What areas of Florida are considered safest for residents with respect to being relatively free of hurricanes? Someone mentioned Tallahassee as being a good place to live. What are your opinions with respect to a good place for families in terms of safety and cost of living but unlikely to have to board up windows and drive north due to storms.

This season is such a drag…Does anyone know a hurricane season that had el nino??

Here was one mother of a storm! Hurricane Ivan devastated the Gulf Coast from Gulf Shores to Pensacola, Florida. Experience nine minutes of raw footage shot by Brian Osburn over the course of the storm! See transformers blow starting at 8:00 PM with lights out at 8:22 PM. Close your eyes and listen to the night hurricane wreak havoc in his grandmother’s front yard. Listen for the tornado that flew right over her house, only to land across the street…devastating her daughter’s (my aunt’s) home! This is one unbelievable storm and second only in impact to my Hurricane Dennis footage! Had Ivan hit during daylight hours, I would’ve caught all the damage being done at my grandmother’s home! Sit back, strap on the headphones…and experience a killer hurricane from the safety of the internet! Enjoy!

Some people criticize Bush for "not doing enough" during Hurricane Katrina, but doesn’t the president have a very busy agenda all the time? Plus, some people say Bush was supposed to land the plane in the flooded areas — how?
Also, wouldn’t that have prevented National Guard troops from getting the aid and perishables through that (limited) supply lines in the affected areas?

It’s kind of a big security deal if the President of the United States lands a plane somewhere dangerous… it would have been a clear distraction…

More importantly, didn’t the government already GIVE advance warning to the New Orleans residents to move out? 80% of the residents did, but of the few that refused to, why should the government be blamed for someone’s irresponsibility to follow directions?

To be fair, I feel the same way with Obama.
It’s BP who caused the spill, not the Federal government.
So how can he be blamed? Why are people saying it’s "Obama’s Katrina"?

Now, I’m not a fan of government so much, but how much can a single person do to fix everything??
Shouldn’t people be grateful at least that our shores aren’t covered with oil for a month already?

I need help summarizing well explaining these services in your words anyone please help serious answers only

1.International Long Distance- You can dial all over the world from the U.S. with your Verizon Wireless phone. Choose from our select International Long Distance plans or, for occasional international calls, use our Per-Minute Rates.

2. international texting- Sending a text message from the U.S. to your international friends has never been easier. All you have to do is determine if the non-U.S. mobile number you are trying to send a message to is accessible through a participating international carrier. Then simply create your message and send. There is a charge of {content}.25 per address for every text message you send and {content}.20 for every text message you receive. These text messages do not qualify for Friends and Family or any other messaging bundle, feature, promotion or offer.

3.international pictures and video messageing- Sending a picture or video message from the U.S. to your international friends has never been easier. All you have to do is determine if the non-U.S. mobile number you are trying to send a message to is accessible through a participating international carrier. Then simply create your message and send. There is a charge of {content}.50 per address for every picture or video message you send and {content}.25 for every message you receive. These picture or video messages do not qualify for Friends and Family or any other messaging bundle, feature, promotion or offer.

4.international roaming-Traveling Internationally? With your Verizon Wireless phone you can stay connected while outside of the U.S. in more than 40 destinations, or on a Cruise Ship.

In an Overseas Destination: Use your Verizon Wireless digital phone in select destinations while roaming on a participating carrier’s network.
On a Cruise Ship: Verizon Wireless Cruise Ship Services enable you to make and receive calls while traveling on select cruise lines for a low rate of .49 a minute.

5.cruise ship coverage- Cruise Ship Services enable you to make and receive calls, text and use data while traveling on select cruise lines.

6. global phone-With Global Phone you can enjoy the nation’s most reliable network at home and wireless services in more than 220 countries worldwide.

7.global email-GlobalEmail devices and plans provide voice and data solutions with a global reach.

8.global access- No more limitations on Internet access while you travel abroad. Verizon Wireless provides you with three global pricing options offering you a high-speed global wireless wide-area network solution you can take with you in over 200 countries, more than 125 with 3G speeds.

9.global access connect-No more searching for Internet coverage or pricey hotel access fees. Now you can browse the Internet on your notebook or netbook using your smartphone as a modem connected via a USB cable. Simply attach your smartphone to your netbook or notebook to get Internet service. Plus, with GlobalAccess Connect, you only need to carry one device for all your global voice, email, and data needs.

10. occasional global traveler- The Global Travel program is the perfect short-term solution for the occasional or infrequent global traveler who needs to stay in touch when travelling internationally. This program is ideal when your travel duration is less than 21 days.

11. global satellite-Iridium Satellite Phone Rental enables the international traveler to stay connected in the most remote regions of the world. During emergency or disaster recovery situations, satellite phones also prove to be the most reliable method of communication, making them an ideal crisis management communication solution. Rental includes voicemail, free incoming calls and a complete accessory pack.

Due to increased demand for contingency units during the hurricane season all Iridium satellite phone rentals ordered for delivery between June 1, 2010 and August 31, 2010 will be subject to a one-month minimum rental fee.

I am a former wedding photographer of 12 years. Wedding photography takes up a lot of time and weekends, I have children and their lives were passing me by, so I now have a 9 to 5, by choice, that is why former. Any way,

July 25, 08
I was attending a wedding rehearsal that I was hired to photograph as well as the wedding. I always arrive early to take photos of the church of every wedding I do. I was not on the clock yet, but I wanted to arrive extra early on this rehearsal because the weather forecast was calling for bad weather and maybe tornadoes, so I wanted to make sure I got the photos of the outside before it started to rain.

As I started to take my photos on this gloomy day, All of a sudden, the sky became really dark, and the clouds started to form right above the church. And I thought that I had better hurry because it was about to rain. Then the clouds slightly parted to allow this very illuminating light from the sky to show. Then the clouds started circling, counter clock-wise around this light. So I started snapping photos like crazy because I thought this was the start of a tornado. How great would it be to get a photo like this for the bride and groom over their church. I was excited because a tornado is something I never took pictures of……

Then, just as quickly as it started, was as quickly the clouds dissipated and it became just gloomy again. I thought how strange that was and just went on because the first person arrived for the rehearsal.

Later, I was looking back at all my photos to decide which to keep or delete to use for this wedding. And this is what I captured……

The first photo is this light circle with an image of a little girl with blond cropped hair. The light ball is located on the ground. Zoomed in to see better.

The second photo is the light circle that turned into this light being on the ground. The color of the light ball is the same color as the bottem of the light being. The colors are spectacular. They were taken 13 seconds apart.

I did not see these at the time of the photos. I was more focused on the sky. When I first saw the photos I had taken, I was going to delete these because I was in such shock and a little startled. Then I realized that these photos were something special.

Later, I showed my husband and he pointed out the figure of a lady which the clouds formed around the light in the sky also.

I have been a photographer for a long time and I have experience with lighting. These images are not sun spots, glare, reflection or lens flare. I have never seen this before in my life. I have looked on all the ghost and spirit sites, and I find nothing like this..

I am not sure to even tell my experience or even show my photos. I have for the most part, shared these photos to close friends and family members only. My light being does not scare me or those I have shown. It gives good feelings.

I feel it may be time to share these photos with other people. Maybe these photos will comfort someone who has seen or had experiences with light beings, life after death experience, so they know that they are real. There is something after death. Energy does not end.

I know some people are going to try and say I fixed these photos and there are going to be people who will not believe this and cut it down….and….. Well…… I’m ok with that now. Some day those people will know I am telling and showing the truth. I assure, these are true photos that are not tampered with or fixed. I still have the original chip negative it was taken with.

Then, I am asked what I think it is, an angel, Jesus, Virgin Mary, a spirit.
My answer is, I don’t know. I am no one special, but was chosen, for what ever reason to take the photos, that’s it.

Personally, I think it is an angel.

Things do exist that you can not see.

You can’t see air, but it’s there.

You can’t see love, but it’s there….

I am not sure what to make of it. You tell me, Angel, spirit, Jesus, V Mary, ghost?

These photos have been cropped closer to see better. These are the ones I have sent links for.

Please look at all 6 links.

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd494/lovemyfelinegirls/cropzoomcirclelight.jpg

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd494/lovemyfelinegirls/CropLabeledBallLight.jpg

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd494/lovemyfelinegirls/beingoflightcropped.jpg

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd494/lovemyfelinegirls/LightBeingladyinsky-1.jpg

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd494/lovemyfelinegirls/DSC_00411.jpg

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd494/lovemyfelinegirls/DSC_004111.jpg

My hope is that these photos will help someone in a positive way.

