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G'day all

I've just checked the weather for the Seattle region and found it to be 93 degrees Farhenheit at 5.51 pm PDT "sunny and pleasantly warm". In my book that's not pleasantly warm that's unpleasantly hot. My limit is 27 degrees centrigrade, which translates to around 75 degrees F. You have my sympathy. In about 5-6 months time it will be my turn to retreat from the heat! Hope you have all found a place to cool off! Looks the heat wave is going to be with you for a few days as well.

Stay cool. Susan

07/28/09 01:32 AM

#157

Lyn McKinney (McGraw)

YEAH - The forum is back up running. Welcome back all. It certainly has been a busy summer for us here at 9-1-1. With the high temperatures our aid and rescue units are running constantly even during the night where the temperatures still remain in the high 70's. Also our search and rescue staff are running 24/7 with people flocking to the rivers for relief from the heat not prepared for the swiftness of the currents. The rivers are low and people think they can wade across them only to loose their footing and nature takes it victims. Also city folks heading to our beautiful mountains here in Washington to gain a lovely view of the valleys below. Again they are dressed in sandals and shorts trailed behind like baby ducks by toddlers ooo-ing and ahhh-ing at all the cool things along the path. Then they get tired, hungry and cranky and the adult looks up and realizes they are not sure how far they have walked and that the temperatures are starting to drop. So they begin their hurried decent back. That's when we get the call. Either from the people awaiting their return at home or if their lucky, the hikers themself who got a good cell site. They most always don't know where they are, have wandered off the pathway or taken an unknown fork along the route, someone has slipped on the path and broken an ankle, leg, or arm. And NONE are dressed for the location nor have any survival equipment, food or water. Praise God for our trained and dedicated volunteers who drop whatever they are doing and go out and bring these people to safety. I am not complaining and it will never change. It's when these situations don't turn out well that my heart breaks.

07/28/09 06:08 AM

#158

Well, the heat is on. Low of 66F (18.5C) over night, looking for 95F+ (35C) today in Hoodsport. Now I know that most of us are familiar with wind chill factor, which never seems to come into play in the summer. What I hadn't heard of before is the FL factor, as in feels like. I have seen some weather reporting stations state that the temperature is 95 but feels like 105. Huh? Like I'm already uncomfortable and then they sneak it up a few more degrees. I'm out the door now. Searching for a sidewalk to fry my eggs and bacon on and not dirty a pan.

Maybe we should all head to Mark's in Portugal. The high today in Porto is around 73F (23C), rain on Saturday.

John

07/28/09 01:23 PM

#159

Hey John:

What you call FL is officially known around here as the heat index or HI. In our case, 114 degrees and 16% humidity results in a heat index of 116. I know that the Pacific Northwest doesn't usually have to deal with the heat index but it is pretty common elsewhere in the country.

You might want to try hugging an iceberg, but those are in short supply around here. When you don't have A/C about the only thing you can do is pray for rain. Many people in the NW do have the advantage of basements which are much cooler. I also thought that those skylights that opened would be a good deal because you could let the hot air out of the house once the sun went down.

Once November hits with the rains, I don't want to hear you whining about the weather. God gave you sunshine and you just have to take the heat that comes with it. It is great for charging up your solar batteries so that you don't have to pay so much for electricity.

Okay, okay, I can have a little sympathy for you and suggest that you find your favorite chilled beverage, put your feet up, relax and wait for the end of the heat wave. This too shall pass.

07/28/09 04:09 PM	#160
John MacLeod To whine or not to whine..that is the question Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer The malaise of outrageous heat and humidity Or to fire up the AC against the wave of heat And in doing so, be able to sleep..ah sleep Deep and glorius sleep in a cool house Respite from the Heat Index of Feels Like... Oh my gosh it's hot With apologies to Billy Shakespeare John

07/28/09 04:22 PM

#161

I have been known to make an attempt of prowess in the English language a time or two. One of my favorites deals with the dictionary of Webster's.

Sympathy is located therein between sh_ t and syphyllis. Now that I have reminded myself of this fact I will put on my big boy skivvies and deal with it.

Nancy, thanks for the "heat index" reference. I have heard it used, but never in Western Washington. Perhaps they felt we might have a difficult time dealing with the term and figured "feels like" would be a little easier to comprehend.

