Frozen Out: 98% of Stories Ignore That Ice-bound Ship Was On Global Warming Mission
By Mike Ciandella | January 2, 2014 | 12:43
A group of climate change scientists were rescued by helicopter Jan. 2, after being stranded in the ice since Christmas morning. But the majority of the broadcast networks’ reports about the ice-locked climate researchers never mentioned climate change.
The Russian ship, Akademic Shokalskiy, was stranded in the ice while on a climate change research expedition, yet nearly 98 percent of network news reports about the stranded researchers failed to mention their mission at all. Forty out of 41 stories (97.5 percent) on the network morning and evening news shows since Dec. 25 failed to mention climate change had anything to do with the expedition.
In fact, rather than point out the mission was to find evidence of climate change, the networks often referred to the stranded people as “passengers,” “trackers” and even “tourists,” without a word about climate change or global warming.
Chris Turney, the expedition’s leader, is a professor of climate change at the University of South Wales. According to Turney’s personal website, the purpose of the expedition is to “discover and communicate the environmental changes taking place in the south.”
Twenty-two crew members stayed with the ship for the time being, as the scientists and researchers were rescued. According to CNN, the ship has enough supplies for “a very long time.”
PSE&G Readies for New Year’s First Snowstorm
January 1,2014
Additional crews and equipment on hand to restore service
(NEWARK, NJ – Jan. 1, 2014) Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest electric and gas utility, is closely monitoring the track of the first snowstorm of the new year and is making emergency preparations should the storm bring heavy snow and gusty winds to our service territory. At this time, the storm is expected to begin impacting New Jersey late Thursday and continue into Friday before clearing.
In anticipation of the storm, PSE&G is taking the following steps to ensure that the utility is ready to respond to resulting power outages:
Ensuring that all available personnel are ready to respond beginning Thursday.
Arranging for contractors, including tree crews, to assist the utility’s own skilled workforce.
Ensuring that additional supplies, such as poles, transformers and other pole-top equipment, are on hand.
Ensuring that all vehicles are fueled and ready to go.
Testing generators at utility locations.
Coordinating with county and municipal emergency management personnel to inform them of outages and expedite restoration efforts.
Snow, by itself, does not pose a serious problem for utilities, but heavy snow, icing and strong winds can increase the possibility of downed wires and associated power outages. Cars striking utility poles can also cause wires to come down. The expected frigid temperatures can affect the number of calls we receive from customers with insufficient or no heat.
Depending on the severity of the storm, response times for both electric and gas emergency services may be longer than usual. PSE&G asks for our customers’ patience and cooperation as we work to safely restore service as quickly as possible. As the storm gets closer, the utility will provide information about estimated restoration times.
To report downed wires or power outages, customers should call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. PSE&G uses an automated system to handle customer calls as efficiently as possible. Customers who get an automated response when calling PSE&G are encouraged to use it, as it is designed to route their calls to the right destination quickly. The system also provides the option to speak directly to a customer service representative. If you have specific information regarding damage to wires, transformers or poles, we ask that you speak with a representative to provide that information.
Customers with a handheld device, or who are at an alternate location with power, can also report power outages and view the status of their outage by logging in to MyAccount at www.pseg.com.
General outage activity throughout our service territory is available online at www.pseg.com/outagecenter and updates are posted on pseg.com during severe weather.
The utility’s Twitter page also keeps the public informed about our restoration progress. Sign up as a follower at https://twitter.com/psegdelivers to monitor restoration progress. Customers also can register for text and email alerts at www.pseg.com/myaccount
PSE&G offers the following tips should the storm result in outages:
DOWNED POWER LINES
Accumulation of ice and heavy snow may weigh down power lines and as a result cause power lines to come down. Downed wires may appear dead but should always be considered “live.” STAY AWAY FROM ALL DOWNED LINES. Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with. Parents are urged to check for downed wires in areas where their children might play and to remind the children to stay far away from any wires. If a wire falls on a vehicle, passengers should stay in the vehicle until help arrives. To report a downed wire, call 1-800-436-PSEG and tell PSE&G the nearest cross street.
CUSTOMERS WITH LIFE-SUSTAINING EQUIPMENT
Individuals who rely on electricity to operate life-sustaining electronic equipment, such as a respirator or dialysis machine, should pre-register with PSE&G to receive priority attention in the event of an outage. To request the service, call PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG. They should also inform their rescue squads and fire departments of their needs, in case of emergency. Even though customers with life-sustaining equipment who have registered with PSE&G will receive priority attention during outages, they should also have emergency back-up equipment on hand, since immediate restoration cannot be guaranteed.
