December 1 is World AIDS Day -- coverage for ABC News Sunday politics show

World AIDS Day (Dec. 1, 2013) Interview by ABC News anchor, host of This Week George Stephanopoulos In our “Sunday Spotlight,” U2 lead singer Bono, co-founder of ONE and the RED campaign, reflects on the progress battling HIV/AIDS on this Sunday’s World AIDS Day. Plus, Americans gathered around the television screens this Thanksgiving for the latest NFL showdowns, with growing concerns over the impact of concussions on the game of football. Our special panel tackles that debate, with ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser, USA Today columnist and ABC News consultant Christine Brennan, ESPN investigative reporter Mark Fainaru-Wada, co-author of League of Denial: The NFL, Concussions and the Battle for Truth, and former Buffalo Bills offensive lineman and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Joe DeLamielleure. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/11/coming-up-on-this-week-health-care-deadline-challenges-abroad/

Abolitionist House (Underground Railroad site, SW Michigan) - Holiday Weekend - Dec. 6 - 8, 2013

Christmas at the Bonine House Set for December 6. 7, 8, 2013 The Underground Railroad Society of Cass County (URSCC) announces the “2nd Annual Christmas at the Bonine House” December 6,7, 8. Friday and Saturday hours are 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday hours are Noon to 6 p.m. The historic James E. Bonine House, at the corner of Penn Road and M-60 Highway in Vandalia, Michigan will be decorated from top to bottom in Christmas finery, each room adopted by URSCC members and friends. Santa will be visiting the lovely home all weekend, and this year features a live outdoor nativity. Call 269-646-0401 for more information on this lovely family event. Admission is free but donations are welcome. Web information at www.urscc.org/

The Pilgrims and the Maccabees -- dates have conicided

from Press Office -- whitehouse dot-gov : . . . . . . . . . Statement by the President on Hanukkah Michelle and I send warm wishes to all those celebrating Hanukkah. For the first time since the late 1800s – and for the last time until some 70,000 years from now – the first day of Hanukkah falls on Thanksgiving. It’s an event so rare some have even coined it “Thanksgivukkah.” As we gather with loved ones around the turkey, the menorah, or both, we celebrate some fortunate timing and give thanks for miracles both great and small. Like the Pilgrims, the Maccabees at the center of the Hanukkah story made tremendous sacrifices so they could practice their religion in peace. In the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, they reclaimed their historic homeland. But the true miracle of Hanukkah was what came after those victories almost 2200 years ago – the Jewish Temple was cleansed and consecrated, and the oil that was sufficient for only one day lasted for eight. As the first Hanukkah candle is lit on Wednesday November 27, 2013, we are reminded that our task is not only to secure the blessing of freedom, but to make the most of that blessing once it is secure. In that spirit Michelle and I look forward to joining members of the Jewish community in America, in the State of Israel, and around the world as we work together to build a future that is bright and full of hope. From my family to yours, Chag Sameach. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/11/27/statement-president-hanukkah

Leading off the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade are Snoopy and Woodstock

Internet information posted by Pressroom Macy's Inc. dot-com: The beagle’s clinched the title, no question about it, as Snoopy, the world’s most famous companion with a wildly imaginative, supremely confident, canine master of disguise personality, prepares for his return to the 87th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Thursday, November 28, 2013 the newest Snoopy balloon took flight along with his pal Woodstock marking another record-setting stint in the holiday spectacle. The Charles M. Schulz classic comic character soared in his 37th Macy’s Parade, cementing Snoopy’s long-standing record for most appearances and most balloon versions, seven in total since the 1960s. “Seeing Snoopy take to the sky for his record breaking 37th flight is truly an incredible thrill,” said Amy Kule, executive producer of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “As the many millions of Macy’s Parade fans know, Snoopy and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are synonymous and this seventh iteration of this magnificent beagle and his rascally friend Woodstock will carve an indelible image in the sky as he has ever since the late 1960s.” “When the holiday season arrives, fans around the world immediately think of Peanuts,” said Leigh Anne Brodsky, managing director of Peanuts Worldwide and Iconix Entertainment. “The classic television specials are treasures for fans of all ages, and of course Thanksgiving would not be the same without Snoopy in the Macy’s Parade.” Snoopy returned to the sky over New York City for a holiday trip with his pal Woodstock perched on his head. Gliding down Manhattan, Snoopy and Woodstock delighted more than 3.5 million spectators and more than 50 million television viewers nationwide. Designed by the artists of Macy’s Parade Studio in collaboration with the PEANUTS team, the newest Snoopy and Woodstock balloon giants surely lived up to the incredible high-flying legacy of their predecessors. Snoopy debuted in the 1968 Macy’s Parade and has been a crowd favorite ever since. Over the years, Snoopy has taken on a variety of roles from an Astronaut (1969-1977) to an Ice Skater (1986-1987). From 1988 to 1994 he appeared as Ice Skater Snoopy along with his pal Woodstock. From 1999 to 2001 he partied down Manhattan as Millennium Snoopy. His last Macy’s Parade incarnation saw Snoopy return as the Flying Ace (1968, 1978-1985, 2006-2011), hunting down the dreaded Red Baron. http://pressroom.macysinc.com/press.aspx?catid=0&pcatid=0&mkid=360&pid=15745

