Jazz Appreciation Month April 13, 2018

DIANE'S CORNER  ... Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month

Set up in 2001, Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) sets out to promote jazz both as an historical and a contemporary art form. If you really want to live it up and can get there Washington D.C is JAM’s main home with an extensive program of events, however it’s celebrated in 40 nations, and every state of the USA, so wherever you are there should be something exciting to do.

During JAM, schools, concert halls and libraries are encouraged to host events to get local areas interested. If nothing’s going on in your area there are still plenty of ways to get involved, perhaps watch some webcasts to get clued up on jazz’s cultural history, tune in to a jazz radio station or buy some new CDs and have a party with your friends. Jazz is a celebration of freedom and creativity so parties and dancing are positively encouraged!

thanks for the funnies, Shelley

Word of the Day

faint-hearted
Definition:	(adjective) Lacking conviction or boldness or courage.
Synonyms:	timid
Usage:	Crupp...became within a few days so faint-hearted, that rather than encounter my aunt upon the staircase, she would endeavor to hide her portly form behind doors...or would shrink into dark corners.

Idiom of the Day

there is (a) method to (one's) madness  — There is a specific, rational purpose in what one is doing or planning, even though it may seem crazy or absurd to another person.

History

The Chicago Flood (1992)

The source of the water pouring into the basements of buildings in the Chicago Loop area had not yet been identified when reports of live fish in the water began surfacing. This helped lead a reporter to the source of the flood—a leak in an old tunnel that ran underneath the Chicago River. It turned out that the leak had been discovered months earlier, but the city had failed to repair it in a timely fashion, allowing it to worsen and eventually inundate the area.

Philippe de Rothschild (1902)

A member of the aristocratic Rothschild banking family, Philippe was one of the most successful winemakers in the world. In the 1920s, the wealthy French playboy took up Grand Prix motor racing, among other pursuits, but soon withdrew to focus on the family vineyard. He spent decades building the Château Mouton Rothschild label, finally achieving Premier Cru—or First Growth—status in 1973. His idea for bottle labels became an enduring part of his vineyard's image.

French Quarter Festival

The French Quarter Festival celebrates Louisiana's distinctive musical and culinary traditions. Held in New Orleans, the festival features performances by local and other Louisiana musicians as well as those foreign musicians influenced by Louisiana's musical traditions. Scores of bands perform at various sites throughout the French Quarter (also called the Vieux Carré). Sixty local restaurants operate food booths on the festival grounds, offering spectators the best in Louisiana cooking. In recent years, close to 300,000 people have attended this three-day event.

Massive 205-million-year-old ichthyosaur fossil discovered, 'one of the largest animals ever'

The massive jawbone of a 205-million-year-old ichthyosaur has been discovered in southwestern England, making it "one of the largest animals to ever live" — it was nearly the size of a blue whale. The findings, published in the journal PLOS, show that ...

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Massive 205-million-year-old ichthyosaur fossil discovered, 'one of the largest animals ever'

1742 - George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" was first performed publicly, in Dublin, Ireland. 

1782 - Washington, NC, was incorporated as the first town to be named for George Washington. 

1796 - The first known elephant to arrive in the United States from Bengal, India.

1808 - William "Juda" Henry Lane perfected the tap dance. 

1860 - The first mail was delivered via Pony Express when a westbound rider arrived in Sacramento, CA from St. Joseph, MO. 

1870 - The Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in New York City. 

1933 - The first flight over Mount Everest was completed by Lord Clydesdale. 

1943 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Jefferson Memorial. 

1949 - Philip S. Hench and associates announced that cortisone was an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. 

1954 - Hank Aaron debuted with the Milwaukee Braves. 

1964 - Sidney Poitier became the first black to win an Oscar for best actor. It was for his role in the movie "Lilies of the Field." What a terrific movie and beautiful performance, eh? 

1997 - Tiger Woods became the youngest person to win the Masters Tournament at the age of 21. He also set a record when he finished at 18 under par. 

1998 - Dolly, the world's first cloned sheep, gave natural birth to a healthy baby lamb. 

DAILY SQU-EEK

IF YOUR BIRTH DATE IS APRIL 13

You were born with daring, genuineness and brains. You have a tendency to face adversity head on using your given talents. Those born under this zodiac sign of Aries are generally very “lucky” even as a child. Although you lose yourself in anger sometimes, and say or do hurtful things, you mainly are a gentle soul but you can be impatient and become easily upset when someone criticizes you. Otherwise, you typically work to resolve problems using your instincts and principles. The 13th April birthday personality loves to travel, so you can move around a lot. You are honest to a fault so most people trust you with confidential matters. Sharing your birth date: 1519 Catherine de' Medic, 1570 Guy Fawkes, 1743 Thomas Jefferson, 1866 Butch Cassidy, 1917 Howard Keel,1950 Ron Perlman

READERS INFO

1.

Sacramento State Festival of the Arts 2018

Apr 10-15, 2018 | Sacramento, CA 

California State University, Sacramento|6000 J St

Sacramento State's Festival of the Arts showcases the talent and creativity of students at the school's College of Arts & Letters. The festival features concerts, dance performances, film screenings, theater acts and a variety of other events. There are also ongoing visual art displays. Presentations and exhibits at the festival reflect a multilingual and multicultural selection of arts in different media and styles

further information: Festival of the Arts presented by CSU Sacramento (Sacramento State), Photography Month Sacramento | Festivals | Sacramento365

2.

Shaw Festival 2018

Apr 4 - Oct 28, 2018 | Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

George Bernard Shaw was a prolific Irish playwright who used theatre as a vehicle to express his controversial views. His ballsy, yet critically acclaimed work led to the creation of the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The theatre company produces an abundance of plays that channel Shaw’s critiques on society, and boy are they entertaining.

further information: Announcing The Shaw's 2018 Season - Shaw Festival Theatre

3.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2018

Mar 28 - Apr 22, 2018 | Melbourne, VIC 

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival provides a massive program of comedy and the performing arts including showcases of theatre, cabaret, street performances, film, television and visual arts. The event is one of the largest comedy festivals in the world and features local talent as well as performers from all around the world. The festival takes place over three and a half weeks and hosts special events in multiple venues throughout the city.

further information: Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Pictures of the day

A gold 20-stater depicting Eucratides I, the Greco-Bactrian King who reigned from c. 171 to 145 BC. The largest gold coin ever minted in antiquity, it weighs 169.2 grams and has a diameter of 58 mm. Originally found in Bukhara, and later acquired by Napoleon III, it is now held at the Cabinet des Médailles, Paris.

RELIGIOUS NATURE

A sandstone Buddha statue nestled in the tree roots beside the minor chapels of Wat Maha That, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand.

knit

thanks, Jennifer

Spring Rose of Jericho pattern by FadenStille

knit

thanks, Helen

Spring Cowgirl

knit

Flower Power mug cosy pattern by Jo Macgregor

				Flower Power mug cosy pattern by Jo Macgregor A mug cosy knitted as a gift - photo’s on my blog page
				View on www.ravelry.com	Preview by Yahoo

knit

Wash-cloth with horses pattern by Ruth Maria

knit

Little Girl Dress

crochet, English pattern is towards bottom of page

thanks, Doris

Bursting Bloom Pillow

crochet

thanks, Nancy

Rainbow Runner Tote Bag - moogly

crochet

Lacy Accent Doily

crochet

Round Crochet Bag pattern by Julie Black

crochet

Abigail Dress pattern by Teresa Richardson

RECIPE

Philly Chicken Stuffed Peppers Recipe

CROCKPOT RECIPE

thanks, Molly

Slow Cooked Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti

SWEETS

thanks, Shelley

Rosemary Shortbread Recipe

ADULT COLORING

CRAFTS

thanks, Alice

Glass Pot

CHILDREN'S CORNER ... Mother's Day

thanks, Cindy

Flower Craft for Mommy

PUZZLE

right picture, wrongly labeled

Butterfly Fish Purple Jigsaw Puzzle

WORD SEARCH

assign began better cease complain demand duet

failure file flourish forecast forest found group hats include

known lakes limit loss origin other power rift

sauna seat short silly sinew small soot stone study swamp

teach teeth test theory thing toaster tools tots welt world

SUDOKU ... medium

solution:

QUOTE

CLEVER

thanks, Kelly

HOW MANY TRIANGLES? (answer below)

SOLUTION:

24! How?

 

EYE OPENER

Friday the 13th: 13 Facts About the Unluckiest Day in the Calendar

Friday the 13th is considered to be the unluckiest day in the Gregorian calendar. Here are 13 facts about this day of ill-repute.

Friday the 13th: Lucky or unlucky?

1. It's Unclear Why it is Feared

Very little is known about the origins of the day's notoriety. Some historians believe that the superstitions surrounding it arose in the late 19th century. The first documented mention of the day can be found in a biography of Italian composer Gioachino Rossini, who died on a Friday 13th. A 1907 book, Friday the Thirteenth, by American businessman Thomas Lawson, may have further perpetuated the superstition.

