Baltimore21201.Com - The Blog

'SNOW NOIR NYC' - January 25th 2013.

 

Our actual walk around New York in the light snow last Friday was a complete joy—we were headed to Williams Sonoma, Columbus Circle to purchase additional barware, Dorset triple-old-fashioneds. This was a quick experiment in creating tension by removing color, and adding shadow and dissonant notes. Watch full screen.

SAG - AFTRA members. Hurricane Help.

I wrote about the SAG Foundation's response to Hurricane Sandy and our members in need a few days ago. SAG and AFTRA have increased their effort and want to make all members of One Union know that help is available. Here's member, Ron Pearlman to explain. Please share this with your fellow union members.

 
Superstorm Sandy Emergency Assistance Fund

From SAG-AFTRA, ONE UNION:

Hellboy Ron Perlman films a PSA for the Superstorm Sandy Emergency Assistance Fund.

We are honored to share this video with you. As an actor whose family and friends have been touched by the devastation of Sandy, Ron jumped at the idea of recording this video.

As many of you are aware, SAG Foundation, SAG Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund and the AFTRA Foundation have come together to provide immediate financial support to active SAG-AFTRA members affected by this tragedy. We have made a significant contribution to this fund but of course, with additional donations we can have a much greater impact and reach many more people.

If you need help, ask. If you can help, give. We're all in this together.

Please pass this video along.

www.sagfoundation.org

And to my fellow union members, Remember Rule One.

Help is here. Ask. SAG Foundation Super- storm Sandy Emergency Assistance Fund.

SAG Foundation Superstorm Sandy Emergency Assistance Fund

If You Need Help, Ask.

Actors Ron Perlman and Jane Curtin join with Screen Actors Guild Foundation to Announce $200,000 Superstorm Sandy Emergency Assistance Fund We have partnered with the Screen Actors Guild Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund (SAG MPPWF) to create a Superstorm Sandy Emergency Assistance Fund specifically to provide financial support grants to active SAG-AFTRA members affected by the recent hurricane.   We have provided $100,000 that is being matched by an identical $100,000 from the SAG MPPWF for a total available assistance pool of $200,000. The Actors Fund is partnering with us and SAG MPPWF in this much-needed effort and will provide the social services and coordinate the grant reviews and approvals.   For a detailed description of this fund, go to www.sagfoundation.org.   “This was a devastating crisis and people throughout the area are having a very tough time,” said actor and SAG Foundation Board Member Ron Perlman.  “That’s why we’re here – to lend a helping hand to SAG-AFTRA members in their time of need. Actors, broadcasters, sound recording artists are all eligible to apply and I look forward to getting help to everyone in need.”   Members in need can apply by contacting The Actors Fund intake services at:  Eastern Region 212.221.7300 ext. 119 or intakeny@actorsfund.org   The SAG Foundation is accepting donations directed to the Superstorm Sandy Emergency Assistance Fund from individuals and corporate donors who may wish to help provide relief to hard-hit SAG-AFTRA members in the affected areas. Contributions may be made by clicking the DONATE NOW button at www.sagfoundation.org. If you need help, ask. If you can help, give. We’re all in this together.

Our mailing address is: SAG Foundation 5757 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 124 Los Angeles, CA 90036 Our telephone: (323) 549-6708 Copyright (C) 2011 SAG Foundation All rights reserved Forward this message to a friend

 

5-29 - Storm Clouds Moving in Over 21201

May 29th, 2012. Dark Clouds.

Batten down the hatches. We could have entertainment of a very different kind tonight.

Take due notice thereof and govern yourselves accordingly.

Snow Falling on Baltimore - the Movie

 

This little video is for Justin Berk - he's the weatherguy that we trust with the S-word.

Recorded at 16:49, 218 N Charles Street, February 4th, 2011.

Tell us that there will be more, Justin. Please. Tell us.

It's Cold Up There: Contrails Over Baltimore and a Beautiful Sunset 12-30-11

                    The Eve Before New Years Eve 2011

A view from my home office on North Charles Street. Baltimore's winter sunsets are vibrant; Baltimore's summer skies are the best for photographing puffy, white clouds.

