About UI and the blackouts of Irene

From various sources -- hat tip to Derek Slap

On September 26th, members of the public will have the opportunity to appear before the [Readiness and Response] committees beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by union representatives and the electric utility companies. Members of the public will have an additional chance for comment before the hearing closes in the early afternoon.

Location of Hearing 

 Legislative Office Building - 300 Capitol Avenue in Hartford
- Room 2C

Use Facebook and Twitter to Share Your Opinion

Senate and House Democrats have set up Facebook and Twitter accounts at www.facebook.com/AfterIreneCT and twitter.com/AfterIreneCT to accept public comments and suggestions about their experiences with the storm and the state’s readiness for and response to it.

You can also watch the hearings live on CT-N, The Connecticut Network. CT-N will likely rebroadcast the hearings; check their schedule online.

FEMA assistance update

GOV. MALLOY: RESIDENTS SEEKING FEDERAL ASSISTANCE MUST REGISTER WITH FEMA

(HARTFORD, CT) - After receiving notification of the federal assistance available to cities and towns, businesses, individuals, and non-profits, Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that residents who suffered damage as a result of Hurricane Irene must register with FEMA, by phone or online to access that aid.

"This declaration will bring much-needed financial assistance to residents that were impacted by Hurricane Irene," said Governor Malloy.  "But it is critical to note that you must register with FEMA to begin the process of accessing possible federal assistance".

It is important to note that residents who have already provided damage information to their towns, FEMA, state officials or 2-1-1 must still register with FEMA at this juncture.

To register by phone, residents can call: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).  The TTY line for people with speech or hearing disabilities is 1-800-462-7585.  The line is open from 7 am to 10 pm, 7 days per week.

To register online, applications may be completed at www.disasterassistance.gov.

If residents have disaster assistance questions, they may call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

Love Thy Neighbor

What we need to do post-Hurricane, besides clean up. ie Use Your Noodle.

Help others The First Baptist Church in Milford has a Clothes Closet, open every Tuesday, for free clothing exchange. Bring your clean, in-Season, all ages clothing from 10 am to 2pm - 24 North Street. They will also accept some toys and games for kids, and occasionally cooking materials (pots & pans). The important thing is that these goods are offered for free.   Goodwill and Salvation Army sell what you donate.
Be Nicer   Ask about how others fared, rather than talk about yourself.  Show a little Tenderness.
Be Patient   Everyone is exhausted.
Look out for the Kids    Their patterns have been disrupted, and kids need a scheduled security. Ask the people who have been displaced if their kids need to come to your place to study.Look out for the Homeless   As always. Some may have had difficulty getting their medication, so be nice, be patient, be cautious but be as helpful as you can.

We all did good, thanks to the leadership of Governor Malloy and President Obama - who ere pro-active and reasonable prior to and during the Hurricane. If Mayor Bloomberg had not evacuated downtown Manhattan it would have been more difficult to persuade people to evacuate, so thanks to him too.

Lessons Learned

• Our local information systems failed. The "Reverse 911" phone calls are useless if the phones are out. We would have done better with someone on a horse with a megaphone.  Next time, perhaps.
• The Library and City buildings should have been open 24/7 for cellphone recharging.
• The schools should have been open for showers.
• We desperately need solar power.

Monday Sing-along, advance posting! Goodnight Irene

Well, Hurricane Irene has passed.  "Goodnight Irene, I'll see you in my dreams."

This is the way I learned the song in the early 60s, from Pete Seeger on Mt. Tamalpais in Northern California. He came to sing for us at a campground every year. One of the gentlest men in the world. It was a privilege to sit at his feet while he sang.

Just. Like. This.


Thank you, Mr. Seeger. (sorry, can't find that film he is showing at the end)

The original, Huddie Ledbetter - "Leadbelly":



Aw heck, while we're at it, the delicious voice of Mississippi John Hurt: