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Daily Bread for 12.31.24: Lava Bread

Good morning.

Tuesday in Whitewater will be cloudy, with occasional snow showers, and a high of 35. Sunrise is 7:25 and sunset is 4:31, for 9 hours, 5 minutes of daytime. The moon is a waxing crescent with 0.8 percent of its visible disk illuminated.

On this day in 1999, the first President of Russia, Boris Yeltsin, resigns from office, leaving Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as the acting President and successor.


Making Iceland’s Lava Bread:

Siggi Rafn Hilmarsson is an Icelandic baker with an interesting technique. He buries his dough 16 inches underground where it actually bakes from the natural heat generated by Iceland’s volcanic hot springs. Why doesn’t Siggi just use a conventional oven? Come on. His method is WAY cooler.

The Moon Phases in 2025 – Full-year time-lapse:

Watch the moon phases and libration for 2025, as seen from Earth’s Northern Hemisphere, in this time-lapsed animation that is set at hourly intervals.

Daily Bread for 12.24.24: Dining in a Santa Claus Village in Finland

Good morning.

Christmas Eve in Whitewater will be partly sunny with a high of 32. Sunrise is 7:23 and sunset is 4:25, for 9 hours, 2 minutes of daytime. The moon is a waning crescent with 34.1 percent of its visible disk illuminated.

On this day in 1814, representatives of the United Kingdom and the United States sign the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812.


Visitors to Santa Claus Village in Finland dine in minus 5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Farhenheit):

Shuffling across icy ground, tourist groups pour into Santa Claus Village, a winter-themed amusement park perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle, just seven kilometers north of Rovaniemi.

NASA spacecraft attempts closest-ever approach to Sun:

A NASA spacecraft is attempting to make history with the closest-ever approach to the Sun. The Parker Solar Probe is plunging into our star’s outer atmosphere to try and help us better understand how the Sun works. It is out of communication for several days and scientists will be waiting for a signal, expected at 05:00 GMT on 28 December, to see if it has survived.

Daily Bread for 12.14.24: Kakigori

Good morning.

Saturday in Whitewater will be cloudy, with snowy conditions this evening, and a daytime high of 36. Sunrise is 7:18, and sunset is 4:21, for 9 hours, 3 minutes of daytime. The moon is a waxing gibbous with 99.2 percent of its visible disk illuminated.

On this day in 1911,  Roald Amundsen‘s team, comprising himself, Olav BjaalandHelmer HanssenSverre Hassel, and Oscar Wisting, becomes the first to reach the South Pole.


Kakigori:

Japan’s shaved ice treat is DELICIOUS Kakigori is a traditional Japanese shaved ice dessert dating back to the late 1800s. Originally meant for Japan’s elite. Chefs still abide by ancient methods of preparation, using ice frozen naturally by winter weather. But regardless of the texture, flavor, or weather, kakigori is delicious in every form.

The pride takes a stroll:

Daily Bread for 12.1.24: Intricate, and Faraway, Art

Good morning.

Sunday in Whitewater will be sunny with a high of 25. Sunrise is 7:06, and sunset is 4:21, for 9 hours, 15 minutes of daytime. The moon is new with 0.3 percent of its visible disk illuminated.

On this day in 1934,  Sergei Kirov is assassinated, paving way for the repressive Great Purge and Vinnytsia massacre by General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin.


Mayuko Ono, Shuji Kajiyama, and Mari Yamaguchi report on the intricate work of a Japanese artist:

TOKYO (AP) — A frog holding a taro-leaf umbrella. A parade of frolicking animals. An Ukiyo-e style Mount Fuji. Giant waves. A Japanese artist who goes by the name Lito carves these delicate designs on fallen leaves, giving life back to them.

The world of Lito’s delicate art, which he began in 2020 and posts on social media almost daily, has won fans from around the world. The leaf art has also given him solace after earlier struggles with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and a purpose in life — the joy of making people happy with his art.

He enjoys working at night. From a pile of leaves treated with a wrinkle-free chemical, he picks one and places it on a cutting board.

See Mayuko Ono, Shuji Kajiyama, and Mari Yamaguchi, A Japanese artist finds solace and global fans with intricate leaf-cutting, Associated Press, December 1, 2024.


Sky & Telescope’s Sky Tour Podcast – December 2024:

Daily Bread for 7.21.24: The Godzilla-Making Toy Factory in Japan

Good morning.

Sunday in Whitewater will be partly cloudy with afternoon showers and a high of 80. Sunrise is 5:36, and sunset is 8:25, for 14h 49m 09s of daytime. The moon is full, with all of its visible disk illuminated.