Baltimore 21201. The Blog, The Swan Song

That's it for this blog. To quote my favorite broadcast journalist, Edward R Murrow, "Good night and good luck.

To my friends, Keep On Truckin'.

Good Bye, Irene. Welcome Back Sunsets!

A postcard from Baltimore 21201

                              Monday, August 29th 2011

It was a beautiful day today. It's going to be a beautiful day tomorrow. Enjoy!

Baltimore and Me and the Irene Affair - Update 8/27- 2245 EST

 [MOST CURRENT UPDATE APPEARS AT BOTTOM OF POST]

                    The Baby Irene 8/24 - Photo Courtesy NASA

When I lived in Naples, Florida I was an announcer at WNOG (Bright and chipper: "This is Stephen B. and you're tuned the 'Nogger. News and weather next, then Major League Baseball live from...") and WCVU-FM (Slow, deliberate, warm: "This is W-C-V-U, Sea-view, covering Naples, Ft. Meyers, and Marco Island. And, now the Wall Street Journal Report...")

I rode out several hurricane near-hits during my time there. The radio stations were owned by Palmer Broadcasting and were in a building that also housed the cable tv operations for much of the south Gulf Coast of Florida.

The building was as built to be as hurricane proof as was possible at the time. There were emergency generators worthy of a major city hospital. There were few windows and they were only 12 or 14 inches wide and 3 feet tall. No huge sheets of glass. It had a kitchen and a number of rooms that could be turned into dormitories. Twice in two years I went home after my shift, packed a suitcase, and moved into the station for the duration.

The building was about 2 blocks from the Gulf of Mexico; the transmitter towers were situated miles inland. The radio signals were also carried on the cable tv system. It was a pretty slick package. I was young and bunking with fellow workers was fun.

Now, living in Baltimore, with Hurricane Irene approaching things are a tad bit different. I live on the top floor of a high rise. We have windows that are 50x27 inches. We have 15 of them facing South, East, and, North. That's 1687.5 square-feet of glass in just a few rooms. The pantry, our safe room, and the liquor closet are, as always, are fully stocked.

Park Charles, We're on the top floor with lots and lots of windows

I'll keep you posted right here from our perch in the cat bird's seat.

And, I'll put all of the Baltimore 21201 Hurricane Irene updates in this post - check back as the weekend and the big woman approach..

UPDATE 8/25/11-1600 EST

AccuWeather: Irene - Worst Effects on Northeast in 50 Years Possible 

Weather Channel: Major Hurricane Irene poses an extraordinary threat and is one that no one has yet experienced from North Carolina to the mid-Atlantic to the Northeast to New England.

                                        The Weather Channel

BBJ: Governor O'Malley announces State of Emergency for Maryland

Mayor's office of Emergency Management: Hazard Overview: Hurricanes, Storms, And Flooding In Baltimore you may input your address to see if you are in a dangerous flood area

Stay tuned.

UPDATE 8/25/11-1700 EST

First of all--and this is important--I'm not a weatherman and I'm not giving advice or providing breaking news on this blog. I won't be updating on a regular basis. This ongoing post will document the hurricane as Jacob and I witness it. I will attempt to add links to other trusted sources. Please use local and national media for immediate updates, conditions and advisories. Be prepared and be safe.

NOAA, NHC 5PM tracking update - Hazardous conditions can occur outside of the cone

National Hurricane Center - Hurricane Basics and More (Best Info)

Los Angeles Times - Hurricane Irene: As many as 200,000 evacuate in North Carolina

Stay tuned for our Baltimore, Brockelman, Bouknight, and Irene Saga as it unfolds.

UPDATE 8/26/11-0700 EST

                   Threat Level Map Via Weather Channel

DelmarvaNow.Com - An insistent evacuation of Ocean City began at midnight

WBAL TV - InstaWeather Plus

BGE - Preparing for possible power outages

PEPCO - Urging customers to prepare

Baltimore Sun - Hurricane Planning: Remember the Pets

Jojo and Reagan - "Hurricane Tip #34: Red wine does not need refrigeration."

