A Mother's Day Launch into Space

The following four brave individuals will go to great heights to promote their favorite  messages and the importance of space exploration.

 

Project Dateless has nothing on these Four.

On May 8th, 2011 Smokey Bear will boldly go where no bear has gone before.  I will be traveling to a height of 100,000 feet into the air -- into near space -- in a weather balloon.  I'm willing to go to any height to raise awareness for wildfire prevention.

You can read more about the mission here http://www.bearsonpatrol.org/space/about/.  

I'm going up into space with a few new animal friends:

·                                 Fuzz Aldrin, a bear, http://www.facebook.com/fuzzaldrin of Bears on Patrol http://www.bearsonpatrol.org/.  Bears on Patrol seeks to make traumatic situations bearable for children by providing free teddy bears for police officers to give to children they encounter on calls.

·                                 Camilla SDO, a chicken, http://www.facebook.com/CamillaSDO of NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/spaceweather/.  Camilla is the official mascot for NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory. Camilla’s role is to help everyone understand about the Sun, Space Weather and its impact on life on Earth and in Space. 

·                                 Skye Bleu, a pig with wings, http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002055129623 the mascot for American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics http://www.aiaa.org/.  Skye was born to get people excited about all the places that math, science and technology can take you.

We'll be taking off near The University of Houston on http://www.bearsonpatrol.org/space/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/map.png.  If you live in the area, you'll be able to watch lift off.  You can track trajectory of the balloon using the Automatic Packet (or Position) Reporting System Internet network (APRS-IS) under callsign N4BWR-11.  There will be GoPro HD cameras on board to capture video and hopefully we'll get footage like this http://www.projectaether.org/.  

Meet the Crew

Fuzz Aldrin Fuzz is taking a global approach, joining forces with Camilla Corona SDO, Skye Bleu and Smokey bear to promote science education and peace for our children.

      

Camilla Corona SDO is the EP/O (Education and Public Outreach) mission mascot for NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. Camilla's role is to help with informing students, teachers, parents, and anyone interested about the Sun, Space Weather and its impact on life on Earth (and Space). Camilla's dream is to visit her best friend Little SDO in Space.

Skye Bleu, a pig with wings,  the mascot for American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.  Skye was born to get people excited about all the places that math, science and technology can take
you.

Smokey Bear is willing to go to great heights to raise awareness for wildfire prevention. Smokey Bear is a late addition to the crew, and everyone is very happy to have him aboard.

I wish I could take you all into space with me but I will definitely wave to all of you from up there.  It'll be one small step for bears, and one giant leap for bearkind... and people too.

Lame Fox Fred tells a story of Bear of Courage, Yellow Flower and the Wind.

They say if you wait long enough things will come back "in fashion". Many folks want to get rid of things just because they were done a while ago, just because they are "old" and just becaue they didn't have anything to do with them.
The video below was saved from an old VHS tape that was going to be tossed just because it was old. It will take a few moments to load BUT it is worth it, trust me.
An old mountan man (Lame Fox Fred) tells a story of wind and fire. This was produced by the VA Dept of Forestry when Smokey was still preventing Forest Fires not Wildfires. And Smokey is a Virginia vintage bear.

Please enjoy and share. Remember its going to take a moment to load and Remember Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.

Alabama tornadoes: Close-up satellite imagery shows before-and-after devastation in Tuscaloosa and Pleasant Grove (interactive)

I am not going to try and post any info about the terrible tornadoes as there is an abundance if info being covered by all the various media mediums. I do want to share some amazing photographic comparisions, before and after, from some of the hardest hit areas. Check out the link below.

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/04/alabama_tornadoes_close-up_sat.html


How the Public Can Help
The Red Cross depends on financial donations to help in times of disaster. Those who want to help people affected by disasters like wildfires, floods and tornadoes, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. This gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS, and people can also text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Mother Nature Gets Mad AGAIN !

VIRGINIA Hit with yet another round of tornadoes. The Virginia Department of Forestry is responding with chainsaw crews and dozers to help open up critical access routes.

Gov. Bob McDonnell declared a state of emergency today in the aftermath of tornadoes and violent storms that killed at least eight people.

Seven people were killed in the Glade Spring area of Washington County in Southwest Virginia and one died in Halifax County, officials said.

"Severe storms that spawned possible tornadoes struck several areas including the counties of Goochland, Halifax, Shenandoah and Washington among others," the governor's office said in a news release.

Pictures provided by DOF Steve Counts who is helping coordinate DOF resource response to Washington County.

These are not normal days

"These are not normal days, this is not a spring that comes around often, we haven't seen conditions like these since 1917," Mary-Kay Hicks, Texas Forest Service, said.

ODESSA, Texas — At least two homes have burned and a West Texas community near Odessa has been evacuated after new wildfires erupted in parts of the windswept, tinder-dry region.
Two fires prompted the evacuation of the 800-resident community of Pleasant Farms, about 12 miles south of Odessa. Reporters on the scene say two homes in the subdivision already have burned. No injuries have been reported.

Having a Plan:

One of the problems fire officials had in North Texas is that people in the fire's path refused to their homes.

Authorities say Central Texans need to be on alert for the threat of wildfire and need to have a plan just in case.

"We're in a good position because we have time to plan out, and figure out where you want to meet, where will you go, what will you take with you," Hicks said.

