More Record Heat/Breaking the Heat Wave/Remembering Michael Jackson

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
The National Hurricane Center is carefully watching Invest 93L in the western Caribbean. It has a 30 to 50% chance for development starting late Saturday (at that point it will have crossed the Yucatan into the Gulf). Flat ridge over southern US will probably steer it into Mexico.

On Saturday, 100+ across much of the southwest, Texas, Oklahoma and into Tennessee. Elsewhere in the southeast, lots of 90s with some thunderstorms in Florida. There will be some severe weather across portions of the northern plains, upper Midwest and Great Lakes. On Sunday, the ridge flattens a bit and that means there will be fewer 100+ readings, especially for the more northern locations.

This is the 4th day in a row of 100+ temperatures in Houston. Another record high today...this time the high (as of this writing) 103 breaks the record for this date--102 set back in 1980. Hobby tied its record of 99. Heat Advisory is in effect through Saturday. Ridge will start sliding west and Sunday should be slightly cooler, but it will still be very hot and steamy. Then the ridge flattens out. Bottom line is that hot and steamy weather will continue for the foreseeable future, but the 100+ readings should stop for several days starting on Sunday. On a different note, there were thunderstorms on Thursday. 1/3 inch of rain fell in the Sugar Land area. Isolated storms will be possible through the weekend.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do weekend or fin de semana, pronounced FEEN DAY say-MAH-nah. Yay! It's the fin de semana.

During summer, the weekends and weekdays can run together when the kids are out of school. Keep their minds busy and entertained. Order your copy of our award winning Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1, from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com, www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, go to http://www.frankypaco.com

AND MORE

There are all kinds of pioneers including those in the field of weather. Today, the John C. Freeman Weather Museum hosted the first ever Weather Pioneers event. I was one of the participants along with Casey Curry of Channel 13 and Lance Wood of the National Weather Service in Houston. I pointed out that museum director, Jill Hasling, is a contemporary pioneer...one of a few women who is a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society and a Certified Consulting Meteorologist. Jill's father, Dr. John Freeman and his wife Marj Freeman, were also weather pioneers. They worked on the Eniac computer team with Johann Von Neumann, one of the computer's first inventors. The computer was developed to solve forecasting equations and Marj was one of the folks (and the only woman) who calculated the correct answer to compare against the results cranked out by the computer.

The public is invited to attend Weather Pioneer Day, a free, day-long celebration, which will include admission to the museum and kid-friendly activities the whole family can enjoy on Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attention will be focused on the work of the first weather pioneers in the region and the challenges they faced in recording their data. This exhibition is devoted to them and their life’s work. The John C. Freeman Weather Museum is located at 5104 Caroline in the Museum District.

Thursday night from 5 to 8 pm is free at the Children's Museum. Sarah and I headed down there last night and it was incredibly busy. But, we still had fun. I had to follow Sarah through the 3-D maze and I must say, it was kind of scary. I had to lug along my purse and I almost lost my sandals several times. I am a bit claustrophobic and not being able to see how to get out bothered me a bit. But there is nothing like trying to keep up with a fast child to take your mind off your own worries. I figured they could rescue us if we weren't out by closing at 8 pm. Guess it wasn't so weird when I kissed the exhibit next to the opening when we finally got out. That's what I did okay?!...just grateful to be alive and free!!! Ha!

Our poll on the challenges of handling children during the school year versus the summer is closed. 100% of respondents felt that it is more challenging to handle children during the summer. Thanks to all who responded.

Today I added Cecilia Sinclair to Facebook. If you check out my page, please be patient as I am building it slowly. I have 4 email accounts, 2 web sites, another Facebook site for Frank the Horse, Linked In, 1 list server, this blog and more to check and/or maintain. So, as I pondered this plethora of ways to network and communicate, I wondered how my full plate compared to that of everyone else. More than one answer is allowed. Thanks in advance for participating.

Finally, a reflection on Michael Jackson. I had a poster of him in my room when I was a little girl. I thought he and Donny Osmond were too cute and wanted to marry one of them. Of course, everyone loved the Jackson 5 and there was a cartoon about them that I watched. When I was in high school and college, he was doing some of his best work. Fame is a strange thing and it sometimes makes people turn out differently than they would have otherwise. I often wonder what he would have been like if not for all the fame and fortune. He was just one of us kids once. We will miss this musical/entertainment genius.

