End of the World: #3 Story of 2012

Mayan apocalypse scheduled for Dec. 21 was a no-show.

Well, that was a pretty lame Doomsday. As the clock ticked down to Dec. 21, the day rumored to be the end of the world according to the Mayan calendar, people grew very interested in the possibility that this was it. Patch's article with insights from scholars and NASA on the end of the world was the third most popular story on Westlake Patch in 2012. We also asked what readers' plans were for the coming apocalypse. Half thought it was all hooey. Twenty percent said they were going to stay close to the family. Thirty percent intended to party like it's 1999. Fortunately for them, the day after Doomsday was a Saturday.

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Snowstorm, End of the World Lead Week's News

Here's what had you reading and talking this week

Westlake, like the rest of America, dealt with the aftermath of the horrific school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Many students and staff wore green and white -- Sandy Hook Elementary's colors -- on Monday to show their support for Newtown. Holly Lane staff grieved for their colleagues in Connecticut, and drew strength from students, parents and each other. Westlake Patch joined Patch sites nationwide by participating in an Web Moment of Silence Friday morning to honor the victims. Safety and weapons were popular topics after Sandy Hook. Westlake City Schools leaders talked about school safety and security in the wake of Newtown's tragedy. Business director Dave Kocevar explained security at existing schools, …

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Dec. 21: End of the World Today?

Experts, including NASA, weigh in on the doomsday, the Mayan Calendar, and what it could mean for Westlake.

End of the World: What's Your Last Meal?

Share what you want and where you'd want to have it. And tell us where in Westlake you'd go for a meal to send you off right.

The clock is ticking towards the Dec. 21 End of the World, according to the Mayan calendar. Since cholesterol and carbs won't matter after Friday, you've got two days to live it up. Which brings up the classic question. What would be your last meal? You could go high-end gourmet, or your mom's meatloaf, or anywhere in between. What would it be and where would you get it? Tell us in the comments. And post your own photos, like I did with some food shots from my trip to Paris. If you need some ideas for where to dine before the world ends, use our directory of local restaurants for inspiration.

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Dec. 21: End of the World? Scholars, NASA Respond

Find out what the experts are saying about the Dec. 21, 2012, Doomsday prophesies, the end of the Mayan calendar and their potential impact on Westlake.

Don’t make any rash decisions: Experts say 12/21/12 is going to be just another typical winter solstice. Killer solar flares aren’t expected. Another planet isn’t on a collision course with ours. And the Mayan “long count calendar” ending on this date has no real significance—they had to end it somewhere! There are a number of theories and predictions that call for earth’s demise on Dec. 21, 2012. They include: The intrigue created by multiple end-of-the-world predictions has made many scholars and even NASA stand up to make statements debunking the claims. From professors at Tampa Bay’s own New College to the scientific minds at NASA, they’re all saying the same thing: Go ahead and pay that mortgage bill and wrap those holiday presents. …

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