Sun May 11, 4:16 PM ET
LOS ANGELES - If the weather cooperates, a total lunar eclipse will be seen across North America late Thursday — the first visible in the United States in three years — and just before dawn Friday in western Europe and western and southern Africa.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth casts its shadow on the full moon, blocking the sunlight that otherwise reflects off the moon's surface. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to view with the naked eye.
In North America, the moon will remain totally eclipsed for 53 minutes, and should turn substantially darker and reddish in color.
The total eclipse will start at 8:13 PDT in Los Angeles, 11:13 p.m. EDT in New York.
A second lunar eclipse, on Nov. 8, will be visible from North and South America.
Eclipses once helped prove the Earth is round, because its shadow on the moon is curved.
House Fire
The house of not so well known “artist” Jaque Corps was burned to the ground on Thursday May 1, 2003. Mr. Corpe’s house had been the center point of a number of Religious protests at the beginning of March. It appears that more than one thing is linking the Religious Zealots to the fire. First, the butler, Jimmy Peak, was found beating to unconscious at the edge of the driveway with the words “Gays Suck” written on his forehead. Second the fire’s cause is official listed as arson.
While no witnesses have come forward having seen anything about the fire, Police are questioning some suspects though. Also, the "artist" can't seem to be reached for questioning.
It is believed that this fire is in retaliation to the shooting of Father Walter Koeing, Senior Priest at Saint Eugene’s Catholic church.
High Tech Vs. Low Tech
It appears not all of the traditional gas pipes have been replaced with “new” high tech gas lines. About two years ago a new high tech Sewer system was installed in Santa Rosa. The whole protect was to take sixteen months to replace the old fashioned 1950’s system with a more high tech system. However, it appears that corners were cut and a danger now presents it self. Friday night while most of downtown slept a gas line broke in the office building next door to the Roxy Theater. It started a chain reaction that blow out half the gas lines for the downtown area. The resulting fire was impressive but ease to control. Mostly the fire burned the sewers themselves and didn’t reach the surface. The Cities only comment was that “things are under control”.
Jumanji
Downtown Santa Rosa has had stranger things happen but for sure this ranks in the top ten weird things that have happened.
A large Hippopotamus went rampaging down Santa Rosa Avenue just after sunset on the evening of the 24th. While no good reason can be found for why this Hippopotamus would be rampaging through the streets. Police have taken Thomas Hoops a Windsor man in for questioning.
The odd thing is while few pictures clearly show a Hippo moving downtown, and one car was seriously damaged, there appears to be nowhere for it to have gone. However, it is indeed gone. Police are completely dumb founded as to where a full-grown Hippo could have gone.
Missing Children
In a county all to familiar with missing children two more have gone missing. Sally Tinner and Donny Pole are listed as missing from their family. The two families that live out on the Santa Rosa Avenue Trailer Parks are both deeply worried for the fate of their two children. If any one knows anything about the missing kids please contact the Santa Rosa Missing Children’s department.