IF YOU LOSE POWER
First check your neighborhood. If you are the only one without power, check your fuse box for tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses. If that’s not the problem, look outside at the wire between your house and the utility pole. If it is down, report it immediately to PSE&G.
GENERAL TIPS
Mother Nature can be unpredictable. It’s wise to have an emergency kit on hand year round. Here are some things to include:
A battery powered radio.
A corded telephone. (Cordless phones will not work if the power is out.)
Flashlights and extra fresh batteries.
A first-aid kit.
Bottled water and an adequate supply of non-perishable food.
A non-electric can opener.
Matches and candles with holders.
Extra blankets and sleeping bags.
A list of emergency phone numbers, including PSE&G’s Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSEG. Call this number to report power outages or downed wires
Extreme Cold Weather Prevention Information – Ridgewood OEM
Extreme Cold Weather Prevention Info from Ridgewood OEM” — Ridgewood OEM advises residents that temperatures are expected to reach below zero from late Thursday 1/2 through early Saturday 1/4. Extreme cold can be life threatening. Please review the Extreme Cold Prevention Guide from the CDC.
Click Here for Extreme Cold Guide
WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THURSDAY TO 1 PM EST FRIDAY
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
1011 PM EST WED JAN 1 2014
…A COASTAL STORM WILL BRING THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY SNOW…
STRONG WINDS AND DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILLS FROM THURSDAY
NIGHT INTO FRIDAY AFTERNOON…
…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THURSDAY TO
1 PM EST FRIDAY…
…NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST FROM THURSDAY NIGHT INTO
FRIDAY MORNING…
* LOCATIONS…NEW YORK CITY…NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHERN
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
* HAZARD TYPES…SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.
* ACCUMULATIONS…SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 6 TO 8 INCHES.
* WINDS…NORTH 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.
* WIND CHILLS…15 BELOW ZERO TO AROUND ZERO FROM LATE THURSDAY
NIGHT INTO FRIDAY. THE LOWEST WIND CHILLS WILL BE IN THE
HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY.
* VISIBILITIES…ONE QUARTER TO ONE HALF MILE AT TIMES.
* TIMING…THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY.
* IMPACTS…LIGHT SNOW COULD CA– USE TRANSPORTATION IMPACTS DURING
THE THURSDAY MORNING RUSH HOUR. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL
PRODUCE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS. WIND CHILLS RANGING FROM
15 DEGREES BELOW ZERO T0 AROUND ZERO WILL MAKE IT FEEL
EXTREMELY COLD.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL…KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT…FOOD…
AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.
Ridgewood Police Department : Power Outage
Jamuary 1, 2014
Ridgewood NJ, There has been a wide spread power outage affecting the East side of town and several neighboring towns. PSE&G is aware and working to restore power. The Ridgewood Police Department has brought in additional manpower and we will keep you updated when we learn what the problem is from Public Service.
Power has been restored to 95% of Ridgewood. We should be at 100% within the next 20 minutes. Have a safe, healthy and Happy New Year!
Since 2003, anti-American billionaire George Soros has spent more than$52 million funding media properties, and he has direct ties to more than30 news outlets—including The New York Times, The Washington Post,the Associated Press, CNN, and ABC.
Americans’ consumption of “news” is on the rise. Between online news, social media, and new digital platforms, Americans are spending more time getting their news than ever before. Interestingly, with this trend comes a DROP in the number of viewers who are watching networks like CNN and MSNBC.
On average, Americans spend about an hour every day getting their news from TV, radio, or newspapers. But now, Pew Research shows that they are ALSO spending an additional 13 minutes getting news online—increasing their total consumption to 70 minutes a day.
Why do media matter? Think about it—it’s everywhere: newspapers, magazines, the Internet, television, radio . . . we can’t get away from it. In fact, 83 percent of Americans say they get news in some format every single day. If we consume this much information, it is critical that we at least get the TRUTH. But do we?
T-bone collision sends minivan careening off roadway
Boyd A. Loving
4:31 PM (2 hours ago)
to Boyd
Ridgewood NJ, A t-bone collision between a Chevrolet Suburban SUV and Honda Odyssey minivan resulted in the Honda being sent up onto the front lawn of an East Ridgewood Avenue home during a heavy rainstorm on Sunday afternoon. The Chevy’s driver was transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital complaining of severe lower back and neck pain. Two (2) occupants of the Honda refused medical attention at the scene. Side curtain air bags were fully deployed in the Honda. Both vehicles were heavily damaged and towed from the scene by flatbed tow trucks. The collision occurred at the intersection of East Ridgewood and South Van Dien Avenues. The accident remains under investigation by Ridgewood PD.
