February follows January

Well, the "Non" Winter of 2012 continues, as another forming ocean storm should slide out into the Atlantic well south of New England. The Rosemary still growing and surviving the winter, the daffodils are poking through and the roses beginning to show life. Snow pack, not like last year when it was measure in feet, the number this season is "0". Well, at least the heating bill will also be moderate.

Winter in Woonsocket

Save for the snow at the end of October, the strange dry and mild winter continues. In fact, I have yet to bring up the ice melt from the basement, and mid-January is upon the region. A storm towards the end of the week should bring rain. Talk of colder temps beyond that may make any storms that develop at least interesting. But up until now, "boring" is the word !!!

You will love this Autumnfest weekend in Woonsocket. Temps will be up near the 80 mark today, will be well into the 80's tomorrow, perhaps near record territory and a nice and comfy 76 on Monday, Parade Day. Perfect, perfect, perfect !!!

Post Irene

Hopefully, all have had power restored, it has been almost a week. Reports are that 200 homes in Woonsocket still out, but that should be rectified by tomorrow, Sunday 9/4. We fared well here at the house, though we did lose power for some 35 hours. Did not lose any food, save a couple of cartons of ice cream, as we had made and stocked a good quantity of ice. The only saving grace, power outages during a tropical storm do not lend to worry about the furnace not working. The emergency kit is packed away in the basement for next time, hopefully a long way into the future, but with Hurricane Katia blowing in the far Atlantic, she bears close watching. The strongest wind here was 57 mph; rainfall total was 3.08". As is "normal" the wet side of the storm is the west or "left" and if you saw video of the floods that ravaged western MA< CT, and NY and VT and NJ, that held true, the "right" or east side is typically the windiest, and this is where the highest gusts were found. Thankfully, it was only a Tropical Storm, do not even want to think of the problems if Irene made a NE landfall as a Cat 2 or 3 !!!!

Thank you NHC !!!

Well, over the years, many folks have asked where exactly is Woonsocket. Now, the National Hurricane Center has made that answer quite easy: Woonsocket is right under the top "black dot" in the 5 day projected path of Hurricane Irene ( The 2AM Monday spot):

Hard to believe the Summer is waning

Always too short, it seems especially that way this season after the horrid Winter. But the fact remains the the longer days and hot temps are surely waning. We enjoyed our camping vacation last week on Cape Cod, although Monday was trying with a good 5 inches of rain falling !!! Now thoughts are focused on "Back to School", house chores to button things up for the Winter and the ending of the garden harvest. Springtime brings thoughts of all the Summer potential, a tad sad that these days are winding down !!!

Our Family's Emergency Kit Checklist

Andy’s emergency kit

1. Shake & Standard Flashlights, large and small

2. Crank Radio, Grundig, Battery op radios

3. Light Sticks

4. Lightning Detector

5. SAME Weather Radio

6. LED Lantern

7. Fluorescent lantern

8. Butane Backpacking stove

9. Extra Butane cylinders

10. Propane Camping Stove

11. Extra Propane cylinders

12. 12 v cell phone charger

13. Various 12 volt adaptors & AC inverter

14. 3 day supply of meds (refresh every 6 months)

15. Notepads and pencils

16. 2 meter Ham Radio portable

17. Supply of extra AA, AAA, C and D cells as needed

18. Cribbage Board and cards

19. First Aid Kit

20. Supply of Bottled Water on hand

21. 12 volt mini cooler

22. Quick-Grab Bag for items if quick evacuation necessary

23. Supply of candles

24. Matches and butane lighters

25. Several days supply of prescription medications

26. Fuel vehicles

HINTS:

= 3 days before a storm, make as much ice as possible in your freezer, use plastic “Tupperware” containers, Zip Lock Bags,

etc. to fill every empty spot. If there is an extended failure, take ice from freezer and place in lower cold foods compartment.

= Charge all rechargeable items such as cell phones, radios, lamps, etc.

= Stay aware of current conditions from Weather Radio, TV, AM/FM, etc.

= Check Gas Grill Propane Supply, REMEMBER: NEVER use outdoor cooking applicances indoors, such as gas grills, charcoal, generators etc. CARBON MONOXIDE CAN KILL

= USE CAUTION WITH CANDLES, NEVER PLACE NEAR A WINDOW WHERE CURTAINS CAN CATCH FIRE OR NEAR PAPER OR OTHER FLAMMABLES OR NEAR CHILDREN

= It is also important to KNOW where all these items are located; A few times a

year check to see if you can find everything, make a list, store them in a box, a Rubbermaid container, etc for easy retrieval.

= LEARN local shelter locations, evacuation routes, etc. for your area.

=Copies of homeowners Insurance, Auto insurance and other important documents in a sturdy water proof container.