Compare the two which is better.

Processor:
Memory:
Hard drive:
Video:
DVD:
Motherboard:
Case:
Sound:
OS:
Software:

DEFAULT SETUP - customize below

Intel Core i3 530 2.93Ghz Dual Core, Hyper-Threading (4 virtual cores)
4GB DDR3 -1333 Dual channel Performance G-Skill
500GB SATA-II 7200RPM Western Digital Caviar
NVIDIA GeForce GT 220 512MB PhysX PCI-e 16x 2.0
24x DVD+-RW burner, all CD/DVD supported
Intel H55 chipset, super stable and fast operation
Raidmax Hurricane, side window, blue LEDs (May vary)
Integrated 7.1 Channel HD Realtek
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit (DVD+License+Backup DVDs)
Office Suite, Free Antivirus, Nero DVD Burning Suite, Game Demo’s

Or

Brand CyberpowerPC
Model Gamer Ultra 2040
Type Gaming
Processor AMD Phenom II X4 945(3.0GHz)
Processor Main Features 64 bit Quad-Core Processor
Cache Per Processor 4 x 512KB L2 Cache
Memory 4GB (2×2GB) DDR3 1333
Hard Drive 500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 7200RPM HDD
Optical Drive 1 24X DVD±R/±RW Dual Layer Drive
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GT 220 1GB PCI Express Video Card
Audio Sound card - Integrated
Ethernet Gigabit LAN
Power Supply 420W
Keyboard Xtreme Gear USB Keyboard
Mouse Xtreme Gear USB Mouse
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
Special Features Apevia X-Dreamer 3 Gaming Case
Motherboard
Chipset AMD 780L
CPU
CPU Type Phenom II X4
Installed Qty 1
CPU Speed 945(3.0GHz)
L2 Cache Per CPU 4 x 512KB
L3 Cache Per CPU 6MB
CPU Socket Type AM3
CPU Main Features 64 bit Quad-Core Processor
Graphics
GPU/VPU Type NVIDIA GeForce GT 220
Graphics Interface PCI Express 2.0 x16
Memory
Memory Capacity 4GB DDR3
Memory Speed DDR3 1333
Form Factor DIMM 240-pin
Memory Spec 2GB x 2
Memory Slot (Total) 2
Memory Slot (Available) 0
Hard Drive
HDD Capacity 500GB
HDD Interface SATA II
HDD RPM 7200rpm
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type DVD±RW
Optical Drive Spec 24X DVD±R/±RW Dual Layer Drive
Audio
Audio Chipset Integrated
Communications
LAN Chipset Integrated
LAN Speed 10/100/1000Mbps
Front Panel Ports
Front USB 2
Back Panel Ports
Rear USB 4
RJ45 1 port
Expansion
PCI Slots (Available/Total) 1 x PCI Express x16
1 x PCI Express x1
2 x PCI
Mouse
Mouse Type USB Mouse
Keyboard
Keyboard Type USB Keyboard
Physical Spec
Dimensions 18.90" x 7.32" x 16.46"

i also would like you to pick and then tell me what upgrades you recommend

I have a Hurricane system pc, with Windows xp proffessional sp2 included.
When I bought it new, it came bundled with 2 recovery cds. By that time, the pc had already installed windows xp home edition only. But I was never worried.

Months later, my system collapsed. I can hardly explain what happened, but it was time to format my pc. at least, that said the "technician" who saw it.

he recommended me, installing the xp pro… which i agree. but now im regreting it, because he installed me an illegal copy of it.

So im just wondering… even doe my pc was formated and has already installed win xp pro sp2… can i install somehow the original copy of win xp home edition that was previously installed with these recovery cds??

Please help!

the reason i am asking that i am going to indonesia soon and i want to spend a few days on a local fishing boat , so i was wondering do they work in the hurricane season ?

