Sunday, December 30, 2007

A New Glass to Enjoy a Samuel Adams Beer...umm


"It’s been a personal passion of mine to develop a beer glass that elevates the craft beer drinking experience" said Jim Koch, founder and brewer of Samuel Adams. “We wanted to create a glass that offers beer lovers a full sensory drinking experience by fully showcasing Samuel Adams Boston Lager’s complex balance of malt and hop flavors. This glass achieves that mission."

Tiax, the world-renowned sensory experts, worked closely with Jim to identify and evaluate the functional design features needed in a glass to showcase the key attributes of Samuel Adams Boston Lager®. The key requirements for the perfect glass for Samuel Adams Boston Lager included: delivering sweetness from the malt; maximizing the hops aroma and flavor; maintaining the ideal temperature; supporting a rich and creamy head; and sustaining the right amount of carbonation.
I can't wait to try it!

ABC Lancaster News


I was just talking to friends on Friday about: whatever happened to Appalachian Brewing company (ABC) coming to Lancaster and the Mountville area? They (ABC) even went so far as to publish their menu in the yellow pages, planning to open in Feb. 2007. Well, as 2007 draws to a close, no ABC in Lancaster. In today's, Sunday News, their was an article by Paul Franz about what happened concerning the Mountville location and that ABC still has it's sights set for Lancaster County..... 2008 could see 2 ABC locations in the County. Link:http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/214386

Friday, December 28, 2007

My New Holiday Centerpiece


Catching up on my Reading


I have been reading the special report in Issue #1041, Rolling Stone, Dec. 13, 2007, THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AND $500 Billion: HOW WE LOST THE WAR ON DRUGS.

I highly recommend this article.

The Link:


The link for an interview with the writer of the story, Ben Wallance -Wells:


From the Magazine:

Rolling Stone contributing editor Ben Wallace-Wells lives in Philadelphia, where he writes about politics and culture for the magazine. Slate.com just called his feature on how America lost the war on drugs the "smartest drug story of the year." Read on for a glimpse on how it was put together, and read the entire feature here or in the December 13, 2007 issue of Rolling Stone.

Be Less Than You Can Be


HOW THE PENTAGON SUPPORTED THE TROOPS IN 2007


  • Required the soldiers discharged early because of battlefield injuries repay their enlistment bonuses.

  • Sent the longest serving National Guard unit home after 729 days of combat in Iraq-one day shy of the 730 that the soldiers needed to qualify for education benefits.

  • Omitted 20,000 cases of brain trauma from the official tally of troops in Iraq.

  • Denied medical benefits to 22,000 vets suffering from post-traumatic stress by discharging them for having enlisted with pre-existing personality disorders.

Geek alert-2008 USPS stamps release




A face that will tease you, and please you and perhaps unease you is coming to the post office next year, it's those Bette Davis eyes.

On the 100th anniversary of her birth the great actress will be honored on a commemorative stamp, the 14th in the Legends of Hollywood Series.
A 10-time Academy Award nominee, Davis won twice, for her roles in "Dangerous" (1935) and "Jezebel" (1938).

And speaking of centennials, the same year Davis was born, actor Jack Norworth wrote "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," the song still famed in the seventh inning stretch. Postal officials hope buyers will root, root, root for a stamp based on a 19th-century baseball card recalling that special melody next year.

Also in 2008 the post office will launch a new multiyear Flags of Our Nation series, a 60-stamp set scheduled to include the Stars and Stripes as well as the flags of each state, the District of Columbia and territories.

Ten stamps will be issued in June — the Stars and Stripes and the flags of Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut and Delaware.
Following in the fall will be a set with the flags of the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Kansas.
Among the other new postage stamps scheduled for neat year are:
— Year of the Rat in January, marking the Chinese lunar new year. People born in the Year of the Rat are said to be industrious, adaptable and ambitious.
— Charles W. Chesnutt will be honored with the 31st stamp in the Black Heritage series. Chesnutt was a pioneering writer recognized today as a major innovator among literary realists who probed the color line in American life.
— Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, best known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Yearling" and her memoir "Cross Creek."
— American Scientists: Theoretical physicist John Bardeen, who co-invented the transistor; biochemist Gerty Cori, who made important discoveries that later became the basis for our knowledge of how cells use food and convert it into energy; astronomer Edwin Hubble, whose meticulous studies of spiral nebulae proved the existence of galaxies other than our own Milky Way; and chemist Linus Pauling, who determined the nature of the chemical bond linking atoms into molecules and did pioneering work on protein structure was critical in establishing the field of molecular biology.
— American Journalists: Martha Gellhorn, who covered the Spanish Civil War, World War II and the Vietnam War in a long career that broke new ground for women; John Hersey, whose most famous work, "Hiroshima," describes what happened when the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city; George Polk, a young reporter killed covering the strife in postwar Greece; Ruben Salazar, the first Mexican-American journalist to have a major voice in mainstream news media; and Eric Sevareid, a broadcast journalist for CBS.
— Mount St. Mary's University stamped card, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Maryland university.
— Frank Sinatra, Oscar- and Grammy-winning singer and actor.
_ reissues of the designs of the two 2007 Wedding Hearts stamps featuring vines that form the shape of a heart. These stamps come in two denominations designed for mailing wedding invitations and RSVPs.
— Minnesota statehood 150th anniversary.
— Love, an annual stamp this time featuring an oversized heart being transported by its owner to convey that a heart filled with love.
— Vintage Black Cinema set based on posters for five early movies.
— The Art of Disney: Imagination, featuring animated characters.
— Olympic Games, to coincide with the Games to be held from Aug. 8-24 in Beijing, China.
I am most excited about this stamp issue:
— Charles and Ray Eames, who made contributions to architecture, furniture design, manufacturing and photographic arts. Among many other things the husband and wife team designed the stackable molded fiberglass chair.

— Artist Albert Bierstadt, featuring his painting "Valley of the Yosemite."
— Latin Jazz, with a tropical evening scene.
— Alzheimer's Awareness, calling attention to the most common form of dementia among older people.
— Nature of America, detailing the flora and fauna of Great Lakes Dunes.
— Four Holiday Nutcrackers stamps picturing Santa, a king, a captain and a drummer.
— Traditional Christmas Stamp featuring a detail of a painting titled "Virgin and Child With the Young John the Baptist" by the Italian master Sandro Botticelli.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

January 22nd 2008 is the Date: Lancaster Science Factory Opens

Jan 22nd: Lancaster Science Factory.....
The Lancaster Science Factory will be opening Tuesday, Jan. 22nd at 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. With construction now completed, and the interior industrial space transformed into a bright, open environment, the former industrial space will become an exciting learning place for all ages. The Lancaster Science Factory, 454 New Holland Ave, Lancaster, PA...crossroads N. Plum St., across from Quips Pub!
www.lancastersciencefactory.com.

Northeast "NELA" Lancaster News



*The City has received a letter from DCED (PA Dept. of Community and Economic Development) stating that our application for funding for the purchase and installation of approximately 12 litter and 12 recycling receptacles in strategic locations in the northeast has been preliminarily approved. This past September, the City submitted an application for the receptacles to LIVE (Lancaster Investment in a Vibrant Economy), who subsequently applied to DCED on our behalf. Once we get final approval, Carol Parrish McCoy, Project admin.,will be working with Mike Devaney, Solid Waste and Recycling Program Manager, on purchase and installation of the streetscape-compliant receptacles, scheduled to take place in the spring.

*Northeast Neighbors Web site coming soon! A domain name has been reserved ( http://www.northeastneighbors.org/) and will be active in the very near future. Carol Parrish McCoy, Project Admin., will be working with the northeast neighborhood revitalization committee on ideas for content. If you have any ideas as to what you would like to see on the site, please let her know.


*We are in need of a "storefront" presence in the community . For the southwest revitalization initiative, we will be taking up Two Dudes Painting on their generous offer of space for a temporary satellite office where we can display the southwest plan. Please let Carol know if you have any ideas for possible northeast locations. We would like to try and stay in the central part of the northeast revitalization area (map of both areas is attached for reference).

*If you haven't already taken a look at the northeast plan, please visit the home page of http://www.cityoflancasterpa.com/. The plan will be available on the new http://www.northeastneighbors.org/ site once it is active. While the goals in the plan won't be implemented overnight, together, with the guidance of the northeast revitalization committee, we will begin working on action steps related to those goals.

The Assassination of Benazir Bhutto


From BBC......Benazir Bhutto followed her father into politics, and both of them died because of it - he was executed in 1979, she fell victim to an apparent suicide bomb attack.


Her two brothers also suffered violent deaths. Like the Nehru-Gandhi family in India, the Bhuttos of Pakistan are one of the world's most famous political dynasties. Benazir's father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was prime minister of Pakistan in the early 1970s.


His government was one of the few in the 30 years following independence that was not run by the army. Born in 1953 in the province of Sindh and educated at Harvard and Oxford, Ms Bhutto gained credibility from her father's high profile, even though she was a reluctant convert to politics. She was twice prime minister of Pakistan, from 1988 to 1990, and from 1993 to 1996.
On both occasions she was dismissed from office by the president for alleged corruption.


The dismissals typified her volatile political career, which was characterised by numerous peaks and troughs. At the height of her popularity - shortly after her first election - she was one of the most high-profile women leaders in the world.


Young and glamorous, she successfully portrayed herself as a refreshing contrast to the overwhelmingly male-dominated political establishment. But after her second fall from power, her name came to be seen by some as synonymous with corruption and bad governance.

Her husband, Asif Zardari has faced numerous corruption charges


The determination and stubbornness for which Ms Bhutto was renowned was first seen after her father was imprisoned and charged with murder by Gen Zia ul-Haq in 1977, following a military coup. Two years later he was executed. Ms Bhutto was imprisoned just before her father's death and spent most of her five-year jail term in solitary confinement. She described the conditions as extremely hard.


During stints out of prison for medical treatment, Ms Bhutto set up a Pakistan People's Party office in London, and began a campaign against General Zia.


She returned to Pakistan in 1986, attracting huge crowds to political rallies.
After Gen Zia died in an explosion on board his aircraft in 1988, she became one of the first democratically elected female prime ministers in an Islamic country. During both her stints in power, the role of Ms Bhutto's husband, Asif Zardari, proved highly controversial.


He played a prominent role in both her administrations, and has been accused by various Pakistani governments of stealing millions of dollars from state coffers - charges he denies, as did Ms Bhutto herself. Many commentators argued that the downfall of Ms Bhutto's government was accelerated by the alleged greed of her husband. None of about 18 corruption and criminal cases against Mr Zardari has been proved in court after 10 years. But he served at least eight years in jail. He was freed on bail in 2004, amid accusations that the charges against him were weak and going nowhere.


Ms Bhutto also steadfastly denied all the corruption charges against her, which she said were politically motivated. She faced corruption charges in at least five cases, all without a conviction, until amnestied in October 2007.

President Pervez Musharraf granted Ms Bhutto and others an amnesty.She was convicted in 1999 for failing to appear in court, but the Supreme Court later overturned that judgement.
Soon after the conviction, audiotapes of conversations between the judge and some top aides of then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were discovered that showed that the judge had been under pressure to convict. Ms Bhutto left Pakistan in 1999 to live abroad, but questions about her and her husband's wealth continued to dog her. She appealed against a conviction in the Swiss courts for money-laundering.


During her years outside Pakistan, Ms Bhutto lived with her three children in Dubai, where she was joined by her husband after he was freed in 2004. She was a regular visitor to Western capitals, delivering lectures at universities and think-tanks and meeting government officials.
Ms Bhutto returned to Pakistan on 18 October 2007 after President Musharraf signed into law an ordinance granting her and others an amnesty from corruption charges.


Observers said the military regime saw her as a natural ally in its efforts to isolate religious forces and their surrogate militants.
She declined a government offer to let her party head the national government after the 2002 elections, in which the party received the largest number of votes.


In the months before her death, she had emerged again as a strong contender for power.
Some in Pakistan believe her secret talks with the military regime amounted to betrayal of democratic forces as these talks shored up President Musharraf's grip on the country.
Others said such talks indicated that the military might at long last be getting over its decades-old mistrust of Ms Bhutto and her party, and interpreted it as a good omen for democracy.
Western powers saw in her a popular leader with liberal leanings who could bring much needed legitimacy to Mr Musharraf's role in the "war against terror".

Benazir Bhutto was the last remaining bearer of her late father's political legacy.
Her brother, Murtaza - who was once expected to play the role of party leader - fled to the then-communist Afghanistan after his father's fall. From there, and various Middle Eastern capitals, he mounted a campaign against Pakistan's military government with a militant group called al-Zulfikar. He won elections from exile in 1993 and became a provincial legislator, returning home soon afterwards, only to be shot dead under mysterious circumstances in 1996.
Benazir's other brother, Shahnawaz - also politically active but in less violent ways than Murtaza - was found dead in his French Riviera apartment in 1985.


The assassination of Benazir Bhutto is a severe, and potentially crippling, blow to international hopes that Pakistan might emerge into a state of stability. It's shocking, yet it has been expected. The risks of Pakistan imploding have once again increased.


It is a further setback for the US "war on terror", which has as part of its strategy in the region the restoration of democracy in Pakistan to offer an alternative path, away from militancy and extremism. The strategy is very much at risk.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Beer Tree: The Ultimate Christmas Project

Happy Holidays from Tenpints! I totally want to do this Next Year! I better start saving bottles NOW! Cheers!

Friday, December 21, 2007

More News from Lancaster Brewing Company (LBC)




I read in the Ale Street News that a Major Expansion is being planned at LBC. The article noted an interview with director of sales and marketing, John Frantz with Ale Street News having exclusivity in breaking this news.

It seems that LBC bottling will be returning to Lancaster. The beer is currently bottled under contract by Lionshead or Lions brewery in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. LBC is hoping to close on 90,000 sq. feet of warehouse on N. Plum street and Liberty street that was once a Hanover Foods Corp. warehouse. The vision for this new bottling and packaging facility is to have it be "green" or environmentally-friendly. The long term goal is to have the main operation based in this new space by 2010 with the brewpub continuing to produce beer for consumption in house and take away growlers.

The new focus MAY mean that there will be a shift in ownership from the Keares family, who rescued Lancaster Malt Brewing Co. from bankruptcy in 2002, to an ownership group led by Franz and current brewmaster Christian Heim. The article states that they hope to expand distribution into Delaware, NY state, Virginia and perhaps New England.
LBC also plans on bottling Rare Rooster Rye Ale as a summer seasonal release and Franklin's Freedom Fest for year round availability. My hope that Baltic Porter brewing season is expanded.
If I hate my job perhaps I can get a job and walk to work at the Bottling plant just like Laverne and Shirley......One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Schlemeel, schlemazel, hasenfeffer incorporated.....


spring awakening


Lancaster County's own, Jonathan Groff makes ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY'S BEST & WORST 2007 MAGAZINE, issue #971/972, it is a special DOUBLE ISSUE. He's Listed. Jonathan's performance in Spring Awakening is listed as one of the BEST performances of 2007!!!!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007


Victory Baltic Thunder....


Truly a worldly beer. Baltic Thunder represents the Baltic Porter style admirably. Exhibiting the enticing, toffee roast of the British porter that originated the style in the 18th century, and the soothing, subtle fruit nuance of contemporary brews that flourish from Helsinki to Vilnius today, this dark lager honors the Baltic god of thunder. Created by an inspired collaboration of brewers and tempered with a touch of turmoil, Baltic Thunder rolls on to bring you enchanting light as the darkness fades.


COMPOSITION Hops: European whole flower Malts: imported German 2 row and roasted malts ABV: 8.5%
AVAILABILITY Draft for a limited time, 22 oz. bottles by case (of 12) Draft @ THE BREWERY ON DRAFTING ROOM RESTAURANT, EXTON, PA. Starts pouring on Sat., Jan. 5th, 2008! Happy New Year!!!

pricing in our restaurant gift shop

Monday, December 17, 2007

Holiday brews


Here are a sampling of some seasonal brews I am trying to find and try....


Christmas Ale: Sly Fox Beer, Phoenixville and Royersford, PA


Scotch Ale: Ye Olde Kilt Tilter, Middle Ages brewing Co., Syracuse, NY


English Winter Ale: Winter Welcome Ale; Samuel Smith's Old Brewery Tadcaster, Great Britain


Rogue Santa's Private Reserve, Rogue brewing, Oregon

Good Living



  • A recent study found CACAO to be a more effective cough suppressant than codeine.

  • In Ukraine ANIMALS were historically believed to have the power of speech on Christmas Eve.

  • Teddy Roosevelt BANNED THE CHRISTMAS TREE from the White House for ENVIRONMENTAL reasons.

  • More than 70 percent of seafood eaten in the US is imported.

  • The technique used to make CANDY CANES was first written down in a collection of recipes in 13th century Baghdad.

  • Prior to the first World War, Southerns were more likely to set off FIREWORKS on Christmas Day than the 4th of July.

  • Buenos Aires is the home to the only KOSHER McDonald's outside of Israel.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

LBC-Harrisburg


As a Valued Customer and Keares Diner, I signed up for their e-mail list. This week I received this invite. They have waster no time in turning their Doc Holliday's- Harrisburg location into a LBC.....
The Keares Family Cordially Invites You and a Guest to a Preview of
Lancaster Brewing Company Harrisburg to Drop In On Friday, December 21st from 5pm to 9pm,,,,Located at 469 Eisenhower Blvd, Harrisburg, PA 17111....Next to Howard Johnson / Formerly Doc Holliday's. They will be serving samples of their menu and beer tastings!

Friday, December 7, 2007

Quick Notes



  • FRESH PAINT @ URBAN PLACE/Science Factory

  • LBC HAS GONE SMOKE FREE

  • CAR MAX IS COMING TO LANCASTER NEAR PARK CITY MALL

  • STEVE AND BARRY'S IS OPEN @ ROCKVALE OUTLETS

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Iron Hill Brewery is NOW OPEN in Lancaster, PA


From the local paper: Iron Hill Brewery has to opened its $2.8 million restaurant and brewpub today in College Row, the $30 million student housing and commercial complex at Franklin & Marshall College.The 280-seat restaurant at 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA expects to annually brew about 37,200 gallons of beer on site. It will feature six house brands, as well as seasonal beer varieties. House brands are Iron Hill Light Lager, Raspberry Wheat, Lodestone Lager, Anvil Ale, Ironbound Ale, Pig Iron Porter. Dinner entrees will range from $12 to $20 in the restaurant, while lunch entrees will cost $9 to $14. The restaurant will have about 80 employees.The Delaware-based Iron Hill also has locations in Media, North Wales, West Chester and Phoenixville, and in Newark and Wilmington, Del.


Sweet T and I had lunch their last Saturday. We both had the sample tray of beers, which included 9 samples for $7.00. A great price and a great way to sample their brews and seasonal. I am familiar with their brews from their other restaurants but they always have something new. I was delighted with their Pig Iron Porter with Nitro, nice and creamy. Their pints are $ 4.50 and they sell growlers to go. A word of caution to the local beer lovers: They will NOT fill your LBC Growler, only their own. So NO use taking that with you!


The wait staff was friendly and I recognized a few from other local restaurants. I ordered the Angus burger and did not notice the small print: All Meat is cooked well, no pink. I liked my Med. rare to well, so I definitely thought my burger was too dry. Partly my fault and great waiter would have asked me but I will overlook that since the restaurant is so new. However, I cannot over look how over salty my pomme frites were. I think I went in to a sodium coma.

Overall, not too bad for just opening and I will definitely be going back.

Heavy Trash/Forever Landfill


Manifesto

Heavy Trash is an anonymous arts organization of architects, artists, and urban planners, which started in LA. Heavy Trash creates large, disposable art objects that draw community and media attention to specific urban issues. By explaining a particular urban problem and suggesting a solution, Heavy Trash seeks to provoke dialogue among citizens. Lets start on HERE in Lancaster County!! http://heavytrash.blogspot.com/2005/04/manifesto.html

THEIR Next Project was Forever Landfill>>>


LOS ANGELES - In unrelated news, urbanist pranksters Heavy Trash are at it again. This time they're calling attention to the wastefulness of Angelenos who dispose of "940,000 tons of trash annually." And where does the trash go? After the dumpster, we mean. The majority of us have no clue. Heavy Trash wants to make sure you know that there's a place out there for your refuse through the Forever Landfill. [CurbedWire Inbox]


Better Design for the Greater Good

I stumbled upon a really cool web site/network through an Ad in GOOD Magazine....It is called Design 21: Social Design Network.http://www.design21sdn.com/

Are you a socially conscious designer, non-profit, individual organization who believes social change can happen through design?
Welcome Home states the web site, which is designed to engage the power of design and connect to create change.....please check it out and join.

