What a Pain in the Eye, Actually Just Above It

It was a beautiful Wednesday evening for Little League Baseball until one minor incident.

When I get the chance, I like to go to my 7 year old son's Little League games. It's nice to see them learning the sport and just being kids. But last night, I got more than I bargained for.

One of the dads, Bill Jessup, is a really knowledgeable and enthusiastic teacher of the game of baseball. He has all sorts of equipment for training the kids. I was assigned to toss balls to the batters who would then hit them into this large net. Good for hand-eye coordination. Well, some of the kids were hitting the ball around the net and then another boy went to retrieve the errant baseballs.

This young man was doing a fine job until he got a bit overenthusiastic. From about 3 feet away he returns one of the balls by way of an overhand throw. From point blank range, this ball hits me right above the right eye. Wow, did that hurt! But, I never yelled or said any bad words. (I'm proud of myself for that.) I just told the boy to have a seat.

My wife quickly runs over and brings me an ice pack. A few moments later, I saw blood dripping down my hand that was holding the ice pack. "That can't be good" is what I thought to myself. Rather quickly after that, a few of the adults had come over to assist.

I had a cut like a boxer. Right in the eyebrow and about an inch long. Imagine if it was an inch lower. It wouldn't be my eyebrow, it would be my vision...Fortunately, one of the parents who came to help was a nurse. She quickly surmised that I needed to go and get stitches and since it had been a while, a tetanus shot also. (A dirty baseball can carry germs, etc.)

Are you kidding me? All of this from the accidental throw of a baseball from a 7 year old.

Off to the Emergency Room . Shady Grove Adventist Hospital runs a satellite Emergency Room off of Rte. 118 in Germantown. This is a nice place. It's new , it just opened last summer, and clean and the staff was super. And as it happened to be, they had a physicians assistant, Lenny Chornock, who is a pro at stitches.

A little background here, other than my wisdom teeth, I have never had stitches and when I had them for the wisdom teeth, I was unconscious. So, I was a bit on the anxious side being that I would be wide awake.

Once in eighth grade, I had cut my finger with a linoleum knife in art class. I was in the ER with the curtain closed wondering if I would need stitches. Next to me was this girl, I guess about my age who had cut open both her knees on the track at school. I could hear everything going on. The doctor, just before he starts giving her stitches says, "This won't hurt at all". The next thing I hear is the girl screaming in agony. I begged them after that for butterfly bandages and I escaped without stitches. No such luck this time.

Back to Lenny. This guy was a riot. He insisted that we had met years ago in Shady Grove Hospital. I swear on my life that I have never been inside that place. But, this guy was going to give me stitches, so I wasn't going to get into an argument with him. Lenny has been in medicine for 22 years and even mentioned that he had worked with a plastic surgeon for 7 years. How lucky am I that this guy was working when I needed him?

We spend about the next 30 minutes just sharing jokes while Lenny stitches me up. For an ER experience, this was about as good as it gets. The worst part was the injection of lidocaine around the wound to numb the pain. Before I knew it, the repair to my eyebrow was made and I had made a few new friends and I even got a story out of it.

Oh, before I left the field, I told Bill Jessup that I was done as a hitting instructor.

How Dry I Am

This has been a terribly dry month across the region.

I was really excited on Sunday when the winds picked up and the sky grew dark. But at my place in Clarksburg, MD, we only got enough to barely make the ground wet. 3 miles north of me got pounded and another strong cell passed 5 or so miles to my south. We can't buy a drop lately.

With my lawn in mid summer form already, I was inspired to check the records. The 1.75" of rainfall at Reagan National this month ranks as the 21st driest on record. Washington records go back to 1871. The driest May was in 1938 when 0.41" of rain fell.

At Dulles, where records only go back to 1963, the numbers are far more impressive. So far, only .34" has managed to find the rain gauge and that ranks this May as their driest ever! 1964 saw .80" and it looks like we'll stay dry for the rest of the month. After all, records were made to be broken, but this is a record that few people want.

I Just Don't Get It

I was talking with a friend of mine earlier today who used to work in TV. It had been a while and it was nice to actually get him instead of his answering machine.

One thing that I admire about this guy is that he totally reinvented himself. It is impressive to me when I hear stories of people who leave everything they know, some without a plan, and become succesful in their new venture.

But I digress.....One of the things we were talking about was the overuse of the term "breaking news" and the misuse of "special reports".

Not that I'm old, but a "special report" used to mean something. When Reagan was shot or when the space shuttle Challenger exploded on lift off, those were "special report" worthy.

Now, we have special reports for photo opportunities. I remember watching Harry Smith anchoring a CBS News "special report" when John Edwards was first seen with John Kerry in 2004 after we already knew that John Edwards would be the running mate. So what!

I also remember when one of the Washington area snipers was being moved from jail to the court house for his trial and we covered it as "breaking news". If we knew it was going to happen, how can it be "breaking news"?

There is even a cable news show with the title "Special Report". Thank you Brit Hume. I like Brit Hume's work, it's the title I can live without.

Maybe I just don't get it, but when we are at war, and we all remember what happened on 9/11/2001 and we live in one of the most likely places for a terrorist attack, I feel that the term "breaking news" should be used with more restraint.

Almost Summer

It's almost summer. Memorial Day is the "unofficial start" of summer. Meteorological Summer starts June 1st.

Us weatherguys go by the 3 warmest months of the year, June, July and August.

The summer solstice, the astronomical start to summer is June 21st at 2:06 pm.

It may still be the month of May, but we are definitely in a summertime pattern. It's been warm to hot and very dry. Dulles has only reported 0.24" of rain through the 25th of May, more than 3" below normal. It's been a better story at National Airport, with 1.45" of rain. That's only 1.65" below normal. Still, all that rain really fell on only 3 days. Pretty bad.

It's no wonder that lawns are already starting to turn into that brownish yellowish color that we normally don't see for another month or so. Do your outside plants a favor and give them a drink...they're awfully thirsty.

It's OK to be Selfish....Some Times

Many years ago, when I worked in New Orleans I would volunteer quite a bit for Habitat for Humanity. I cherish the memories I have from my work there. One Day, a rather large regional bank was having a day where many of their people were volunteering. One of their corporate people was going around with a camera. He came to me and said "Meteorologist Howard Bernstein from WVUE is working today. Howard, why do you come down and volunteer for Habitat?"

I answered,"Because I'm selfish!"

He looked at me with a kind of puzzled look on his face. I could see that I had hooked him.

I then said, "Ed, I need to feel like I'm making a real difference in the world. That doesn't happen all that much with my TV job. But here, someone's whole life can be changed for the better. So, I come down and I feed my selfish needs to make a real difference in the world. I call that GOOD SELFISHNESS."

The Correct Way to Count Change Back....

I am often dismayed at the skill level of many service people who work in our country. Just check out the service at some of the franchised restaurants near WUSA on Wisconsin avenue and you'll know what I'm talking about. (When I was a teenager, my parents owned a "SIZZLER" steakhouse, so I have some experience in the world of franchised restaurants.) In most cases, management is to blame. Yes, the wages aren't the best, but there is no excuse not to train somebody to do the job they were hired to do.

Today, I pick on the way that change is given back. I HATE when a cashier just drops a load of coin and cash into my hand. What the heck is that about? I then have to count it myself to make sure that it's the right amount.

Back in the day, when I had to be a cashier, I was taught the best way to give change back. For example, a bill totals $11.21 and the customer gives you a twenty(20). dollar bill.

1. Keep the "20" on the top of the open part of the register across the bills that are in the drawer.
2. Give the customer 79 cents and say "that makes twelve (dollars)".
3. Then count out 3 singles and say "thirteen, fourteen, fifteen".
4. Finally give a five (5) dollar bill and say "and that makes twenty(20)".
5. Put the original "20" in the drawer and close it.

Now, you have counted the change for the customer and there is no doubt that the amount is correct. Consider the customer and exceed their expecations and you'll have great customers.

You have to love government....

I live in Clarksburg, Maryland in a relatively new home, less than 3 years old. There is still plenty of construction going on. New homes and new roads and new everything are making for plenty of congestion and "growing pains".

One of those "growing pains" is at the intersection of Gateway Center Drive and Stringtown Road. Stringtown is an east-west road that runs into I-270 at exit 18. Gateway Center Drive runs North-South and crosses Stringtown. At the northern end of Gateway Center Drive is Clarksburg Road.

Before Stringtown Road was extended to I-270, Clarksburg Road used to run all the way to I-270. Now, Clarksburg Road ends at Gateway Center Drive. To get to I-270, you need to make a left onto Gateway Center Drive and then a right onto Stringtown Road.

This is where we have a potential problem. You see, there are 2 lanes that go south on Gateway Center Drive from Clarksburg Road. At Stringtown, there will be a left turn lane and 2 through lanes. So, if there is a car in the right land going straight, the "right on red" is taken out of the traffic equation. Since most of the traffic off of Clarksburg Road going southbound is headed for 270, this can be a real slow spot in the commute. Also, we've had times when MD 355 has been loaded with bail out traffic from I-270 when there is an incident in the morning rush hour.