Thirty-foot gold National Menorah lit in Washington, D.C. -- First Night of Hanukkah 2013 (secular calendar reckoning) when it fell on Thanksgiving 4th Thursday

from press coverage posted at ABC NEWS dot-go, dot-com - - - . . . 

 Michael Froman, the U.S. Trade Representative, joined members of the Jewish community, congressmen and foreign dignitaries for an annual celebration to light the National Chanukah Menorah Wednesday evening, November 27, 2013. The 30-foot gold menorah is located on the lawn known as the Ellipse, just south of the White House, adjacent to the National Mall. “The story of Chanukah is a timeless one,” Froman said. “It is a story of right over might, of people fighting for freedom, a struggle seen today as people struggle to celebrate their faith.” Froman likened the holiday to “the miracle of falling in love, of doing everything you can for your family, of devoting yourself to service of your community, your country.” 

 The Jewish holiday, Chanukah, marks the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. A small group of rebels known as the Maccabees won control of the temple, only to discover they only had enough oil to keep it lit one night. But the oil lasted eight nights, which Jews considered a miracle. Chanukah, or the Festival of Lights, is celebrated for eight nights. For the first time since 1888, the first day of Chanukah falls on Thanksgiving, an event so rare it will not happen again for approximately another 80,000 years. “Some have even coined it ‘Thanksgivukkah,’” President Obama wrote in a statement read by Rabbi Levi Shemtov, executive vice president of the American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), at the event. “As the first Chanukah candles are lit, we are reminded that our task is not only to secure the blessing of freedom, but to make the most of that blessing once it is secured. In that spirit, Michelle and I look forward to joining members of the Jewish community in America, the state of Israel and around the world as we work together to build a future that is bright and full of hope,” Obama added in his statement. 

 The White House first lit a public menorah in 1979. President Jimmy Carter attended the ceremony. Ronald Reagan is credited with naming it the National Menorah. In the U.S. the first public menorah was in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, in 1974. There are now over 15,000 public menorahs in 82 countries and all 50 states. Despite persistent rain and near-freezing temperatures, approximately 300 people attended the outdoor event. “Look at how many people have braved the weather to help us mark this occasion,” Shemtov remarked. His organization funds the event each year through its National Menorah Council. 

 The festive event included music from Grammy Award-winning violinist, Miri Ben-Ari, and the U.S. Air Force Band. “I would not miss this for the world,” Ben-Ari told the crowd. “I have the Macabee spirit with me.” Ben-Ari, who is originally from Israel, dedicated her music “to all Jewish people in the world, wherever they are.” A 7-foot dreidel greeted children as well as men in historic Macabee costumes. Rabbi Levi Shemtov told the performers that although it was cold, “the Macabees had it tougher when they had to retake our temple.” At sundown, a forklift hoisted up Froman, Shemtov and his father, Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, to light the menorah’s first candle. The guests cheered. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/11/its-thanksgivukkah-the-national-menorah-is-lit/