VIDEO: Tornado Caught on Tape in Loves Park, IL

I really dont know much about it so I was doing some research and I found this website,

http://www.middlebury.net/op-ed/global-warming-01.html

the article is really long so I dont expect you to read it (unless you really want to) so here’s the summary that was towards the end of the article

1. The "Greenhouse Effect" is a natural and valuable phenomenon, without which, the planet would be uninhabitable.

2. Modest Global Warming, at least up until 1998 when a cooling trend began, has been real.

3. CO2 is not a significant greenhouse gas; 95% of the contribution is due to Water Vapor.

4. Man’s contribution to Greenhouse Gasses is relatively insignificant. We didn’t cause the recent Global Warming and we cannot stop it.

5. Solar Activity appears to be the principal driver for Climate Change, accompanied by complex ocean currents which distribute the heat and control local weather systems.

6. CO2 is a useful trace gas in the atmosphere, and the planet would actually benefit by having more, not less of it, because it is not a driver for Global Warming and would enrich our vegetation, yielding better crops to feed the expanding population.

7. CO2 is not causing global warming, in fact, CO2 is lagging temperature change in all reliable datasets. The cart is not pulling the donkey, and the future cannot influence the past.

8. Nothing happening in the climate today is particularly unusual, and in fact has happened many times in the past and will likely happen again in the future.

9. The UN IPCC has corrupted the "reporting process" so badly, it makes the oil-for-food scandal look like someone stole some kid’s lunch money. They do not follow the Scientific Method, and modify the science as needed to fit their predetermined conclusions. In empirical science, one does NOT write the conclusion first, then solicit "opinion" on the report, ignoring any opinion which does not fit their predetermined conclusion while falsifying data to support unrealistic models.

10. Polar Bear populations are not endangered, in fact current populations are healthy and at almost historic highs. The push to list them as endangered is an effort to gain political control of their habitat… particularly the North Slope oil fields.

11. There is no demonstrated causal relationship between hurricanes and/or tornadoes and global warming. This is sheer conjecture totally unsupported by any material science.

12. Observed glacial retreats in certain select areas have been going on for hundreds of years, and show no serious correlation to short-term swings in global temperatures.

13. Greenland is shown to be an island completely surrounded by water, not ice, in maps dating to the 14th century. There is active geothermal activity in the currently "melting" sections of Greenland.

14. The Antarctic Ice cover is currently the largest ever observed by satellite, and periodic ice shelf breakups are normal and correlate well with localized tectonic and geothermal activity along the Antarctic Peninsula.

15. The Global Warming Panic was triggered by an artifact of poor mathematics which has been thoroughly disproved. The panic is being deliberately nurtured by those who stand to gain both financially and politically from perpetuation of the hoax.

16. Scientists who "deny" the hoax are often threatened with loss of funding or even their jobs.

17. The correlation between solar activity and climate is now so strong that solar physicists are now seriously discussing the much greater danger of pending global cooling.

18. Biofuel hysteria is already having a disastrous effect on world food supplies and prices, and current technologies for biofuel production consume more energy than the fuels produce.

19. Global Warming Hysteria is potentially linked to a stress-induced mental disorder.

20. In short, there is no "climate crisis" of any kind at work on our planet.

I’m just looking for opinions about this matter or contradicting articles on the web.

Do you think people are causing global warming?

I just read an article online that says Colorado State University experts still predict up to 18 named storms this hurricane season with at least 10 hurricanes. I live in Miami and so I watch the tropics carefully. I am no expert but it seems to me that any tropical system that tries to develop gets destroyed by wind shear and saharan dust from Africa. This is what happened with Bonnie and Colin.
So why this prediction when conditions seem to hostile for tropical development. And its August already!
.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,317001,00.html

I can’t believe it! Every time I visit internet, open a newspaper, listen to radio or TV news, there’s at least one more "latest news" about something going wrong due to GLOBAL WARMING!!!!!

It first started slow_the scientific data, which many just laughed at_, then it was news like "Coastlines will be receding in the next few years"; "Powerful Hurricanes". Followed by horrible heat waves; droughts; unberable winters, etc. etc.

For nearly two decades all Republican administrations or Republican controlled Congress would not listen and pitch in with other "supposed scientific" ideas on why there was no GLOBAL WARMING.

Suddenly it is all here!

