Monday, August 27, 2007
Finally, cleaned up: We're almost totally recovered from Thursday's storms that rocked the area, so let me try to explain how bad it was. I wish I had a camera with me during the hour and 10 minute drive from the Morton Grove Metra Station to my house, because mere description won't illustrate the magnitude of the damage. Driving up Harms Road and Wagner Road, the destruction was nothing I've seen in person before. I've seen as bad and worse on television, but that's what you see following a hurricane or tornado.
Power lines were down on every street. Mature trees were totally uprooted and blown over. Smashed cars and smashed houses will keep insurance companies busy. The intensity of the storm was one thing, but the area that saw this kind of intensity or worse was beyond anything I've ever seen either. From Kenosha, Wis. south to Kankakee, from DeKalb east to South Bend, this storm didn't seem to spare anyone.
Another thing was the length of time huge swaths of neighborhoods in Glenview and Wilmette were without power. I know of areas in East Wilmette that still have no electricity. Much of Glenview was out until late Saturday. So much for ComEd really giving preference to wealthy neighborhoods.
The other thing is how it could have been much worse. Friday morning, the forecast called for two-to-three inches of rain that evening. Obviously, it didn't happen, and it's awfully good it didn't, because there was no place for that water to go. Deep Tunnel was overwhelmed (as noted below). I was on Milwaukee Avenue at River Road in Mt. Prospect Friday afternoon and saw the river slowly lap onto the street as if it were the edge of the beach.
High school football games were canceled all over the area, from Mishawaka to Antioch to Holland, Mich. I covered the Niles West-Vernon Hills football game Friday, and amazingly, their grass field was dry and in wonderful shape. Kudos to them. (Also, I see that high school with FieldTurf and AstroTurf hosted a ton of other games.)
We really need a dry couple of weeks. If you remember the Flood of 1986 (in late September) or the Flood of 1987 (moved part of the Western Open from Butler National to Oak Park Municipal Golf Course), you know we don't want more rain.
Power lines were down on every street. Mature trees were totally uprooted and blown over. Smashed cars and smashed houses will keep insurance companies busy. The intensity of the storm was one thing, but the area that saw this kind of intensity or worse was beyond anything I've ever seen either. From Kenosha, Wis. south to Kankakee, from DeKalb east to South Bend, this storm didn't seem to spare anyone.
Another thing was the length of time huge swaths of neighborhoods in Glenview and Wilmette were without power. I know of areas in East Wilmette that still have no electricity. Much of Glenview was out until late Saturday. So much for ComEd really giving preference to wealthy neighborhoods.
The other thing is how it could have been much worse. Friday morning, the forecast called for two-to-three inches of rain that evening. Obviously, it didn't happen, and it's awfully good it didn't, because there was no place for that water to go. Deep Tunnel was overwhelmed (as noted below). I was on Milwaukee Avenue at River Road in Mt. Prospect Friday afternoon and saw the river slowly lap onto the street as if it were the edge of the beach.
High school football games were canceled all over the area, from Mishawaka to Antioch to Holland, Mich. I covered the Niles West-Vernon Hills football game Friday, and amazingly, their grass field was dry and in wonderful shape. Kudos to them. (Also, I see that high school with FieldTurf and AstroTurf hosted a ton of other games.)
We really need a dry couple of weeks. If you remember the Flood of 1986 (in late September) or the Flood of 1987 (moved part of the Western Open from Butler National to Oak Park Municipal Golf Course), you know we don't want more rain.
Labels: Chicago, NW Indiana, storms, weather
My apologies, Derrick.
I didn't explain well enough that the dot is simply an indicator of who is wearing the communicatiosn device.
I realize now I made it sound like the dot was the device.
My bad.
And TJ, nice post on the BP issue. Once again, more eloquent than I.
I didn't explain well enough that the dot is simply an indicator of who is wearing the communicatiosn device.
I realize now I made it sound like the dot was the device.
My bad.
And TJ, nice post on the BP issue. Once again, more eloquent than I.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
On BP and Lake Michigan: I would like to have more information before completely trashing BP.
Even more ironic is that Chicago built the I&M Canal in the early 1900s just in time before the State of Missouri got a restraining order to stop the work. That project directed pollution away from Lake Michigan and towards the Mississippi River. So yeah. Chicago has a history for sending its messes elsewhere (yay?).
