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almanac

ROSS’S ALMANAC For March 2012

Compiled by Kirk Ross

I’m as restless as a willow in a windstorm
I’m as jumpy as a puppet on a spring

– Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II

Here in the Piedmont, we’ve spent a good part of this winter with the title to the song featuring the above lyrics in mind: It Might As Well Be Spring. We’ve seen a handful of “springs” this winter, but the season doesn’t officially arrive until 1:14 a.m. on March 20.

A little winter weather may still be lurking in the weeks ahead, but it’s been one of the mildest years since, well, two years ago. The lack of severe weather has led to some odd displays of longing from people who ordinarily would be the first to panic at the sight of a flake or two. The desire for a snow day has been so strong that the small blast of winter weather we had late last month was greeted with the same kind of wonder and awe usually found among Floridians. And the dusting we got – up to a full half-inch in places – yielded several variations, dutifully posted on Twitter and Facebook, of miniature snowpeople. Maybe in March we’ll see enough of a winter surprise to allow for the construction of the full-sized variety, but don’t bet the ranch on it.

March 1 – Sunrise: 6:45 a.m.; Sunset: 6:11 p.m.
March 31 – Sunrise: 7:03 a.m.; Sunset: 7:37 p.m.

First Quarter – March 1 Full Moon – March 8
Last Quarter – March 14 New Moon — March 22

The Full Moon in March is known as the Lenten Moon, Worm Moon, Death Moon, Sugar Moon, Crust Moon, Sap Moon and Chaste Moon.

Planets & Stars: Jupiter makes its descent from the evening sky this month while Mercury rises to join Saturn and Mars. Venus continues to rule the mornings.

March is Poetry Month, National Craft Month, Irish American Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, Music in Schools Month and National Frozen Food Month.

Significant Dates
• March 1 is National Pig Day
• National Anthem Day and If Pets Had Thumbs Day is March 3
• March 6 is Dentists Day
• March 11 is Johnny Appleseed Day
• 3.14 is National Pi Day
• The Ides of March is March 15
• Freedom of Information Day is March 16
• St. Patrick’s Day is March 17
• International Earth Day and the Vernal Equinox are on March 20
• National Goof Off Day is March 22