IF ASKED TO EVACUATE

Local Public Safety officials may deem evacuation is necessary due to wildfires in your area. If asked to evacuate, please do so in a speedy and responsible manner.  Authorities do not ask you to leave if it is NOT in your best interest. They know how difficult a decision this is and how emotional it can be. PLEASE cooperate and NOW is the TIME TO PREPARE. The more you are READY, when the call comes to GO you are SET and you can get out of harms way.

I offer you these tips for those who evacuate.

Planning for Evacuation

·                       Ask your local Emergency Management Office about community evacuation plans.

·                       Learn proposed evacuation routes and locations of public shelters.

·                       If you do not have personal transportation, make arrangements with friends or your local government.

·                       Make a plan with family members for a destination if you have to leave your community.  In your planning, consider different scales of evacuation – neighborhood, town, county, etc.

·                       Assemble a Disaster Supply Kit.

·                       Keep your car fueled if evacuation seems likely.  Gas stations may be closed during an emergency, or unable to pump gas during power outages.

·                       Know how to shut off your home’s electricity, gas and water supplies at main switches and valves.

What to do if asked/told to evacuate

·                       Gather all persons in the house together.

·                       Household members outside the area may be advised not to return during an evacuation.  They may be directed to a reception center or mass care shelter where you can join them.

·                       Do not call your local fire or police departments for information.  Emergency workers will need their lines for emergency use. 

·                       Stay tuned to your Emergency Alert System radio station or local AM radio station. I say AM because they usually have a more continuous news reporting of an emergency.

·                       Turn off lights and unnecessary appliances.

·                       Close and lock windows and doors.

·                       Check with neighbors to see if they need assistance.  Offer to share transportation.

·                       Let others know where you are going.

·                       If you need a ride, try to get one with neighbors or contact your local Emergency Management Office.

·                       If you have livestock, shelter them.  Leave them at least a three-day supply of stored feed and water that has been protected from possible contamination.

How to travel

·                       Keep the car radio tuned to an Emergency Alert System station.

·                       Be aware of designated evacuation routes.

·                       Avoid routes that are anywhere near the fire, you DON’T need to get a closer look.

What to take with you

Essential items.  You may be away from home for a few hours to a few days.

·                       Clothing for several days.

·                       Toilet articles (Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.)

·                       Prescription medicines, medical equipment and important medical records.

·                       Special dietary foods.

·                       Baby supplies.

·                       Blankets, pillows, and towels (if you plan on staying at a Public Mass Care Shelter).

·                       Identification and important papers.

·                       Checkbook, credit card and cash.

·                       Your cell phone AND charger. Now might be a good time to get that compact charging battery, many are no bigger than a pack of cigarettes and cost less than $20 and can charge your cell a couple of times..

About your pets

·                       Only seeing-eye dogs and other service animals will be allowed inside most reception centers and mass care shelters.

·                       In many communities, shelters have plans to accommodate pets, check out the restrictions BEFORE you need to know..

·                       Make plans ahead of time to take your pet to stay at relatives, friends or a kennel outside the affected area.

·                       Know pet-friendly hotels and motels.

·                       Prepare an emergency kit for your pets; include collars & leashes, a three-day supply of food, bowls, litter boxes, photographs, and a week’s supply of medications that your pet may be taking.

·                       Make sure your pets wear collars with current license and rabies tags, and identification tags that include information on where you will be staying during the emergency.

·                       Use a pet carrier for each of your pets to make transportation easier.

http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main/default.aspx

Current Fire Updates 

Protect Your Home

Fire Danger

THANK for

Listening

Swiss Chocolates, Swiss Cheese ... Swiss Wildfires

Thought you might be tired of TX wildfire news. And I saw this story.

A couple of interesting pictures out of Switzerland.

With unusually dry and warm weather wildfires are occurring in unusual places like Switzerland.

Forest burns in Switzerland after fire starts in car repair shop

Smoke rises from a forest wildfire in Visp, southern Switzerland, 26 April 2011. The fire broke out in a car body company leaping over to the nearby forest. Fire brigades from different adjoining villages fight the fire, which is not yet under control, with the help of helicopters.

Wildfires continue, Easter is comming lets hope some rain is as well

Just a quick post...chores to do and the Easter Bunny is comming you know.
Cooler temps and higher humidity has helped Tx but extream fire conditions are being called for Monday. Lets hope that the firefighters and all Texans can catch a break today and tomorrow.
texas is NOT the only "show in town" FL,CO,NM and others are having fires as well just not to the extend Texas is. Below are 4 of the TX fires.

Possum Kingdom Fire

 Rock House Fire

Wildcat Fire

Swenson Fire

Can't end the blog with out a friendly reminder from Smokey ...
Firefighters STAY SAFE
Homeowners Take time NOW to make your home as firewise as possible, PLAN to evacuate if your in an area that is having wildfires. GET your "stuff" together, plan where your going DON'T forget your pets and other animals.
COMMUNITY LEADERS Do all you can to prepare and support citizens and emergency responders.

WILDFIRE PREVENTION works even in these extreame conditions. No were not going to stop or prevent all wildfires but if we prevent even one helps.
Remember what Smokey has always said...Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.

THANKS as always for reading the blog and passing it on to others and Smokey and I hope you have a wonderful Easter.