The New Falcon Herald

Archaeologist Michael D. Coe wrote in his 1966 book �The Maya� that the current �Long Count Great Cycle� in the Mesoamerican calendar ends on what we now call Dec. 21, 2012. The Long Count is a period of 5,125 years. 2012 represents the end of the 12th cycle in the Mayan version of world history, Coe wrote. Some conspiracy theorists have interpreted this to mean the world will end in spectacular fashion on or before that date.

Countless History Channel specials, movies and websites have been created to promote or lampoon the 2012 prophecies. As the date approaches, numerous additional theories have been presented about what would cause what bloggers refer to as the acronym TEOTWAWKI, or �The End of the World As We Know It.� Underground bunkers, shelf-stable food rations and water filtration system sales have skyrocketed. Sites such as survivalwarehouse.com have seen revenues increase 1,000 percent, according to a press release from that company. An entire industry of businesses targeting people trying to protect themselves from a full-scale cosmic Armageddon has been created over the last few years.

Here in Falcon, businesses have taken a more light-hearted stance to the ancient global destruction prophecy issue. Dec. 21 is a Friday, the normal meeting date for the two Falcon-based business networking groups Business Entrepreneurs Enhancing Relationships and PEPNet.� B.E.E.R. group facilitator Brian Swanson said their meeting is being pitched as �The Networking Group at the End of the Universe� and will be held �rain, shine or massive comets.�

No advertisers in The New Falcon Herald have asked for three-week prorated ad rates, and publisher Michelle Barrette plans on printing enough copies for a full month of distribution. We hope to see you on our next release date, Jan. 5, 2013!