Showing posts with label SARAH SAMWAYS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SARAH SAMWAYS. Show all posts
Monday, December 13, 2010
Floodwaters Still Menace Western Washington
(CNN) -- Crews began assessing damage Monday in western Washington, as officials kept a watchful eye on rising river levels and forecasters continued to predict more flooding for the area.
About 300 people are staying in shelters after homes flooded in several cities north of Seattle, said Rob Harper an emergency management spokesman for Washington. He said they evacuated voluntarily.
"Swift-water teams were called out Sunday," Harper said. "Rescue operations are still being mobilized to be available if needed."
Other residents were fighting back against the swollen rivers, rapidly filling sandbags to secure river banks.
Monday morning, the National Weather Service was reporting major flooding on the Snoqualmie River at Carnation and moderate flooding on the Snohomish River at Monroe and Snohomish, with major flooding expected over the next 48 hours.
Flooding also was occurring or was predicted for areas along the Green, Nooksack, Skagit, Skokomish and Chehalis rivers, according to the weather service's Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service.
The Stillaguamish River, which Sunday evening rose to a record level at Arlington, had receded to just above flood stage Monday morning and will continue to drop, the prediction service said.
The rain that led to the flooding also triggered mudslides that shut down passenger trains north and south of Seattle over the weekend.
Rivers in nine counties had crested at or above flood stage by Sunday morning, the state Emergency Operations Center reported. And a mudslide north of Vancouver, Washington, just across the state line from Portland, Oregon, shut down Amtrak's Cascades train route until Tuesday morning, Amtrak said.
"They have to make sure where the mudslide occurred or anywhere else along that track, that the slope is stable enough to where there will not be any chances of an additional mudslide occurring before they release passenger traffic back onto the track," said Washington Department of Transportation spokeswoman Vickie Sheehan.
Mudslides occurred north of Seattle as well, shutting down train service that connected the city to Canada, Sheehan said. But shutting down the Portland-to-Seattle run has "a much bigger impact that affects a lot more people," she said.
Amtrak will provide bus service for all ticketed passengers throughout the weekend and until the rail line reopens, Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham said.
About 300 people are staying in shelters after homes flooded in several cities north of Seattle, said Rob Harper an emergency management spokesman for Washington. He said they evacuated voluntarily.
"Swift-water teams were called out Sunday," Harper said. "Rescue operations are still being mobilized to be available if needed."
Other residents were fighting back against the swollen rivers, rapidly filling sandbags to secure river banks.
Monday morning, the National Weather Service was reporting major flooding on the Snoqualmie River at Carnation and moderate flooding on the Snohomish River at Monroe and Snohomish, with major flooding expected over the next 48 hours.
Flooding also was occurring or was predicted for areas along the Green, Nooksack, Skagit, Skokomish and Chehalis rivers, according to the weather service's Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service.
The Stillaguamish River, which Sunday evening rose to a record level at Arlington, had receded to just above flood stage Monday morning and will continue to drop, the prediction service said.
The rain that led to the flooding also triggered mudslides that shut down passenger trains north and south of Seattle over the weekend.
Rivers in nine counties had crested at or above flood stage by Sunday morning, the state Emergency Operations Center reported. And a mudslide north of Vancouver, Washington, just across the state line from Portland, Oregon, shut down Amtrak's Cascades train route until Tuesday morning, Amtrak said.
"They have to make sure where the mudslide occurred or anywhere else along that track, that the slope is stable enough to where there will not be any chances of an additional mudslide occurring before they release passenger traffic back onto the track," said Washington Department of Transportation spokeswoman Vickie Sheehan.
Mudslides occurred north of Seattle as well, shutting down train service that connected the city to Canada, Sheehan said. But shutting down the Portland-to-Seattle run has "a much bigger impact that affects a lot more people," she said.
Amtrak will provide bus service for all ticketed passengers throughout the weekend and until the rail line reopens, Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham said.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Pompeii
(CNN) -- It was destroyed 2,000 years ago, but now Italy's ancient Roman city of Pompeii is facing ruin once again.
Not by a volcanic eruption like the one that buried the city in 79 AD, but by years of "neglect" and "mediocre" management by the Italian government, according to heritage groups and archaeologists.
The UNESCO World Heritage site came under scrutiny in early November, when one of its archaeological treasures, the "House of the Gladiators," crumbled.
Since then, the walls of four more buildings have been reduced to rubble because their ancient mortar is unable to cope with recent heavy rainfall, says Soprintendenza archeologica di Pompei, the organization charged with the site's upkeep.
Pompeii, near Naples in the south of Italy, is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the country. It was destroyed when a volcanic eruption from nearby Mount Vesuvius buried the city in ash. The ash preserved the remains to an astonishing degree, which is why Pompeii is such a treasure.
The site receives more than 2.5 million visitors each year, and according to Antonio Varone, director of excavations at the site, it generated $23.8 million from tourists in the first 10 months of this year alone.
So why is one of the world's most treasured and historically significant sites in such a lamentable state?
"The current state of conservation in Pompeii is mediocre," said Pietro Giovanni Guzzo, former Superintendent and archeologist at Pompeii. Guzzo retired in August 2009 after 15 years in the post.
"The financial resources available for restoration and conservation have always been negligible," he said. "Instead it is preferred to dig, rather than preserve what has already been discovered."
According to Guzzo, remains would be safer left buried. Inadequate funds are not enough to protect all of the site's fragile ruins -- most of them are held together by ancient mortar so delicate "even the rain does damage."
In fact, says Guzzo, Pompeii is so starved of funding that the Soprintendenza don't even have enough cars and gasoline to travel around inspecting the various sites.
Despite the Soprintendenza collecting revenue from ticket sales and receiving funds from the government, Guzzo says its not enough to make up the estimated €260 million ($343 million) needed to restore the site completely.
"You also have to note that the Soprintendenza of Pompeii is also responsible for the archeological sites of Herculaneum, Stabia, Oplontis (and) Boscoreale, which also need to be maintained," Guzzo added.
So desperate is the situation, Italy's oldest heritage charity, Italia Nostra, has issued a red list consisting of over 50 sites in need of urgent attention.
"There has been no maintenance for decades," said Alessandra Mottola Molfino, President of Italia Nostra. "We have 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It's an enormous responsibility, but one not taken seriously."
Mottola Molfino places the blame squarely at the feet of the Italian government .
The problem, she says, is twofold -- a dramatic reduction in the Ministry of Culture's budget and a siphoning of funds within the Ministry towards showy events at the expense of conservation.
According to the research group l'Associazione per l'Economia della Cultura, allocated spending for Ministry of Culture departments in charge of conservation was halved over eight years from 2000 to 2008, though there is evidence of investment in other departments.
Mottola Molfino thinks that Culture Minister Sandro Bondi's department is also funnelling cash in the wrong direction.
"The ministry has spent enormous quantities of money on ephemeral events," she said. "In Pompeii, they've spent money on theatre and shows, not on the maintenance of the area."
Guzzo agreed, saying the promotion of events at Pompeii, such as the anniversary of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, had taken priority over the "silent and daily" work of conservation.
CNN put these allegations to the Ministry of Culture and was still waiting for a response at the time of publication.
However, five days after the collapse of the House of the Gladiators the President of the Chamber of Deputies Commission for Culture, Valentina Aprea denied allegations of neglect by the government and defended Culture Minister Bondi.
"The exceptional nature of the site of Pompeii has never been neglected by an Italian government and in particular by Minister Bondi," who's management of the site, she said in a news release, has been extraordinary.
Since the House of the Gladiators collapsed, the ministry has put in place emergency measures at Pompeii, giving the Soprintendenza stronger powers to protect the site, as well drawing up plans to increase the number of archaeologists and skilled workers on site, according to a statement on the ministry website.
For Mottola Molfino the measures can't come soon enough.
"We have the means to do it. We have enough knowledge and enough money -- why should we not care for our best assets?"
Not by a volcanic eruption like the one that buried the city in 79 AD, but by years of "neglect" and "mediocre" management by the Italian government, according to heritage groups and archaeologists.
The UNESCO World Heritage site came under scrutiny in early November, when one of its archaeological treasures, the "House of the Gladiators," crumbled.
Since then, the walls of four more buildings have been reduced to rubble because their ancient mortar is unable to cope with recent heavy rainfall, says Soprintendenza archeologica di Pompei, the organization charged with the site's upkeep.
Pompeii, near Naples in the south of Italy, is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the country. It was destroyed when a volcanic eruption from nearby Mount Vesuvius buried the city in ash. The ash preserved the remains to an astonishing degree, which is why Pompeii is such a treasure.
The site receives more than 2.5 million visitors each year, and according to Antonio Varone, director of excavations at the site, it generated $23.8 million from tourists in the first 10 months of this year alone.
So why is one of the world's most treasured and historically significant sites in such a lamentable state?
"The current state of conservation in Pompeii is mediocre," said Pietro Giovanni Guzzo, former Superintendent and archeologist at Pompeii. Guzzo retired in August 2009 after 15 years in the post.
"The financial resources available for restoration and conservation have always been negligible," he said. "Instead it is preferred to dig, rather than preserve what has already been discovered."
According to Guzzo, remains would be safer left buried. Inadequate funds are not enough to protect all of the site's fragile ruins -- most of them are held together by ancient mortar so delicate "even the rain does damage."
In fact, says Guzzo, Pompeii is so starved of funding that the Soprintendenza don't even have enough cars and gasoline to travel around inspecting the various sites.
Despite the Soprintendenza collecting revenue from ticket sales and receiving funds from the government, Guzzo says its not enough to make up the estimated €260 million ($343 million) needed to restore the site completely.
"You also have to note that the Soprintendenza of Pompeii is also responsible for the archeological sites of Herculaneum, Stabia, Oplontis (and) Boscoreale, which also need to be maintained," Guzzo added.
So desperate is the situation, Italy's oldest heritage charity, Italia Nostra, has issued a red list consisting of over 50 sites in need of urgent attention.
"There has been no maintenance for decades," said Alessandra Mottola Molfino, President of Italia Nostra. "We have 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It's an enormous responsibility, but one not taken seriously."
Mottola Molfino places the blame squarely at the feet of the Italian government .
The problem, she says, is twofold -- a dramatic reduction in the Ministry of Culture's budget and a siphoning of funds within the Ministry towards showy events at the expense of conservation.
According to the research group l'Associazione per l'Economia della Cultura, allocated spending for Ministry of Culture departments in charge of conservation was halved over eight years from 2000 to 2008, though there is evidence of investment in other departments.
Mottola Molfino thinks that Culture Minister Sandro Bondi's department is also funnelling cash in the wrong direction.
"The ministry has spent enormous quantities of money on ephemeral events," she said. "In Pompeii, they've spent money on theatre and shows, not on the maintenance of the area."
Guzzo agreed, saying the promotion of events at Pompeii, such as the anniversary of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, had taken priority over the "silent and daily" work of conservation.
CNN put these allegations to the Ministry of Culture and was still waiting for a response at the time of publication.
However, five days after the collapse of the House of the Gladiators the President of the Chamber of Deputies Commission for Culture, Valentina Aprea denied allegations of neglect by the government and defended Culture Minister Bondi.
"The exceptional nature of the site of Pompeii has never been neglected by an Italian government and in particular by Minister Bondi," who's management of the site, she said in a news release, has been extraordinary.
Since the House of the Gladiators collapsed, the ministry has put in place emergency measures at Pompeii, giving the Soprintendenza stronger powers to protect the site, as well drawing up plans to increase the number of archaeologists and skilled workers on site, according to a statement on the ministry website.
For Mottola Molfino the measures can't come soon enough.
"We have the means to do it. We have enough knowledge and enough money -- why should we not care for our best assets?"
Top 10 Cities for Grads Seeking Green Jobs
10.) San Francisco
9.) Denver
8.) New York City
7.) Portland
6.) Los Angeles
5.) Sacramento
4.) Boston
3.) Detroit
2.) Phoenix
1.) Houston
http://www.mnn.com/eco-biz/money-green-jobs/photos/top-10-cities-for-new-grads-seeking-green-jobs/green-collar-workers
9.) Denver
8.) New York City
7.) Portland
6.) Los Angeles
5.) Sacramento
4.) Boston
3.) Detroit
2.) Phoenix
1.) Houston
http://www.mnn.com/eco-biz/money-green-jobs/photos/top-10-cities-for-new-grads-seeking-green-jobs/green-collar-workers
Facebook Goes Green
Facebook 'friends' the green movement
Boosting its green profile, Facebook's new ‘Green on Facebook’ page shares green news and touts the site's own sustainability initiatives.
Eco-conscious Facebook users have a new page to “like” on the ever-popular social networking site: a Green on Facebook page that outlines what the company is doing to promote a sustainable environment.
Facebook launched the green page as a resource for people who not only want to know what the company is doing to go green, but also to share green news from around the Web, according to CNET and the Environmental Leader.
“By enabling millions of people from diverse backgrounds to easily connect and share, we believe we can help unleash innovative environmental initiatives across the globe,” states the Green on Facebook page. “When it comes to the environment, we are always looking to do more.”
The new Green on Facebook page coincides with strategic new partnerships for Facebook. The company has joined the Alliance to Save Energy and the Digital Energy Solutions Campaign (DESC), a group of tech companies working on environmental issues. Through the Alliance-Facebook partnership, Facebook will donate $500,000 worth of advertising and help promote the Alliance’s site, LivingEfficiently.org. Through its partnership with the DESC, Facebook will share best practices, the Environmental Leader reported.
Focusing on its green efforts could boost Facebook’s reputation, particularly after Greenpeace launched a campaign earlier this year to convince Facebook to use renewable energy instead of coal at a planned data center in Oregon, according to the Environmental Leader. (The “Unfriend Coal” campaign got support from 500,000 Facebook users.)
The new page pushes hard to convey Facebook as an eco-conscious company. In its own facilities, Facebook has reduced water consumption with dual-flush toilets and motion-sensor faucets. It has motion sensor-controlled lighting. In addition, Facebook’s green transportation program offers shuttles, carpooling, bike racks and subsidized public transportation for employees.
On the tech side, Facebook engineers have designed programming language, HopHop for PHP, which provides 50 percent CPU savings. (In other words, they can do the same amount of work with half the servers.) Facebook has also created programs to make photo storage more efficient; meanwhile, its data centers have reduced Facebook’s energy consumption by 2.42 million kilowatt hours annually.
“As our business continues to grow, we are committed to doing all we can through our people and innovation to help deliver a clean energy future,” Facebook said. “We only have one planet. Let’s do all we can to protect it.”
Boosting its green profile, Facebook's new ‘Green on Facebook’ page shares green news and touts the site's own sustainability initiatives.
Eco-conscious Facebook users have a new page to “like” on the ever-popular social networking site: a Green on Facebook page that outlines what the company is doing to promote a sustainable environment.
Facebook launched the green page as a resource for people who not only want to know what the company is doing to go green, but also to share green news from around the Web, according to CNET and the Environmental Leader.
“By enabling millions of people from diverse backgrounds to easily connect and share, we believe we can help unleash innovative environmental initiatives across the globe,” states the Green on Facebook page. “When it comes to the environment, we are always looking to do more.”
The new Green on Facebook page coincides with strategic new partnerships for Facebook. The company has joined the Alliance to Save Energy and the Digital Energy Solutions Campaign (DESC), a group of tech companies working on environmental issues. Through the Alliance-Facebook partnership, Facebook will donate $500,000 worth of advertising and help promote the Alliance’s site, LivingEfficiently.org. Through its partnership with the DESC, Facebook will share best practices, the Environmental Leader reported.
Focusing on its green efforts could boost Facebook’s reputation, particularly after Greenpeace launched a campaign earlier this year to convince Facebook to use renewable energy instead of coal at a planned data center in Oregon, according to the Environmental Leader. (The “Unfriend Coal” campaign got support from 500,000 Facebook users.)
The new page pushes hard to convey Facebook as an eco-conscious company. In its own facilities, Facebook has reduced water consumption with dual-flush toilets and motion-sensor faucets. It has motion sensor-controlled lighting. In addition, Facebook’s green transportation program offers shuttles, carpooling, bike racks and subsidized public transportation for employees.
On the tech side, Facebook engineers have designed programming language, HopHop for PHP, which provides 50 percent CPU savings. (In other words, they can do the same amount of work with half the servers.) Facebook has also created programs to make photo storage more efficient; meanwhile, its data centers have reduced Facebook’s energy consumption by 2.42 million kilowatt hours annually.
“As our business continues to grow, we are committed to doing all we can through our people and innovation to help deliver a clean energy future,” Facebook said. “We only have one planet. Let’s do all we can to protect it.”
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Heart Attack Snow
The Scoop on Snow Shoveling Safety
It happens every winter in the Midwest ... snow falls, usually leaving piles of the stuff to clear from your sidewalks and driveway. Consider the following before you grab your shovel after a major snowfall.
The good news is that 15 minutes of snow shoveling counts as moderate physical activity according to the 1996 Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health. We all should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity of some kind on most days of the week. Brisk walking or social dancing are other ways to fit in moderate physical activity during cold winter months.
The bad news is that researchers have reported an increase in the number of fatal heart attacks among snow shovelers after heavy snowfalls. This rise may be due to the sudden demand that shoveling places on an individual's heart. Snow shoveling may cause a quick increase in heart rate and blood pressure. One study determined that after only two minutes of shoveling, sedentary mens' heart rates rose to levels higher than those normally recommended during aerobic exercise.
Shoveling may be vigorous activity even for healthy college-aged students. A study performed by researchers at North Dakota State University determined that, based on heart rate, shoveling was a moderately intense activity for college-aged subjects most of the time but was vigorous activity during about one-third of their shoveling time of 14 minutes.
Shoveling can be made more difficult by the weather. Cold air makes it harder to work and breathe, which adds some extra strain on the body. There also is the risk for hypothermia, a decrease in body temperature, if one is not dressed correctly for the weather conditions.
Who should think twice about shoveling snow?
Those most at risk for a heart attack include:
- Anyone who has already had a heart attack.
- Individuals with a history of heart disease.
- Those with high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels.
- Smokers.
- Individuals leading a sedentary lifestyle.
Should you rush out and buy a snow blower?
Not necessarily. Not everyone who shovels snow is going to have a heart attack. Snow shoveling can be good exercise when performed correctly and with safety in mind.
Also consider back safety when shoveling snow. Even if you exercise regularly and are not at risk for heart disease, shoveling improperly could lead to a strained back. If you've been inactive for months and have certain risk factors, use some common sense before taking on the task of snow shoveling.
A Pile of Snow Shoveling Tips
Be heart healthy and back friendly while shoveling this winter with these tips:
- If you are inactive and have a history of heart trouble, talk to your doctor before you take on the task of shoveling snow.
- Avoid caffeine or nicotine before beginning. These are stimulants, which may increase your heart rate and cause your blood vessels to constrict. This places extra stress on the heart.
- Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is just as big an issue in cold winter months as it is in the summer.
- Dress in several layers so you can remove a layer as needed.
- Warm up your muscles before shoveling, by walking for a few minutes or marching in place. Stretch the muscles in your arms and legs, because warm muscles will work more efficiently and be less likely to be injured.
- Pick the right shovel for you. A smaller blade will require you to lift less snow, putting less strain on your body.
- Begin shoveling slowly to avoid placing a sudden demand on your heart. Pace yourself and take breaks as needed.
- Protect your back from injury by lifting correctly.
- Stand with your feet about hip width for balance and keep the shovel close to your body. Bend from the knees (not the back) and tighten your stomach muscles as you lift the snow. Avoid twisting movements. If you need to move the snow to one side reposition your feet to face the direction the snow will be going.
- Most importantly — listen to your body. Stop if you feel pain!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Progress with Eco-Tourism
Many who come to town are curious about what it's like to live in Greensburg, and tourists have inquired about visiting the unique green homes built by residents. In response to this need, GreenTown launched the Chain of Eco-Homes project. In addition to offering information about the town's green rebuilding projects, we now offer an overnight experience in green living as well! The Silo Eco-Home, which opened its beautiful eco-lodging suite May 1, 2010, is the first in a series of eco-homes to be completed in the chain.
Our GreenTours, in conjunction with eco-lodging in our Chain of Eco-Homes, offer a unique tourism opportunity you won't be able to find anywhere else in the country!
Eco-Lodging
Curious what it is like to stay in an environmentally-friendly home? As part of the Chain of Eco-Homes project, we offer visitors a unique eco-lodging opportunity not found anywhere else in Kansas. Spend a night in our Silo Eco-Home and experience life in a beautiful, sustainability-built home constructed from solid concrete. Sleep in an organic bed and shower with natural body care products!
Also be sure to check out: http://www.547artscenter.org/
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Flash Flood Watch - ILLINOIS
Alert:
...THE REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM HERMINE BRINGING A HEAVY RAIN
THREAT TO THE REGION...
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING
THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...
THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR
* PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS AND SOUTHEAST MISSOURI...
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...IN SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS...
RANDOLPH IL. IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI...STE. GENEVIEVE MO.
* FROM 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING
* RAIN WILL SPREAD INTO THE AREA THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE
TONIGHT... AS THE REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM HERMINE MOVE
THROUGH THE MIDDLE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. THE RAIN MAY BE HEAVY
AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF THE MISSOURI RIVER. RAINFALL
AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE...WITH ISOLATED
HIGHER TOTALS.
* IN ADDITION TO THE FLASH FLOOD THREAT ALONG SMALL STREAMS AND
LOW LYING AREAS...THIS HEAVY RAINFALL WILL ALSO LEAD TO RISES
ALONG LARGER RIVERS IN THE REGION...INCLUDING THE BIG...
MERAMEC...ST. FRANCIS AND BLACK.
Instructions:
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT FLASH FLOODING IS POSSIBLE BUT NOT IMMINENT IN THE WATCH AREA. PEOPLE IN THE WATCH AREA SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF HEAVY RAINFALL AND FLASH FLOODING. CHECK YOUR PREPAREDNESS REQUIREMENTS...ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS. STAY INFORMED...AND BE READY FOR QUICK ACTION IF FLOODING IS OBSERVED OR IF A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS ISSUED.
Target Area:
Jackson
Monroe
Perry
Randolph
St. Clair
Ste. Genevieve
Washington
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