Snap o' the Day: Is spring here?

Okay, this has become the Hook’s bellwether for the weather: the flowering of the winter jasmine along University Avenue. Its blooms were visible, as shown here, Thursday morning, February 12. Last year, it didn’t look like this until February 22. (But two years ago, it erupted in January.)

No Ash Lawn Opera in the Jeff

The Ash Lawn Opera Festival announced this morning that it will not be partnering with developer/music mogul Coran Capshaw in the renovation of the Jefferson Theater, saying the old theater “could not be adapted to meet the specialized needs of the opera company within its capital budget.” Last August, the Company announced with great excitement that it was embarking on a $4.5 million capital campaign to pay for some of the $7.5 million in improvements slated for the Jefferson, which would have included an orchestra pit, dressing rooms, and advanced acoustics for the company. Capshaw will proceed with plans to renovate the theater as a live music and event facility, said the announcement.

Happy birthday, Mr. President

PHOTO FROM THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Remember when we celebrated Abraham Lincoln and George Washington’s birthdays on their real day? Today– February 12– is the 200th birthday of the Great Emancipator. Oh, and it’s Charles Darwin’s 200th, too.

Flu outbreak lengthens Covenant winter break

School is canceled Thursday, February 12, at Covenant Lower School because 25 percent of the students have the flu and were out Wednesday, February 11, according to an NBC29 report. Students already were scheduled to be off Friday, February 13, and Monday, February 16, for winter break.

Peanut Corp. owner Parnell not talking

Embattled Peanut Corp. of America owner, and Lynchburg area resident, Stewart Parnell, plead the Fifth today and refused to speak to a Congressional subcommittee investigated whether or not his company knowingly shipped peanuts infected with the salmonella bacteria, causing a national outbreak that has claimed nine lives, infected hundreds more, and led to the recall of 1,800 peanut products, the AP reports.

What’s more, a lab tester told the committee that the company had discovered the deadly bacteria as far back as 2006. The investigation also includes some revealing emails from Parnell, which showed he ordered infected products shipped and complained that the lab tests were “costing us huge $$$$$$.“