Should we keep on building so many homes in those areas precisely?

my son is 32, hiv, and an alcoholic. he has chosen to live as a homeless person for years. now the weather is bad and he needs to come indoors to keep from getting sick. however he has not respected the rules, me or my husband. this almost cost me my marriage this week. it will be at least two weeks until i can get my son into treatment, so what do i do send him to a shelter?

Hi,
I am a former wedding photographer of 12 years. July 25, 08
I was attending a wedding rehearsal that I was hired to photograph as well as the wedding. I always arrive early to take photos of the church of every wedding I do. I was not on the clock yet, but I wanted to arrive extra early on this rehearsal because the weather forecast was calling for bad weather and maybe tornadoes, so I wanted to make sure I got the photos of the outside before it started to rain.

As I started to take my photos on this gloomy day, All of a sudden, the sky became really dark, and the clouds started to form right above the church. And I thought that I had better hurry because it was about to rain. Then the clouds slightly parted to allow this very illuminating light from the sky to show. Then the clouds started circling, counter clock-wise around this light. So I started snapping photos like crazy because I thought this was the start of a tornado. How great would it be to get a photo like this for the bride and groom over their church. I was excited because a tornado is something I never took pictures of……

Then, just as quickly as it started, was as quickly the clouds dissipated and it became just gloomy again. I thought how strange that was and just went on because the first person arrived for the rehearsal.

Later, I was looking back at all my photos to decide which to keep or delete to use for this wedding. And this is what I captured……

The first photo is this circle with an image on the ground of a little girl with blond cropped hair. Zoom in to see better.

The second photo is the circle that turned into this light being on the ground. The colors are spectacular.

I did not see these at the time of the photos. I was more focused on the sky. When I first saw the photos I had taken, I was going to delete these because I was in such shock and a little startled. Then I realized that these photos were something special.

Later, I showed my husband and he pointed out the figure of a lady which the clouds formed around the light in the sky also.

I have been a photographer for a long time and I have experience with lighting. These images are not sun spots, glare, reflection. I have never seen this before in my life. I have looked on all the ghost and spirit sites, and I find nothing like this..

I am not sure to even tell my experience or even show my photos. I have for the most part, shared these photos to close friends and family members only. My light being does not scare me or those I have shown. It gives good feelings.

I feel it may be time to share these photos with other people. Maybe these photos will comfort someone who has seen or had experiences with light beings, so they know that they are real. There is something after death. Energy does not end.

I know some people are going to try and say I fixed these photos and there are going to be people who will not believe this and I’m ok with that now. I assure, these are true photos that are not tampered with or fixed. I still have the original chip negative it was taken with.

When I first showed family and friends, some would ask me if I fixed these, and those comments would upset me. Now, I do not care what anyone thinks. I know these are true photos.

Then I am asked what I think it is, an angel, Jesus, Virgin Mary, a spirit.
My answer is, I don’t know. I am no one special, but was chosen, for what ever reason to take the photos, that’s it.

I am not sure what to make of it. You tell me. E-Mail me if you would like to see photos.

Thank you,
I am trying to post photos on photo bucket and then send a link. Check back

