//jgrowl announcements.  ajax GET to hide ann/store cookie
  $.jGrowl.defaults.closer = false;
  $("#announcements_box").css("display","none");
  $("#announcements_box .announcement").each(function(){
    $.jGrowl(this.textContent,{ sticky:true, close:function(e,m,o){hide_announcements();} });
  });
  function hide_announcements(){
    $.get(
      '/hide_announcements'
    );
    $("#announcements_box").fadeOut();
    return false;
  }