John

07/28/09 06:52 PM	#162
Susan Niven Hooray, Lyn is back, too! I've missed your contributions as well as John's. Keep up the good work at 9-1-1! Now, where are Tony Mamon and Dorothy Rodes? Susan

07/29/09 05:48 AM

#163

Nancy,

Are you sure that your real name isn't Clare Voyant and that you aren't channeling weathermen/women from the the thrilling days of yesteryear? Take note folks. Nancy mearly explains to me about Heat Index and I get another explaination on the evening weather report. HI is a relationship between the ambient temperature and the dew point. Thus it goes from just being hot to daaang hot. So Clare, oops I mean Nancy, just between you and me. Who are you channeling? Harry Woppler, Bob Cram or the all time great (King's own)cartooning weatherman Bob Hale.

As Chuck Boland used to sign off on KJR.
"And that's the way the ball bounces"

John

07/29/09 10:26 AM

#164

Hmmm....
I'm not sure what to make of your suggestion John. My family might disagree with me but I can say that I am not Clare Voyant or Meedee M or any of a host of others who prey upon the unsuspecting public. Although my detection skills have been honed over the years, I suspect that I am just ahead of the curve when it comes to the news media.

However I am technically challenged and I just noticed that you can add a youtube video to this part of the website. I don't know how to do that and am wondering if anyone can clue me in. I think it would be a great way for those who can't be at reunion functions due to health or distance to connect with the rest of the class. Just think, if someone with the time and equipment would travel to visit classmates who otherwise couldn't participate, we could have updates posted here for all to enjoy.

So, if any of you have any ideas of how it could be done, let me know. I would love to have more people involved and sharing with the rest of us.

Just a thought.
nancy

07/29/09 01:24 PM	#165
Nancy Raetzloff (Groth) Hello everyone: For those of you that noticed my post on July 12, 2009 I wanted to let you know that I just talked with Christine Styer's sister. Christine Styer Zobel passed away on January 14, 2003 in Gilbert, Arizona. Christine was buried in the Seattle area. nancy

07/29/09 07:01 PM

#166

Nancy,

I am sure there are plenty of classmates who can help with the you tube connection, unfortunately I am not one of them. Now if it consisted of wood, steel or concrete I could be of assistance. I am still trying to wrap my mind around all these excited electrons running the world.

Yo, Karen K. I hope that you and Harry had a fun trip to Tombstone. The two high points for me are the Bird Cage Saloon and the Rose House.

The Bird Cage has not had any changes made since 1939 when it closed its doors. Still has all the original dust. It is open to walk through now. Amazing to think that is basically the same as when the Earps, Clantons, Dr Holliday, Bat Masterson and Wild Bill Hickock were playing poker there.

The Rose House has a rose tree/bush in its courtyard that covers over 8,000 sq. ft. The trunk is about three feet in diameter and the roses are about 1 1/2" in diameter. The whole bush is supported on a lattice work of 1/2" steel pipe about 7' high.

Your tour guide will now continue on to Bisbee AZ. It is about 35 miles SE of Tombstone in the Mule Mtns. Home of the now closed Lavender Pit mine. Location of JA Jance's Joanna Brady series about the sheriff of Cochise County. If you go, be sure to stay at the Copper Queen Hotel. General Black Jack Pershing stayed there on his way back to Fort Huachuga after hunting for Pancho Villa. They never say where his men got to stay, most likely the stables. Rank has its privlages.

Pretty country down that way. I hope you enjoyed as much as we have over the years.

Sitting under the sprinkler at 103F (39.5C)

John

07/29/09 07:09 PM	#167
John MacLeod Nancy, I have always made the claim that I knew most everyone in school, but Christine Styer escapes me. Did she go to Mercer or Sharples? Tall, short, blonde, brunette? Friendly or shy? It could be a case of CRS Syndrome (Can't remember sh_ t or stuff) rearing its ugly head. Muddling along................John

07/29/09 07:47 PM

#168

WOW! Out of curiosity I logged onto the website that I use to find time and temperature for different places around the world and was amazed to see that at 6.01 PM PDT it was 104 degrees in Seattle, and when I checked a few moments ago, at 7.38 PM PDT, it is 101 degrees. Now that is HOT! I would be very interested to know how all of you are handling this heat because when it hits that sort of temperature here (and we get at least a steady week of it in February)I just flake out on the couch with the ceiling fan going if I'm at home. If not at home or outside with the horses, I just move a bit more slowly! Most evenings a seabreeze comes in for a bit of relief but that can't always be counted upon.

