Blogs 12 Long Island

The Strength of Family

By Doug Geed

     It's a movie I think everyone should be made to watch -- Schindler's List. It personalizes the horrors of the Holocaust in a powerful way. And if you've seen it, you know the ending -- when the real survivors are shown on screen.
    Every time I see the movie, I want to jump into that scene and give every one of those people a hug. And that's exactly the way I felt covering a news conference this morning at Long Island Jewish Hillside Medical Center in New Hyde Park.

     Taking center stage was Shunkale Stermer. (Her first name is pronounced "shoonk-uh-luh.")
The Long Island woman is a Holocaust survivor but told a story I've never heard. She hid, with about three dozen other people, inside a cave in the Ukraine for nearly a year. Actually, it was two caves. The Nazis discovered the first cave. Shunkale, who was only 8 at the time, remembers how everyone was petrified when someone came running to the back area of the cave and said "The Germans are here!" Shunkale says her very brave grandmother went to talk to the Germans to convince them to leave the people alone. A ploy, in reality, to stall them so that the rest of the family could escape. It didn't work -- they had to leave, but during it, they amazingly were able to get away from the Nazis and found a second, larger underground cave farther in the woods.

    They entered through a hole in the ground, slid and crawled for 60-feet in a 3-foot wide opening until  they reached a larger area where more than three dozen people from five families lived.

    The women and children, including Shunkale, were never allowed to go outside. They never saw the sun or smelled fresh air. It was so dark under the earth you couldn't see your finger right in front of your face. Candles were their only light. Potatoes from area farm fields was their primary source of food. Some feathers and straw were their pillows.

    38 people went into that cave -- 38 came out alive.

   Shunkale is now 73 years old. She has three children and three grandchildren and will be among 40 people who are going back -- for the first time -- to the cave. She says no one ever knew where they were. After they left, the cave was abandoned and forgotten. In 1993, a "caver" (a person who explores caves) re-discovered it and found buttons, shoes and the names of families scratched into the walls.
    LIJ is supplying doctors and medical supplies for the trip and a film crew will be along for a future documentary.

     An amazing story of survival. And Shunkale says it was all made possible by the strength of her family. "We're all we had."

Check out this site for more information.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/05/0527_040527_grottosurvivors.html

    And if you ever run into Shunkale Stermer, she deserves a hug.

Happy Birthday Traffic & Weather!

By Elisa DiStefano

             A decade ago, Mr. Charles Dolan (the Chairman of Cablevision) had a vision of a camera network that covered Cablevision's viewing area... We now call it News 12 Traffic & Weather (Channel 61). On August 5, 1998, the channel launched with only weather reports.  A few weeks later, traffic was added. It was the first of its kind! The first traffic report could only use one camera. Today we have access to 200 Inform cameras and we can use as many as we'd like in our 2 minute reports.

Traffic & Weather has changed a lot in the past 10 years. I was hired to be an "on-camera" traffic reporter. Yes, you could actually see the reporters on Traffic & Weather... We would stand in front of a chroma key, just like I do now at News 12 Long Island.  Our on-camera days were short lived, but that is how many of my friends got their start in this business. Do you recognize any of the faces in these photos?

 

The photos were taken at News 12 Traffic & Weather's 10th Anniversary party last night. Former News 12 reporter Liz Burke,  News 12 NJ's Jamie Shupak, FOX 5's Vanessa Alfano, CW11's Jill Nicolini, plus (not photographed) Weather Plus' Stacy Ann Gooden, WNBC's Pei Sze Cheng, WABC's Thalia Patillo and I all worked together. We took road trips all over the Tri-State area to experience what we would be reporting. We had so much fun!  I am blessed with some dear friends, in addition to an amazing learning experience.

That's me when I started! My first time at the Chroma Key!

 

Photos of Traffic & Weather Past...

 

  Inside of Traffic & Weather today...

Today, Traffic & Weather is home to some wonderful people and friends who happen to be very hard workers and talented reporters. They are on their toes 24 hours a day searching through cameras, calling our local police, listening to scanners, making maps, researching construction projects, and trying to bring you the most accurate and up to the minute traffic reports.  To learn more about Traffic & Weather, Channel 61, please click here.