As for Derrick's claim that a few jobs isn't worth it, the problem is that these jobs ARE worth it. These are technical, high-paying scientific jobs. These are durable, blue-collar jobs. These are jobs that provide opportunity. I suppose Whiting can build a big casino, Lakewalk with restaurant and Wal-Mart, but retail and hospitality jobs are the type of work everyone laments America is stuck with. We're not condemned to this fate, but we need to allow industry progress. This refinery is going to take Canadian shale and refine it into gasoline. Right now, few refineries can process this stuff. Alberta is the Middle East of this stuff, and the day this refiniery can process this shale en masse will be a day we can tell some of our old OPEC friends to suck it.
As it is, BP is agreeing not to dump into the Lake. There is a catch, and it answers Question No. 3.
Why is Chicago showboating beyond cheap political points? Simple. When BP and Amoco merged nearly 10 years ago, it meant the end of Amoco's Chicago headquarters. The American suits moved to Warrenville, but the action is really in London. Don't think for one second that Mayor Daley has gotten over that.
- What exactly would BP be allowed to dump in the Lake and how much?
- What exactly would other companies be allowed to dump into the Lake? Shouldn't the EPA shut down every company that discharges pollutants into the Lake?
- What feasible alternatives does BP have? Can they discharge waste in some other way?
According to the EPA, BP's 4,925 pounds of suspended solids allowed a day compares with 16,630 at International Steel Group's East Chicago plant and 121,861 at its Burns Harbor facility. Ispat Industries' East Chicago plant is allowed 130,453 pounds, about 27 times BP's limit. Chicago, of course, is on another planet, permitted 243,000 pounds, almost 50 times BP's. Maybe Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, who is threatening to sue BP, ought to sue himself. Except, I suppose that Chicago's discharges don't count because they aren't into the lake; they're just gifted to the Illinois river system.The Chicago River is cleaner than it has been in the history of Chicago, but so is the Lake. Still, crap gets dumped into the Lake routinely:
Chicago officials reported Friday that bacteria levels in untreated lake water haven't changed since the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District began to release runoff and sewage into the lake the night before.What?!? Why pollute the Lake just because we'd have some mild flooding around the Chicago and Des Plaines Rivers? Can't they do something else to prevent flooding? No? Too bad.
Even more ironic is that Chicago built the I&M Canal in the early 1900s just in time before the State of Missouri got a restraining order to stop the work. That project directed pollution away from Lake Michigan and towards the Mississippi River. So yeah. Chicago has a history for sending its messes elsewhere (yay?).
As for Derrick's claim that a few jobs isn't worth it, the problem is that these jobs ARE worth it. These are technical, high-paying scientific jobs. These are durable, blue-collar jobs. These are jobs that provide opportunity. I suppose Whiting can build a big casino, Lakewalk with restaurant and Wal-Mart, but retail and hospitality jobs are the type of work everyone laments America is stuck with. We're not condemned to this fate, but we need to allow industry progress. This refinery is going to take Canadian shale and refine it into gasoline. Right now, few refineries can process this stuff. Alberta is the Middle East of this stuff, and the day this refiniery can process this shale en masse will be a day we can tell some of our old OPEC friends to suck it.
As it is, BP is agreeing not to dump into the Lake. There is a catch, and it answers Question No. 3.
“We will not make use of the higher discharge limits in our new permit,” said BP America Chairman and President Bob Malone. “We’re not aware of any technology that will get us to those limits but we’ll work to develop a project that allows us to do so. If necessary changes to the project result in a material impact to project viability, we could be forced to cancel it.”There it is. Whiting's BP plant will remain, but this project might be canceled. That doesn't mean BP won't have a refinery to process shale. They could do it in Hamilton, Ont., and pump water into Lake Ontario. Or they could build this thing in Houston and pump it into the Gulf, or they could build it in Indianapolis and dump waste into the White River, or they could go into Winnipeg and dump waste into Lake Manitoba. Then, you'll have an obsolete refiniery in Whiting which will shift down in production over the next 20 years. If you understand the economic impact BP has had and will continue to have in the Region, you'll know that the refiniery has added to the quality of life of hundreds of thousands of people in the area.