From what source does the Columbia River system receive most of its water supply?
A) Heavy rainfall
B) Monsoons
C) Snow melt
D) Hurricanes
2. Which of the following rivers does NOT support a large irrigation project?
A) Columbia
B) Snake
C) Wenatchee
D) Yakima
3. Currently, Washington’s most productive coal-mining area is _____.
A) Wenatchee
B) Cascades
C) Centralia
D) Palouse Hills
4. Water is a valuable and critical natural resource, especially in the semiarid and arid regions of the _____ in Washington.
A) Colorado Plateau
B) Cascades Mountains
C) Western Lowlands
D) Columbia Plateau
5. Which is the single largest lumber corporation operating in Washington?
A) Georgia Pacific
B) Pope and Talbot
C) Crown Zellerbach
D) Weyerhaeuser
6. If demand of a product increases with little or no change in supply the price charged for that product should _____.
A) decrease
B) increase
7. Washington’s most abundant source of energy is _____.
A) solar
B) hydroelectricity
C) coal
D) nuclear
8. The Bonneville Power Administration was established by Congress in _____.
A) 1937
B) 1938
C) 1939
D) 1940
9. _____ energy is a promising alternative power source because the sun produces tremendous quantities of renewable energy.
A) Geothermal
B) Hydroelectric
C) Solar
D) Tidal
10. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the economy of Washington was adversely affected by the so-called _____.
A) Great Depression
B) Boeing Depression
C) World Recession
D) Technology Depression
11. Before the completion of the _____, ships had to journey around Cape Horn to get to the Pacific Northwest from the east coast.
A) Suez Canal
B) Erie Canal
C) Columbia Canal
D) Panama Canal
12. Washington produces a large percentage of the United States’ total production of the following EXCEPT:
A) Forest products
B) Aircraft
C) Steel
D) Aluminum
13. _____ employs more people than any other manufacturing company in Washington.
A) Microsoft
B) Starbucks
C) Boeing
D) Weyerhaeuser
14. _____ is a power-oriented industry that is located in the Pacific Northwest because of the availability of cheap hydroelectricity.
A) Aluminum
B) Shipbuilding
C) Timber
D) Mining
15. Another unique feature of Washington’s transportation system has been the use of _____ bridges over Lake Washington and Hood Canal.
A) suspension
B) truss
C) arch
D) floating
16. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of _____ funded the construction of our interstate highways.
A) 1949
B) 1956
C) 1952
D) 1954
17. _____ are the primary means for transporting grain and other products down the Snake and Columbia Rivers to Portland.
A) Ships
B) Ferries
C) Barges
D) Rafts
18. Trade goods brought to an area are called what?
A) Imports
B) Exports
C) Hinterlands
D) Forelands
19. The leading foreign trading partner of Seattle’s Customs District is _____.
A) China
B) Japan
C) Canada
D) India
20. All of the following big game animals are hunted in Washington EXCEPT:
A) Moose
B) Bear
C) Caribou
D) Elk

We have vinyl windows that were installed prior to us owning our house. On the frame are these little plastic pieces. Now the pieces are starting to break off leaving holes in the frame and so when I open the windows, I have to stuff tissue in there to prevent bugs from getting in the house. Does anyone know what these plastic parts are and what I can do to fill the holes? I have asked some contractors what they are and some have no idea and others say it could be that the windows are hurricane windows (we do not live where there are hurricanes) and finally another said it is to let any water drain out of the window.

Help me figure this out please before Spring is here and I have my windows open all the time!!!! Thanks so much!

My fiance and I are going on a western Carribean cruise for our honeymoon. We will be leaving from Port Canaveral, FL on November 2nd so I’m just wondering what we can expect with the weather during that time…

They may have done better getting people out of town. At least the Texans weren’t left wading through water or sitting on rooftops as the New Orleans people were, but forgetting to supply food and water for the First Responders is a pretty grievous error. They even had to put out an emergency call for those people who had ridden out the hurricane to share their food and water with the emergency workers who were trying to help those in need of aid.

Do you think FEMA will ever be able to handle an emergency without mishaps? Do you think they will repeat their Katrina errors and the residents left destitute years after the disaster?

the reason i am asking that i am going to indonesia soon and i want to spend a few days on a local fishing boat , so i was wondering do they work in the hurricane season ?

Static tripoded footage of the Campo Colorado tornado video from a few miles away. The first part of this video shows the tornado that was time-lapsed at 2000 times the normal speed of the actual video. The second half of the footage is the whole static video at the normal frame rate. Video shows a tornado moving through a field over open country. Catalog: 05312010_DC1 TRT: 10;09;03 Format: HD License Type: Rights Managed To license this footage, contact www.StormChasingVideo.com

present an argument against the theory of manmade global warming.

It appears that many skeptics and deniers are quite convinced that their assertions are valid. This led me to wonder why they don’t validate their claims with links to sources or other citations.

So my question to skeptics is this – can you provide the evidence to back up the claims that are often used? Links to credible websites will be fine.

Given that skeptics like to be thought of as rational, objective and factual, then I expect there will be no problem at all in substantiating all of the following.

• The current warming is caused by natural cycles

• Global warming has ended and the Earth has been cooling for X number of years

• Scientists have admitted that they invented global warming, fabricated the evidence etc

• Global warming has not caused any change in the weather – droughts, floods, hurricanes etc

• Global warming is caused by the urban heat island effect, surface stations are incorrectly sited etc

• Scientists have deleted the raw data, the work of scientists can’t be verified

• It’s warmed faster in the past

• The number of glaciers is growing, glaciers are expanding etc

• Volcanoes emit more CO2 then humans do

• All the computer models in the past have been wrong

• The other planets are warming therefore it’s the Sun
- - - - - - - - - - -

CLOSING COMMENT.