    Happy 10th Birthday Traffic & Weather! Cheers to many more!  Congratulations Mr. Dolan, Jeff Blum & the fantastic Traffic & Weather crew--and thank you for making me a part of your family! Know Before You Go!

Making a Difference

By Scott Feldman

I was stunned by the news report on the radio. Skip Caray, voice of the Atlanta Braves for 33 years, died in his sleep at home last Sunday. He was 68. I met Skip back in 1967. A St. Louis native, like myself, Skip  was the play-by-play announcer for the St. Louis Hawks NBA broadcasting team. I loved listening to Skip. And I had grown up hearing his Hall of Fame broadcaster father, Harry, who was the voice of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.

I was the sports editor of my high school newspaper and I was looking for some career advice. Skip agreed to meet with me at halftime of a Hawks game at Kiel Auditorium. He could have used those few minutes  to get something to eat and drink and catch his breath before going back to the broadcasters table at courtside to call the second half of the game. But, graciously, he spent it with me, talking about the radio business and what I could expect once I graduated college. Then, after I went away to the University of Denver, I got a short type-written letter from him. His advice again,  go into news. Sports, I distinctly remember him writing and telling me, would be just too competitive with so many former professional athletes transitioning into broadcasting from the playing field. And that was in the late 60's !  He was certainly right on the money. I did concentrate on news. And don't regret it for a moment. Though it was rewarding to be ESPN's Washington bureau reporter in the mid 80's, while at the same time covering Capitol Hill and the White House for affiliated TV stations around the country.

I have never forgotten how Skip went out of his way to help an aspiring journalist. And ever since, for what it is worth, I happily share my career experiences with others and counsel them when they solicit my advice. A longtime TBS producer Glenn Diamond was quoted in an AP story about Caray, saying, "he had a huge impact on a lot of people's lives and he had a huge impact on my life."  Glenn, that makes two of us.

"Monster" Story

By Eileen Lehpamer

It's been nearly a week, and we're still talking about it. The so-called Montauk Monster.

I got sent out on this story again today, after a man from Baldwin Harbor and his daughter sent us a picture of another "monster" that washed ashore in Baldwin Harbor. And let me tell you, I couldn't be happier to be sent out on this story. REALLY. It's nice to do a light-hearted story once in awhile when there is so much tragedy in the world. This Baldwin man doesn't really believe it's a "monster," of course, just a curious coincidence since he took his photo way back in April.

Check out our "Baldwin Beast":

      

So, we had fun with the story. First, going to interview the Baldwin man on the site of the "discovery." Then, we went out the Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead to talk with a Marine Biologist about his theory on both creatures. His analysis: The Montauk Monster is a decomposing dog with a photo-shopped head; and our "Baldwin Beast" was a raccoon.

If you want to learn more about the creatures that really swim in the sea:

http://www.atlantismarineworld.com/

Weight Debate

You've heard the headlines...

A new fuel surcharge..

You'll be charged extra for your second bag...

Charged more for a heavy bag...

Charged for soda and tea...

Charged for a blanket...

With all of those cutbacks and extra fees for the airlines now -- it's hard not to let your mind wander and picture the day where if you weigh and pay!

I mean think about it: That's why airlines decided to increase baggage fees earlier this year.

Their bottom line -- the more the plane weighs, the more fuel it needs, which makes the flight more expensive to run.

If the carriers can get us to pack lighter or less they'll save money.

But what if airlines charged by not only the weight of the luggage, but also by the weight of the passenger?

This week there were reports that AirAsia X (a carrier that heads to Australia) may make the shocking move.

In "Travel Today" magazine, the general manger of AirAsia X said it is considering more extreme measures to increase revenue if fuel continues its march to $200(US) a barrel.

He said the move would be difficult to implement, but said charging larger passengers "could help Aussies lose weight."

Oh boy!

I know I'm trying to picture it.

Do you step on the scale with your bag in hand...

If your total weight is 200 pounds.. do you pay $200, but if it's 300 then that's what you pay?