Take care all of you and Lyn, I hope things are not too hectic for you at 9-1-1.

Cheers. Susan

07/29/09 09:23 PM

#169

Courtesy of Google:

Seattle/Bremerton Area
Forecasts for Washington — Return to U.S. Severe Weather
Current Severe Weather

Excessive Heat Warning, Air Stagnation Advisory
Statement as of 4:57 PM PDT on July 29, 2009

... Excessive heat warning remains in effect until 6 PM PDT
Friday...
... Air stagnation advisory remains in effect until 6 PM PDT
Friday...

An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 6 PM PDT
Friday. An air stagnation advisory remains in effect until 6 PM
PDT Friday.

Hot and humid conditions are expected to continue through
Thursday. Temperatures tonight will remain quite warm... with some
spots remaining in the lower 70s and other spots only falling into
the 60s for a couple hours late tonight in most places.

Though it will be slightly cooler than today... record high
temperatures will be widespread again Thursday with daytime highs
in the 90s to 102.

Thursday night and Friday will be somewhat cooler as the low level
flow turns onshore and cooler marine air begins to move further
inland. But high temperatures Friday in the western Washington
interior will still be well above normal... with many spots in the
mid 80s to mid 90s.

In addition... the stable air mass will limit dispersion of ozone
pollutants and air quality will deteriorate.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of
dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous
situation in which heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of
fluids... stay in an air-conditioned room... stay out of the sun...
and check up on relatives and neighbors.

If you are concerned about the buildup of pollutants... check with
your local air quality agency for further information.

Record Report
70 0 PDT Wed Jul 29 2009

Record maximums for Wednesday July 29th 2009

* indicates broke or tied all-time record

daily all-time
new record old record record

Sea-tac 103* 95 1971 100 7/20 1994

Olympia 104* 96 2003 104 8/09 1981

Bellingham 96* 92 1960 94 7/11 2007
(+2 other dates)

Seattle WFO (sandpoint) 105* 95 1998 96 7/20 1994

Record warmest minimums for Wednesday July 29th 2009

daily all-time
old record record

Sea-tac 71* 63 2003 69 9/02 1974
69 7/28 2009

Seattle WFO (sandpoint) 71* 63 1996 68 7/22 2006

Olympia 64 58 1982

Bellingham 63 62 1958

**********************************************************

In summary - make sure you stay hydrated and you might not want to breathe too deeply!

Susan

07/29/09 09:56 PM

#170

Gee guys, you can't even retreat to the library to beat the heat! I found this when I logged on to the Seattle Times' website.

Originally published July 29, 2009 at 3:33 PM | Page modified July 29, 2009 at 3:44 PM

5 library branches hit 90 degrees inside, are closed
Five Seattle Public Library branches were closed this afternoon because of the record high temperatures, while 17 branches with air conditioning will remain open until 8 p.m.

By Seattle Times staff

Five Seattle Public Library branches were closed this afternoon because temperatures inside reached 90 degrees, while 17 branches with air conditioning will remain open until 8 p.m.

The branches that were closed are: Queen Anne, Green Lake, Fremont, Columbia and Northeast.

The Queen Anne, Green Lake, Fremont and Columbia branches are historic buildings that do not have air conditioning. The Northeast Branch has a natural ventilation system that conserves energy but doesn't have air conditioning.

Temperatures inside the West Seattle and University branches, which are also historic Carnegie facilities without air conditioning, are being monitored.

The Central Library, 1000 Fourth Avenue, and the following branches do have air conditioning and are open until 8 p.m. today:

• Ballard

• Beacon Hill

• Broadview

• Capitol Hill

• Delridge Branch

• Douglass-Truth

• Greenwood

Isn't it amazing what you can find when you start looking as far as the news goes!

And on a very serious note:

Originally published July 29, 2009 at 1:44 PM modified July 29, 2009 at 3:45 PM

Heat exhaustion or stroke: What to look for, what to do
By Lindsay Toler

Seattle Times staff reporter

With Seattle poised to set a record for the hottest day ever recorded, Public Health — Seattle & King County has some important information about heat-related illnesses.