Have a fun and safe weekend everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Record for June Broken!!!/When the Heat Wave will Break!

HURRICANES AND WEATHER

Both Atlantic and Pacific tropics have quited.

Very hot across south central US with lots of 90s and 100s. 80s and 70s for the rest of the country and notice the 3 risk areas for severe weather. Ridge will ease west over the weekend and that should cut the extreme heat by a few degrees in Texas.

In the meantime, Houston hit 104 on Wed. This is the all time hottest ever for Houston in the month of June. Previous record was set on June 30th 1980-103 and there was also a 103 in 1918. Expect it to be 100+ again today. This morning's low was a steamy 84 and if it doesn't drop below that by midnight, that will be a record high minimum.

Here is the Heat Advisory issued by the National Weather Service!!!
...HEAT ADVISORY FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS...
.A HEAT ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR SOUTHEAST TEXAS AS THE HEAT INDEX HAS REACHED ABOVE 108 DEGREES YESTERDAY AND IS EXPECTED TO REACH ABOVE 108 AGAIN TODAY. THESE SAME CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED FRIDAY.
AUSTIN-BRAZORIA-BRAZOS-BURLESON-CHAMBERS-COLORADO-FORT BEND-GALVESTON-GRIMES-HARRIS-HOUSTON-JACKSON-LIBERTY-MADISON-MATAGORDA-MONTGOMERY-POLK-SAN JACINTO-TRINITY-WALKER-WALLER-WASHINGTON-WHARTON-INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALVIN...ANAHUAC...ANGLETON...BAY CITY...BELLVILLE...BRENHAM...BROOKSHIRE...BRYAN...CALDWELL...CLEVELAND...COLDSPRING...COLLEGE STATION...COLUMBUS...CONROE...CORRIGAN...CROCKETT...DAYTON...EAGLE LAKE...EDNA...EL CAMPO...FREEPORT...FRIENDSWOOD...GALVESTON...GROVETON...HEMPSTEAD...HOUSTON...HUMBLE...HUNTSVILLE...KATY...LAKE JACKSON...LAKE SOMERVILLE...LEAGUE CITY...LIBERTY...LIVINGSTON...MADISONVILLE...MISSOURI CITY...MONT BELVIEU...NAVASOTA...ONALASKA...PALACIOS...PASADENA...PEARLAND...PIERCE...PRAIRIE VIEW...RICHMOND...ROSENBERG...SEALY...SHEPHERD...SUGAR LAND...TEXAS CITY...THE WOODLANDS...TOMBALL...TRINITY...WEIMAR...WHARTON...WILLIS...WINNIE322 AM CDT THU JUN 25 2009
...HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT FRIDAY...
THE HEAT ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT FRIDAY.
A HEAT ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF A HEAT INDEX OF 108 OR ABOVE IS EXPECTED. THE HEAT INDEX MUST FALL...OR BE FORECAST TO FALL...BELOW 105 DEGREES BEFORE THE ADVISORY IS CANCELLED.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY

Let's do hot or caliente, pronounced cah-lee-EHN-tay. It sure is caliente today!!!

Keep the kids cool and indoors, educated and entertained with our award winning video Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1, order from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com

AND MORE
Want to get on the Internet no matter where you are but don't want to spend $60 per month on a wireless device? Make your PDA (smartphone a wireless device for only $30 per month). I just called Verizon and they talked me through it. It took some finagling (maybe because of Vista) but the bottom line is that it is working now!!! And my connection does not disconnect when someone calls me!

Have a safe day everyone!

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

It's All About the Heat!/T.S. Andres/Gulf low pressure

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring an area of low pressure (with less than 30% chance of developing) just off the coast off of northern Mexico. This could bring some much needed rain to the Rio Grande Valley.

In the Pacific, late Tuesday, Tropical Storm Andres had 70 mph winds...almost hurricane strength. It was making its closest pass by the west coast of Mexico and will soon be heading northwest and weakening as it encounters cooler waters.