Why is Chicago showboating beyond cheap political points? Simple. When BP and Amoco merged nearly 10 years ago, it meant the end of Amoco's Chicago headquarters. The American suits moved to Warrenville, but the action is really in London. Don't think for one second that Mayor Daley has gotten over that.
Labels: BP, Chicago, economics, Indiana, The Lake
Mystery explained: The dot is not a mechanical thing, Derrick. It's supposed to identitfy to the officials who has the communication link. Here's a better explanation:
The reason it's necessary is because NFL rules state that only one offensive player can be on the field with radio contact to the sideline. There are a few teams who have other players with radio helmets like a slash role player like a receiver/QB. The Jets' Brady Smith is a good example. If the Jets have Chad Pennington at QB and Smith is in at WR, Smith must wear a second helmet that does not have the radio communication with the coordinator. This is an easier way for refs to identify if there's more than one radio helmet on the field.
NFL Experiment Part II: If it's a direct link to the offensive coordinator, what does the dot have to do with it? How does that dot get to the QB's earpiece? I guess I don't understand how that factors into the communications equation.
The green dot is the in-helmet communication link between the QB and the offensive coordinator.
I heard it was brought about because the Seahawks also used backup QB Seneca Wallace as a wideout on ocassion and when they did, both he and Hasselback had in-helmet communications on the field at the same time.
Only one player is allowed to have the earpiece on the field at a time.
I heard it was brought about because the Seahawks also used backup QB Seneca Wallace as a wideout on ocassion and when they did, both he and Hasselback had in-helmet communications on the field at the same time.
Only one player is allowed to have the earpiece on the field at a time.
A new NFL experiment: Maybe I just missed the explanation on this...What is with the green dot on the back of the NFL quarterback's helmet? It is easy to spot if you watch the TV coverage. In most cases it is just above the bottom of the rear of the QB's helmet. All QBs seem to have them, even the back-ups and third stringers, and I haven't seen any other position players (running backs, receivers) with them. My guess is the dot is supposed to show up on video for some reason. But I have yet to see a broadcast where they have explained it. Can anyone help me with this?
This also was posted on my blog...
This also was posted on my blog...
Saturday, August 25, 2007
More on lake water: I have to plead some ignorance on the lake water issue. I don't totally understand the issue. But I do understand job creation and I don't think allowing BP to dump more stuff in the lake to create more jobs is necessarily the best course of action. Yeah, we lost some high-paying positions, but I would prefer to have some clean water to drink in the next 10 to 20 years. What I wonder is whether this will be a reason to ratchet up gas prices again?
This move by IDEM and the federal government will not put BP out of business. And it will not force the closure of the Whiting refinery--there still are billions to be made making gasoline at the existing capacity. What it will do is force the company to look at its processes and find a better, preferably environmentally-friendly, way to discharge into the lake. Sometimes, the government has to say 'No' whether we want to or not. It can open a route to progress.
This move by IDEM and the federal government will not put BP out of business. And it will not force the closure of the Whiting refinery--there still are billions to be made making gasoline at the existing capacity. What it will do is force the company to look at its processes and find a better, preferably environmentally-friendly, way to discharge into the lake. Sometimes, the government has to say 'No' whether we want to or not. It can open a route to progress.
Mention Lake Michigan right now, and the first thing that comes to my mind is pollution.
Not, however, the recently scuttled controversial plan to release more relatively harmless toxins into the water by British Petroleum's Whiting, Indiana, plant, but the ridiculous and, yes, hypocritical, decounciation of it by the Chicago-area's illustrious legislators, Democrats Dick Durbin, Rahm Emanuel, and Richard Daley.
I was close to the fray on this both as a Region journalist and as the brother-in-law of a BP employee. It gauls me to watch three men who, for all intents and purposes, have allowed my favorite city in the world — Chicago — to make the Chicago River too toxic to swim in, and have started Lake Michigan on its way to a similar fate.
The amount of IDEM and EPA approved toxins BP wanted to put into the lake is infantessimal compared to the crud the city of Chicago has poured into the big lake over the years is, in my opinion.
Such vocal opposition to the BP plan, though, has nothing to do with pollution, unless you consider it a ploy to attract an even greater number of enviro-crazy voters to the camps of the three-headed monster. What it really is about is playing to the lowest common denominator — a tactic politicos with the same bent as Durbin, Emanuel and Daley are quite good at.