Infants, the elderly and those doing strenuous activity outdoors are at the highest risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Heat exhaustion means a person's body reaches a temperature of more than 100 degrees.

Heat stroke describes a life-threatening condition when a person's cooling system stops working and body temperatures reach dangerous temperatures of 105 degrees or higher.

Some medicines, including antihistamines, blood-pressure medications and depression medications can predispose people to heat exhaustion or stroke.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion:

• Can't keep fluids down.

• Has a headache, weakness, extreme thirst or nausea.

• Has muscle cramps or pains.

• Is sweating profusely.

• Has a temperature of more than 100 degrees.

What to do:

• Cool the person down by having

them sit in the shade.

• Pour cool water over the skin.

• Place a cold, wet towel on the back

of the person's neck.

• Have the person sip cool water or

Gatorade. (Not too fast, since vomiting

will increase dehydration.)

• If the signs and symptoms do not improve

within an hour, or if they get worse in spite

of your efforts, the person may have heat

stroke. In such cases call 911.

Symptoms of heat stroke:

• Loses consciousness.

• Complains of shortness or breath, chest pain or abdominal pain.

• Is confused, delusional, or has any change in mental status.

• Is unable to drink or is vomiting.

• Has a temperature of more than 104 degrees.

What to do:

• Call 911.

• Have the person rest in a cool shady place.

• Have them sip a sports drink such as

Gatorade or Powerade if they are able.

• Wet their skin with cool water, wet towels,

or sheets. Place ice packs in the armpits,

around the neck, and in the groin.

• Have a fan blowing directly

at the person if possible.

I hope you are all taking it VERY easy! Find somewhere cool, if you can, and just veg-out!

Susan

07/30/09 08:07 AM	#171
Mark Weaver John, All my whining friends in Seattle are welcome to come to visit me in Porto. Right now it is 4:00 PM and mostly sunny with a temp of 23C (73f). As for me I am whining too. I like it hotter. Call me crazy but I miss the summers in Arizona with the heat and evening monsoon storms.

07/30/09 08:26 AM

#172

Mark Weaver

Nancy,

Thanks for the update on Chris Styer. However, I saddened to hear of her passing. I had no idea that she was living in Gilbert. If I had known I would have been in touch with her because I was living in Phoenix at that time.

John, Chris was a somewhat quiet but friendly brunette of average height. I cannot remember whether she attened Asa Mercer or Sharples. I guess I must have a dose of your CRS in regard to that one.

Lyn, I want to say thank you to you and to others like you for the wonderful job you do of helping people when they need it the most.

Mark

07/31/09 07:07 AM

#173

Heat update..........

The whineing in the NW seems to be spooling down with the onshore flow of marine air. However within 2-3 days true Northwesterners will making statements such as "We could really use some rain". Here, there seems to be no glass to be half full or empty when it comes to the weather.

The Seafair hydro races are this weekend. The Blue Angels are in town. For those of us who dragged home made hydros behind our bicycles it will always be a special time. I know for many it is too loud, too many people and too much going on. It is however unique to Seattle and only lasts a few days. Keith Gorze always made a few dollars letting people park in his folks yard. At least I think it was his folks yard.

There is a saying "If you think your dog is dumb, look who goes to work everyday in order to feed him/her". Well around here besides the dog it is hummingbirds. These guys have started going window to window looking for me, to let me know the feeder is low. The finches, crows, flickers and more all have my number. I let the neighbors feed the deer. There is an eagle outside right now whistling up for a fish head. Yeah, like that is going to happen.

I owe, I owe so off to work I go.
I think I will start the day our as Happy and try to avoid being Grunpy.............John

07/31/09 09:56 AM

#174

Hello all:

I would have been on yesterday to reply to John's post but that sweet talking guy I hitched up with 30+ years ago hijacked my computer for the day. He tells me it was so that he could earn money so that I could spend it but that may just be an excuse.

Seriously though I will tag on to what Mark said about Christine Styer. She was best friends with Carol Sidis of the class of '69 and I saw them together so often that I thought Carol was a member of '68 as well. Christine was a worker bee who was involved in lots of committees for the student body, our class and the girls club. I always remember her as having a very sweet spirit. I feel really sad that she was alive here in the Phoenix area when I got here, but I never knew it.