The big story in the US is the heat wave. Many of the records that are falling are from 1980 when a $1 billion/1250+ fatality heat wave scorched the central US. As I look at the current pattern, it is similar to what happened in 1980...high pressure over the central US. There could be some severe storms on the northern edge of the high pressure on Tuesday. Most of the country will have highs in the 90s with the west coast, northwest, and northeast being the exceptions. Even the northern central states will have highs in the 80s. Western California, your cool days are numbered as the ridge will eventually slide westward an then you will get a nice warmup.

On Tuesday, Houston hit 101, breaking the old record of 99 set in 1990. The record for Wednesday is 99 and this should be broken as well. More record heat is possible through the week with some cooler temperatures (highs of 96 or so as the high pressure eases westward).

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do heat or calor, pronounced cah-LOR. Everyone is talking about the calor. To learn about heat indices, go to the AND MORE section.

It was 2 years ago today that we shot the party scene of our award winning video. It was a hot and steamy day. And, just when we wrapped shooting, a thunderstorm blew in and ripped up all of the set decorations. We finished just in the nick of time. To get your copy of Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1, order from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com

AND MORE
Heat Indices will be running high over the next several days. The Heat Index is how it feels when you factor in the humidity. To figure out the heat index for your day, go to:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ssd/html/heatwv.htm

Be safe and stay cool everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Tropical Storm Andres/Getting Hotter/Summer Really Begins

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Tropical Storm Andres formed today off the west coast of Mexico. See figures at right. According to The National Hurricane Center, the storm will strengthen to close to a hurricane on Tuesday. But it looks like a direct hit is unlikely before it turns left and heads out to sea and weakens.

22 tornado reports, mainly in Iowa today. The storms formed along the edge of the ridge that is scorching the south central US. The ridge will flatten some this week. All that means is that it will get hotter further north out west and out east. On Monday, look for some severe weather in the midwest. There will also be some thunderstorms over the Rockies and Florida. Highs will be in the 90s as far north as Minnesota. Highs will be in the 60s and 70s along the west coast, the northwest and the northeast.

Houston hit 98 this Sunday (the 10th day in a row of 97 or 98). Look for 100 as very possible mid-week. Models hint as a trough of low pressure that might bring some rain June 30th or July 1st. But the majority of the action looks to be well south of here. Houston is now almost 6 inches behind for the year on rainfall while Galveston is 8 inches behind.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY

Let's do father or papá, pronounced pah-PAH. This is the day we show our papá how much we love him.

Members of the family are very important to children. That's why we introduce those terms first in our award winning, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1, from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/

AND MORE

Summer is finally officially here! Ouch...for those of us turning into crispy critters, this is not the best news.

According to the US Naval Observatory, it began at 5:45 Universal Time (12:45 am central time). It is called the Winter Solstice. The earth's axis (from pole to pole) is tilted at 23.5 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the line connecting to the sun. In summer that 23.5 degree angle has the North Pole tilted toward the sun at an angle of 23.5 degrees. In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun makes its highest path across the sky and thus, this is considered the day of the year with the longest amount of daylight. Please note that the length of days just before and after this point are nearly equal. But technically, from this point on, the days will slowly start to get shorter. The speed with which the length of day decreases will increase as we get closer to the autumnal equinox (the start of fall).

For all of you weather lovers (not just meteorologists), you are invited to attend the next meeting (Thursday June 25th) of the Houston Chapter of the American Meteorological Society. Dinner will be held at the Amazon Grill on Kirby near Rice Village, starting at 6:00. After dinner, we will move to the Carriage House meeting room in the Clayton Library near the Museum District, where the meeting will start at 7:00 pm.

In closing, a reflection on Father's Day. My father is no longer alive. Alzheimer's took him more than 7 years ago. He accepted his long decline, saying it didn't hurt. I will always remember his brave example. He never complained, but he did acknowledge when he didn't like something. Like one time, I took his keys away when we needed to go to the grocery store. As we drove, he sat there quietly, pondering. When we stopped, he asked me, "Why wouldn't you let me drive?" I said "Because your memory isn't very good anymore...you might forget to follow a safety rule and someone could get hurt". He sat there for a few seconds and I didn't know if he was going to get angry or what. You see, he just loved to drive. He had a job which required him to drive and that was just great to him. Well, finally he said, "Well that just stinks, but okay." And that was that. He was big about driving safely and by the rules. So, he could accept that...thank goodness. I think one reason he didn't feel sorry for himself is that he didn't have any sense of entitlement at all. As a matter of fact, he accepted that sometimes bad things happen. He once told me, "Life's not fair". At the time, I didn't get it. I just thought whatever. Now I see so clearly why that simple sentence is such a gem. If you accept that life is not fair, you can get over stewing about every bad thing that happens and you can get on with being grateful for all the good things you do have. Thanks Dad. You were a quiet man but when you spoke, you had a lot of worthwhile things to say. I love you and I miss you.

Have a great week everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Drought Outlook/3 month Outlooks for Rain and Temperature

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
I have removed the graphics for eastern Pacific Tropical Depression One-E. As I write this blog, it is falling apart and the rain bands will drift into western Mexico early this weekend.

Meanwhile in the US, we will be dealing with what is known as an Omega Block starting late in the weekend and continuing for about 5 days. It is called an Omega Block because the atmospheric pattern resembles the Greek Letter Omega (inverted U). The way it is positioned, there are troughs over the western and eastern US and a ridge over the central US. Of course, this is bad news for drought plagued Texas.

For Saturday, the ridge is still centered over the southeast US. That means very hot weather for the southeast and Texas and parts of the southwest. It will be pleasantly cool for the western coast, northern states and northeast with highs in the 60s and 70. Look for some severe weather from Illinois to the mid-Atlantic states.

Houston's highs were 98 on Thursday and Friday. It will continue very hot and dry for the next week. Take Dad to the pool on Father's Day!

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do dry or seco, pronounced SAY-coh. It sure is seco out there...check out drought figures at right.

Well, one place to get wet is the pool. That is so welcome right now with the heat. But when the kids are indoors and looking for some way to amuse themselves, give them a gift that will entertain and educate. Order our award winning, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1, from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/

AND MORE
I have put up some new graphics at right...first is the U.S. Drought Monitor. Notice how much of south Texas is in extreme drought. In a previous post, I talked about how brutally dry it was around the coastal bend (when I went through there a month ago). It was like Grapes of Wrath drought. Well, it is still dry down there. And the next figure which is the Drought Outlook doesn't give much hope. Next are the 3 month outlooks for temperature and precipitation...indicating above or below normal tendencies.

Stay cool and get wet this weekend. Above all, be safe!

Happy Father's Day to all of our wonderful dads!

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Near record heat/Mandatory Trip Reduction/Heat Safety

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
There is a moderate risk for severe weather from Nebraska to West Virginia on Friday. See figure at right. The ridge of high pressure has shifted eastward and the means the southeast it now getting a taste of the 90s plus high humidity. It is still just as hot as ever in Texas and there are 100+ temperatures in the desert Southwest. Highs will be in the 60s and 70s along the west coast, northern states and the northeast. Enjoy!

Houston, you have been 97 or 98 for several days now...and only a few degrees shy of the record each day. Normal high for this time of year is 91. But it could be worse...hottest temperature ever recorded in Houston was 109 on Labor Day, September 4, 2000. I'll take that 97 or 98. No rain in site...some hint of the high pressure retrograding back to the west by the end of next week which means we might get some rain skirted around the east side. But don't hold your breath. For information on heat safety, see the AND MORE section.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do heat stroke or golpe de calor, pronounced GOAL-pay DAY CAH-lore. To find out the difference between golpe de calor and heat exhaustion, go to the AND MORE section.

When we shot Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1, we had beautiful green foliage everywhere (due to late spring/early summer rains). Much of it was shot in July 2 years ago. Here it is June 18th and everything is starting to dry up. To remember how beautiful it was, check out our web site or order your own copy of our award winning DVD Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1 from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/

AND MORE
Our poll about communication technology is closed. 87% said they have high speed Internet. 0% said they access Internet via modem. 62% said they have a wireless Internet device. 100% have cell phones. 12% had a pager. 75% have a landline phone. 12% have an extra cell phone. 75% have cable TV. 0% have a smart phone. More than one answer was allowed. Thanks to all who participated.

Our new poll is about the challenge of handling kids during summer or the school year. Which is harder? Only one answer is allowed. Thanks in advance for participating.

In my last post, I told you I would discuss something called the Employee Trip Reduction Program. That was a mandatory program in the Houston area that began in the early 90s after the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. One facet was that companies paid their employees a certain amount per month if they carpooled together enough days of the week. By the mid-90s, the program was changed to purely voluntary due to complaints from many sectors (private and business). There are still some locations in the U.S. with mandatory programs. The names vary--Trip Reduction Program, Commute Reduction Program etc. Some of the mandatory programs are in parts of Arizona, California, Washington state and Tennessee. For a complete list, check out the following link.

http://www.nctr.usf.edu/clearinghouse/tro/trolist.htm

About 175 people per year die directly due to heat. This is more people than are killed by any of the folllowing natural hazards: lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or earthquakes. The following information is from The National Weather Service and American Red Cross.

Heat Wave Safety Tips
Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
Dress for summer. Lightweight light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.
Put less fuel on your inner fires. Foods (like proteins) that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty. Persons who (1) have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, (2) are on fluid restrictive diets or (3) have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spending some time each day (during hot weather) in an air conditioned environment affords some protection.
Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult
Know These Heat Disorder Symptoms
SUNBURN: Redness and pain. In severe cases swelling of skin, blisters, fever, headaches. First Aid: Ointments for mild cases if blisters appear and do not break. If breaking occurs, apply dry sterile dressing. Serious, extensive cases should be seen by physician.
HEAT CRAMPS: Painful spasms usually in muscles of legs and abdomen possible. Heavy sweating. First Aid: Firm pressure on cramping muscles, or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use.
HEAT EXHAUSTION: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Pulse thready. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and vomiting. First Aid: Get victim out of sun. Lay down and loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air conditioned room. Sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.
HEAT STROKE (or sunstroke): High body temperature (106° F. or higher). Hot dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness. First Aid: HEAT STROKE IS A SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY. SUMMON EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OR GET THE VICTIM TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. DELAY CAN BE FATAL. Move the victim to a cooler environment Reduce body temperature with cold bath or sponging. Use extreme caution. Remove clothing, use fans and air conditioners. If temperature rises again, repeat process. Do not give fluids. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.

Stay cool everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Invest 92L/Getting Hotter?/Air Quality Report

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
The Atlantic is quiet, but I am watching the area of low pressure off the west Mexican coastline...see figure at right. According to The National Hurricane Center, this area has a high chance of becoming an organized tropical system in the next couple of days. Models show it curving toward Mexico (instead of away from it). And it is not unprecedented to have this systems move over Mexico and sometimes into the US.

A couple days ago I was excited about an upcoming shift in the jet stream...well I have to say, the shift looks to be less to our benefit. In fact, it looks like over the next few days, the ridge of high pressure is going to dig in harder into the southern plains. And, that means more hot and dry weather. Meanwhile, there have been lots of storms over the plains and into the TN Valley. On Wed., look for some severe weather from Nebraska to Ohio to South Carolina. There will also be some thunderstorms over the Rockies, northern plains and Florida. Hot and steamy across the south, especially the southern plains. Cool to the west, north and east over this inverted u (or v) over the south central part of the country.

Houston hit 98 on Monday, just one degree shy of the record. As I write this, the report is not yet in for Wednesday. It is going to continue hot and dry through the weekend. Stay cool everyone. Remember, that heat is one of the most deadly weather threats and it has a way of sneaking up on you. Later this week, I'll tell you of my own personal experience on my 38th birthday.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do regulation or regla, pronounced ray-glah. To learn about air quality and regla of air quality, check out the AND MORE section.

Speaking of complex, the mind of a child is an amazing thing...able to learn and sort through numerous languages starting at a very early age. Give the youngsters in your life the gift of language. Order our award winning DVD Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1 from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/

AND MORE
I am on the Specialized Operations Committee of the National Weather Association. My "specialized" part is air quality and I created and maintain an article on the web site about that very topic.

http://www.nwas.org/committees/smos/articles/AQ-June09.pdf

Recently, I made some changes. It is hard keeping up as the rules and regulations keep changing. It is a highly complex topic. When the Obama administration came into office in January, one of their first actions was to inact a 60 day hold on all environmental rule promulgating and implementation. They needed time to get up to speed on the all various complexities of this vast topic. I can tell you...it is a lot just to check out all of the air regulations.

I encourage you to visit the National Weather Association web site. This is a 3000+ group of people who work in the world of weather. The web site is a plethora of weather news and information.
http://www.nwas.org/

I hope to have some more topics like Employee Trip Reduction and more in the coming weeks.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman