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Did You Know? Arthur Murray Presents: Murray Show on the Road Did you know that Feb. 2 is Groundhog's Day in the United States? It is one of many holidays dealing with the end of the long winter months. German immigrants brought the tradition of using the awakened groundhog to predict the arrival of Spring. Supposedly if the groundhog awakens on a sunny morning, comes outside to stretch and sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of cold winter, allowing the animal to return to his shelter and resume his snoozing. If, however, the day is cloudy and the groundhog does not see his shadow, the community could be assured that spring is just around the corner. The most famous of the weather- predicting rodents is Punxsutawney Phil in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He sees his shadow about nine out of 10 times. Did you know that the Opening Day Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games is Feb. 7? The games will be held in Sochi, Russia, this year and will be the XXII Winter Olympics. Competitions are held over a two-week period with a huge special event at the beginning and a spectacular closing ceremony. If you have been following the news lately, you are also aware that Russia is very concerned about terrorist activity during the Games. Many countries will be sending extra security measures with their participants. Did you know that Feb. 14 is not only Valentine's Day, it is also Ferris Wheel Day? This is the day to celebrate the birthday of the inventor of the Ferris Wheel, George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. The first Ferris Wheel was a main attraction at the World's Colombian Exhibition in Chicago in 1893. The public was astounded when Ferris unveiled his huge contraption. It differed greatly from the enjoyable rides that most of us remember. A fascinating account of the difficulties that Ferris encountered and the general problems of the Chicago Exhibition is part of the background given in Erik Larson's well-researched narrative history, The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America. If you have not read the book, it is well worth your time. Did you know that Feb. 20, in the Northern Hemisphere, is Hoodie- Hoo Day? This is another attempt to end the blahs of winter and bring in spring. Apparently the originators of this copyrighted holiday envisioned people going out at noon on Feb. 20, waving their hands over their heads and chanting, "Hoodie-Hoo." The folks at Wellcat.com established the day and are undoubtedly representatives of the people who were sick and tired of winter and made a little crazy by not seeing the sun while they were cooped up inside the buildings. Please come join Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Redlands on Friday, Feb. 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. We are so excited to be able to bring our Arthur Murray Studio to the Four Seasons. The evening will be filled with dance lessons, shows, and a party. Please join us for a Ballroom Group Class, focusing on the Waltz and Tango, and a Latin Group Class featuring the Rumba and Merengue. The show we are presenting is dances from our student recital, the Murray Show. Our students have been preparing these solos and LOVE to have an audience to perform. To conclude the evening we will host a dance party. This is your chance to dance with our professionals and students and enjoy the benefits of social dancing. Thanks so much for the opportunity to visit the Four Seasons, see you on the dance floor. ~ Marcia Rodriguez, Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Redlands 12 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | FEBRUARY 2014 | COMMUNItY NEWS By Bobbie Eckel