February 19, 2015

Missouri Senate leader on the fence about 'right to work'

Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, says he has yet to take a position on the “right-to-work’’ bill that is headed to his chamber after passing the House last week.

“I’m still looking at it,’’ Dempsey said in an interview.

He also remains skeptical that the measure — which would restrict union rights in the workplace — has enough Senate votes to override what he sees as “a certain veto’’ by Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat with close labor ties.

Dempsey’s candid observations underscore the uncertain future that the “right to work’’ bill faces, even after the House’s first-time-ever approval.

http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/missouri-senate-leader-fence-about-right-work

February 19, 2015

Lindenwood University announces $625,000 in scholarships for north St. Louis County students

ST. CHARLES • A new partnership between Lindenwood University and Ferguson city leaders includes scholarships for adult residents to study entrepreneurship, as well as $625,000 in financial aid for students in five north St. Louis County school districts.

The partnership, announced Wednesday, also includes initiatives from faculty and students in the areas of criminal justice, communications, film and business. Those initiatives will send students to Ferguson to volunteer, work as interns, create documentaries and do other media relations projects.

The criminal justice department is creating a program to encourage greater interest among north St. Louis County residents and students in law enforcement careers, and to increase the diversity of the region’s law enforcement agencies. The program includes on-campus seminars and other activities for high school students.

“Partnerships like this with Lindenwood and others are going to help us regain the place where we once were as a community, and hopefully move us farther than we were before,” Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III said.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/lindenwood-university-announces-in-scholarships-for-north-st-louis-county/article_d716400d-dde6-56f3-8bd5-287f455f324b.html

February 19, 2015

Daily Holidays - February 19

National Chocolate Mint Day How to Celebrate Chocolate Mint Day
Chocolate and mint goes together as good as the enjoyable peanut butter and jelly. On February 19th, allow yourself to tickle your sweet side with this great dessert combination. http://www.wikihow.com/Celebrate-Chocolate-Mint-Day

Lunar New Year For Chinese, in China and in ethnic communities around the world, the lunar new year is the most important and most festive holiday of the year. Through centuries of China’s agrarian tradition, this was the one period when farmers could rest from their work in the fields. Family members from near and far would travel to be with loved ones in time to usher out the old year and welcome in the new, with great celebratory flourish. With a calendar dating from the third millennium BCE, the Chinese people have for thousands of years been building on ancient customs of New Year celebrations. Although they may vary from region to region, village to village, and even family to family according to social position, many of these customs are still observed. Today, all over China, during what is now commonly referred to as the Spring Festival, passenger trains, buses, and river boats are packed with holiday travelers; shops do a flurry of business selling gifts, new clothes, and festive foods; kitchens are bustling with preparations for elaborate feasts; and streets are filled with the sounds of firecrackers and seasonal greetings. http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/special/china_general_lunar.htm

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/february19.html

February 18, 2015

Daily Holidays - February 18

Drink Wine Day National Drink Wine Day is celebrated annually on February 18 across the United States.

The purpose of National Drink Wine Day is to spread the love and health benefits of wine. Wine has played an important role in history, religion and relationships. We embrace the positive benefits of wine such as new friends, reduced risk of heart disease and the enhancement of food and life. http://nationaldrinkwineday.org

Battery Day What products are available in all different shapes and sizes and packed full of power? They are used in phones, remote controls, toys, tools, computers and electronic gadgets. They’re even used in automobiles. Batteries! Just image where we’d be without these handy dandy sources of power! Today is National Battery Day, an annual “holiday” observed on February 18. This yearly event commemorates the birth of an Italian physicist and pioneer, Alessandro Volta, who was born on this day back in 1745.

The History of Batteries

Folks have been getting a real “charge” out of batteries for centuries. In fact, people have been using batteries since Count Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta invented them in 1800. After Luigi Galvani’s series of “animal electricity” experiments using frog legs, Volta went on to create the forerunner of the electric battery, the Voltaic Pile. Volta demonstrated his invention to Napoleon Bonaparte who later made him a count for his electrifying discovery.

Volta died on March 5, 1827, but the battery continued to evolve. French physicist Gaston Plante invented the first rechargeable battery in 1859 and Waldmar Jungner invented the first nickel-cadmium battery in 1899.

And speaking of batteries – today serves as the perfect reminder to check or change the batteries in those life-saving devices like smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. http://www.examiner.com/article/happy-national-battery-day-get-charged-up-on-feb-18th

Cow Milked While Flying In An Airplane Day Elm Farm Ollie (known as "Nellie Jay" and post-flight as "Sky Queen&quot was the first cow to fly in an airplane, doing so on 18 February 1930, as part of the International Air Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. On the same trip, which covered 72 miles in a Ford Trimotor airplane from Bismarck, Missouri, to St. Louis, she also became the first cow milked in flight. This was done ostensibly to allow scientists to observe midair effects on animals, as well as for publicity purposes. A St. Louis newspaper trumpeted her mission as being "to blaze a trail for the transportation of livestock by air." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elm_Farm_Ollie


Pluto Day Pluto, once believed to be the ninth planet, is discovered at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, by astronomer Clyde W. Tombaugh.

