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almanac

ROSS’S ALMANAC For February 2012

Compiled by Kirk Ross

“After being seated at that counter for about 30 seconds I had the most wonderful feeling. … I felt like I could have walked on a cloud. I felt as if I had died at that moment life wouldn’t have cheated me out of anything. I would have had a full life.”
– Franklin McCain, one of four students at the first sit-in at Woolworth’s in Greensboro, on Feb. 1, 1969

If the recent spell of warm weather has you thumbing through the seed catalogs, you may want to check out the new zone map site at the U.S. Department of Agriculture website, which has a nifty GIS-driven interface. Punch in your zip code and drill down. Both the USDA and NOAA are stepping up their climate-change monitoring, including the effect on plant hardiness.

Around here, the maps say we’re a warm Zone 7, but Zone 8 isn’t far away, pushing up from the coast, with the line through parts of Harnett, Wake and southern Chatham. Regardless of zone, this month will feature its usual wild swings. Last year, the last day of the month was a record-setter, with a high of 81.

Feb. 1 – Sunrise: 7:15 a.m.; Sunset: 5:41 p.m.
Feb. 29 – Sunrise: 6:49 a.m.; Sunset: 6:08 p.m.

Full Moon – Feb. 7 Last Quarter – Feb. 14
New Moon – Feb. 21 First Quarter – Feb. 29

The full moon in February is known as the Snow Moon, Wolf Moon and Hunger Moon

Planets & Stars: Planets are in the night sky in February – Jupiter, Venus and the moon draw closer together throughout the month, crossing paths around the 24th, with Mercury finally visible after sundown.
February is Black History Month and Heart Month.

Significant Dates
• Feb. 1 is National Freedom Day
• Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day and Candlemas
• Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is Feb. 12
• The Feast of Saint Valentine is on Feb. 14
• Feb. 17 is Random Act of Kindness Day
• Presidents’ Day is Feb. 20
• Mardi Gras is on Feb. 21
• Ash Wednesday is Feb. 22
• George Washington’s birthday, and possibly Groundhog Day, is on Feb. 22
• Leap Day is Feb. 29

There are UNC home basketball games on Feb. 8 (Duke!), 11, 18 and 29.