December 16, 2022

The summit of Mauna Kea saw snow on Tuesday morning. (Hawaii EMA)

Hello, my fellow Flockers, Christmas and Hanukkah are almost here, and the New Year is just around the corner. I hope you can have the time to stop rushing around and take a few moments relax and breathe. As you know, I’m fascinated with volcanoes. I love climbing them, inspecting them, and sometimes even playing in the snow on them. Would you believe you can make a snowball on the top of Mauna Kea! Mauna Loa goes to bed and Tuesday morning it's snowing on Mauna Kea. Mauna Kea gets a good deal of snow every year. You can even go skiing with friends and take turns shuttling each other to the top by car. For those Flockers who are not into volcanoes I apologize and ask for you indulgence, we’ve also included some great items this week that have nothing to do with volcanoes. We have advent calendars, dreidels, holiday performances, good food and another beautiful still life from our good friend and local artist Cita Scott.

From: Hawaii News Now, By: HNN Staff, December 13, 2022

It’s a winter wonderland atop Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island. Snow and ice have prompted officials to close off Mauna Kea Access Road to the public on Tuesday. Web cams from the summit of Mauna Kea showed the snowy conditions and icicles. According to the Mauna Kea Weather Center, it was about 31 degrees Fahrenheit with winds of 26 mph.

A satellite image of snow on two volcanoes on Hawaii's Big Island. (Image credit: Joshua Stevens/NASA Earth Observatory)

A new satellite image has captured the stunning white peaks of two volcanoes on the Big Island in Hawaii, which have experienced their second-most extensive snow coverage since current records began. The high-resolution image — snapped on Feb. 6 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) onboard the Landsat-8 satellite — shows the striking contrast between the snow-covered peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa and the surrounding volcanic rock.

The ADAM Platform illustrates ESA Sentinel-5 Satellite Data that shows SO2 gas rising up from Mauna Loa Volcano in Hawaii is beginning to cover up large portions of the United States mainland. This picture is as of December 2 data. Image: ADAM Platform

Scientists say Mauna Loa and Killeuau are no longer erupting. I know that Pele is only sleeping, and history tells me she will wake again. Since she's quieted down it looks like Saddle Road, the fastest way to traverse the island, is safe for now. But is Pele sleeping or just on vacation? There's been lots of volcanic activity in other parts of the world and we will surely keep an eye out on that.

From: Weatherboy, By: Team Meteorologist, December 4, 2022

While the incredible eruption of the world’s largest volcano, Mauna Loa, on the Big Island of Hawaii, is creating incredible photographs and videos that are being shared online of lava fountains and glowing lava rivers that stretch for miles, something much less visible is spewing from the volcano too. Satellites are tracking another hazard from the volcano as a potentially toxic plume rises from it and makes its way around the Earth. Based on data captured by the Sentinel-5 Earth-observing satellite, the potentially toxic plume of sulfur dioxide has made is already spreading over the large parts of the United States mainland.

From: Star Advertiser, By: Timothy Hurley, December 15, 2022

It was only a couple of days ago that Hawaii island was sporting two erupting volcanoes mesmerizing the masses with the awe-­inspiring power of nature.

Today there are none.

Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Tuesday declared both the Mauna Loa and Kilauea eruptions over, saying the production of lava, volcanic gases and seismicity on both mountains either ended or diminished to negligible amounts.

Two active Hawaii volcanoes have stopped erupting

U.S. scientists on Tuesday declared two active Hawaii volcanoes -- one where lava destroyed hundreds of homes in 2018 and another where lava recently stalled before reaching a crucial Big Island highway -- have stopped erupting.

From: YouTube, By: afarTV, December 8, 2022

A lava boat traverses down the fissure 3 lava channel during the Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa on December 7, 2022. Lava boats or lava balls form when portions of the fissure cone or lava channel levees break away and are rafted down the lava stream. As they move along in the channel, additional lava can cool to their surface to form accretionary lava balls. USGS video by M. Patrick.