By JOHN WAWROW (AP Sports Writer)December 25, 2013 1:17 PMAP – Sports
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Patriots coach Bill Belichick is blaming recently instituted NFL rules shortening offseason practice time for what he claims to be an increasing number of player injuries.
”I’m in favor of total preparation for the players for the season,” Belichick said during a conference call with Buffalo reporters this week in leading up to New England’s home game against the Bills on Sunday. ”And I think that’s been changed significantly and, I would say, not necessarily for the better when you look at the injury numbers.”
Belichick said players are more vulnerable to being hurt because they’re less prepared, and described the limits placed on offseason workouts – including training camp – as being counterproductive.
REMINDER: SANITATION COLLECTION IN SNOW OR ICY WEATHER
As a reminder on days when snow or ice is forecast, residents will be required to bring their garbage cans to the curb for collection. VOR staff will only pick up garbage and recycling at the curb in snow or ice conditions. Ice condition is when ice is present in driveways and sidewalks. Due to numerous slip and falls today by Sanitation staff (some requiring Hospital visits) if your driveway was not clear your garbage has not been collected and should be placed on the curb for Friday.
Study: Alcohol Can Boost Your Immune System
December 24, 2013 7:55 AM
ATLANTA (CBS Atlanta) – According to a new study, alcohol can boost your immune system.
Researchers vaccinated animals and then gave them access to alcohol. Researchers found that the animals that had consumed alcohol also had faster responses to the vaccines.
According to Medical News Today, the researchers hope this study leads to a better understanding of how the immune system works, and how to improve its ability to respond to vaccines and infections.
Researchers were able to show other data to back their findings. According to UCR Today, moderate alcohol consumption has long been associated with a lower mortality rate.
Moderate alcohol consumption boosts your immune system while chronic alcohol consumption leads to a suppressed vaccine response.
Ridgewood NJ, The Village Work Session on January 8th is being targeted by residents to show their displeasure over the declining level of services in the Village . A flier making the rounds asks you bring all your Ridgewood friends and neighbors to the January 8th Village Work Session .
The crux of the letter is what the author feels has been a significant decline in the level of Village services . The precived poor response to the leave pick up the last several years seems to have been the catalyst for the current consternation.
While the Ridgewood blog has debated the decline of Village services for years , the powers that be often “poo-poo” the notion , labeling those who spoke out as “chronic complainers ” and the “lunatic fringe” .
The flyer encourages all those attending to bring their list of grievances and a list of the mayor and the village council is supplied along with their email addresses . Looks like the Kool-Aid has gone bad.
All those wishing to attend the meeting is 01/08/14 at 7:30PM
COUNCILWOMEN WALSH ANNOUNCES HER CANDIDACY FOR BERGEN COUNTY FREEHOLDER
December 21,2013
Ridgewood NJ, Councilwoman Bernadette “Bernie” Walsh of Ridgewood has announced her Candidacy for the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders and is seeking the GOP Nomination. A native of Bergen County, she has been an active Ridgewood Village Council member for the past four years. Mrs. Walsh is a Corporate Relocation Consultant working in the Global Workforce Mobility Industry.
“I am proud of my accomplishments at the municipal level and have been especially focused on strengthening communications and relationships with the County and its operations. My service has enabled me to contribute based on reason – not rhetoric. I will bring this same ethic, understanding and perseverance to the County as a Freeholder.”
Councilwoman Walsh is currently Chair of the Citizen Safety Advisory Committee and Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee, Council Liaison to the Bergen Leagues of Municipalities and is a former member of the Ridgewood Planning Board, Parks and Recreation Committee and Field Committee. The Councilwoman and her husband, Michael, have resided in Ridgewood for 17 years where they are raising their three children.
The wrecking ball swung again toward the crumbling Obamacare edifice yesterday. Ironically, it continues to be the Obama administration that is operating the heavy machinery.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced, in the form of a letter to Democratic senators, that Obamacare’s individual mandate tax will be waived in 2014 for persons who had their policies canceled in 2013 due to Obamacare.
At this point, after months of on-the-fly pronouncements, delays, and exemptions (often announced, not coincidentally, in the days just before a major national holiday), perhaps nothing should surprise us anymore about Obamacare’s disastrous rollout. But yesterday’s announcement is still startling because of what it says about the state of the president’s signature domestic legislation. The law is falling apart before our eyes.
Driviing on snowy or icy roads requires special attention to safety. Althought it’s impossible to have ideal road conditions 365 days a year, there are certain precautions you can take to make winter driving safer. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you get ready for the hazards of winter.