It seems crazy, but while we may think it's humiliating...

I still can't believe the indignities we all suffer through--shoeless --belt-less--arms out--while humorless homeland security employees grope us. (I had a really bad experience with that !!!)

But I have a feeling the idea may not get off the ground, and the main reason is that as a country we're overweight.

I think we'd see real rebellion if a policy like this was ever adopted.

I can see the lawsuits already.

Charging by weight would be seen as "discrimination against overweight people."

So I think Airlines will just have to keep coming up with other crafty ideas to try and stay out of the red until gas prices go back to normal (OK..OK I'm an optimist).

Stay tuned for the next ridiculous fees that they come up with.

Am I Dreaming....Olympic Gold?

By Jamie Stuart

Remember 1992?  George Bush (the older one) vomited into the lap of Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa.  Mike Tyson was convicted of rape. 

And a group of guys called the Dream Team annihilated such powerhouses as Angola and Croatia en route to Olympic gold. 

Well gone are the days of Jordan, Magic & Bird and the opposition asking for their autographs BEFORE they play them.  Since those days, the rest of the hoops world has caught up.  So much so, that the U.S. has NOT won a top international tournament since 2000 in men's basketball. 

But, I feel that's about to change.  This year's version of Team USA, dubbed the "Redeem Team", looks for real.  Kobe, LeBron, Carmelo and Dwayne Wade round out a team that seems intent on bringing back the gold.

In fact, Lebron GUARANTEED gold.  Now you ask, what good is a guarantee if your name isn't Joe Namath?  Well, on paper it mean nothing.  But off paper, and in your mind, it means that our guys are taking this seriously.  THIS IS OUR GAME, DAGNAMMIT!!!!  Ok, odds are those weren't the exact words of King James, but you get the point.

The Olympics are right around the corner.  What used to be a forgone conclusion for American gold has now turned into a first-rate, world renowned competition. 

Good for the rest of the world. 

And good for us for stepping up our game and trying to take back what's ours. 

Go Redeem Team!!!

Mixing Work & Pleasure... Sometimes it's Good Thing!

By Christine Insinga

    I'm a summer girl! Can't get enough of it!  The sun, the surf, the looong daylight hours...  Give me a a 2 week heat wave over a 6 hour blizzard any day!  Some of my favorite things to do during my FAVORITE season are to spend time with family & friends - preferably on or near the water - or your good ol' fashion BBQ:)  Well, that's just what i got to do this past weekend.

    Now, I'm not sure how many of you would read that last paragragh and think of your collegues, but I do and I consider myself one of the lucky ones because of it.

    Saturday was the annual News 12 Beach Party.  See how many faces you recognize here?

    Not even a few unexpected T-Storms could dampen our spirits:  Volley ball, music, good times!  Truth is, this group really does have a lot of fun together!  Some of us even kept the night going at a second fiesta:) In fact, some of us get together quite regularly outside of the newsroom walls.

   Here's the thing, I know some people who are quite close and spend a good deal of time with coworkers socially.  I also know some who leave work on Friday and pray they don't see anyTHING or ONE that reminds then of work until Monday.

   So I thought I'd turn the tables here and ask you to share:  Any crazy or interesting stories regarding colleagues congregating after hours?  And I'm not talking scandals, folks, we are cable after all:)

 

Little To You Big To Christopher

by Michael Coleman

In Tuesday evening's sportscast, I had a brief timeout away from the knuckleheads of pro and prima donna athletes. Now I'm not biting the hand that feeds me, but even for me it's good to have a more refreshing story.

Talking about 16 year Christopher Buccellato, no you won't read about him on the back sports pages.  He won't even be on our must see "sports rush" program in the future.  Chris is autistic, and was chosen by the Mets and GHI (Group Health Incorporated) to throw out the first pitch in the Mets-Padres game.  Maybe not a big deal to you, but then you weren't chosen.

  His father told us his son never threw a baseball before, but in two weeks he had it down.  It didn't have to be a 98 mph fastball, and it won't be.  Just the effort and the satisfaction of accomplishment serves as big as any professional payday. 