Any time a Democrat has the opportunity to slam the greates monster in the world — "big business" — it plays well with voters. Stick it to the big, rich fat cats, and win one for the "little guy."
Unfortunately, what the "little guy" who opposed the BP plan and supported the three politicians doesn't realize is, because of his three legislator-heroes, thousands of "little guys" just like himself just lost out on thousands of high-paying jobs that would have been created thanks to BP.
And by the way, that same "little guy" will still be swimming in a polluted lake. Especially as he gets closer to Chicago.
Not, however, the recently scuttled controversial plan to release more relatively harmless toxins into the water by British Petroleum's Whiting, Indiana, plant, but the ridiculous and, yes, hypocritical, decounciation of it by the Chicago-area's illustrious legislators, Democrats Dick Durbin, Rahm Emanuel, and Richard Daley.
I was close to the fray on this both as a Region journalist and as the brother-in-law of a BP employee. It gauls me to watch three men who, for all intents and purposes, have allowed my favorite city in the world — Chicago — to make the Chicago River too toxic to swim in, and have started Lake Michigan on its way to a similar fate.
The amount of IDEM and EPA approved toxins BP wanted to put into the lake is infantessimal compared to the crud the city of Chicago has poured into the big lake over the years is, in my opinion.
Such vocal opposition to the BP plan, though, has nothing to do with pollution, unless you consider it a ploy to attract an even greater number of enviro-crazy voters to the camps of the three-headed monster. What it really is about is playing to the lowest common denominator — a tactic politicos with the same bent as Durbin, Emanuel and Daley are quite good at.
Any time a Democrat has the opportunity to slam the greates monster in the world — "big business" — it plays well with voters. Stick it to the big, rich fat cats, and win one for the "little guy."
Unfortunately, what the "little guy" who opposed the BP plan and supported the three politicians doesn't realize is, because of his three legislator-heroes, thousands of "little guys" just like himself just lost out on thousands of high-paying jobs that would have been created thanks to BP.
And by the way, that same "little guy" will still be swimming in a polluted lake. Especially as he gets closer to Chicago.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The Midwest's Best Resource: I'm fiercely proud of the Midwest, and of the crown jewel, our Great Lakes. I'm hardly a eco-militant, and I tend to be skeptical of doomsday predictions about the environment. However, I thought I'd relate a conversation I had a week ago.
We were in Grand Beach talking about how magnificent Lake Michigan is. I never get tired of staring at it, while driving on Lake Shore Drive, sitting at Gillson Park, entertaining guests at my sister's pre-wedding party on Oak Street, or sitting at the beach in Grand Beach. It's our jewel.
Anyway, the subject had switched to Las Vegas, and how their unmitigated growth could soon cause water shortages out there. Lake Mead is ridiculously low, and the Colorado River can only provide so much to Arizona, Nevada, California, and Mexico. Where will the Western states look for fresh water.
"As the problem gets bigger and bigger, Lake Superior will have a bigger and bigger bullseye on it," Derrick's friend Dan Stockman said.
Author Peter Annin suggests that Great Lakes water will be one of the most sought after resources worldwide in the next decade. His book, The Great Lakes Water Wars, came out last year, and will make it onto my reading list.
Water diversion has been a big issue, as the Great Lakes Compact between the governors of the eight U.S. states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York) and Ontario was a reaction to a plan to ship 168 million gallons of water to Asia. Now, it's illegal to divert any water out of the Great Lakes water basin. However...
... There are rumblings this violates the interstate commerce clause of the Constitution. It probably does, so I'd suggest these eight states push for a treaty between the U.S. and Canada regarding the diversion of water.
Why should this be a big issue? Annin cites the work the Soviets did on the Aral Sea, which has been nearly sucked dry over the past 50 years. That's all it took.
Now last week came news that Las Vegas is running through its water supply. Where are they going to look? The Detroit News suggests where it might already be looking.
For all you that fled our cold, snowy winters? Good riddance. We hope you enjoy not having to shovel your snow. We'll even take your ribbing at us in the winter ("Is it cold there?" "Oh, 15 degrees." "Ah, it was 68 here. I went golfing this morning."). But leave our water alone.
We were in Grand Beach talking about how magnificent Lake Michigan is. I never get tired of staring at it, while driving on Lake Shore Drive, sitting at Gillson Park, entertaining guests at my sister's pre-wedding party on Oak Street, or sitting at the beach in Grand Beach. It's our jewel.
