Reacting to Mayan End of World Prediction for Dec. 21

Some people believe the world is coming to end on this day, at midnight, based on the "long count" calendar of the Ancient Mayans coming to an end this day. One local reaction to that concept was to host parties. The 3rd Rail Bar & Grill at 564 E. Osage in Pacific, for example, is holding such a celebration, with the band New Crime Theatre playing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

3rd Rail Bar managers must believe the world will go on, however, because they have set up the cover charge to be $3 per person, or a new unwrapped toy or donations of canned foods for the Pacific Agape House Food Pantry. The toys are slated to be donated to the Marines Toys for Tots.

According to an article on nbcnews.com, "Experts estimate the system starts counting at 3114 B.C., and will have run through 13 baktuns, or 5,125 years, around Dec. 21. Experts say 13 was a significant number for the Maya, and the end of that cycle would be a milestone—but not an end."

Some people believe the Maya may have predicted "impending astronomical disasters that would coincide with 2012, ranging from explosive storms on the surface of the sun that could knock out power grids to a galactic alignment that could trigger a reversal in Earth's magnetic field."

NASA officials said they were bombarded with calls and emails from people asking about the purported end of the world—which, as the doomsday myth goes, is apparently set to take place Friday, Dec. 21.

NASA representatives said they think the date is the end of one Mayan time period that simply starts over.

NASA representatives told a Los Angeles Times reporter they developed a video titled "Why the World Didn't End Yesterday." Though the title of the video implies a Dec. 22 release date, NASA posted the four-minute clip last week to help spread its message.

End-of-the-world rumors prompted officials to close 33 Michigan schools two days early for the holidays, also reported on nbcnews.com. Matt Wandrie, superintendent for Lapeer Community Schools, told reporters doomsday "rumors" are running rampant in several districts, adding to fears raised by last week's school shooting in Newtown, CT.

Do you plan to do anything differently this evening, based on this interpretation of a Mayan prediction?