February 29th, 2008
Every four years, February grants us an extra day, February 29. Now I don’t get the popularly-held belief that this is truly an “extra day” to do as we wish. Oh, if that were so…! Unfortunately, editors, pets, kids, and the trashmen still expect me to work as if it were any [...]
By Sandy Mitchell -- 2 comments
February 29th, 2008
Costumes are not just for Halloween anymore. There’s the wearing of the green for St. Patrick’s Day, bunny ears and costumes for Easter, and Renaissance garb for summer Medieval faires, just to name a few occasions.
Buycostumes.com makes finding the right costume simple. Their large selection and reasonable prices take the stress out of being [...]
By Sandy Mitchell -- 1 comment
February 28th, 2008
…or so it seems. According to the US Census Bureau, more than a few Americans are of Irish descent–36 million of us. Below are a few facts about Irish-Americans:
The number of Americans who claim Irish ancestry is nine times the population of Ireland itself.
Twenty-four percent of Massachusetts residents are of Irish ancestry, compared [...]
By Sandy Mitchell -- 0 comments
February 28th, 2008
February 28 is Kalevala Day in Finland. The day marks the anniversary of the publication of the “Kalevala,” Finland’s epic, national poem, in 1835. Written by Elias Lönnrot (above), the 20,000 verse poem recants Finnish folk tales collected by Lönnrot as he traveled on foot around the countryside. The work’s publication marked a turning point [...]
By Sandy Mitchell -- 0 comments
February 27th, 2008
February 27 is National Polar Bear Day. To mark this holiday, let’s take a look at one of Knut’s baby pictures. He may be grown up now, but he launched a worldwide dialogue on global warming. Not bad for a little, furry guy! (Do I hear an Awwwww?)
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By Sandy Mitchell -- 0 comments
February 27th, 2008
Each year, since 1962, Chicago has dyed the Chicago River, which runs through downtown, a Kelley green color on St. Patrick’s Day. (Before you ask, I understand that the dye is akin to food coloring and not harmful to fish or other river creatures.) The color lasts for about an hour. If [...]
By Sandy Mitchell -- 1 comment
