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MUNDANE MYSTERIES: 4-Wheel Drive Vs. All-Wheel Drive

With the weather we’ve had lately, you may be thinking more about your car’s ability to get up & down snowy, icy, or muddy roads. And, while you might know that 2-wheel drive isn’t the best option for driving in harsh weather, some other terms may be more confusing. Such as, all-wheel drive versus 4-wheel drive. Don’t all cars have 4 wheels? What’s the difference between all-wheel drive & 4-wheel drive?

It’s actually more than just semantics, and which one you need relies heavily on the kind of driving you regularly do. 2-, 4-, or all-wheel drive refers to the tires powered by the engine. With 2-wheel drive, the engine powers either the front or the back axle of the car, moving only the front or back tires. Meanwhile, when 4-wheel drive’s engaged, the engine rotates all 4 wheels, which gives you extra traction on slippery surfaces, so that, even if one set of wheels can’t get traction on a slippery surface, the other wheels might be able to.

The key word here is “engaged.” Usually, 4-wheel drive means your car can drive with all 4 wheels, but you have to manually choose that option. The rest of the time, you’re in 2-wheel drive mode. Meanwhile, with all-wheel drive, the car itself figures out what kind of traction you need, all by itself. Sensors determine how much power should go to each wheel to get the best traction.

There are some downsides to all that extra traction, though. Your engine has to work harder to power all 4 wheels. And, since those engines are heavier, it takes more power to move. So, as a result, 4-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles usually need a lot more fuel than a 2-wheel drive model.

You don’t necessarily have to spring for all-wheel drive just because you live somewhere with snowy winters. If driving in inclement weather is a frequent occurrence for you, winter tires may actually be much more important than which wheels the engine powers. But, at least now you know what all of that means, so you can make the best decision for you.

Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via social media (@AndyWebbRadioVoice), or shoot me an email at [email protected].

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Airtron Heating & Air Conditioning

Closings and Cancellations: 2/3/21

Berkeley County Schools – closed, curb side meals will be delivered tomorrow (Feb 4th)

New Life Christian School – Frederick – Two hour delay

Jefferson County Public Schools – 2 hour delay, high school will operate on a regular remote schedule.

Clarke County Public Schools- two house delay.

Greencastle-Antrim School District – Closed
Waynesboro Area School District – 2 Hour Delay
Martinsburg Christian Academy – 2 Hour Delay

Frederick County Government- offices and facilities on a delayed opening, will open at 10AM,

Storm Center 2/3 5:40AM

Berkeley County Schools – closed, curbside meals will be delivered tomorrow (Feb 4th)

New Life Christian School – Frederick – Two hour delay

Jefferson County Public Schools – 2 hour delay, high school will operate on a regular remote schedule. 

Clarke County Public Schools – two hour delay.

Greencastle-Antrim School District – Closed

Waynesboro Area School District – 2 Hour Delay

Martinsburg Christian Academy – 2 Hour Delay

Frederick County Government offices and facilities  on a delayed opening, will open at 10AM

Closings and Cancellations: 2/2/21

Schools:

Frederick County Schools – Closed with no virtual instruction.  Offices under 2 hour delay with re-evaluation.

Carroll County Public Schools – There will be no virtual or in-person instruction.

Montgomery Public Schools – Virtual learning will begin on time. Childcare and other in-person activities may begin at 11:30 a.m. All offices and school offices will open on time. Meal distribution will begin on time at 11 a.m. and technical support services at 45 W. Gude Drive will begin at 11:30 a.m.

Loudoun County Public Schools and Administrative Offices are closed. All distance-learning classes for are cancelled. Instructional staff should not report to work. There will be no food pick-up at LCPS schools and food deliveries by bus have been cancelled. All activities on school campuses are cancelled. Student testing is cancelled and the LCPS Vaccination POD is closed.

Jefferson County Schools -Remote learning only due to road conditions. Essential snow removal staff report on time and central office staff report on a two-hour delay.

Howard County Public Schools- Virtual Instruction as scheduled, buildings closed and food services canceled.

Berkeley County Schools – Closed

Frederick Christian Academy- Closed

New Life Christian Academy – Virtual only

Friends Meeting School – Frederick – Closed

Greencastle-Antrim School District – Closed

Waynesboro Area School District – Closed

Berkeley County Schools- Closed

Gettysburg School System – fully remote

Frederick Community College will open 11AM, virtual instruction will continue.

Mount St. Mary’s – Classes and business operations will be conducted remotely. Frederick campus is open for evening classes.

Hood College – All day and evening classes will be virtual. Offices will be open virtually in the morning and in person at noon.

Thurmont Childcare Center will open at 9, with possible re-evaluation.

Government:

Federal offices in the Washington, D.C. area under a two-hour delay and employees have the option for unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework. FBI Winchester is closed for first shift. Second shift is open with unscheduled leave.

Fort Detrick – Fort Detrick will open at 10 a.m. under a DELAYED OPENING Tuesday,  MISSION CRITICAL EMPLOYEES Report on time. This includes positions such as first responders, guards, plant operators, select CDC personnel, and snow removal crews; as well as critical NIBC and DODIN personnel working on health and life related issues.

Jefferson County Government will open at 11AM.

Frederick County Government Offices- open at 10am

Washington County Circuit court- opening at 10am

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: The Difference Between A Snowstorm & A Blizzard

As we’re being besieged by a winter storm, heaving shovelfuls of snow can give a person time to think. And, as I was digging my vehicle’s way out of the current white apocalypse, I wondered what, exactly, I was battling. Is this a snowstorm, or a blizzard? And, what’s the difference between them?

A snowstorm is your run-of-the-mill winter weather event, which can involve snow, sleet, ice, or freezing rain, accompanied by freezing temps. Snowstorms may result in hazardous surfaces & poor driving conditions, so they’re really nothing to mess around with.

A blizzard, however, brings real violence to the environment. To meet the blizzard standard, conditions have to involve three different weather events: sustained winds at 35 miles per hour or more; snow-reduced visibility of a quarter-mile or less; and the conditions must last for at least 3 hours.

Now, one’s not necessarily more severe than the other. A blizzard could create poor visibility & strong winds for a few hours but not leave much accumulation. In fact, a blizzard may not even involve active snowfall if there’s existing snow that’s being blown by wind. But on the whole, blizzards tend to be more threatening, since conditions can grow so bad that visibility is near zero & wind chill factors invite frostbite or hypothermia.

The storm we’re in now is classified as a nor’easter, which is a low-pressure system that starts in the Mid-Atlantic coast & gains strength as it moves.

As impressive as our current storm may be, there have certainly been worse. Much worse. For instance, in the Great Blizzard of 1888, the northeast was hammered by as much as 55 inches of snow & winds as high as 85 miles an hour. Above-ground water & gas lines became frozen, walking was all but impossible…it was rough. How rough? Out of around 1000 people who were supposed to work at the New York Stock Exchange that day, only about 30 made it in. (Kinda makes you wonder why you called out from work, doesn’t it?)

Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via social media (@AndyWebbRadioVoice), or shoot me an email at [email protected].

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Airtron Heating & Air Conditioning

Snow Closing & Delays February 1, 2021

Feb 1 – 10 AM

 

Frederick County Public Schools -FCPS will not offer virtual instruction. Offices are closed. Community group and evening activities canceled

 

New Life Christian Academy – Frederick – closed

 

Washington County Public Schools – Meal Sites are closed

 

Carroll County Public Schools closed for students. Teachers work on end of marking period items. Non-workday for instructional assistants.

 

Montgomery County Schools – virtual instruction will begin on time and offices will open on time, conditions and building/in person activities are canceled.

 

Jefferson County Schools – on full remote learning Mon. 2/1/21, due to inclement weather. All employees will work remotely except for essential snow removal staff, who will report on a two-hour delay. 

 

Howard County Schools – Virtual instruction as scheduled; HCPS buildings are closed. Meal service canceled.

 

Loudoun County Schools – Schools and  Admin Offices are closed, All distance-learning classes are cancelled. Instructional staff should not report to work. There will be no food pick-up at LCPS schools and food deliveries by bus have been cancelled. All activities on school campuses are cancelled. Student testing is cancelled and the LCPS Vaccination POD is closed. Appointments at the POD for Monday, February 1, 2021, will be honored on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.

 

Waynesboro Public Schools – Closed

Greencastle/Antrim Schools – Closed

Berkeley County Schools – Pre K to 12 will observe remote instruction

 

Shepherd University – Closed

Frederick Community College – Campus closed, virtual classes will be in session, Students should refer to Blackboard for instructions. 

Hagerstown Community College – Closed

Hood College – All virtual day for day, evening classes and offices.

Mount Saint Mary’s University – All remote day, Emmitburg, Frederick campuses and the Grotto closed.

 

Thurmont Child Care Center – Closed

Children’s World Early Learning Centers – Walkersville and Frederick – closed

Learning Tree Early Learning Center and Glade Center-closed

 

GOVERNMENT

 

FBI Winchester is closed for first and second shift Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. Federal agencies in D.C. area will be open Monday, with option for unscheduled leave/telework..

 

Maryland State Government – Emergency Essential Employees should report as scheduled. Non-emergency essential employees should remain home.

 

Frederick County, MD government offices and facilities will open at 10 under liberal leave, Courts and District Courts will be closed today. 

 

City of Frederick – Snow Emergency Plan remains in effect, Offices and facilities will open at 10, liberal leave for employees.   Trash will be picked up. Please do not put trash on the street, but as close to the street as possible. Talley Recreation Center closed.

 

Montgomery County Government – Offices and departments open at 10 a.m. with optional liberal leave for nonessential employees. Essential employees must work their regular hours and report as scheduled,

Montgomery County Circuit Court – Closed.

 

Washington County Solid Waste Facilities Closed

Jefferson County Government – Closed

 

Loudoun County Government open with unscheduled leave.

Washington County District Court – Closed

 

MEDICAL

Cardiovascular Specialists of Frederick closed today. 

