A note today from a friend in the UK suggests that the University of Chicago, aka ‘Chicagwarts,’ is not the best claimant to the prize for ‘School Most Like the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.’ Bruce Charlton writes:

For a year I was a ‘Resident Don’ at University College, Durham, which is probably the only College other than Hogwarts that is situated in a real and purpose-built Castle (a Norman Castle, in fact)  (Durham Cathedral is in the background)

University College also has a Great Hall on Hogwarts lines – this view is facing towards the top table where the Dons sit.  So – does University College in the University of Durham, England win first place?

Really, Bruce, as a UChicago graduate, I’m not a fair judge in this contest. Using the calipers of age, location, and authenticity, University College, Durham, wins hands down. With a phoenix as a mascot, an exact replica of the Hogwarts Great Hall in Hutchinson Commons, and notoriety for peculiar teachers and graduates (say, “geek cubed”), the Quadrangles on Chicago’s South Side will probably win a few votes, even some outside the alumnae/i. (UChicago pictures below the jump.)

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At The Hog’s Head, dust is sort of the norm. That’s just how Aberforth rolls. But over here at Hogwarts Professor, you’re going to see some temporary “dust” for a bit, while my Hog’s Head tech-elf crew (which consists mostly of me and two elves who I think quit so won’t be around) remake the site.

You’re seeing, right now, the very first phase, which is to get the bare bones structure up. You’ll see changes over the coming week or so. Suggestions welcome!

We are on the cusp of breaching 150 inches of snow fall since Thanksgiving here in Central New York State, what one Canadian meteorologist has called this year’s ‘Snow Capitol of North America.’ I am especially delighted, consequently, to be traveling this week to Louisville, Kentucky, for a talk at the University of Louisville McConnell Center (details here) and the Climacus Conference (details here).  I fly farther south from there to Alabama for speaking dates at the Athens and Madison public libraries (details here and here) and at a parochial school. I’ll come home via New Jersey for a return trip to the Blair School’s Society of Skeptics, for an advanced session of Q&A with their witches and wizards.

The friend who scheduled all of these Alabama dates is a woman I met at Leaky Con 2009 in Boston — which reminds me; if you’re coming to Leaky Con 2011 in Orlando this July and you want to give a talk, your proposals have to be in by 28 February. Two weeks until the Programming closes — don’t be late! I’m looking forward to seeing you and hearing your talk in Florida!

I hope to see all HogPro All-Pros living in Louisville’s metropolitan area and friends in Alabama! I’ll be the guy in bermuda shorts and shades enjoying the tropical weather (or just the man smiling unnaturally because he doesn’t have to plow the driveway). 41 days with snowfall in the last 43… Whew– it’s Noah on ice up here!

I have read The Chronicles of Narnia to my children, and The Lord of the Rings, Artemis Fowl, the Little House books, Moody’s Little Britches series, and, of course, Harry Potter. All of them are special to us; the books and their authors are like distant family members you think about much more often than you see them and about whom you always feel fondly.

None of these very special writers and book series, not even the Hogwarts Saga, mean to my younger children what Brian Jacques does and will, despite his passing of a heart attack last Saturday, news we only learned today. There are 23 Redwall novels (and counting) and we have read twenty of them aloud together. The boys and my youngest daughter have read them to themselves and listened to them on tape and CD many more times. Today’s news, consequently, was devastating.

We even met him once and he showed a special kindness to my son, Timothy, a tale I’ll save for another day. Today I just want to say “thank you,” cry a little for the loss and for the great pleasure this wonderful story teller gave me and mine, and open the comment boxes for you to share your favorite Redwall novel or how you first met Martin the Warrior, with whom I hope Brian is enjoying a hearty meal tonight. May the greatest pure story teller of our time rest in peace.

“Somewhere Jacques is slurping hotroot soup and eating a big slice of deeper’n’ever pie, rinsing it down with Dandelion Cordial and October Ale, and crunching dozens of candied chestnuts for dessert.”
— Matt London