Anyway, the subject had switched to Las Vegas, and how their unmitigated growth could soon cause water shortages out there. Lake Mead is ridiculously low, and the Colorado River can only provide so much to Arizona, Nevada, California, and Mexico. Where will the Western states look for fresh water.
"As the problem gets bigger and bigger, Lake Superior will have a bigger and bigger bullseye on it," Derrick's friend Dan Stockman said.
Author Peter Annin suggests that Great Lakes water will be one of the most sought after resources worldwide in the next decade. His book, The Great Lakes Water Wars, came out last year, and will make it onto my reading list.
Water diversion has been a big issue, as the Great Lakes Compact between the governors of the eight U.S. states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York) and Ontario was a reaction to a plan to ship 168 million gallons of water to Asia. Now, it's illegal to divert any water out of the Great Lakes water basin. However...
... There are rumblings this violates the interstate commerce clause of the Constitution. It probably does, so I'd suggest these eight states push for a treaty between the U.S. and Canada regarding the diversion of water.
Why should this be a big issue? Annin cites the work the Soviets did on the Aral Sea, which has been nearly sucked dry over the past 50 years. That's all it took.
Now last week came news that Las Vegas is running through its water supply. Where are they going to look? The Detroit News suggests where it might already be looking.
For all you that fled our cold, snowy winters? Good riddance. We hope you enjoy not having to shovel your snow. We'll even take your ribbing at us in the winter ("Is it cold there?" "Oh, 15 degrees." "Ah, it was 68 here. I went golfing this morning."). But leave our water alone.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Big Ten-sion builds: The news, or lack thereof, regarding Comcast putting the Big Ten Network on its cable systems forced my hand. Yesterday, I called DirecTV and signed up for service. It's something I've wanted to do for awhile, but my wife has kept me at bay. I suppose she's frightened that with 185 channels, I'll never see her. (I will prove her wrong.)
I got a little anxious that I would miss Big Ten football and basketball this season, and while a deal might be made, Comcast took forever to add the NFL Network a couple of years ago -- and even that was only available to digital subscribers. Digital cable would have cost me $25 more a month. So screw 'em.
My feeling is the Big Ten Network will impact Comcast more than any other station. They'll probably cave before Labor Day, but not before they lost me as a customer. How many others?
Labels: Big Ten, cable, sports, television
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
What a great idea I thought the new blog was when TJ had the idea years ago.
But like most everything with me, Lakeaffected got shoveled to the bottom of my life's closet as I got busy with other things and just plum forgot.
I'm excited to see TJ resurrected it and I promise to make a habit — probably, at times, annoyingly — of posting as often as possible.
God knows I have plenty to say.
But like most everything with me, Lakeaffected got shoveled to the bottom of my life's closet as I got busy with other things and just plum forgot.
I'm excited to see TJ resurrected it and I promise to make a habit — probably, at times, annoyingly — of posting as often as possible.
God knows I have plenty to say.
What a Grand (Beach) Setting: Just returned this weekend from a quick weekend in Grand Beach, Michigan for Derrick Gingery's bachelor party. Because Derrick wanted to be near Blue Chip Casino, we looked into staying at the hotel. They wanted $180/night per room plus tax. I instead went the cottage route. We'd have a central location, a larger "living area" and have more options in terms of cooking out, drinking, etc., etc.And we wouldn't have to camp out at the casino! It worked out beautifully. First, let me plug Vacation Home Finders, the company through whom I booked this weekend. (I also looked at VRBO -- vacation rentals by owner) We had the Grand Beach Cottage, and it was magnificent. Short walk to the beach. Beautiful wooded lot. Perfect weather.
Often, I forget about what a resource the Lake is. It's sort of ironic for a guy who has owned (although rarely, it seems, posts) at a blog called Lake Affected. But we take so much that is practical about the lake (its moderating effect on temperatures, its drinking water, etc.) for granted. Sometimes we get so busy with life (at least I do), that we forget how magnificent the lakefront is. I've been blessed to have lived all of my life (save my college years) within 15 miles of Lake Michigan.
Labels: Michigan, The Lake, Travel
We're back? While we've been busy working on our own solo projects (and contributing to other blogs), we figure that we have a blog; might as well use it. So after sitting dormant for two years, we're back!
