. It also supports his identity as the Son of God. In keeping with the Messianic secret, Jesus tells the witnesses not to tell others what they saw. In general, the events in Jesus’ life that are said to have taken place in secret, such as the transfiguration, are given less weight by scholars of the historical Jesus than public events. The original Greek term in the Gospels is metamorphothe, describing Jesus as having undergone metamorphosis.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/multifaith-calendar/

Michigan's Longest Garage Sale 2012: August 10 to 12 from Detroit to New Buffalo (U.S. 12)

from Niles Daily Star (www.nilesstar.com/ ) advance article:

Preparations are under way in many homes, organizations and businesses across U.S. Highway 12 for Michigan’s Longest Garage Sale Aug. 10-12.

U.S. 12, the nation’s second-oldest highway, stretches along an old Native American trail from Detroit to New Buffalo on the state’s southwest coast. It is one of 16 Michigan State Scenic Byways, designated by the State Legislature to preserve the state’s historic highways. Since the sale started in 2003, it has taken place during the second weekend of every August.

Sales will include everything from antiques, collectables, furniture, dishware, fresh garden produce, homemade jams and jellies, live entertainment and more. Many nonprofit organizations are collecting donations for the sale because it is one of the biggest fundraising events of the year. Other organizations are renting space out for people who want to sell, but don’t have a place to showcase their items.

Those interested in hosting a sale are  encouraged to register their sale on the U.S. 12 Heritage Trail website www.us12heritagetrail.org by Aug. 8 so it will be included on the interactive online map and also in a downloadable prin- ready list of sales. There is no cost to register your sale on the map.
“This sale has become a destination with people from around the Midwest,” said Kim Gallagher, project manager of the U.S. 12 Heritage Trail Project. “Every year, there are more and more information requests about lodging because people are making a weekend out of the sale event.

“Everyone involved in this sale is helping to create a unique travel experience for people interested in history, bargains, scenery and making connections with real people who live in the towns that dot Michigan’s U.S. 12 Heritage Trail,” she said.

August 6 is 67th Anniversary of Hiroshima Bombing (ended World War II)

story from Washington Post (posted online - August 5, 2012):
ASSOCIATED PRESS coverage (10 p.m. Eastern Time Zone)

Hiroshima marked the 67th anniversary of the world’s first atomic bomb attack on Monday with a call for the elimination of nuclear arsenals.
About 50,000 people gathered in Hiroshima’s peace park near the epicenter of the 1945 blast that destroyed most of the city and killed as many as 140,000 people. A second atomic bombing Aug. 9 that year in Nagasaki killed tens of thousands more and prompted Japan to surrender to the World War II Allies.  The ceremony, attended by representatives of about 70 countries, began with the ringing of a temple bell and a moment of silence. Flowers were placed before Hiroshima’s eternal flame, which is the park’s centerpiece.

Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui said Japan must take a bolder role in leading global disarmament efforts and called on world leaders to come to his city to “contemplate peace.”
He also said the nuclear accident at Fukushima last year has shown the dangers of nuclear technology, even for peaceful purposes, and urged the government to create a mix of energy sources for Japan that is safe and secure.  “I firmly believe that the demand for freedom from nuclear weapons will soon spread out from Hiroshima, encircle the globe, and lead us to genuine world peace,” he said.
Matsui noted that the average survivor of the bombing is now 78 years old, and said the city is increasing its effort to provide them with health care and chronicle their experiences so the events of that day are remembered.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said Japan must pass the experience on to future generations so that the lessons of Hiroshima are not forgotten.
The United States was represented by Ambassador John Roos.

Presidential Candidate's horse Rafalca score 70.213 at Dressage (Olympics Equestrian) August 2

at Blogs. NYTIMES dot-com :

EQUESTRIAN Rafalca, a 15-year-old mare owned in part by Gov. Romney's wife, Ann, begins her Olympic competition in dressage. Rafalca and her rider, Jan Ebeling, will represent the United States, but they both were born in Germany, which has won a medal in dressage in the past seven Olympics. nbcolympics.com, 6 a.m.; MSNBC, 1:30 p.m.

http://london2012.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/02/day-7-what-to-watch-for/

222 years ago - On this date in history

according to Posted History at "Writer's Almanac" (American Public Media: Garrison Keillor)

On August 2 in 1790, the first U.S. Census was conducted. The United States was the first country in the world to make a census mandatory in its constitution. It is to be held every 10 years and to serve as the basis for Congressional seats, electoral votes, and to aid planning of government services. In 1790, only the names of the heads of households were recorded and the number of "free white males" were counted for draft purposes. Women were not allowed to work as census takers and were rarely named in the census except when widowed. Genders and ethnicities of all other residents were noted, but slaves were only counted as three-fifths of a person, and American Indians were not counted at all.
It wasn't accurate, but the first census recorded just under 4 million people residing in the United States. In 2010, almost 310 million residents were recorded. It is now the largest peacetime operation in the country and employs more than a million Americans.

Then, in that hour of deliverance, my heart spoke -- birthday of that Poet - Lyricist

from Writer's Almanac (American Public Media, Garrison Keillor, daily notices of calendar and anniversaries)

August 1 is the birthday of the man who composed the American national anthem, Francis Scott Key, born on the family plantation in what is now Carroll County, Maryland (1779). During the War of 1812, he was aboard a British ship off the coast of Baltimore negotiating a prisoner exchange and became aware of an impending British attack on the nearby Fort McHenry. He was held captive and for two days forced to watch the bombardment of the unsuspecting American troops. And after being released, he wrote a poem called "Defense of Fort McHenry," in which he recounted the sight of the flag still waving through the debris of battle. The poem was fitted to a popular English tune of the day and soon became widely known as "The Star-Spangled Banner."

President Woodrow Wilson declared it the national anthem in 1916, and Congress followed with a resolution in 1931, signed by President Hoover. Key later authored a book on religion and literature and had a career as a lawyer.
He said: "Then, in that hour of deliverance, my heart spoke. Does not such a country, and such defenders of their country, deserve a song?"

New Month begins: August 1, 2012 Lammas Day & Full Moon (Almanac reminders)

from Old Farmer's Almanac (online list serv from ALMANAC dot-com : Dublin, NH)

Welcome August!

Named for Augustus Caesar, the month of August once had the Anglo-Saxon label of Weodmonath, or “weed month.” If you haven’t been weeding your garden all along, now’s the time to plunge in!

Lammas Day—August 1Lammas Day traditionally marked the harvesttime in old England. Loaves of bread were baked from the first-ripened grain, consecrated in churches, and eaten.
PROVERB: After Lammas Day, corn ripens as much by night as by day.

–proverb

Full Sturgeon Moon—August 1
Did you know? There are two full Moons this August!

Weather Blog:

An August El Niño?
Do you want cooler temperatures and more rain? It may be coming.