I called the Montgomery County Highway Department and asked them if they would make the right lane a "right turn only" lane. I explained it all to a nice man on the phone. I was told that I would need to make a written submission so that a study could be done. I explained that I live there and drive the route and that I had done an informal study and this seemed like a no-brainer. Not good enough.

So, in the end, I submitted my request for a traffic study to be done so that the intersection could better handle the traffic flow. More wasted taxpayer money on a study that in my opinion is a waste of time. It's been a couple of months and I'm still waiting to see what happens.

One final thought, wouldn't you think that the people who designed the road would have anticipated this and had better road markings from the beginning? In the big scheme of happenings in Clarksburg, I suppose this is minor, but it does go to underscore some of the deficiencies in any government project, even when it comes to the obvious.

Mow your lawn already!

Here we are in the middle of May and I see some unmowed lawns. This is bad for a variety of reasons. Aesthetics are a big reason. Be proud of your home and neighborhood. I don't understand how someone can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a house and then not take care of it.

Bugs are another reason to mow. Tall grasses allow all sorts of critters to take up residence.

Mowing regularly also makes for a healthier lawn. Be sure the blade on your mower is sharp or you'll be tearing the grass and not cutting it and that can cause injury to the grass. Also, don't bag your clippings. They'll decompose and feed the lawn. According to the Lawn & Landscape Digest, clippings do not create thatch, that's an old wives tale. Over watering anf fertilizing is the more likely culprit.

When it gets hot, mow higher and that will leave your lawn a little more tolerant of the heat. Also, taller grass blocks out sunlight from the ground and that makes it much more difficult for weed seeds to germinate.

Andrea: What a waste of a Storm Name

We had our first named storm of the season this week, Andrea. It was a "Subtropical Storm". What the heck is a subtropical storm you ask? Here is a good definition that I found at the web site of the Detroit office of the National Weather Service:

Subtropical Cyclone: A low pressure system that develops over subtropical waters that initially has a non-tropical circulation, but in which some elements of tropical cyclone cloud structure are present. Subtropical cyclones can evolve into tropical cyclones. Subtropical cyclones are generally of two types:

1) Cold Low Type: This type has a circulation extending from the surface to the upper troposphere, with the maximum sustained low-level winds typically extending to a radius of 100 miles or more from the center.

2) Mesoscale (Sub-Synoptic Scale) Cyclone Type: This type develops in or near a dying frontal zone with horizontal wind shear. This low is compact and develops a tight pressure gradient with the maximum sustained low-level winds, which can reach hurricane intensity, typically located less than 30 miles from the center. The whole storm circulation may initially be no more than 100 miles in diameter. These lows are typically short- lived and spend their lives usually over water. They may be cold core or warm core. This strange hybrid was once referred to as a "neutercane" after being discovered by satellite imagery.

I suppose that Andrea fell under this definition, but it never really felt like a storm that had much of a chance of doing anything. There was dry air wrapped around it and the ocean temperatures where Andrea was were only in the upper 70s. (Tropical Cyclones typically need water of 86F or higher to get energized) It did produce some gusty winds and some decent waves, but other than that, I have my doubts about this being named.

Officially, the Hurricane Season in the Atlantic Basin runs from June 1st until November 30th.

Birthday Week is Over....

Birthdays are a big deal in my house. It's not enough to have just a birthday, but there's "Birthday Week" as part of "Birthday Month". My son Philip turned 7 on Wednesday. It's a great age and there is a part of me that wishes I was 7 again.

Not only did my son get a new bicycle, and a party from his parents, but his grandparents came in for the week and his uncle also came in for the weekend. They weren't just bestowing my son with love and affection, but more importantly, they came with gifts.

I'm very lucky that I am able to provide for my family, but I also wonder if we spoil my son too much. He's only 7, what does he know about how fortunate his life is. How lucky he is to have a home and food and toys and all that good stuff while many people do without. I try to talk about it with him, as part of my fatherly duties. I hope some of it sticks. I hope he realizes his good fortune and, in turn, tries to help those less fortunate.

I was reminded once again this mornig how lucky I am in my own life. We're doing these "MOTHER's DAY MAKEOVERS" on 9 NEWS NOW at 5 AM and 6 AM. We received almost 200 submissions(nominations) of moms who deserve a treat. Many moving stories of women who have fought all types of adversity to keep their families together. It was very nice to see the reaction on Sabrina Walker's face after all of the pampering she recived this morning. She has 2 kids of her own, but ended up taking in 5 more after the passing of her mom and then suster in the last few years. The oldest of the 7 children is now in college while the youngest is in kindergarten. This wonderful woman felt that she couldn't let these kids end up in the "system", so she had to take them in.

It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day crap and forget the bigger picture. I'm trying to remember that. I need to look at the BIG picture more than I do. After all, life is pretty good, especially around your birthday...

It's my planet too!

I hate seeing garbage. It really irritates me. I know that there are many reasons why garbage ends up by the side of the road, but I can't imagine why there is so much apathy toward this subject.

When I was a kid, I remember the Native American Indian with a tear in his eye. He was sad about grabage and litter and polution and what it was doing to his beautiful land. Sadly, I don't see that anymore. I also remember a saying on the garbage cans where I grew up. It was painted on the outside of the can. It was from Abraham Lincoln,"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives."

I'd like to see a new public serice campaign. I imagine we get some people who are considered the meanest or toughest guys out there; Pro-Athletes, Actors, whomever. In one version of a commercial, someone throws some garbage out their car window. The "tough guy" picks up the garbage and offers it back to the person in the car while saying, "I think you dropped this."

After the shamed person takes it back, the "tough guy" looks into the camera and says," Hey, it's my planet too!"

Rooster in my Neighborhood

A funny thing happened the other day in my neighborhood. One of our neighbors heard a Rooster calling early in the morning as he was taking his dog for a walk. Not sure as to what he heard, he was out another time with his wife on a walk and they both heard what sounded like a rooster.

I happen to be on the Board of Directors in my homeowner's association. Many times, a thankless job, but at other times, quite interesting. This was one of those times.

One of my pet peeves is dog owners who don't pick up after their animal. If you own a dog, do the right thing and clean up after it. Not only is it the law, but when you have kids in a neighborhood along with the potential runoff issues of dog waste, it's just the decent thing to do. I mention this because I have had to call Montgomery County's Animal Control when we identify the offending pet owners. A visit from the man/woman in blue can change an owner's mind about picking up after their dog.

Anyway, this time I called Animal Control to report the Rooster. I was impressed that in less than 2 hours, an officer had visited the alleged Rooster owner. Did you know that a Rooster(probably a chicken too) has to be at least 100 feet from the nearest residence? Did you also know that if the rooster is living inside the residence, than it's not a violation of the law?

I love learning things. Here I learned that even though the law will allow a Rooster to live in your home, the Home Owner's Association governing documents do not allow it, and the Rooster will have to go.

Some Environmental Stuff

I get a lot of junk e-mail. More stuff about hot stocks, offshore monies or cheap drugs. What a load of garbage.

But, I also get some very valuable e-mail. One of the is called EARTH GAUGE and it's intended for Broadcast Meteorologists. It usually has some neat tidbits that I can use on air or wherever.

This is an interesting factoid I just received:

Earth Gauge: Motor Oil Madness
About five percent of Americans who change their own oil do not dispose of their used motor oil properly. When used oil is dumped outside or into a storm drain, it can be carried directly to local surface waters during the next rain. The US EPA estimates that used oil dumped from just one oil change can contaminate drinking water for 50 people - approximately one million gallons!

Viewer Tip: When changing the oil in your car, make sure to dispose of it properly. Instead of dumping motor oil in outside or in the trash, collect it in a clean container with a lid (such as a tin can), and recycle. Many service stations accept oil for recycling, and you can find an oil collection facility in your area by visiting www.cleanup.org or calling 1-800-CLEANUP.

(Source: US EPA. "You Dump It, You Drink It." http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/usedoil/campgn/en-dumpbr.pdf; US Bureau of Transportation Statistics; US EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Watershed Tips, April 11, 2006)

And then there was this point about how Global Warming can cause more Poison Ivy:

Climate Fact: Prolific Poison Ivy
Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels have doubled since pre-industrial times. When CO2 levels are high, poison ivy plants grow faster and produce more urushiol - the chemical notorious for causing rashes and other allergic reactions. Every year, more than 350,000 American develop rashes from contact with this plant.
(Source: Mohan et al. 2006.” Biomass and toxicity responses of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) to elevated atmospheric CO2” Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 103(24): 9086-9089)

Record Heat to close Out April

What a Monday we had. After a few early morning showers, skies cleared and we had full sunshine. That boosted the temperature at Dulles to a record tying 86. No doubt that the winds helped warm things up. You see, as the winds, which were from the west-northwest, come down from the mountains into the lower elevations, they warm up. The amount they warm up depends on how much elevation change there is, which compresses the air, along with the dryness in the air.

A front will bring the threat for some showers tonight into Wednesday morning. As we head toward the rest of the week, we'll see some cooler weather with highs in the 60s and 70s. Next weekend should be very nice with sunshine and highs in the 70 - 75 range.