While I'm aware of autism and know the generalities of it, by no means am I an expert.  But I think I have a keen eye for people who have a homerun attitude.  Chris has it, to him the little things are what really counts.

As his father Euguene said, Christopher taught him all of us can learn a thing or two from Christopher --and others like him who cherish life in a way we often forget.

Sex Offenders on Long Island

By Shari Einhorn

There are 27,147 registered sex offenders in New York State.

There are 467 registered sex offenders living in Nassau County.

There are 855 registered sex offenders living in Suffolk County.

And some of them may be living in your neighborhood.

     Those numbers aren't meant to panic you but it should be a reality check for parents and others.  On one side...those who say sex offenders should be behind bars and never see the light of day.  On the other...those who believe that sex offenders who've done their time should be allowed back into society. 

     But where should they go?  There's a phrase people use...NIMBY.    It stands for NOT IN MY BACKYARD.  If given the choice -- would YOU  want a sex offender living in YOUR community? 

     Several towns across the island have been proactive in trying to address the issue.  There are residency restrictions prohibiting sex offenders from living within a certain distance of schools, day care centers, parks or playgrounds.  Town code enforcement officers in some areas are cracking down on illegal apartments -- forcing some offenders living there to have to move.

     And now the town of Brookhaven is trying to establish a law known as a saturation statute.  Basically, it would make it illegal for more than two registered sex offenders to live in a single family dwelling. 

     Perhaps no one likes this idea more than some of the residents in the Gordon Heights neighborhood of Coram.  Believe it or not, according to the New York State Sex Offender Registry -- there are 22 sex offenders living in 6 houses -- ON THE SAME BLOCK!

     In Coram alone, zip code 11727, there are more than 70 sex offenders.  The community of Gordon Heights has more than 40 of them!  As one mom from the neighborhood told me today -- "Your kids cannot even walk in the street...I'm concerned because you never know when they're going to snap."  Here's what she said when I told her about the proposed law limiting the number of sex offenders in one house to 2..."I would prefer none.  I would prefer absolutely zero."

Here are some really great resources:

Click here to get to the NYS Sex Offender Registry

Click here to get to the Parents for Megan's Law website

You can call Parents for Megan's Law at
(888) ASK-PFML or (631) 689-2672

You can also email them at: [email protected]

Click here to get to the National Sex Offender Registry

Earliest Must-Win....EVER!!!

By Jamie Stuart

Stop me if you've heard this before:

"This is a MUST-WIN GAME!

Odds are, you stopped after MUST.  It's probably the most overused, hackneyed expression in all of sports.  That, and, "We're just going to take it one game at a time and see what happens."

Well, believe it or not, I say the Jets have a "must-win" game coming up.  Now you're probably thinking, "They haven't played a game yet, have they?"

No, they have not.  You have not missed out on a chance to sit on the couch for eight hours and do nothing but yell at the TV and remember certain plays to try again on Madden.   

The season hasn't started yet---but I think this Sunday's Week 1 game vs. Miami is the earliest "must-win" ever! 

Consider the following.  The acquisition of one Brett Lorenzo Favre has thrusted the JETS into the national spotlight.  It's the #1 football story of the off-season.  Favre HAS to get off to a good start for Gang Green.                                                            

Now consider Favre's opponent:  Chad Pennington.  Left for fish food after Favre's arrival, Pennington was reeled in by the Dolphins and would love nothing more than to prove the Jets and their fans wrong.  (Yes my fish puns were intentional.)   

And finally, consider the Jets next two opponents:  Home vs. New England and at San Diego on Monday night.  I don't care HOW good Favre is, the Jets will be considerable underdogs in both games.  We're looking at 0 for 3 folks unless Favre and the Jets beat the 'Fins Sunday. 

Must-win?  You bet.

Gift of Life and Love

By Virginia Huie

Thirty-seven years ago, Charles Cornell of Shirley took Diane's hand in marriage.

This past June she gave him one of her kidneys to save his life.  Charles' kidneys were failing. He faced a 5 to 10 year wait on the transplant list for a donor. He could've died waiting. But his wife wouldn't let that happen. Diane knew in her heart she was a match. She made up her mind to donate.