On this day in 1832, Wisconsin sees the Battle of Wisconsin Heights:

Soldiers led by Colonel Henry Dodge caught up with Black Hawk near the Wisconsin River, outside present-day Sauk City. Black Hawk commanded only a small group of warriors from atop a hill, while Dodge pursued with a much stronger force of militia. Although greatly outnumbered, Sauk warriors turned the attack on American troops, allowing the Indian women and children to flee across the Wisconsin River. Black Hawk and his men were forced to retreat to the river, but night was falling so Dodge decided to continue the battle in the morning. But when the American troops went after the Sauk Indians the next day, the Sauk had crossed the river and disappeared. One American was killed and eight wounded while at least 50 Indians were killed and another 80 wounded. 

On this day in 1969, after a successful landing on July 20th, astronaut Neil Armstrong becomes the first person to walk on the Moon, followed 19 minutes later by Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin.


The Godzilla-Making Toy Factory in Japan:

Explore the artistry of Marusan’s Japanese sofubi soft vinyl toys.

Bringing Godzilla collectibles and Kaiju figures to life. This story delves into the rich history of one of the oldest sofubi manufacturers, and showcases the skilled artisans and passionate collectors behind these cherished collectibles. Learn about the creation process, the cultural significance, and the enduring appeal of these soft vinyl masterpieces that captivate fans worldwide.

Japanese cats have a meal by the water:

Daily Bread for 7.13.24: Sydney’s Feathered Celebrities

Good morning.

Saturday in Whitewater will be sunny with a high of 87. Sunrise is 5:29 and sunset 8:31 for 15h 02m 25s of daytime. The moon is a waxing crescent with 46.1 percent of its visible disk illuminated.

On this day in 1787, the Congress of the Confederation enacts the Northwest Ordinance establishing governing rules for the Northwest Territory. It also establishes procedures for the admission of new states and limits the expansion of slavery.


Sydney’s Feathered Celebrities:

Sydney, Australia, has some new social media stars. Sulphur-crested cockatoos are going viral in parks, public transport, and urban apartments, often leaving a trail of chaos behind them.

But the candidates for Australia’s “naughtiest bird” haven’t always lived in the city. So, what brought them here? And how are Sydney’s residents using smartphones to track them? We learn all about the Wingtag and Big City Birds projects.

Fireball seen across Wisconsin skies on Thursday night:

Reports from the International Meteor Organization show a fireball streaked across the night sky on Thursday, July 11.

Daily Bread for 7.6.24: The town with the LONGEST name in Europe

Good morning.

Saturday in Whitewater will be sunny with a high of 78. Sunrise is 5:24 and sunset 8:35 for 15h 11m 19s of daytime. The moon is a waxing crescent with 0.4 percent of its visible disk illuminated.

On this day in 1885, Louis Pasteur successfully tests his vaccine against rabies on Joseph Meister, a boy who was bitten by a rabid dog.

Whitewater’s Independence Holiday celebration continues today at the Cravath Lakefront:

Christman Family Amusements Wrist Band Special: 12 to 4 PM, $25 each
Civic Food Vendors: 11 AM to 11 PM
4th of July Car Show 2 PM to 6 PM, 301 W Whitewater Street
Live Music at Frawley Ampitheater:
Jerry Armstrong & Blast to the Past 3 PM to 5 PM
Cead Mile Failte (Irish Music) 5 to 7 PM
Phil (a tribute to Phil Collins, Genesis, and Peter Gabriel) 8 PM to after Fireworks
Fireworks 10 PM 


The town with the LONGEST name in Europe:

We stopped by Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch. We’re not joking, this is actually the name of a town in Wales. Despite its 58 letters, people in the town can pronounce this place name easily. But, did you know that this wasn’t always the town’s name? In the 1860s, the name was developed as a way to entice tourists to make the town a stop on their travels.

Shark bites two swimmers near Texas beach:

A single shark is believed to be responsible for biting two people and making contact with two others during Fourth of July celebrations at South Padre Island in Texas. Two people were taken to the hospital with bites, at least one of them severe, authorities said. The last reported shark attack in the area was five years ago, according to authorities.

Daily Bread for 5.4.24: The 2,000-Year-Old City of Mosaics

Good morning.

Saturday in Whitewater will be sunny with a high of 77. Sunrise is 5:42 and sunset 8:00 for 14h 17m 08s of daytime. The moon is a waning crescent with 17.5 percent of its visible disk illuminated.

On this day in 1776,  Rhode Island becomes the first American colony to renounce allegiance to King George III.


The 2,000-Year-Old City of Mosaics:

Dating back to the Byzantine era, Ravenna in Italy has been filled with a rich tapestry of mosaic craftsmanship, from the walls to the floors and the ceilings of its architectural marvels. From grand basilicas to intimate residences, Ravenna’s mosaic artistry portrays ancient civilizations through every shimmering tile and preserves the legacy of a city steeped in history and artistic brilliance. Experience these timeless artworks as Professor Daniele Torcellini offers insights into their historical context and artist Luca Barberini shows how mosaics can engage with contemporary issues.


Happy May the Fourth, Star Wars Fans: