What’s Up with This Weather?

What’s Up with This Weather?

By: Kaitlin Swick

Unless you have been hibernating for the past month or so, you may noticed that the weather has been really cold, like record low cold.  Not that I don’t like two hour delays and cancellations, but this weather makes it painful to be outside for more than a minute.  So, why is the weather this cold?  Has Elsa really set off an eternal winter? *Frozen reference*

It is not just unusually cold in Pittsburgh, but all over the country, in fact, probably more so than Pittsburgh.  In Chicago this past Monday night, the wind chill was forty degrees below zero.  In parts of Wisconsin and Minnesota, it was fifty degrees below zero on Tuesday.  This Arctic blast came from central Canada, and it is affecting the Midwest, the northeast, and even some southern states, like Georgia and Texas.  Hundreds of flights have been cancelled all over the country.  People have been stranded on highways.  Clearly this weather is not ideal.

But, there is some good news.  It should start to begin warming up, and reaching temperatures from the low to mid 30s, which will seem pretty warm compared to what we have been given the past few weeks.  This weekend it is going to reach the low 40s! Woohoo!  So pull out those shorts (not really) and enjoy this “warm” weather that is coming our way.

 

 

Syrian Peace Talks

Syrian Peace Talks

By: Cassidy Shirlow

A Syrian Western-backed group trying to take over the government, called Syrian National Coalition, has agreed to have peace talks in Switzerland next week.  In the talks, members of the SNC would sit down and have a meeting with representatives since their last civil war in 2011. As the article states, “In the so-called “Geneva II”‘ talks, which are actually being held in Montreaux, Switzerland, under the auspices of the United Nations, were brokered by the U.S. and Russia.” Said meeting is supposed to be held on Wednesday. The country’s main opposition group called National Coordination Body, said that they refused to attend the meeting and would not be showing up.

Felt Fortune Cookies

Felt Fortune Cookies

By: Kaitlin Swick

With Valentine’s Day being less than a month away, it is time to begin to think about what you are going to do.  You could get your friends a box of candy hearts, something very common, or you could do something a bit more creative, Felt Fortune Cookies!  This cool craft allows you to write a message to and give a small treat to the receiver of the cookie.

To make the Felt Fortune Cookies, you will need:

Felt

Ribbon

Scissors

Wire Cutters

Glue

 

First, cut a 4 and a half inch circle (in diameter) out of the felt, and cut a piece of ribbon that is slightly less than 4 and a half inches.  And, with the wire cutters, cut a piece of wire that is slightly less than the length of the ribbon.  Next, with the glue, attach the wire to the felt circle.  On top of that, glue on the ribbon so that it is covering the wire.  After the glue is dried, fold the felt circle in half, so that the wire and the ribbon are on the inside.  Next, bend the wire in the center so that the “cookie” looks an actual fortune cookie.   After that, you can carefully open the felt and add a message on a piece of paper and perhaps some candy for the receiver.  Next, give it to them for them to enjoy!