Monday, August 31, 2015
Saturday, August 29, 2015
NWS: ERIKA fizzles out...now a tropical depression (Final Public Advisory)
BULLETIN REMNANTS OF ERIKA SPECIAL ADVISORY NUMBER 19 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL052015 930 AM EDT SAT AUG 29 2015 ...ERIKA DEGENERATES TO A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE... SUMMARY OF 930 AM EDT...1330 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...21.5N 75.9W ABOUT 130 MI...205 KM E OF CAMAGUEY CUBA ABOUT 260 MI...420 KM SSE OF NASSAU MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...35 MPH...55 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 22 MPH...35 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1011 MB...29.86 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: All coastal watches and warnings are discontinued. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. Interests in the Bahamas, eastern and central Cuba, and southern Florida should monitor the progress of the remnants of Erika. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 930 AM EDT (1330 UTC), the remnants of Erika were estimated near latitude 21.5 North, longitude 75.9 West. The remnants are moving toward the west-northwest near 22 mph (35 km/h). This general motion should continue for the next 24 hours or so, with the remnants expected to move near the coast of eastern and central Cuba today and tonight and into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Sunday. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1011 mb (29.86 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- RAINFALL: The remnants of Erika are expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches possible across portions of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and eastern and central Cuba through Sunday. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides. In addition, rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are expected across the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as the southeastern and central Bahamas through Sunday. Rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches, with locally heavier amounts, are possible across southern and central Florida beginning on Sunday. WIND: Gusts to tropical storm force are expected in squalls over portions of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas for the next several hours. These conditions are expected to spread into the central Bahamas this afternoon and tonight. Gusts to tropical storm force in squalls are also possible over eastern Cuba today. Gusty winds could occur over southern Florida beginning on Sunday. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- This is the last public advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center on this system. Additional information on this system will be available in Tropical Weather Outlooks issued by the National Hurricane Center, as well as marine forecasts and local forecast office products issued by the National Weather Service.
Gary Russo (Second Avenue Sinatra) found dead
‘Second Avenue Sinatra’ found dead
The karaoke-loving ironworker — dubbed the “Second Avenue Sinatra” — who went missing nearly a month ago was found dead in an apparent suicide less than a mile from his Queens home, according to police.
Gary Russo, 54, a former Local 40 ironworker who in 2011 was helping to build the Second Avenue Subway, vanished from his Howard Beach home just after midnight on July 28.
He had been reported missing to authorities less than a week later and hadn’t been heard from since.
The Sinatra singer had been feeling blue after a recent breakup with a girlfriend, a source said.
Then about 2 p.m. Friday, officers discovered Russo’s body dangling from a rope on a tree by a near Spring Creek Park, police said.
The late hardhat gained notoriety four years ago when he belted out Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin standards during his 30-minute lunch break at the Upper East Side construction site.
For days in the sweltering August heat, Russo would lug his Karaoke gear into work with him and perform for co-workers and passersby in front of a sign that read, “Forget all the noise, traffic and the impact of the 2nd Ave. Subway. Enjoy the music.”
Friday, August 28, 2015
Between the Bridges in Broad Channel
Between the Bridges: We Have Met the Enemy and He is Us…
Kudos to our three fellow Americans who bravely intervened and stopped a potentially deadly terrorist act on a packed French commuter train last Friday by beating an Islamic terrorist unconscious with his own weapon and then hog tying him, awaiting a response by the French authorities. Their brave and unselfish actions were promptly recognized by the French government and all three young men were presented with France’s highest accolade, the Legion d’Honneur medal, by French President Francois Hollande. Great work guys!
That being said, take a moment if you will and try to imagine what would have happened if this same incident had taken place on an Amtrak train here in New York?
Sadly, there would have been crowds in the street screaming for their indictments claiming ethnic profiling and physical abuse – “They beat him senseless…,” “They tortured (hog tied) him…,” ‘this was nothing more than Muslim profiling…,” etc.
The media would be busy blaming the Second Amendment claiming this was a gun control issue.
Some politicians would be cringing in their office, actually praying that the terrorist was not a Muslim and simply some nut case out of fear of being asked a question requiring a response that might offend the Muslim community at large.
Elitist Professors hiding within our universities would busy themselves lecturing their students that this man is simply a lone guy who has issues, problems, psychopathic behaviors that escalated to the point where he wanted to get back at society, and he unfortunately snapped because they truly believe it would be an even greater tragedy if their cherished view of diversity were to become a casualty here.
Our own government would, as they have continually done in the past, intentionally avoid the use of any term, such as “Muslim,” “terrorist” or “Islamic,” so as not to offend anyone. Remember Major Nidal Halik Hasan who murdered 13 and wounded over 30 back in 2009 at Fort Hood in Texas? Of course you don’t. Our government claimed that was nothing more than an incident of “workplace violence.”
We can no longer afford to countenance the pervasive and sophomoric mentality among our leaders, our educators and our media that assume the problems of the world must be addressed in a polite, politically and morally correct manner in order to understand our enemies and to ensure their ideas of “cultural diversity,” “political correctness” and “religious sensitivity” remain unchallenged by the truth. This foolish and dangerous mindset always brings to mind the cartoon character Pogo who is often quoted as saying – “We have met the enemy and he is us…”
Political correctness, cultural diversity and inclusion be damned, there is only one simple truth that must be constantly kept in mind and that is that if objective reality and its accompanying truth cannot be recognized and acted upon by those we have placed in positions of leadership and trust, then they no longer deserve those positions.
Broad Channel – Why would anyone want to live anywhere else?
Contact info: rtbetweenthebridges@gmail.com
Broad Channel Bits
As I was strolling through 17th Road Park last Sunday, I came across a little fellow intently working at learning how to ride a two-wheeler. As these things go, he was having a tough time of it.
His family, who was patiently helping him, explained he wanted to ride like all his friends. There were some spills (who doesn’t remember those?) and some tears. But with encouragement I watched as he put his helmet back on and got back on his bicycle again.
.I didn’t catch this young man’s name, but I have no doubt he will learn to ride that two-wheeler. I wanted to wish him the best of luck, and thank his family for supporting him. Stick to it, guy. We all have a lot to learn from you.
You will definitely want to be at the BCAC Memorial Field on Aug. 29
The Broad Channel Athletic Club is keeping Mardi Gras rolling with The Amazing Race and a Children’s Scavenger Hunt. Join if you’re in the right age groups or come down and cheer the contestants on. The Amazing Race is for ages 12 to 16. They will pair up in teams of two and face challenges at different locations throughout the Channel. The first place team wins $100 and the second wins $50! Registration is at 10 a.m. at the field and the race starts at 12. It’s $15 per kid, and it includes refreshments.
At 11:30 a.m. the Children’s Scavenger Hunt kicks off. That’s for children 11 and under, and $5 per child. They will race around the field to find items of interest. Every kid gets a prize, too. All proceeds go to the Broad Channel Athletic Club. Of course all of this is cranking up towards the end of summer big Mardi Gras weekend next week. There will be a Kickball Tournament on Friday, Sep. 4, and a Family Day at the Field on Saturday, Sep. 5.
The big, fun Mardi Gras Parade will be Sept. 7. The Float Judging and prizes and the drawing of the grand $10K Raffle will take place afterward.
Sept. 6, will of course be devoted to hammering, sawing, and banging the parade floats into final shape all over town for Monday. So forget about sleeping in. You can get more info by going towww.bcacshamrocks.weebly.com. And contact them now to get your ticket for the official $10K Raffle now!
About two weeks ago someone got a big bona fide MTA sign that said “EZ Pass –Keep Left”. Then they put it on the median about two blocks before summer traffic congestion point at the Cross Bay Bridge toll plaza. Surprisingly it actually helped drivers maneuver properly before getting to the bridge and kept traffic moving! The MTA should consider putting one up permanently.
The St. Camillus Golden Age Club will have its first meeting of the season on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. That will be at Springman Hall at St. Camillus at 99-15 Rockaway Beach Blvd. The Club meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month.
There’s a 100th Anniversary Planning Meeting for St. Virgilius on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at the church at 7:30 p.m. They are also looking for photos that cover those 100 years.
Registration for CCD classes is now underway for children, beginning in the first grade. There is no fee. Classes will be at St. Camillus Catholic Academy on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Classes start Sept. 9. Call 718-634-8229.
Registrations for St. Camillus Catholic Academy (free UPK to Grade 8) are still being accepted. Call the school Monday to Friday from 9 to noon at 718- 634-5260.
The 3rd Annual American Ladies Auxiliary Halloween Party is on Saturday, Oct. 24. More details to come. Start planning your costume now!
Best of luck to the people who moved into our old apartment on the second floor at Noel and Walton. (I noticed your hanging flower pots.) There’s a lot of tears and laughter in that apartment. A lot of life has been lived there. May you have many happy years there.
For those of you who have asked, Gary Russo is still missing. Gary, formerly of the Channel, is 5 feet 6 inches, 160 pounds, partially bald and has piercing blue eyes. He was last seen in Howard Beach on July 28. A private detective is donating his time and services and family and friends are looking everywhere. Anyone with information should call the detectives at the 106th Precinct at 718-845-2260.
From The Wave newspaper, 40 years ago, “Cross-Bay Boulevard was the first highway crossing of Jamaica Bay. The use of its causeway was free to motorists-until it could no longer adequately handle the traffic. Then it became a toll road, at 10 cents per car, just until the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority had recovered the cost of rebuilding which apparently it never did. Next was Marine Parkway Bridge with a 10-cent toll. Then the toll was raised to 25 cents on both bridges. Now, we understand that both tolls will be raised to 50 cents. A lot of people feel the toll has gone wild and a campaign of protest is being organized.”
Finally, let me answer a few questions people often and inexplicably ask. Like, do you live in the Channel? Yes, at 1430 Cross Bay Blvd., between East 16th and East 14th roads. Yep, I am still an Eastsider.
Aren’t you retired? I guess people think I look old enough to be retired (not quite) or independently wealthy enough (not by a long shot) or relaxed enough (okay, yes) to be retired. No, the truth is that I am going to live to be 104. The joke is though that I will have to keep working till I am 103! But thanks for asking! Got BC news? Send to Workingstories@aol.com. Thanks for reading!
NWS: Tropical Storm ERIKA Public Advisory
BULLETIN TROPICAL STORM ERIKA ADVISORY NUMBER 15 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL052015 1100 AM AST FRI AUG 28 2015 ...CENTER OF ERIKA NOW SOUTH OF THE EASTERN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC... ...TROPICAL STORM WATCH ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF CUBA... SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...17.7N 69.4W ABOUT 65 MI...105 KM SSE OF SANTO DOMINGO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ABOUT 340 MI...550 KM SE OF GREAT INAGUA ISLAND MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 18 MPH...30 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1008 MB...29.77 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: The Government of Cuba has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the provinces of Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Holguin, and Guantanamo. The Tropical Storm Warning has been discontinued for the U. S. Virgin Islands. The Meteorological Service of Antigua has discontinued the Tropical Storm Warning for the British Virgin Islands. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Puerto Rico * Vieques * Culebra * Dominican Republic * Haiti * Southeastern Bahamas * Turks and Caicos Islands * Central Bahamas A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * Northwestern Bahamas * The Cuban Provinces of Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Holguin, and Guantanamo A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. Interests elsewhere in eastern and central Cuba, as well as the southern Florida Peninsula and Florida Keys, should monitor the progress of Erika. For storm information specific to your area in the United States, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office. For storm information specific to your area outside the United States, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Erika was located near latitude 17.7 North, longitude 69.4 West. Erika is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph (30 km/h) and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Erika will move over the Dominican Republic this afternoon, move near the Turks and Caicos Islands tonight, and move near the central and northwestern Bahamas Saturday and Saturday night. Reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Some weakening is forecast this afternoon and tonight as Erika moves over land, followed by little change in strength through Saturday night. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km) to the east of the center. Punta Cana at the eastern end of the Dominican Republic recently reported a wind gust of 40 mph (64 km/h). The minimum central pressure based on Hurricane Hunter aircraft data is 1008 mb (29.77 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Tropical storm conditions affecting Puerto Rico will continue for the next several hours before subsiding later today. Tropical storm conditions are currently spreading across portions of the Dominican Republic. Tropical storm conditions are expected to spread across Haiti today, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas later today and tonight, and the central Bahamas on Saturday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the northwestern Bahamas by Saturday night. RAINFALL: Erika is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches possible across portions of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the southeastern and central Bahamas through Saturday. An additional 1 to 2 inches is expected for Puerto Rico. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
NWS: Tropical Storm ERIKA Public Advisory
BULLETIN TROPICAL STORM ERIKA ADVISORY NUMBER 10 NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL052015 500 AM AST THU AUG 27 2015 ...ERIKA A LITTLE STRONGER...CENTER PASSING BETWEEN GUADELOUPE AND ANTIGUA... SUMMARY OF 500 AM AST...0900 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...16.8N 61.5W ABOUT 35 MI...55 KM N OF GUADELOUPE ABOUT 30 MI...45 KM SE OF ANTIGUA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 16 MPH...26 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1003 MB...29.62 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Anguilla * Saba and St. Eustatius * St. Maarten * St. Martin * St. Barthelemy * Montserrat * Antigua and Barbuda * St. Kitts and Nevisis * Puerto Rico * Vieques * Culebra * U.S. Virgin Islands * British Virgin Islands A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * Guadeloupe * North coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano to Cabo Frances Viejo * Southeastern Bahamas * Turks and Caicos Islands A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. Interests elsewhere in the Dominican Republic should monitor the progress of Erika. For storm information specific to your area in the United States, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office. For storm information specific to your area outside the United States, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 500 AM AST (0900 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Erika was located near latitude 16.8 North, longitude 61.5 West. Erika is moving toward the west near 16 mph (26 km/h). A turn toward the west-northwest is forecast later today, and this general motion should continue for the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Erika will move near or over portions of the Leeward Islands this morning, move near the Virgin Islands later today, move near or north of Puerto Rico tonight, and pass north of the north coast of the Dominican Republic on Friday. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km), mainly to the north and east of the center. The latest minimum central pressure based on data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft is 1003 mb (29.62 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to spread across the warning area in the Leeward Islands this morning, and reach the Virgin Islands later today and Puerto Rico tonight. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area in the Leeward Islands this morning. Tropical storm conditions could reach portions of the watch area in the Dominican Republic on Friday and the southeastern Bahamas, and Turks and the Caicos Islands late Friday and Friday night. RAINFALL: Erika is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3 to 5 inches with maximum amounts of 8 inches across portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the Turk and Caicos Islands and the southeast Bahamas through Saturday.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
NWS: Tropical Storm Erika Public dvisory
BULLETIN TROPICAL STORM ERIKA INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 6A NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL052015 800 AM AST WED AUG 26 2015 ...HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT FINDS ERIKA SLIGHTLY STRONGER... SUMMARY OF 800 AM AST...1200 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...16.2N 56.8W ABOUT 335 MI...540 KM E OF ANTIGUA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...45 MPH...75 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 17 MPH...28 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1005 MB...29.68 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Anguilla * Saba and St. Eustatius * St. Maarten * Montserrat * Antigua and Barbuda * St. Kitts and Nevis * Puerto Rico * Vieques * Culebra * U.S. Virgin Islands * British Virgin Islands A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * Guadeloupe * St. Martin * St. Barthelemy A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, generally within 36 hours. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. For storm information specific to your area in the United States, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office. For storm information specific to your area outside the United States, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 800 AM AST (1200 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Erika was located near latitude 16.2 North, longitude 56.8 West. Erika is moving toward the west near 17 mph (28 km/h), and a west to west-northwestward motion is expected over the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Erika will move near or over portions of the Leeward Islands tonight and move near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday. Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Some slow strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km) primarily to the east of the center. The latest minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is 1005 mb (29.68 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the warning area in the Leeward Islands tonight, and reach the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area tonight and early Thursday. RAINFALL: Erika is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 2 to 4 inches with maximum amounts of 8 inches across portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through Friday morning.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Kinkajou caught in Broad Channel
The kinkajou was caught in Broad Channel and handed over to the Animal Care & Control of NYC. This photo was taken by an NPS officer and sent to Elmhurst photographer Cesar Castillo, who posted it to Flickr.
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2015 11:58 am | Updated: 12:50 pm, Mon Aug 24, 2015.
The kinkajou that had been spotted in a tree in Broad Channel near the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Center was caught on Wednesday and is under the care of the Animal Care & Control of NYC, according to a National Parks Service spokeswoman.
An email forwarded to the Queens Chronicle from a member of Northeastbirding.com states that the tropical critter had wandered away from the tree it called home for close to a week and was found just south of the visitors' center.
"It was asleep when found, so the capture was easy," the email reads.
An NPS spokeswoman later confirmed the animal's capture and added that it was handed over to the city's animal control unit.
The kinkajou was spotted by Elmhurst photographer Cesar Castillo on Aug. 13 near the visitors center. It's an uncommon find in New York City, being a native mammal from Central America and the northern half of South America.
Cathy Horvath, of the Wildlife in Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation group in North Massapequa, LI., had been seeking the NPS's permission to rescue the kinkajou before it moved from its resting place.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Message from Phil McManus, Queens Public Transit Committee
The Queens Public Transit Committee meets the last Thursday of each month from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
Our next meeting will be Thursday August 27 at the Wharf on Beach 116 street and the bay. Informal social get together. Relax, enjoy and brainstorm. Watch the sunset too.
Summer meeting. Tell a friend. Wear something blue.
Please RSVP.
Reminder: Queens Public Transit Committee membership dues are $20 dollars. We need the money for flyers, non profit status, website, posters, rallies, advertisements and billboards. Think bigger.
Do you want our group to make a difference? Now is the time.
We need dedicated people to help organize our group.
We need someone to take minutes and someone responsible for recording membership dues.
We also need new meeting locations.
Thank you to everyone who cares about making our group and cause credible.
Remember: faster transportation saves time and makes money.
God Bless you and your families.
Philip McManus
Queens Public Transit Committee
Faster transportation will create more social, economic, recreational, and environmental opportunities.
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