The procedure took place at Stony Brook Medical Center. The couple sent love notes to each other during recovery.  Diane says it was the easiest and best thing she ever did. As Diane puts it,

"I love him and I want another 100 years with him to be by my side forever."

Now, Charles is getting stronger every day. His love for his wife has deepened. Charles told me,

"The love and devotion she has for me I could never repay her."

Thirty-seven years ago, Diane made a vow to Charles to love him in sickness and in health. She kept her promise by giving him the gift of life. That's true love.

Do you have a special Long Island love story to share? Tell us about it at [email protected].

There's Nothing To Fear But Atmos-fear

By Norm Dvoskin

Relatively speaking, we have a relatively tranquil climate. We get occasional northeasters, blizzards and even tornadoes. Some of these have caused significant damage and disruption, but most have been inconveniences rather than life threatening events. In terms of death and devastation, hurricanes have been and should be a major concern of all Long Islanders.

The hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin begins June 1^st and ends November 30^th. It’s the only time of year you can get a ticket for going more than 75 miles per hour and never leave your house. (just kidding)

Long Island has a long history of destructive hurricanes. However, in modern times, no full blown hurricane has made a direct hit on Long Island before the first week of August and after the middle of October . Things start to heat up around here in August as we approach the peak time which is around the middle of September.

The month of August has featured three significant hurricanes since the beginning of the 20^th century. Hurricane Carol traversed Long Island on a line from Westhampton to Cutchogue on August 31, 1954 with winds of 80 mph and gusts to 120 mph. High tides combined with heavy rain caused extensive coastal flooding. Communities on the North and South shores had to be evacuated. Thousands of trees were uprooted resulting in 275,000 power outages.

Hurricane Belle made landfall near Jones Beach just before midnight on August 9, 1976 with winds of 90 mph. It moved directly north through East Meadow, Westbury and entered Long Island Sound near Bayville. Once packing 120 mph winds, it lost it’s energy in the relatively cool waters just south of Long Island. Thus damage was much less than was expected.  I was living in Plainview at the time and on the evening of the 9^th the gusty winds pushed a small tree in my backyard over at about a 30 degree angle to the ground. I figured I’d go out the next morning to tie it. I went out early on the 10^th and the shift in wind as the storm passed overnight, blew the tree back into an upright position.

On August 19, 1991, the eye of Hurricane Bob moved directly over Montauk Point with winds of 101 mph. The storm felled trees and power lines, resulting in 380,000 power outages. More than 7 inches of rain was reported in Bridgehampton. Two deaths were attributed to this storm. Hurricane Bob was the only fully developed hurricane to hit Long Island covered by News 12 Long Island. We began broadcasting in December 1986.

"Pudgy" for President?

By Lauren Sivan

With a historic election season upon us, the candidates are working overtime to exploit each other's weaknesses. They know it's not about the issues and experience- its how they're perceived by the American public. Image is everything and so far, Obama seems to be ahead in the beauty pageant: his fist-pounding wife, his 1,000 watt smile, his dunk shot.

Obama's camp has tried to paint John McCain as an old man, scorched by the Arizona sun and admittedly out of touch with new-fangled technology. But most Americans know why we don't see McCain pumping iron or playing rugby... oh yeah because of the injuries he sustained as a PRISONER OF WAR IN VIETNAM! Pretty good excuse to skip the stairmaster. 

But will Obama's youthful glow and trim physique go over well with most Americans? The Wall Street Journal begs the question "Too Fit to be President?". With 66% of Americans overweight, maybe we want a leader who looks like he really DOES eat at the Waffle House. Obama's Chicago physician says the Illinois Senator jogs 3 miles a day and has "zero body fat." That doesn't go over well with one housewife from Corpus Christie, Texas who told the WSJ that Obama "needs to put some meat on his bones." If that's true for most Americans, Obama might be able to EAT his way to the White House. But with a reportedly grueling workout schedule, and his daughter's disclosure he "doesn't like Ice-cream" (talk about un-relatable!) a bigger Barack doesn't seem like it's going to happen.