I mentioned 11 arguments that are often used by climate change skeptics and deniers and asked if it were possible to validate some of the claims.

37 people answers and not one single link to back up one single claim. I’ve asked similar questions before that have elicited a total of 142 answers, none of which provided links to any credible sources.

It seems safe that such claims have no backing and no credibility to them, which therefore begs the question why they are perpetuated by the skeptics and deniers.

Freeze puts bite on aid, resources

By DEBORAH CIRCELLI
Staff Writer
DAYTONA BEACH — As volunteers stocked the pantry behind them, Nadine McLaurin sat with her 3-year-old daughter wondering where they will sleep the rest of the week.

The Daytona Beach mother was taking refuge inside the Halifax Urban Ministries offices as agency leaders worked with other groups in the area to find a more permanent solution for her, her daughter and 6-year-old son.

"We are very concerned about this young family," said the Rev. Troy Ray, the agency’s executive director. "Our primary focus is to try to find a positive, permanent solution for this family to be off the street."

McLaurin, 44, was one of more than 100 homeless people staying in cold weather and emergency shelter earlier this week and Tuesday night.

After staying at a Port Orange church Monday night, she was taken with other homeless people to a church in Deltona on Tuesday where she and her children would stay in a separate room.

Homeless advocates said it’s unusual to have a mother with children show up with other homeless individuals seeking shelter on cold nights. This is the first time it’s happened in the seven years Halifax Urban Ministries has been working with area churches to open when temperatures creep below 40 degrees, Ray said. The problem, he said, is there’s not enough existing shelter to help people long-term.

The STAR Family Center shelter on North and Segrave streets for families and people with medical issues is full, with two families added Tuesday and another today for a total of 84 people, including 48 children. Nine other families are on a wait list.

In McLaurin’s case, she’s no stranger to getting help. She was in the Family STAR Center shelter for six months in 2008 and went into public housing, but left before she was about to be evicted because she didn’t have money for rent, she said.

She’s had various jobs and in the past year has been "bouncing from house to house" of friends and family, including another 23-year-old daughter, who also recently helped care for the two children. She also had been in a domestic abuse shelter recently, she said.

McLaurin, who has five other grown children in New York and Florida, also has been on probation for issuing a worthless check. The father of one of her children is in prison for uttering a forged check, she said.

She said Tuesday while her daughter was playing on her lap with a toy and her 6-year-old son was in school that she’s trying to get back on her feet and is grateful to area agencies. Being on the streets, McLaurin said, "is not a good place to be worrying about where you will lay your head or where your next meal is going to come from."

McLaurin is unable to go back to the STAR center because it’s full, officials said, and also because the agency generally only lets people stay once for about six months or longer if they are making progress to get a job.

Meanwhile, the STAR center’s dining room area was opening as a cold weather shelter Tuesday night, along with two churches in Bunnell and Deltona. Two other churches, which have not been involved in the past, have offered to open today and later this week.

But Ray said a long-term solution is needed. His agency, he said, is taking over the STAR Family Center and is working with the local homeless coalition to get grants to expand long-term shelter services to 100 additional beds, which will include room for individuals. Ray also wants to see a day center there where people can stay during the day and have case managers to help with job placements.

Meanwhile, other agencies are also helping people because of the cold.

The Jewish Federation of Volusia-Flagler Counties had several people come forward to donate used and new jackets. But the director is worried about meeting the demand from people seeking assistance next month with high utility bills afterrunning their heat. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Palm Coast helps with water and electric bills and propane, if needed, in addition to food and other help. Halifax Urban Ministries also helps with electric bills and will help provide people with propane gas.

The Council on Aging checked in the fall on its more than 4,000 clients ages 60 and over to ensure they have working heaters. The agency also sees its clients daily when delivering meals.

"We don’t wait until the difficult weather condition is upon us," said Gail Camputaro, executive director. "We check in the fall to make sure all are prepared for this kind of situation."

deborah.circelli@news-jrnl.com