Bethel Daily Briefing: Holiday Weekend of Friday, Dec. 23

Today is Friday, December 23, 2011, the 357th day of the year. Including today, there are two more days until Christmas. Today is also the fourth night of Hannukah. Christmas Eve is tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 24 and Christmas Day is Sunday, Dec. 25.

Weekend Weather

• Friday: Rain, mainly before 10 a.m. High near 45. North wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. 
• Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 21. North wind between 3 and 6 mph.  

• Saturday, Christmas Eve: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. North wind between 5 and 9 mph. 
• Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 21. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm. 

• Sunday, Christmas Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 41. 
• Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. 

Municipal Meetings

• There are no municipal meetings in Bethel today.

Events, Reminders, Notices

• Early Dismissal: A reminder that Bethel Public Schools are running on an early dismissal schedule today. Schools will also be closed for winter break all next week and Monday, Jan. 2. Classes with resume on Tuesday, Jan. 3. 
• Holiday Gala:  Holiday Gala with Billy Michael is today starting at 9 a.m. Come in early for Breakfast and a seat. Holiday music and sing along with Billy and company.
• Alumni Concert: The Bethel High School Music Department will present an Alumni concert in the BHS Auditorium. They will be raising money for The Scotty Fund and the music department. BHS graduates from the last 12 years will be presenting a variety of talents, from singing and instrumentals, two monologues and solo dances. Cost is $5 at the door. 

Today in History

• 1783: George Washington resigns as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army at the Maryland State House.
• 1823: "A Visit from St. Nicholas," also known as "The Night Before Christmas," is published anonymously.
• 1913: The Federal Reservce Act is signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson, creating the Federal Reserve.
• 1970: The North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City is topped out at 1,368 feet (417 m), making it the tallest building in the world.

Weather information taken from the National Weather Service. Today in History compiled from Wikipedia and other sources.