Thanksgiving Day Menu (1600 Pennsylvania Avenue): Turkey, Ham, Six kinds of pie for favorite dessert

from Obama Food-o-rama -- Google Blog (Nov. 25, 2013): When President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcome family and friends on Thursday for their Thanksgiving feast, like many Americans they will serve beloved favorites that have been enjoyed year after year. The White House chefs have been sharing their recipes since 2009, so it's now possible for home chefs to cook the First Family's holiday menu, including the star of the show, turkey. Executive Chef Cris Comerford's recipes for the garlic and brown sugar-brined White House Thyme-roasted Turkey and for White House Turkey Gravy are reprinted below, with links to recipes for Thanksgiving side dishes as well as the desserts created by Executive Pastry Chef Bill Yosses. The grand finish to the holiday meal is six different kinds of pie, the President's favorite dessert. White House Kale Salad Turkey is not the only meat on the Obama Thanksgiving menu: The President and First Lady annually serve Honey Baked Ham. They also serve two kinds of stuffing: Cornbread Stuffing and Oyster Stuffing. Sides are Macaroni and Cheese, Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Kale Salad, and Dinner Rolls. Kale is currently growing in Mrs. Obama's Kitchen Garden. Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Potato Pie, Huckleberry Pie, Apple Pie, Cherry Pie, and Banana Cream Pie have all been served each year since 2009. The White House Thanksgiving recipes are ucomplicated, and the First Family's celebration tends to be equally unfussy. Last year they dined in the Blue Room, with the feast set up on a self-serve buffet in the Cross Hall. Mrs. Obama's brother, Craig Robinson, head coach of the men's basketball team at Oregon State University, and some of his players were the special guests. POTUS pardons Cobbler in '12 The White House turkey recipe calls for a 20-pounder for 16 guests, which is about half the weight of the young Minnesota tom President Obama will pardon this Wednesday during a Rose Garden ceremony, where he will "reflect upon the time-honored traditions of Thanksgiving, and wish American families a safe and healthy holiday," the White House said. Day-ahead prep time for the turkey recipe is needed: It must be soaked in the brine in the refrigerator for at least twelve hours before roasting. A five-gallon food-grade bucket is called for, unless a brining bag is used. >The recipe for White House Whipped Sweet Potatoes uses cinnamon, cumin, chili powder, and cloves to create a unique flavor. >The recipe for White House Kale Salad includes fennel, radish, jalapeno peppers, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a red wine vinaigrette. >The recipe for White House Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese is a healthy Let's Move! version of the dish, included in Mrs. Obama's book American Grown. >The recipe for White House Sweet Potatoes and Greens was created by Assistant Chef Sam Kass. >The recipe for White House Green Beans with Almonds included in American Grown is the closest recipe to the Obamas' Thanksgiving casserole. >Pastry Chef Yosses has not shared his recipe for Dinner Rolls, but his White House Sweet Potato Quick Bread is perfect for Thanksgiving. >The recipe for White House Huckleberry Pie uses blueberries, too. Frozen berries are fine. >The recipe for White House Apple Pie has a double crust that uses both butter and lard. >The recipe for White House Sweet Potato Pie has a honey meringue topping, an homage to Mrs. Obama's beehive, the first to be on the grounds. http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-white-house-recipes-for-president.html

Thanksgivukkah 2013: when Jewish holiday and American home-based day of feasting coincide

from WSJ -- Wall Street Journal article http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304176904579112022682954300 ________________________________________ To the dismay of traditionalists, the holiday season seems to shift earlier every year, with retailers selling Christmas decorations well before Halloween. But this year, the season will get a legitimate jump-start of sorts—at least for millions of American Jews. In other words, make way for Thanksgivukkah. In a rare convergence of the calendar, Thanksgiving and the first day of Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights that typically commences close to Christmas, fall on the same date in 2013: Nov. 28. And Thanksgivukkah has become a bold platform for expression, with creations ranging from sweet-potato latkes to the "Menurkey." Nine-year-old Asher Weintraub was inspired by this year's rare confluence of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving. His invention? The Menurkey, a turkey-shaped menorah. Photo: Keith Bedford. The reason for the fuss: It is a holiday mashup that has happened only once before—in 1888—according to those who track the Jewish calendar. And it is one that isn't set to happen again for potentially another 70,000-plus years. While Hanukkah, which commemorates a Jewish military victory over Greek forces in the second century B.C. and the miracle of a day's worth of lamp oil lasting for eight, is technically a minor holiday on the Jewish calendar, it has become increasingly prominent in the past century as part of the broader seasonal push. A few see commercial opportunities in Thanksgivukkah as well. Dana Gitell, a community specialist with Boston-based elder-care provider Hebrew SeniorLife, has started a Thanksgivukkah Facebook page and is promoting a line of Thanksgivukkah commemorative items, including a T-shirt done in a Woodstock rock-festival motif with the catchphrase "8 Days of Light, Liberty and Latkes." (Latkes are the potato pancakes typically served throughout Hanukkah.)