Others believe that the myth has Biblical origins. Jesus was crucified on a Friday and there were 13 guests at the Last Supper the night before his crucifixion.

Another account suggests that the day has been associated with misfortune since 1307, when on a Friday the 13th, the French king gave the orders to arrest hundreds of Knights Templar.

2. Yet, the Fear is Very Real...

So real that one scientific name wasn't enough. The fear of Friday the 13th is also called friggatriskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia. Now say that 10 times really fast!

Friggatriskaidekaphobia comes from Frigg, the Norse goddess of wisdom after whom Friday is named, and the Greek words triskaideka, meaning 13, and phobia, meaning fear. Paraskevidekatriaphobia is also derived from Greek: paraskeví translates as Friday, and dekatria is another way of saying 13.

3. ...And Very Common!

Experts say that friggatriskaidekaphobia affects millions of people and estimate that businesses, especially airlines suffer from severe losses on Friday the 13th.

Triskaidekaphobia, or the fear of the number 13, is even more widespread. So much so that many high-rise buildings, hotels, and hospitals skip the 13th floor and many airports do not have gates numbered 13. In many parts of the world, having 13 people at the dinner table is considered bad luck.

4. Friday the 13th Can Come in Threes

A bit of bad news for all of you who suffer from friggatriskaidekaphobia – all years will have at least one Friday the 13th. The good news is that there cannot be more than three Friday the 13ths in any given calendar year. The longest one can go without seeing a Friday the 13th is 14 months.

5. Blame Sunday

For a month to have a Friday the 13th, the month must begin on a Sunday. 

6. Friday the 13th Patterns Repeat in the Calendar

There is a calendrical method to the madness of Friday the 13th. Whenever a common year begins on a Thursday, the months of February, March, and November will have a Friday the 13th. This will happen 11 times in the 21st century.

The February-March-November pattern repeats in a 28-year cycle. In the 21st century, the cycle began in 2009. In 2015, 6 years later, Friday the 13th occurred in February, March, and November. This won't happen for 11 more years until 2026 and we'll have to wait again for 11 years until 2037 to see the February, March, and November trilogy.

This pattern will repeat itself starting 2043, 6 years after 2037.

7. Even During Leap Years

Three Friday the 13ths can occur in a leap year as well. If January 1 of a leap year falls on a Sunday, the months of January, April, and July will each have a Friday the 13th.

In the 20th century, this happened in 1928, 1956, and 1984. And in the 21st century this will happen four times in 2012, 2040, 2068, and 2096. Notice something interesting? Yes, it is the 28-year cycle again!

8. Fittingly, Alfred Hitchcock Was Born on the 13th

The master of suspense was born on August 13, 1899 – so Friday, August 13, 1999 would have been his 100th birthday. He made his directorial debut in 1922 with a movie called Number 13. Unfortunately, the film was doomed from the start and never got off the ground due to financial troubles.

Other celebrities and well-known personalities born on a Friday the 13th include actors Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen; novelist and playwright, Samuel Beckett; and former President of Cuba, Fidel Castro.

9. It's an Unlucky Day Only For Some

Friday the 13th is not universally seen as a day of misery. For example, in Italy, Friday the 17th and not Friday the 13th is considered to be a day that brings bad luck. In fact, the number 13 is thought to be a lucky number!

In many Spanish speaking countries and in Greece, Tuesday the 13th is seen as a day of misfortune.

10. And Research Suggests That It May Not Be Unlucky After All

There is very little evidence to show that Friday the 13th is indeed an unlucky day. Many studies have shown that Friday the 13th has little or no effect on events like accidents, hospital visits, and natural disasters.

11. The Day Inspired One of the Highest Grossing Film Series

The commercially successful Friday the 13th enterprise includes 12 horror movies, a television series, and several books that focus on curses and superstitions. Even though the films and the television series consistently received negative reviews from critics, they have a huge following. The mask worn by the key character in the films, Jason Voorhees, is one of the most known images in popular culture.

12. And a Country to Raise Safety and Accident Awareness

Since 1995, Finland has dedicated one Friday the 13th in a year to observe National Accident Day. The day aims to raise awareness about safety – on the roads, at home, and at the workplace.

13. An Asteroid Will Safely Fly By the Earth in 2029

On a Friday the 13th! Friday, April the 13th, 2029 to be exact. When 99942 Apophis was discovered in 2004, it was thought to have a small chance of colliding with Earth. But you can rest easy because since then, scientists have revised their findings which show that there is absolutely no risk of the asteroid impacting the Earth or the Moon.