So will Obama's healthy BMI be seen as "too elite?" And if so, what does that say about us? Are we a country of Chubby Chasers when it comes to choosing a leader? We'll have to wait and see. But the good news for Obama: the election is still months away and with all those campaign stops at BBQ's, Diners and gut-busting buffets, there's plenty of time to bulk up.

A Great Summer Read

By Colleen McVey

    Sunday I did one of my favorite things - I sat at the beach and read a great book. But this book was different. I couldn't put it down - I finished it in one day and now I am passing it on to my husband, Tony, and my children Matt, Greg, and Maggie. The book is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Randy died July 25 from Pancreatic Cancer. His book is about the last lecture he gave at Carnegie Mellon University last September ( Randy was a professor at Carnegie Mellon). At that time, he knew he was dying - but his book is not about dying. It's about living - or more importantly - it's about how to lead your life. In Randy's words - " if you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you." His thoughts are so simple and honest. His story is inspiring and has special meaning to me.

This summer I was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma which requires surgery. I will admit I've been feeling sorry for myself - but I found Randy's book at just the right time. It helped me realize that what I have is a benign bump in the road - not a roadblock. I will be away from the anchor desk for a few weeks, but I should be back by the end of September. So - I have a good "summer read" for you - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Favre Should Become A Jet

By Michael Coleman

I agree with New York Jets fans who say the team needs to sign Brett Favre.  It's a no-brainer.  The Packers and Favre have been feuding in the media and this has now become a forum for both.

If Favre wants to come back and compete for the starting job, then so be it.  After all, he ended the Pack's 13-3 season as the team's starter.  What is it he can't do this year that he did last year?  When he held that teary press conference about retiring this spring, I really didn't believe we heard the last of him on the field.

He says he was forced into retiring.  I don't buy it .  Hey,  he's Brett Favre with miles of yardage thrown in his career -- which includes a Super Bowl.  Favre should have retired when he was ready and not as he claimed because the team was pressuring him.

The Jets weren't looking for a QB, but when a opportunity like this comes around they must pull all of their corporate strings and get the deal done.  Let's face it the Jets haven't made a splash since the departure of Bill Parcels.  And even that moment was messy.

Jets make this move and be relevant again in the NFL.

Home VS. Hospital Birth

By Mary Mucci

Actress Ricki Lake’s film, The Business of Being Born is really a must see for every expectant parent. It compares the reality of a hospital birth to home birth. Apparently, a lot of people have seen it. I say that because the AMA cited the film in its call for legislation that essentially labels home birth unsafe. I couldn’t disagree more.

I believe the dictates of a hospital birth makes childbirth more far more painful and frightening then is needs to be. At home, a laboring mom can do whatever she pleases to make herself as comfortable as possible. That’s what I hoped for: a big hot tub, my favorite music, the freedom to eat and drink, walk or rest. Instead, I had the next best thing. I had a midwife assisted hospital birth who was there as a labor coach….but who did not have to bow to the hospital rules because she didn’t have privileges there. So she was able to fight for me and guide me without reservation.

I know some women just want to close their eyes and get the whole thing over with. I don’t judge them.

But I know that they’re missing out. Giving birth naturally is an empowering experience. It makes you proud, and better yet confident enough to handle the toughest job of motherhood : actually raising your children to become healthy, happy adults.

Fondly,

Mary Mucci

Contacts:

Home Birth vs Hospital Birth

Jeanette Breen, Baldwin Midwifery Service

Certified Nurse Midwife, and NYS Licensed Homebirth Midwife

[email protected] e-mail address, office phone: 516 223 1251

www.thebigpushformidwives.org

You can find the AMA’s resolution on home birth at

www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/18587.html then scroll down to resolution 205 & 239

HPV Vaccine story:

Barbara Loe Fisher, Co-President

National Vaccine Information Center

www.NVIC.org;

www.vaccineawakening.blogspot.com

www.JudicialWatch.org/news/2008/jun

Mercury Fillings:

Holistic Dentist: Dr. Linda Golden

Manhasset 516 627-8400

For a list of other holistic dentists on LI go to my previous blog about Mercury Fillings

www.mercola.com click on the search and enter mercury fillings

Severe Weather

By Meteorologist Rich Hoffman

The weather over the past few weeks has been very active with strong winds, heavy rain, hail and even a few funnel clouds reports. When watching a News12 weathercast listen for certain words that can impact your day like THUNDERSTORMS.

Are you prepared? Do you Know what a severe thunderstorm warning or watch is?

According to NOAA:  A thunderstorm is a rain shower during which you hear thunder. Since thunder comes from lightning, all thunderstorms have lightning. A thunderstorm is classified as "severe" when it contains one or more of the following: hail three-quarter inch or greater, winds gusting in excess of 50 knots (57.5 mph), tornado

Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Product issued by the National Weather Service when a severe thunderstorm is occurring, is imminent, or has a high probability of occurring. A severe thunderstorm is a thunderstorm that produces...

• a tornado,
• wind gusts of at least 58 mph (50 knots), and/or
• hail at least ¾" in diameter.

You can track severe weather with Dual Doppler 12 on www.news12.com or on your cell phone with news12 to go.

Here is a link to LI severe weather website: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/okx/severewx2008xx.html

Here is a severe weather guide that I put together that you can download. Download backup_of_severe_weather_guide_li___a.wbk

Lightning Safety - http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/week.htm

SkyWarn Training to better prepare you for severe weather:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/okx/Skywarn/spottertraining.html

To track Severe Weather: Storm Prediction Center   and http://www.spc.noaa.gov/

Merry Christmas!

By Doug Geed

  I know what you're saying -- I'm late with my holiday wishes, but not by 7 months like you might think, by just a week.

  July 25th is, in case you didn't know, "Christmas in July." At least in our house it is.

This whole thing was the idea of my wife. She started it about 10 years ago when our kids were really little. On July 24th ("Christmas Eve") she'll decorate the house -- not full-blown decorations as we do in December, but a small tree and other knick-knacks.

Then on "Christmas in July Day," Christmas music plays all day and night upstairs while downstairs, Christmas movies play all day and night. It's a Wonderful Life, the Flintsone's Christmas Carol, The Santa Clause, March of the Wooden Soldiers (one of the greatest films of all time), Charlie Brown's Christmas Special, and every other holiday movie we own get spread out on the floor and we all map out which ones we'll watch.

    And -- thank goodness for air conditioning -- my wife cooks a full-blown dinner. And yes, we give presents to each other.

Yeah, it's hokey, but so far, even as our oldest prepares for his sophomore year at college, the kids are still into it. For my wife and I it's just another chance to make some family memories. Soon enough, we'll be watching our kids raising their own families and we'll be looking back at the all the fun things we used to do with ours and wonder how time can pass so quickly.

       But that's something to worry about later. For now, let's just enjoy our families and the holidays. Merry Christmas!

East End Gridlock

By Drew Scott

I sat in traffic, bumper to bumper, heading out to Southampton to cover a transportation story today. But why is that any summer surprise? Traffic has been this way for years now and is getting worse every day some say.

Now the 5 Towns Rural Transit group and the town of Southampton are sharing a new report with the east end towns, assessing the transportation needs of Riverhead, Southampton, Shelter Island, East Hampton and Southold. The "interim" study http://www.town.southampton.ny.us/DeptDirectorygallery/Land/2008/EastEndTransInterimReport.pdf conclusion: It's too crowded, too developed, and growing in population too fast to keep up with the transportation needs of the next decade.

Linda Kabot, the Southampton town supervisor, told me the next step is a feasibility study of HOW to get people around the east end, most efficiently and cost effectively. Some want to take over the Long Island Rail Road, while others suggest more LIRR trains and vans or buses to meet those trains when they arrive.

The one thing that struck me was all these miles of track, and all these east end stations and fewer than five daily trains scheduled. One resident I interviewed says it's a waste, yet another says a transit system that works may never get off the ground.

In the meantime, I'm still sitting on County Road 39 waiting for the light to turn green, but there's fifty cars in front of me!