WHAT'S
HAPPENING MORNINGS ON WEBE 108........
FROM YOUR MORNING SHOW CO-HOST MARYLEE
April 25, 2008
National Arbor Day info provided by The Old Farmers Almanac
"Arbor Day is not like other holidays. Each of those
reposes on the past, while Arbor Day proposes for the future."
These are the words of J. Sterling Morton, the originator
of the Arbor Day idea. He was among the many pioneers moving
into the Nebraska Territory in 1854. With the decided lack
of trees on the Nebraskan plains, Morton made it his cause
to plant trees, not just for beautification but also to preserve
the soil. He encouraged civic organizations to join in the
effort, proclaiming the first Arbor Day in 1872. By 1885,
Arbor Day was officially observed by the entire state and
then by other states and schools nationwide. Today the most
common date for the state observances is the last Friday in
April, although many states celebrate it whenever conditions
there are best for planting trees. Several U.S. presidents
have proclaimed a national Arbor Day.
This is where the otters are holding hands...enjoy!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epUk3T2Kfno
Happy Spring!!!
March 21, 2008
Full Worm Moon
At the time of this spring Moon, the ground begins to soften
and earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of robins.
This is also known as the Sap Moon, as it marks the time when
maple sap begins to flow and the annual tapping of maple trees
begins
Worried that your Mac or PC won't know it's
leap year? No need to panic.
Check the calendar on your computer. There it is: February
29, 2008 ...
...And More Fun Facts About Leap Year
2008 is a leap year, with 366 days instead of the usual 365
days. Why?
It was the ancient Egyptians who first figured out that the
solar year and the man-made calendar year didn't always match
up.
That's because it actually takes the Earth a little longer
than a year to travel around the Sun — 365 days, 5 hours,
48 minutes, and 46 seconds, to be exact.
Therefore, as the hours accumulated over the centures, an
extra day was occasionally added to the calendar, and over
time the practice became more or less official.
It was the Romans who first designated February 29 as leap
day. Later, a more precise formula (still in use today) was
adopted in the 16th century when the Gregorian calendar fine-tuned
the calculations to include a leap day in years only divisible
by four, i.e., 2008, 2012.
Another stipulation ruled that no year divisible by 100 would
have a leap year, except if it was divisible by 400. Thus,
1900 was not a leap year ... but 2000 was! Go figure.
Thankfully, all this intricate plotting will continue to
keep us in tune with the seasons over the next several thousand
years.
Born on a Leap Day?
Born February 29:
Actor Antonio Sabato Jr.
and rapper Ja Rule.
According to astrologers, those born under the sign of Pisces
on February 29 have unusual talents and personalities reflecting
their special status.
Most have to wait every four years to "officially"
observe their birthdays, but leap year babies typically choose
either February 28 or March 1 to celebrate in years that aren't
leap years.
Some Famous People Born on February 29
Born 1976 - Ja Rule, rapper
Born 1972 - Anthonio Sabato Jr., model & actor
Born 1916 - Dinah Shore, singer
Born 1904 - Jimmy Dorsey, bandleader.
Born 1792 - Gioacchino Rossini, Italian opera composer
Leap Day Traditions - No Man is Safe
While leap day helped official timekeepers, it also resulted
in social customs turned upside down when February 29 became
a "no man's land" without legal jurisdiction.
"Help! They're after me!
1912 Leap Year postcard
How to propose to a guy
As the story goes, the tradition of women romantically pursuing
men in leap years began in 5th century Ireland, when St. Bridget
complained to St. Patrick about the fair sex having to wait
for men to propose. Patrick finally relented and set February
29 aside as the day set aside allowing women the right to
ask for a man's hand in marriage.
The tradition continued in Scotland, when Queen Margaret
declared in 1288 that on February 29 a woman had the right
to pop the question to any man she fancied. Menfolk who refused
were faced with a fine in the form of a kiss, a silk dress,
or a pair of gloves given to the rejected lady fair.
A similar modern American tradition, Sadie Hawkins Day, honors
"the homeliest gal in the hills" created by Al Capp
in the cartoon strip Li'l Abner. In the famous story line,
Sadie and every other woman in town were allowed on that day
to pursue and catch the most eligible bachelors in Dogpatch.
Although the comic strip placed Sadie Hawkins Day in November,
today it has become almost synonymous with February 29.
Leap Year Cocktail
Invented at the Savoy Hotel in London on February 29, 1928
this sweet concoction was said to have spurred many a marriage
proposal.
2 ounces gin
1/2 ounce Grand Marnier
1/2 ounce sweet vermouth
1/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Serve with
a twist of lemon.
Leap Year on Stage & Screen
The day also plays a pivotal role in the fictional The Pirates
of Penzance, the most famous Gilbert & Sullivan comic
opera that was translated to Broadway and the silver screen.
In the story, the hero Frederic realizes his apprenticeship
binds him until his 21st birthday, but since his birthday
falls on February 29, it means that technically he is only
a young lad - and won't reach his 21st birthday until he is
in his eighties!
A Leap Year Ditty to Remember It By
Thirty days hath September,
April, June and November;
All the rest have thirty-one
Save February, she alone
Hath eight days and a score
Til leap year gives her one day more.
Full Snow Moon Wednesday Feb. 20th and an eclipse!!
Here's the info from the Farmers Almanac. ENJOY!!
Eclipses for 2008
THERE WILL BE FOUR eclipses in 2008, two of the Sun and two
of the Moon. Solar eclipses are visible only in certain areas
and require eye protection to be viewed safely. Lunar eclipses
are technically visible from the entire night side of Earth,
but during a penumbral eclipse, the dimming of the Moon's
illumination is slight.
FEBRUARY 20-21: total eclipse of the Moon. The entire eclipse
can be seen from eastern and central North America. The Moon
enters Earth's umbral shadow on February 20 at 8:43 P.M. EST,
and the eclipse becomes total at 10:01 P.M. EST. Totality
ends at 10:52 P.M. EST, and the umbral phase ends at 12:09
A.M. EST on February 21. The penumbral phase (only) will occur
over western North America, at the time of moonrise; it will
be difficult to see changes in the Moon's appearance.
Happy
Chinese New Year!!
Congratulations Giants Fans. Here's the
ticker tape parade info, have fun!!!
Have you heard the new 5 question quiz? Listen
weekdays around 7:20am!
Check out the birds in my back yard
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