I’ve always been interested in Christmas around the world. You don't have to be Christian to celebrate Christmas. Christmas is celebrated around the world by many different cultures, sometimes on different dates, and very often in different ways. It's sometimes divorced from the religious aspects, but always centered on the traditions of friends, family, and giving. Let’s enjoy Christmas and ring in the New Year by sharing ourselves and spending time with those we care about.

Compared to other religious festivals, Christmas is quite a small festival in India, due to the number of people who are Christians (about 2.3%) compared to people who belong to other religions. Having said this, the population of India is over 1 Billion, so there are over 25 million Christians in India!

One of the largest Indian Christian Communities in a city is in Mumbai. A lot of the Christians in Mumbai (previously known as Bombay) are Roman Catholics. In India's smallest state, Goa which is on the west of India, about 26% of people are Christians. Many of the Christians in Mumbai came from or have roots in Goa. The states of Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram (all on the very east of India) have high populations of Christians as well.

Christmas in Mongolia

You may wonder that Mongolian people celebrate Christmas as it is officially a Buddhist nation. But, there were 41,117 Christians, according to the 2010 National Census (age of 15 and older) or 2.1% of total population. Christian churches in Mongolia have a service or celebratory concert in the evening. Even Mongolians do not celebrate Christmas, they celebrate New Year with a “New Year’s Tree” (Christmas trees) and have lots of parties. There is no recognition of Christ. Like for most countries, the first day of New Year is a day off in Mongolia, giving opportunities for most people to celebrate between families and friends. If the January 01 is during a weekend, it is then agreed to have a day off during the closest week!

Photo: Korn Vitthayanukarun/Dreamstime

If this year is your first Christmas in Japan, you might be a little surprised (or even confused) at some of the traditions you witness. Even though only about 1 percent of the Japanese population are Christian, Christmas is still a pretty big deal over here (as you may have noticed with the plethora of Christmas markets and stunning illuminations dotting every corner of Tokyo). But the Japanese have their own spin on Christmas that doesn’t include any religious affiliations. We’ve broken down the three most important Japanese Christmas traditions and where they all came from.

I remember my first go around with advent calendars as a teacher. They are so much more than a cardboard box with chocolates. The variations of this tradition are endless in both presentation and each day’s offering.

Advent calendars have become a staple tradition of Christmas, helping us to count down the days from the 1st to the 25th December. Since their invention, they have evolved from having little doors which concealed a picture or a bible verse and now include gifts such as alcohol, make-up or even cheese. The word ‘Advent’ is derived from the Latin word for ‘coming’. Advent calendars can be traced back to the 19th century when families would mark every day in December until Christmas Eve with a chalk line. Originally, the four-week period known as Advent began as a time for converts to Christianity to prepare for baptism. It is now more commonly associated with the celebrated anniversary of Christ’s birth.

Photo: Getty Images

For many families, the magic of Christmas spans throughout the month of December. Keep kids in the holiday spirit by using an advent calendar, which lets you count down until Santa makes his arrival. Each day, kids "open" the corresponding door (or box, envelope, bag, etc.) to receive a small treat—and the knowledge that they're one day closer to December 25!

The dreidel or sevivon is perhaps the most famous custom associated with Hanukkah. Indeed, various rabbis have tried to find an integral connection between the dreidel and the Hanukkah story; the standard explanation is that the letters nun, gimmel, hey, shin, which appear on the dreidel in the Diaspora, stand for nes gadol haya sham–“a great miracle happened there,” while in Israel the dreidel says nun, gimmel, hey, pey, which means “a great miracle happened here.”

The Hebrew word for dreidel is sevivon, which, as in Yiddish, means “to turn around.” Dreidel s have four Hebrew letters on them, and they stand for the saying, Nes gadol haya sham, meaning A great miracle occurred there. In Israel, instead of the fourth letter shin, there is a peh, which means the saying is Nes gadol haya po — A great miracle occurred here. Playing with the dreidel is a traditional Hanukkah game played in Jewish homes all over the world, and rules may vary.

FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

From: History.com, By: Becky Little, April 12, 2022

What does it mean for a disease to be “endemic”?

It doesn’t mean the disease disappeared. When epidemiologists use the word “endemic,” they mean that a disease is occurring “at an expected level in a location during a period of time,” explains epidemiologist René Najera, editor of The History of Vaccines, an online resource by The College of Physicians of Philadelphia.

From: Selah Carefarm

The Selah Carefarm just outside of Sedona, AZ is the first carefarm for the traumatically bereaved in the U.S. It’s a very special place on 10 acres of beautiful farmland where bereaved family members can come to both give and receive connection, compassion, and understanding. All the animals on the carefarm have been rescued from abuse, neglect, and torture. Our grieving families know what it means to suffer, and so do these animals.

For those of you who can't indulge, or those who just want a healthier dessert, here's another dairy free and gluten free holiday pie recipe.

Form: Joy Food Sunshine, By: Laura, September 2, 2020

This Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie recipe is everything a dessert should be {and more}. A creamy peanut butter filling sits on top of a fudgy brownie crust and is topped with a luscious chocolate peanut butter ganache. Plus, it's gluten-free, grain-free and dairy-free! This Peanut Butter Pie with a brownie crust is the embodiment of perfection...in dessert form.

From: U of A School of Dance, September 7, 2022

Cyrus has served as a professor of dance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro since 2005 and artistic director of Theatre of Movement, an arts collaborative since 2017. He has toured internationally with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Martha Graham Dance Company, and Disney’s “The Lion King” (original London cast) among others. Cyrus holds a BFA from the Juilliard School and an MFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana.

From: Tucsontopia, November 20, 2022

Hoping to take a trip to the theatre this holiday season? Tucson has options! In this round-up, we will include Christmas shows of all kinds in chronological order - musicals, classics, children's theatre, and more. Included on our list will be theatrical classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Christmas Carol, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Nutcracker, along with music/orchestra shows, dance performances, and pageants with Christmas/holiday themes.

From: Boston Symphany Orchestra

Unwrap the Magic

Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with family, friends, and merry music at a Holiday Pops concert this December. Performing festive favorites from cultural traditions around the world, conductors Keith Lockhart and James Burton, along with the Pops, will get you in the holiday spirit quicker than you can sing “Fa la la la la.”

Latkes and prosecco at Ermanos Bar (Credit: Jackie Tran)

From: Tucson Foodie, By: Edie Jarolim, December 13, 2002

Ah, Hanukkah! ‘Tis the season when menorahs are lit in Jewish homes, and the sounds and smells of frying oil waft from the kitchen.

After a victorious rebellion and the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, so the Hanukkah story goes, only a single day’s worth of consecrated oil remained to keep the holy site’s eternal flame burning. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, until a new supply arrived.

The lighting of candles alludes to the flames of the sacred lamp, while the consumption of fried food commemorates the miracle of the oil. Note: Hanukkah is not a major Jewish holiday, but its customs are in keeping with the general festivities theme: “They tried to kill us, they failed, let’s eat.”

As you know, last month we did a deep dive into Indian culture and many of the religions of India. We haven't tapped into Christianity and Islam in India yet. They represent a smaller percentage of the population than Hinduism, but a larger population than Buddhism, Jainism, or Sikhism and we do not want to leave them out. We plan to revisit them in the new year and also plan to revisit Indian fashion as well with our dear friends Dr. Gulshan and Neelam Sethi. She's promised to let us take a deep dive into her treasure chest of vintage saris and as for Gulshan, I'm not sure if his neru jackets are vintage, but he looks awfully good in them and hopefully he'll sport a few and we'll get to show you them in a mid-January issue of the Flock.

So many flockers have asked me if its ok to share this newsletter with a friend and of course it is. You can share the Flock with friends by simply forwarding this email to them. If they like it, all are invited to subscribe by following this link.

-- Seasonal Delights, Still Life & Photo by Cita Scott, Visit Website

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