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Estate Planning and General Law

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Groundhog Day and Election Day 50% of the Groundhogs Got Out, Far Fewer Voters Saw Their Voting Shadows.
commentary by Ed Vincent

Frank Mathie from ABC in  Chicago warms up for the groundhog welcome.
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Groundhog day this year was mild in temperature, just about 30 degrees fahrenheit, and no shadows 98% of the time.  When did the one groundhog stick her head out, not during the 2 % of the shadow time.


The beautiful dinner is made up for the chosen groundhog.
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For the past several years this vegetarian piece of culinary art has been created, but to no avail since year after year the little mammals pass it by.  We had suggested adding some sharp cheddar and perhaps some peanut butter to the mix.  I would
put odds on its attraction.



Tumbleweed, the groundhog who came out to not see her shadow returns after a few moments of admiring the friendly crowd of visitors.
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Cloudy, the other female groundhog  has been predicting for the past 9 years and this year Tumbleweed got her chance to set the record straight, spring is just around the corner, though it may be an obtuse corner.  It is a lot better than Punxsutawney Phil's
call for six more weeks of winter...


Once everyone heard that Spring was right around the corner they formed a parade and let the Bears know.
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Kids and parents got to put on make up to fit in with the animals
for a few hours and other kids got to hug a huge Groundhop and
get their photos taken.
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The families had a great time on this good news day, concerning the weather.  There were a lot more candidates running than offices available in the election today, so a lot folks lost their
bid.  Some of the candidate may have to hibernate like the groundhogs until friendlier weather comes their way.
Thanks to Tumbleweed for her encouraging prediction.
 

Furry Forecasters at Brookfield Zoo Take Center Stage on Groundhog Day
 
Brookfield, IL—On February 2, groundhogs can still be hibernating, but staff at Brookfield Zoo are hoping that Children’s Zoo’s furry meteorologists will peek out of their winter digs for guests during the annual Groundhog Day celebration at 10:30 a.m. To encourage Tumbleweed and Cloudy to make an appearance, the zoo’s chefs will have prepared sweet potato cakes especially for them.

According to legend, if a groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; if it doesn’t, spring is just around the corner. Since 2001, Cloudy has predicted an early spring six times, and Tumbleweed, now in her third year of forecasting, has predicted an early spring once, in 2008.

Normally at this time of year, when the air temperature is a consistent 50°F or below, groundhogs are hibernating. During this dormant state, a groundhog’s body temperature drops from 90°F to 38°F. It takes a breath about once every minute, and its heart slows to only four to six beats a minute. When the temperature begins to warm, it may take several hours for a groundhog to rouse from its slumber. If Cloudy and Tumbleweed are still hibernating, zookeepers will not disturb them as this could disrupt the animals’ metabolism.

After the weather prediction is announced, guests are invited to join in the Groundhog Day Parade led by the zoo’s woodchuck costumed character. The parade kicks off outside the Children’s Zoo entrance and concludes at Hamill Family Play Zoo, where youngsters can create groundhog shadow puppets to taken home.

While at the Play Zoo, guests can see some critters that inspired the inception of Groundhog Day in Europe. In the 18th century, hedgehogs—which are indigenous to Europe, where winters are typically milder than in North America’s Midwest—came out of hibernation in early February. Their appearance was a sign to farmers that it was time to begin spring planting. Since there are no hedgehogs native to the United States, the tradition was transferred to groundhogs. A special Zoo Chat about hedgehogs will be held at 11:30 a.m.

On Groundhog Day, Brookfield Zoo is free as well as admission to Children’s Zoo and Hamill Family Play Zoo. Parking is $9. The Groundhog Day celebration is sponsored by American Airlines. For further information, visit the zoo’s Web site at www.CZS.org or call (708) 688-8000.
Celebrating its 75th year, the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, inspires conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. Open every day of the year, Brookfield Zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA, and PACE bus service.


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