Niagara Gazette - COLUMN: Solar activity and climate change

It was not an overactive population, as some would say, that caused global warming. It’s foolish — even vain — to believe that Man is powerful enough to change the temperature of our planet. But, the sun, on the other hand, the very glue that keeps our solar system together and gives us the light and heat so crucial to life, is more than powerful enough to change temperatures when it’s in one of its moods. And it’s just getting into one of those moods, a very tranquil one at that. That cool demeanor will create a cool Earth and, once that happens, you can bet we’ll all be begging for global warming.

Nashville luxury suites lure celebs | tennessean.com | The Tennessean

LOEWS VANDERBILT HOTEL'S PARTHENON SUITE

Cost: $800 to $1,895 per night, depending on the season.

Square feet: 2,100 square feet

Amenities: Two bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, a Jacuzzi that overlooks Vanderbilt's campus, a full kitchen, 24-hour room service, full concierge staff, a private access lounge on a private access floor, a dining room that seats up to eight, special menu provided for pets, among other perks.

Famous guests: Every U.S. president since Ronald Reagan, The Rolling Stones (multiple visits), Stevie Wonder, Bob Hope, Diana Ross, Dave Matthews Band, Kenny Chesney, Kevin Costner and many more. The suite also served as headquarters for then vice president Al Gore during the 2002 presidential campaign.

Cold snap a chilling end to summer | Wisconsin

Record-cold weather this week had gardeners scrambling to protect plants from temperatures that plunged below freezing early Monday morning.

Merrill set a new record low temperature of 31 degrees, breaking the previous record of 38 degrees set in 1931, said WSAW-TV Chief Meteorologist Mike Breunling. Wausau's low temperature was 39 degrees, a few degrees higher than the record low of 35 degrees in 1915.

Widespread frost spread north of Marathon County and was patchy in areas to the south.