The existence of an unknown ninth planet was first proposed by Percival Lowell, who theorized that wobbles in the orbits of Uranus and Neptune were caused by the gravitational pull of an unknown planetary body. Lowell calculated the approximate location of the hypothesized ninth planet and searched for more than a decade without success. However, in 1929, using the calculations of Powell and W.H. Pickering as a guide, the search for Pluto was resumed at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona. On February 18, 1930, Tombaugh discovered the tiny, distant planet by use of a new astronomic technique of photographic plates combined with a blink microscope. His finding was confirmed by several other astronomers, and on March 13, 1930--the anniversary of Lowell's birth and of William Hershel's discovery of Uranus--the discovery of Pluto was publicly announced. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pluto-discovered

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/february18.html

February 17, 2015

Daily Holidays - February 17

International Pancake Day Pancake Day is the perfect excuse to tuck into a stack of fresh pancakes, but there are many other fillings and toppings other than the classic lemon and sugar.

From sweet to savoury, here are some pancake recipes from around the world to take you from dinner to pudding. http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/pancake-day-2015-recipes-around-world-celebrate-shrove-tuesday-1488170

Mardi Gras Mardi Gras New Orleans
Mardi Gras 2015 is Tuesday, February 17th. We're counting down the minutes.

Mardi Gras New Orleans introduces you to the major participants of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, provides updated parade information and parade routes, the truth about our Mardi Gras history and traditions, helpful Mardi Gras tips, information on the different krewes and balls, Mardi Gras pictures & videos, the best places to get your Mardi Gras beads, masks, costumes, and delicious kingcakes... and much more! http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com

Paczki Day it's Fat Tuesday, and that means it's paczki time. Before you get to know one of the popular treats with your stomach, get to know it with your noggin. Call this food for thought about paczki:

First thing's first, how do you pronounce it?

A single fat-packed, Polish-style pastry is called a paczek, pronounced POON-check. If you've had more than one of the nummy waistline-busters, you've eaten paczki (POONCH-kee).

That's right, "paczki" is plural; "paczkis" is not a word. Now you know, and, as they say, knowing is half the battle.

Just what am I putting into my body?

Sweet, sweet tasty goodness. But more specifically, it's a delicious, sugar-dusted pastry packed full with custard, chocolate or fruit jelly - and is stuffed with more than 400 calories and 25 grams of fat, too. http://www.freep.com/story/news/2015/02/16/paczki-fat-tuesday/23500439/

Champion Crab Races Day If you're looking for some high energy, competitive entertainment for your next gathering, you've found the right place. Up to 100 guests playing at the same time on a level playing field.

Over the past 35 years, we have worked all kinds of events. Anywhere people want to have FUN, (Birthdays, Bar Mitzvahs, Anniversaries). We make the event something to remember where the Person of Honor gets their name & picture on lots of prizes. http://www.crabrace.com

My Way Day My Way Day has been created in celebration of that wonderful phrase “It’s my way or the high way”. The history of My Way Day is unclear but it believed to have been inspired by key events in the world happening because someone had a bold idea and they weren’t afraid to go through with it.

On that note, the idea of My Way Day is simple – it is the day where you are encouraged to do whatever you want, however you want. Do you fancy watching every Bond film in a row wearing a onesie and eating chocolate? Go ahead. How about being a bit ore adventurous and begin to write that novel you were always thinking about? Absolutely fine. My Way Day is your day – just make sure that whatever you decide to do, it’s legal. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/my-way-day/

National PTA Founders Day Founders’ Day (February 17) is when we celebrate the legacy and work of our founders—Alice McLellan Birney, Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Selena Sloan Butler—to better the lives of every child in education, health and safety. It is a time to reflect and take pride in our achievements, and renew our commitment to be a:

powerful voice for all children;
relevant resource for parents; and
strong advocate for public education.
Our founders represented women of imagination and courage. They had a simple idea—to improve the lives and future of all children. They understood the power of individual action, worked beyond the accepted barriers of their day, and took action to change the world for all children. http://www.pta.org/history

World Human Spirit Day So many of our statements nowadays end with ‘the world as we know it’. World Human Spirit Day is a celebration of the fact that what we know about our own world is limited and superficial. It is a day to wonder at our achievements on this planet as humans, and to contemplate the endless possibilities we have as spirits. A day to search within for contentedness and to embrace the fact that we do not have all the answers and that may be for the best. A day to give a higher power thanks for what we have and what we don’t have, for making us who we are and for giving us the ability to touch others. This day is a celebration of continuity, of hope, of awareness, an occasion for us all to connect spiritually, to gaze at the universe beyond our worldly bodies. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-human-spirit-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/february17.html

February 16, 2015

All of Ireland’s Catholic Church records to go online

Tracing your Irish roots just got a whole lot easier as the National Library of Ireland is to give free online access to its Catholic Church records collection online, from summer 2015. This will enable millions of people around the world to trace their roots in Ireland.

The National Library of Ireland has announced that it will give free online access to its archive of Catholic Church records, the earliest of which dates back to the 1700s. The records are considered the single most important source of information on Irish family history prior to the 1901 Census. They cover 1,091 parishes throughout Ireland, and consist primarily of baptismal and marriage records.

Currently, the National Library provides free access to its microfiche records at its research rooms in Kildare Street, in Dublin. However access has been hampered in recent years by high demand and increased pressure on resources. The only online access to date has been through a third party paid genealogical service, RootsIreland.ie.

http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/genealogy/Genealogists-delight---Irelands-Catholic-Church-Records-go-online.html#

February 16, 2015

To The Road Crews & Linemen out there

keeping things running during our variety of winter storms this year across the country.

February 16, 2015

Daily Holidays - February 16

National Almond Day With a history that dates back to ancient times, it’s no wonder this miraculous little tree fruit is so widely used and revered. It’s also no wonder that this ultimate super food has its very own day of honor.


So whether you enjoy them plain or roasted, paired with chocolate or fish, or perhaps as the ultimate aid for dry skin be sure to celebrate
National Almond Day February 16. http://www.nationalalmondday.com

Kyoto Protocol Day The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty, which extends the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that commits State Parties to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, based on the premise that (a) global warming exists and (b) man-made CO2 emissions have caused it. The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. There are currently 192 Parties (Canada withdrew effective December 2012)[4] to the Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol implemented the objective of the UNFCCC to fight global warming by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to 'a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system' (Art. 2). The Protocol is based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities: it puts the obligation to reduce current emissions on developed countries on the basis that they are historically responsible for the current levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol

Presidents Day Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22—Washington’s actual day of birth—the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present. http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/presidents-day

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/february16.html

February 15, 2015

Daily Holidays - February 15

National Gumdrop Day Celebrated on February 15th, National Gumdrop Day, celebrates a favorite candy of many, the gumdrop! On National Gumdrop day, there is no question as to what to do, eat gumdrops and eat as many as you want!

Gumdrops are a tasty, colorful, chewy candy that are made with gelatin and then coated with sugar. They come in a variety of flavors, either from the fruity category or the spice category. These little candy treats have been popular for many years in decorating gingerbread houses. http://nationaldaycalendar.com/2014/02/15/february-15-2014-national-gumdrop-day-singles-awareness-day/

National Hippo Day Bet you didn’t know that Hippo loosely translates to River Horse in ancient Greek. Hippo Day, then, celebrates the third largest mammal on Earth. Why not take some time to waddle in a mud bath, get angry with some tourists, and yawn a lot whilst opening your mouth really-really widely? https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hippo-day/

Remember The Maine Day https://www.facebook.com/pages/Remember-the-Maine-Day/148729341847111

Susan B. Anthony Day Susan B. Anthony Day is a commemorative holiday to celebrate the birth of Susan B. Anthony and women's suffrage in the United States. The holiday is February 15—Anthony's birthday.[1] In the state of Wisconsin, Susan B. Anthony Day is an established state holiday, which was enacted into law April 15, 1976, from the 1975 Laws of Wisconsin, Chapter 307, section 20.[2] Likewise, this holiday is also commemorated in Florida as a legal state holiday.[3] In West Virginia, this day is celebrated on Election Day on even years.[4] This holiday is not celebrated at a national level. In 1985, The Seattle Times reported on a campaign to establish the holiday as one celebrated nationally.[5] (Other holidays that are not commemorated on an official federal level in the U.S. but widely observed are St. Patrick's Day and Arbor Day.) [6] The U.S. state of California has also made this day a legal holiday as of 2014.[7] In 2004, New York governor George Pataki signed legislation that made this a holiday in the U.S. State of New York.[8]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_B._Anthony_Day

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/february15.html

February 14, 2015

Daily Holidays - February 14

National Creme-Filled Chocolates Day People will spend about $1.6 billion on candy this Valentine's Day, including on those heart-shaped boxes of assorted chocolate. It’s only fitting then that February 14 also happens to be National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day!

Many candy companies now make chocolates filled with all sorts of different flavored creams: coconut, strawberry, hazelnut, blueberry. (You know what they say "Life is like a box of chocolates...&quot

So, take a moment today to celebrate this treat yourself - no matter your relationship status. http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2013/02/14/national-cream-filled-chocolates-day/

Ferris Wheel Day February 14th is the annual celebration of National Ferris Wheel Day. This “unofficial” national holiday is held on this day to honor the birth of the inventor of the Ferris Wheel, George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr.

This first Ferris Wheel was invented for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois.

The original Ferris Wheel was sometimes also referred to as the Chicago Wheel.

The Ferris Wheel was the largest attraction at the Columbian Exposition with a height of 264 ft. http://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-ferris-wheel-day-february-14/

International Book Giving Day http://bookgivingday.com

Frederick Douglass Day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Douglass

Library Lovers Day https://www.facebook.com/libraryloversday

National Have A Heart Day

National Condom Day

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day

League of Women Voters Day

National Women's Heart Day

Race Relations Day

Singles Appreciation Day

National Donor Day

Valentines Day

World Marriage Day

World Whale Day

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/february14.html