 

Other:

 

AMVETS Post # 2 closed

 

Closings and Cancellations: 2/1/21

Schools:

Frederick County Public Schools -FCPS will not offer virtual instruction. Offices are closed. Community group and evening activities canceled

Montgomery County Schools- Virtual instruction will begin on time and offices will open on time, in person activities will be evaluated.

New Life Christian Academy – Frederick – closed

Carroll County -Schools closed for students. Teachers work on end of marking period items. Non-workday for instructional assistants.

Jefferson County Schools – on full remote learning Mon. 2/1/21, due to inclement weather. All employees will work remotely except for essential snow removal staff, who will report on a two-hour delay. We appreciate your patience and look forward to welcoming students back to the classroom soon.

Berkley County Schools- will observe Virtual instruction.

Howard County Schools – Virtual instruction as scheduled; HCPS buildings are closed. Meal service canceled.

Loudoun County Schools – Schools and  Admin Offices are closed, All distance-learning classes are cancelled. Instructional staff should not report to work. There will be no food pick-up at LCPS schools and food deliveries by bus have been cancelled. All activities on school campuses are cancelled. Student testing is cancelled and the LCPS Vaccination POD is closed. Appointments at the POD for Monday, February 1, 2021, will be honored on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.

Waynesboro Public Schools – 2 Hour delay

Greencastle/Antrim Schools – Closed

Shepherd University – Closed

Frederick Community College – Campus closed, virtual classes will be in session, Students should refer to Blackboard for instructions.

Hagerstown Community College – Closed

Thurmont Child Care Center – Closed

Children’s World Early Learning Centers- Walkersville and Frederick locations- Closed.

Learning Tree Early Learning Center and Glade Center- Closed.

GOVERNMENT

FBI Winchester is closed for first and second shift Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. Federal agencies in D.C. area will be open Monday, with option for unscheduled leave/telework.

Washington County Solid Waste Facilities- Closed

City of Frederick- City offices /facilities and non-essential operations will open at 10Am. The city snow emergency plan remains in effect. Trash will be picked up. Do not put trash on the street, but as close to the street as possible.

Maryland State Government- Emergency Essential Employees should report as scheduled. Non-emergency essential employees should remain home.

Frederick County Government- Government offices and facilities will open at 10 am under liberal leave, Courts and District Courts will open at 10 am.

Washington County Solid Waste Facilities- Closed

Loudoun County Government- open with unscheduled leave.

Washington County District Court – Closed

Montgomery County Circuit Court – Closed

Medical 

Cardiovascular Specialists of Frederick- Closed.

{Katie’s Baby Blog} 29 Weeks…and a few days!

“Baby #2 is as big as a head of cauliflower!” …and it totally feels like that in my belly!

Constant moving and kicking from this girl, I feel like she moves a lot more than Lily did. Maybe that means she will be my wild one 😉

I think Lily liked to sleep and it makes sense because she is a great sleeper, still!

Sleep is officially hard (have I said that before?). Not only do I feel like I have to roll back and forth all night, but now it’s hard to turn from side to side- like I have to prep myself for the big roll haha!! My belly is just getting “heavier” feeling in general…you know, when you start to feel like you have to hold it up and carry it around…yep that has begun.

I’m down to my two week appointments already! Crazy! When they told me that at my last appointment I think it hit me how soon this baby is going to be here! I can’t wait to see her in my next sono. at 32 weeks.

 

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: How/Why We “Fall Off The Wagon”

Certain phrases don’t really need an explanation. If someone says you’re “playing with fire,” then you’re probably doing something reckless that could earn you some rough consequences. “Dropping your guard”? That’s lowering your defenses.

But, what does “falling off the wagon” have to do with excessive alcohol consumption? Is it about losing your balance when you’re inebriated? Maybe early Americans tumbled off their wagons when they’d had too much liquor?

Well, it actually doesn’t have much to do with any actual spills. The phrase “on the wagon”, which led to “off the wagon”, originated around the turn of the 20th century. It was actually originally “on the water cart”.

Way before Prohibition, a grassroots movement developed in order to mitigate the supposed evils of alcohol. Groups like the Anti-Saloon League came into being & attempted to persuade their members to pledge eternal sobriety, develop better character, and generally set a good example for others.

Around that same time, cities were commonly utilizing water wagons, which were large horse-pulled tanks of water that were full of undrinkable H20 used to dampen dusty streets. Those tanks were so prevalent that they became a sort of reference point for anyone discussing their personal commitment to sobriety. People might say that they’d sooner drink from the water wagon than drink alcohol. That soon evolved into proclaiming that a person was “on the water wagon.”

After someone jumped onto the proverbial water wagon, what frequently followed was a lapse in devotion, and they would fall “off” the water wagon. As water wagons began disappearing from public use, the phrase shortened to just “wagon.” And, whether a person was on or off that wagon equated to their present approach to drinking.

But, I guess if you think about it, though, under the right circumstances, it’s entirely possible to “fall off the wagon” both metaphorically & literally. All you’d need would be a wagon & way too much booze. (But I wouldn’t recommend it!)

Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via social media (@AndyWebbRadioVoice), or shoot me an email at [email protected].

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Airtron Heating & Air Conditioning

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