+

Andy's Clam Chowdah

4th of Jiuly ..,. Clam Chowdah Season:

Here is my recipe:

Monday, July 5, 2010

For friends whom have asked for my Clam Chowder Recipe:

1 large onion, chopped
4 slices meaty bacon diced (or meaty salt pork)
3 stalks celery chopped
2 leeks thinly sliced
2 cups chopped or minced clams
1 cup If available, minced quahaugs, don't forget to save steaming liquor
2 quarts clam juice (canned or bottled if necessary)
(if you steam your clams prior to mincing, use the clam liquor strained)
4 large potatoes diced
1 can cream of celery soup condensed
1 pint of light cream or half and half
sea salt
freshly ground pepper
2 bay leaves
tbsp thyme

Render bacon until crisp, remove the cracklings
slowly cook onions, celery and leeks until translucent
add about 2 tablespoons of flour, mix well for about a minute or two
add clam broth
add clams
add potatoes
add bay leaves and thyme
simmer for 2 hours
Salt and pepper to taste
add cream of celery soup
simmer for an hour or so until potatoes are thoroughly cooked

**** AT THIS POINT YOU MAY STOP AND COOL AND REFRIGERATE FOR A DAY OR
SO, CHOWDER DOES TASTE BEST THE "NEXT DAY" AFTER ALL THE FLAVORS HAVE
DEVELOPED ****
If cold, reheat chowder to
just below the boiling point.
Add cream and pat of butter
Add the bacon or salt pork cracklings from Step #1

Serve with oyster crackers

ENJOY !!!!!!

Joe Bastardi leaves Accuweather

Well, after a somewhat tumultuous relationship with Accuweather,
Word is Joe Bastardi has resigned from them sometime last evening from
Reports.
Found his profile gone this AM on the site.
Joe was “upgraded” to the pricey, or rather very very pricey Accuweather
“pro” site a few years ago.
Rather than having his somewhat uncanningly correct long range prognostications
Available to the millions, he was relegated to a select few subscribers.
I was lucky to be able to get the occasional tweet from his fan club.
Never the household name with his limited role, perhaps that led to
The separation.
Or perhaps AW had something else in store.
Whether we really ever find the actual events is a mystery.
I believe he will eventually form his own company, perhaps for the stock and
Futures market type crowd.
FYI, there is an ongoing conflict in the weather world. The private companies
Sort of believe disseminating weather info should be a “private” company function and
That the NWS should be relegated to gathering and presenting information such as
Radar and satellite and data observations. This will continue for the coming decades.
And with the Obama Administration trying to cut vital funding to the NWS, it is not
Hard to envision a slow evolution toward a more limited NWS role
as the next several years pass. That will be a sad, sad day.
OK, off the soapbox !!!

In any event,

Best of Luck Joe

Remembering JFK

Today marks the anniversary of the Inauguration of John F. Kennedy as President of the USA back in 1961.
I remember that day well. Remember the disagreement with my mother about shoveling the driveway as we had almost a foot of snow.
At the same time, going to a Catholic Grammar School, Assumption in Bellingham, MA, the nun's made it clear to us that we HAD to listen to the speech by JFK !!!
Such a dilemma at such a young age, LOL

What a Winter

Well, another storm tonight should dump 4 to 8 inches of snow in Woonsocket. Outside chance of a bit more.
Another Storm Tuesday or Wednesday.
When will it end ???
Not soon enought.
Between La Nina and the storm pattern coming in from the Pacific then the energy mingling along the east coast, looks like the cold along with a couple of storms per week will be with us for most of February into March.
UGGHHH !!!!!

Rebecca St. Fire

Firefighter's are braving the cold temps trying to contain this structure fire on Rebecca St, which is off of North Main St.

Older and wiser?

Seems the older I get, the greater my disdain for chain supermarkets owned by conglomerates both in the USA and abroad. I find myself shopping very frequently at the local butcher, (Shaws, Lil General), baker (Par X), Dairy Farm (Wrights), Fruit and Vegetable vendor (Fernandes) Fishmonger (Wilfred's, the last remaining in the City after R&D burned last month). Though times are changing, I feel sometimes I am going back in time, LOL

One final wrambling on the hurricane of 38

While reading many, many sites and related matter from the ’38 Hurricane,
One interesting observation was that in Woonsocket, the windows were encrusted
With sea salt.
Being a good 50 miles from the open ocean, I have no doubt the winds exceeded
120 mph up here as reported in some articles.
I dread even thinking what the effects of a similar storm would be in the “modern”
World. Just repairs to the electrical distribution infrastructure would certainly be
On the order of months not to mention structural damage. With communications,
Computers, television and our primary source of energy
all connected to utility poles, life as we know it would be interrupted
For a considerable period of time.

Blackstone River Dam repairs in Woonsocket

Under the auspices of the Army Corps of Engineers, work has begun on repairs to the Dam at Market Square and eventually the levee system here in Woonsocket. This long overdue work will shore up the deteriorating Flood control system built after the Great Flood of 1955.

...as I wramble about Woonsocket street names

Park Avenue: without a park;
Willow Street: yet to have seen a willow;
South Main Street: takes you to the North Northwest;
Providence Street: Providence is south of Woonsocket, the street leads you east and west;
Market Square: without a market;
Blackstone Street: does not bring one to Blackstone;
Mt. St. Charles Ave: The Mount is on Logee St

Hurricane Earl Post Mortem

Hurricane Earl passed by New England with just over a half inch of rain here in Woonsocket. Cape Cod bore the brunt of the storm with upwards of 5 inches of rain around Hyannis, scattered power outtages and surely some beach erosion, rips and rough surf. Earl was a very large Hurricane in girth and that may have helped his demise. Off the SE coast as a Major Cat 4 Hurricane, his wide circulation began to feed in some dry air in the Carolinas helping to weaken the storm. There are many other reasons, but we are all lucky in the Northeast to have dodged a bullet. A Cat 4 making landfall would have caused perhaps damage unseen since the Hurricane of 1938. Everyone who checked their emergency kit, freshened up supplies and reviewed their emergency plans, kudos to you !!! Yes, not really needed this time, but there will be a "next" and it could be serious so never ignore the forecast, yes, things do change as Mother Nature is wont to do, but it is always wise to be prepared !!!

Hurricane Earl strenghtens, Emergency Kit

As Hurricane Earl strengthens way down south, now a Cat 2 with 110 mph winds, everyone is concerned with the eventual path. Southern New England may receive a glancing blow, so now is the time to review your emergency plans and emergency kit. Below is a copy of the contents of my kit, feel free to copy and print this and make any additions or subtractions to meet your family needs. Remember, look around and you may find many items around the home that can be handy in an emergency. No need to put them all together in one place as long as YOU KNOW where everything is !!!
Be Safe and Stay Tuned

Andy’s emergency kit


1. Shake Flashlight, large and small
2. Crank Radio, Grundig, Battery op radios
3. Light Sticks
4. Lightning Detector
5. SAME Weather Radio
6. LED Lantern
7. Fluorescent lantern
8. Butane Backpacking stove
9. Extra Butane cylinders
10. Propane Camping Stove
11. Extra Propane cylinders
12. 12 v cell phone charger
13. Various 12 volt adaptors & AC inverter
14. 3 day supply of meds (refresh every 6 months)
15. Notepads and pencils
16. 2 meter Ham Radio portable
17. Supply of extra AA, AAA, C and D cells as needed
18. Cribbage Board and cards
19. First Aid Kit
20. Supply of Bottled Water on hand
21. 12 volt mini cooler
22. Quick-Grab Bag for items if quick evacuation necessary
23. Supply of candles
24. Matches and butane lighters

HINTS:
= 3 days before a storm, make as much ice as possible in your freezer, use plastic “Tupperware” containers, Zip Lock Bags,
etc. to fill every empty spot. If there is an extended failure, take ice from freezer and place in lower cold foods compartment.
= Charge all rechargeable items such as cell phones, radios, lamps, etc.
= Stay aware of current conditions from Weather Radio, TV, AM/FM, etc.
= Check Gas Grill Propane Supply, REMEMBER: NEVER use outdoor cooking applicances indoors, such as gas grills, charcoal, generators etc. CARBON MONOXIDE CAN KILL
= USE CAUTION WITH CANDLES, NEVER PLACE NEAR A WINDOW WHERE CURTAINS CAN CATCH FIRE OR NEAR PAPER OR OTHER FLAMMABLES OR NEAR CHILDREN
= It is also important to KNOW where all these items are located; A few times a
year check to see if you can find everything, make a list, store them in a box, a Rubbermaid container, etc for easy retrieval.
= LEARN local shelter locations, evacuation routes, etc. for your area.
=Copies of homeowners insurance, auto insurance and other important documents in sturdy water tight holder

The heat continues as today will be another hot one at 90 degrees with increasing humidity. Certainly has been quite the summer, and may end up being the warmest on record. We have luckily missed all the very severe weather and Thunderstorms, with some occasional downpours. A rash of house fires in Woonsocket over the past several weeks, Olo St, Park Ave, Gilbert St, Mowry St to name the lastest. All this comes as Woonsocket quietly begins talk about closing another firehouse. Nonsense. With the taxes we have to pay, that is the LAST place they should be looking. Over the years they have already shut down Station 5 in Social and Station 6 in Fairmont. Enough is enough. WWII Memorial Park is going to Hades, hopefully the State will come through with planned upgrades for next summer. The heck with northern RI, keep the South County fully staffed for the politicos is the motto I surmise as the State House continues to place the burden of finances on the back of us taxpayers rather than cut the burgeoning payrolls that weigh down the budget year after year after year. Oh well, my morning rant is complete.

Quick work by the Woonsocket Fire Department prevent a total loss of this home at 86 Park Avenue during the Friday dinner hour. No one was reported home at the time of the fire. Firefighters were on the scene until around 9PM conducting mopping up operations. Good Job Guys !!!!! (and Gals !!!)