Many thanks to Susan for all of the info on heat stroke and heat exhaustion. It is no joke and I have become much more aware of it since moving to Arizona. At different times on mission trips in Mexico in the summer it has been a real issue due to the lack of airconditioning. More than anything else, I have learned to keep drinking water all the time. If you wait to drink until you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

I was beginning to wonder if the heat index in Seattle was going to surpass the one in Phoenix. It didn't quite happen but it was close. Personally, I prefer to be where their is airconditioning available if I am going to have to deal with the heat. Along with Mark, I too love the monsoon storms. But then, I also love winter storms at the ocean.

Keep safe and for those of you in Seattle, enjoy seafair. I remember that my dad would always drive the car down the night before and park it in the parking lot on 49th St right on the boulevard. He would walk home that night and the next day we would all walk down the hill carrying our food for the day. Chairs were in the car and when we got to the lake we could set up camp in comfort. I could sleep in the car if I got fussy and when it came time to head home, the car was there and we didn't have to walk up the hill. I know you can't park there overnight anymore, but when you could, it was great.

nancy

07/31/09 04:54 PM

#175

Susan,

I seem to have a problem with my dog, I hope you can help. Since the hot weather arrived she has been barking with an Australian accent. She has been wearing a cobber in her attempt to beat the heat. Yes, directly from Down Under. The squirrels and chipmunks have been rolling over in laughter and slapping their sides in response to the new accent. She is of a sensitive nature and seems to be getting a complex. I am hoping that the accent is a transiting problem and will go away on its own. Otherwise I am fearful that she may start demanding Wallaby stew for dinner or roast Kangaroo. Now having had kangaroo I know that it is good but a little pricey over here. I thought that you might have some insight. Thinking that your dogs may have started barking with an American accent at some point and started demanding apple pie, hot dogs and Chevrolets.

Ding, Dong. Lights on but nobody home..........John

07/31/09 09:03 PM

#176

Mark,

I am in a quandry here. I was told by a less than reputable individual that to get along in Portugal that I only needed to know two phrases. I am not sure if they are to be believed.

Havia de te nascer um pinheiro no cu and Vai pentear macaco. Now the second one translates to go comb a monkey. Huh?? The first one is about a pine tree growing in a rather uncomfortable area. I think I will stay with please and thank you.

What I really want to know is why am I spending my time learning insults in a language I will never use.

Ding, ding, ding. Was that the train going by? Nope................ just John

08/01/09 07:35 PM	#177
Nancy Raetzloff (Groth) Hey John: I think the heat is getting to you. It is time to find an igloo and crawl in to it. On another note. Let's all welcome our two newest classmates to the website. Eileen Tracy Anderson and Jacqueline C. Lee. Welcome to both of you. blessings nancy

08/02/09 10:57 AM

#178

Nancy,

Thanks for the heat excuse for my goofy/zany/odd behavior. Even though I am not a mad dog or Englishman I have been out working in the noon day sun.

I have sent greetings to both Eileen and Jacquline. Yes, I was polite and behaved myself. Eileen, I knew fairly well but I only conjure up a picture of Sharon Lee in my mind when trying to picture Jacquline.

Like many whose annuals have disappeared it is difficult to remember some classmates. We have a friend who graduated from Highline HS in Burien. She graduated about 1951-52. Her class has scanned their senior albumn to their website. Much to her chagrin when she found a wanted poster, with her senior photo, on her front porch. Yeah, yeah, cut to the chase. Would that be a possibility for us? Or has it already been done? Am I once again a day late and a preinflation dollar short?

John

08/02/09 11:18 AM

#179

To all,

Just a few explanations to some of my postings.

1) Phil Anderson (our class)is the director of the WA Sate Dept. of Fisheries. One of the State's hatcheries is less than a block from our house and occasionally they send up noise makers to scare off the seagulls and those of us who are a little jumpy.

2) The "cobber" that I spoke of that my dog wears to beat the heat is from Australia. You soak it in water in the refrigerator, it swells up from the water. Tie it around the dog's neck or your own and let the cooling process begin.

3) Mark Weaver lives in Portugal at this time, hence my throwing out Portuguese phrases. I will give that a rest for you and Mark.

Serious as a train wreck on the job, but be wary the rest of the time.

John

08/02/09 11:35 AM

#180