"Never underestimate that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world." Margaret Mead

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

DEC 5th Also NInja Day


It's time for the Annual Day of the Ninja. Forget 'Talk Like a Pirate' Day. This will truly be our chance to show the world what ninja are made of.


As last year (and every year from now on), December 5th is the Day of the Ninja. Plague your co-workers with ninja-ness and wear a ninja mask to work! Got the day off? Run wild in the streets, or dress like a ninja at the mall! Just show the world that YOU ARE NINJA!


I also want you to help me take over the Internet on that day. LiveJournal posts about ninja. YouTube videos. Ninja links on all your websites. Photos of yourself wearing ninja outfits. Whatever. Go Ninja crazy.


Most importantly, tell YOUR friends and get them aboard. The more ninja, the merrier. mailto:aeon@ninjaburger.com?subject=DOTN to let me know you're aboard, and let me know what you plan to do to help celebrate the Annual Day of the Ninja.


Special Note: There are several other websites and movements out there calling this "International Creep Like a Ninja Day" or "Sneak Like a Ninja Day". This site is not affiliated with them, but we support their efforts. Really, as long as we're all doing it on the same day (December 5), you can call it whatever you like.


December 5 - Annual Day of the Ninja

Repeal Day


On December 5th, 1933, Utah, the final state needed for a three quarters majority, ratified the 21st Amendment, repealing Prohibition and restoring the American right to a celebratory drink. While the amendment still allowed for state and local levels of Prohibition, by 1966 there were no state laws banning alcohol.


Why Do We Celebrate?


Repeal Day is not widely celebrated in this country, yet it commemorates the anniversary of the day the United States repealed the Eighteenth Amendment and gave Americans the constitutional ability to consume alcohol.


Here are a few reasons why we think Repeal Day should be a celebrated day in the United States:
It's the perfect time of year.


Conveniently located halfway between Thanksgiving and Christmas — at a time when most Americans are probably not spending time with family — Repeal Day presents a wonderful occasion to get together with friends and pay tribute to our constitutional rights.
We have the constitutional ability to do so.


Unlike St. Patrick's Day or Cinco de Mayo, Repeal Day is a day that all Americans have a part in observing, because it's written in our Constitution. No other holiday celebrates the laws that guarantee our rights, and Repeal Day has everything to do with our personal pleasures.
It's easy!!!


There are no outfits to buy, costumes to rent, rivers to dye green. Simply celebrate the day by stopping by your local bar, tavern, saloon, winery, distillery, or brewhouse and having a drink. Pick up a six-pack on your way home from work. Split a bottle of wine with a loved one. Buy a shot for a stranger. Just do it because you can.
Thanks for reading about what we hope will become a celebrated day in this country. Please help spread the word about Repeal Day, and tell a friend.
Cheers!
The 18th Amendment
Ratified January 16, 1919

Monday, December 3, 2007

Fall Cancelled

I read this and had to pass it on in case you missed it:

BY Op-Ed Columnist....
The People We Have Been Waiting For

By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
Published: December 2, 2007

It was 60 degrees on Thursday in Washington, well above normal, and as I slipped away for some pre-Christmas golf, I found myself thinking about a wickedly funny story that The Onion, the satirical newspaper, ran the other day: “Fall Canceled after 3 Billion Seasons”:

“Fall, the long-running series of shorter days and cooler nights, was canceled earlier this week after nearly 3 billion seasons on Earth, sources reported Tuesday.

“The classic period of the year, which once occupied a coveted slot between summer and winter, will be replaced by new, stifling humidity levels, near-constant sunshine and almost no precipitation for months.

“‘As much as we’d like to see it stay, fall will not be returning for another season,’ National Weather Service president John Hayes announced during a muggy press conference Nov. 6. ‘Fall had a great run, but sadly, times have changed.’ ... The cancellation was not without its share of warning signs. In recent years, fall had been reduced from three months to a meager two-week stint, and its scheduled start time had been pushed back later and later each year.”

To read the entire piece:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/business/coll02friedman.html?_r=1&n=Top/Opinion/Editorials%20and%20Op-Ed/Op-Ed/Columnists/Thomas%20L%20Friedman&oref=slogin