National Weather Service - Baltimore / Washington Statement

                                         Wind Impact Chart

Handy Hurricane Contacts for Baltimore 21201

Fresh & Green's Grocery Store
222 N Charles 410-454-0157

Peking House Chinese Delivery
11 E Baltimore 410-593-8183

Walgreen's Drug Store
19 E Fayette 410-625-1817

Rite Aid Drug Store
301 W Lexington 410-727-1108

Unban Cellars Liquor Store
222 N Charles 410-528-8088

BG&E
Report Power Outage
877-778-2222

Comcast
Cable and Internet
410-649-9000 and @comcastcares

UPDATE 8/26/11-1100 EST

                                 Interactive Map - Google

There's a terrific, interactive map of Hurricane Irene on Google. Give it a try, it's a good one and it gets updated often.

NJ.Com - Atlantic City casinos are closing for only third time in history

NBC New York - Hurricane Evacuations Begin in NY, NJ

Stay tuned.

UPDATE 8/26/11-1300 EST

                      National Hurricane Center 1200 Friday

                            NOAA Visible Image 1115 Friday

New Links:

Bolt Bus canceles all trips for Sunday

Maryland State Fair says "Business as Usual"

The White House - Survival Tips

Maryland Zoo - Closed on Sunday

Weather Channel - Hurricane Irene is set to become one of the more destructive hurricanes to hit the East Coast in at least several decades

AccuWeather - Irene: Worst Effects on Northeast in 50 Years Possible

WBAL TV - Cruise Ship Speeds to Port in Baltimore

Maryland Traffic Cameras - Live Baltimore

WJZ TV - Interactive Tropical Tracker

 
              A Message from Gov Martin O'Malley 

 
                 A Message from President Obama

Look at the size of Hurricane Irene. Irene, she's a big girl!

                                      NOAA-NASA IMAGING

Stay Tuned.

UPDATE 8/26/11-1700 EST

                               Image Courtesy NASA 8/26/11

New Links - New News

Baltimore Farmers' Market Downtown canceled for Sunday.

NYT - N.Y.C. to Shut All Mass Transit for Storm

Baltimore Sun - Interactive Map, Cone of Probability

BBJ - Baltimore opening parking garages, offering up sand bags for residents preparing for Irene 

Fresh & Green's Grocery Store on Charles Fully Stocked at 1900 EST 

Gov O'Malley - Check out this new crowd-sourcing tool we're using as another info source for Irene

@MikeMakes - Baltimore Flood Zones overlay on Baltimore Map

@OwlBar - Open rain or shine! Made it through 108 years of Earthquakes, Fires, Floods. Stands tall

Washington Post - JetBlue cancels 880 flights so far

NASA - Hurricane Irene, Extreme detail image

And a reminder, for all Hurricane Info for Annapolis, follow @eyeonannapolis on Twitter and Eye on Annapolis online.

Stay tuned.

UPDATE 8/27/11-0730 EST

               Hurricane Irene, Saturday 6300 EST

ODE TO A STORM, OLD IRENE

Old Irene, she ain't what she used to be,
Ain't what she used to be, Ain't what she used to be,
Old Irene, she ain't what she used to be,
Many short hours ago.

Downgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane overnight, the old girl still packs a kick or two.

             Bleak Skies, pre-Hurricane Irene, Saturday Morning

At the Inner Harbor, 0654 EST:

2011.08.27 1054 UTC
Temperature 79.0 F (26.1 C)
Dew Point 73.0 F (22.8 C)
Relative Humidity 82%
Pressure (altimeter) 29.81 in. Hg (1009 hPa)
ob KDMH 271054Z AUTO 26/23 A2981 RMK AO2 SLP095 T02610228 PWINO TSNO

A little sultry outside? Oh yeah. Stay tuned, I'll have much more later.

UPDATE 8/27/11-1130 EST

Fascinating video from NASA and the International Space Station.

 
                                NASA/ISS, 8/26/11

Video Details from NASA:

Cameras mounted on the International Space Station captured new views of Hurricane Irene at 4:27 p.m. EDT on August 26, 2011 as the storm bore down on the east coast of the United States.

Accompanied by narration from Expedition 28 Flight Engineer Mike Fossum of NASA, the video showed the massive system moving north at 14 miles an hour packing winds of 100 miles an hour some 300 miles south-southwest of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Irene is expected to track to the northeast along the mid-Atlantic states, the metropolitan New York-New Jersey region and New England this weekend before heading out over the north Atlantic.

NY Times - With Storm Near, 370,000 in City Get Evacuation Order

National Hurricane Center: 
AT 1100 AM EDT...1500 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRENE WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 35.2 NORTH...LONGITUDE 76.4 WEST. IRENE IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 15 MPH...24 KM/H...AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE CENTER OF IRENE WILL MOVE ACROSS NORTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA THIS AFTERNOON. THE HURRICANE IS FORECAST TO MOVE NEAR OR OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST TONIGHT AND MOVE OVER SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND ON SUNDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS REMAIN NEAR 85 MPH...140 KM/H...WITH HIGHER GUSTS.

IRENE IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE. SLIGHT WEAKENING IS FORECAST AS IRENE CROSSES EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA...BUT IRENE IS FORECAST TO REMAIN NEAR HURRICANE STRENGTH AS IT MOVES NEAR OR OVER THE MID-ATLANTIC STATE SAND APPROACHES NEW ENGLAND.

IRENE IS A LARGE TROPICAL CYCLONE. HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 90 MILES...150 KM...FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 260 MILES...415 KM. A WIND GUST TO 87 MPH WAS RECENTLY MEASURED AT CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA. NORFOLK NAVAL AIR STATION RECENTLY REPORTED A WIND GUST TO 63 MPH.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 952 MB...28.11 INCHES.

More to come later. Stay tuned.

UPDATE 8/27/11-1900 EST

                                  Hurricane Irene, 1800 EST

Back in the Saddle Again (and yet another reason Why I Hate Microsoft).

Around 11 AM I started to capture a time lapse video of the clouds preceding Hurricane Irene blowing into town. I'd planned for the video to cover the span from morning until well after dark.

Anticipating a long night, I crawled into bed about 3 PM to take a nap and what did I find on the screen of the laptop just now:

"Windows installed new updates - Windows restarted your computer..."

You can take it from there.

No great harm done, except for the Hurricane Irene lyrics that I'd written to the tune of Sinatra's "Summer Wind." The lyrics were on notepad for easy blog posting; they're gone.

Since the Irene Affair is developing more as a wind and rain event than a full-fledged hurricane, more than a full-fledged storm, I'll take a slightly different approach to this messy night. Catch you all in a few...

Stay tuned.

UPDATE 8/27/11-2045 EST

So far, and using Steve Kilar's word, it's a "moist" night and that's about all it is. In Baltimore, we haven't even had a decent gust of wind.

I'm entertaining myself with the Tweets of my social media friends. They are just the best. Here's a peek at the posts:

@JohnMilleker: Dear #HurricaneIrene, if you must damage ANYTHING in @OCMaryland, you can take Dippin' Dots. Love, me.

@RyanE1984: PLUS, if my usual blow out is ruined, there better be a damn good reason. This itty bitty rain is not a good excuse to ruin my hair. #oy

@JohnMilleker: Time for a inner perimeter/basement spot check, if I'm not back in ten minutes I probably stopped off at the beer fridge. #Irene

@thomasbeller: Was lovely wandering Broadway today. "It's like wartime," said play-write David Ives. "Everyone knows it's coming but it's not here yet."

@stevekilar: #MDHurricane Irene has breached the Hilton ocean city -- the carpet around my sliding glass balcony door is moist!

@TonyDeFranco: The weather conditions in Federal Hill are currently fratty.

@kellycollect: Rare and retired Precious Moments figurines bit.ly/9P0lkL

@make_lemons: Set your alarms RT @andersoncooper Planning to go live at 6am Sunday from NYC covering #Irene.

@CharmCityBarfly: Hi everyone. You LOSE power. Your mama is LOOSE. See the difference? For the love of God. Use the proper word.

@BriHoffman: im bored so far... #hurricane #Irene

@Seth_Fried: If your apartment is hit by a dolphin, DO NOT GO OUT TO SEE IF THE DOLPHIN IS OKAY. That's how the hurricane tricks you into coming outside.

@insidecharmcity: Jayne Miller of WBAL having a bunch of drunks photobombing her live shot from Fells Point #mdhurricane

I love you people. I love you all.

Stay tuned. We may get a breeze later. I'll report.

UPDATE 8/27/11-2245 EST

The empirical end to this long and uneventful post comes from my dear friend, Andrea Snyder. This performance says it all, and says it better than I ever could.

 
                           Good Night, Irene

Video description via YouTube:

Steve Dawson is here visiting me in Baltimore for some co-writing and music making. Brave enough to fly AT a hurricane instead of away from it, we had some fun with Irene. Enjoy!

That's all folks. G'night all. And, G'night Irene.

Moody, Dark Clouds Over Baltimore 21201

                         Baltimore Sunset, August 4th 2011

It was cloudy all day. Even though it wasn't on the weather radar, I expected approaching thunder, lightining, and rain.

However, a film noir end of the day works for me, also.

"Looks Like We Might Have Some Weather."

1:15 PM

                                  Radar via AccuWeather.com
                                            July 25, 2011 

1:45 PM

Lovin' Spoonful Knew About Baltimore's July Heat in 1966. And, Sang About It.

 

103-degrees at the Inner Harbor this afternoon. Baltimore and much of the country is under what I call The Deadly Dome of Doom. Not much relief from the hellish heat and humidity in sight.

                           Graphic Courtesy AccuWeather.Com

I've always found it interesting that Baltimore natives almost always want to punch me out when I say, "I love winters and heavy snow on the east coast. Baltimore never looks better than it does when covered with snow".

So, the low temperature downtown tonight will be about 80-degrees. In the dead of winter you can wear a coat, a scarf, and hats and earmuffs and gloves. Summertime, in Baltimore, you have percious few options in the process of attempting to cool down. Take a look at this scene, chill a bit, and then call me crazy.

Final thought. Not a lot of businesses close for Heat Days. Give me a Snow Day anytime.

Batten Down the Hatches!

                              Via AccuWeather 3PM, 7.8.11

Two songs  come immediately to mind: Soon It's Gonna Rain and Stormy Weather.

Quick Comment on Today's 21201 Weather

April 11, 2011:

 

Inner Harbor temperature from National Weather Service at 5PM is 87.1 

For a Clipper, Not a Bad Little Snow

The Clipper that moved over Baltimore today was beautiful and not a single flake stuck to the ground. That should play to both sides of the aisle.

 

Jim Cantore - Startled by Thundersnow!

Cantore is the best-of-the-best of the weather-guys. And, this is fun.

 
I've said it a hundred times, nothing makes people look so innocent and so excited as snow and fireworks. I'm surprised that so few people in Baltimore have experienced Thundersnow. Enjoy the night, everyone.

It's Gonna Be a Good One

Think it's going to snow? Check out the map from Wunder-ground at 3:15 PM, January 26th 2011.

We're getting the Irish Coffee fixin's ready. 

Baltimore 21201: Snowy and Windy

December 26th 2010. Snow is lighter than I expected. However, any snow makes a Christmas Holiday more magical.

Happy Holidays, everyone.

Weather Update from Baltimore Councilman Jim Kraft

Good afternoon:

As you all know, Baltimore will be experiencing heavy rains tonight. Please be cautious, be prepared to move your car if necessary, and keep on the lookout for water damage, especially in your basement. Avoid walking outside or driving unless it's absolutely necessary. In addition:

- Call 311 for city services or to report blocked roads or other storm-related damage to city streets, sidewalks, or buildings.
- Along many streets, water may pool near drains or at street corners. Help keep storm drains clear to avoid flooding.
- Monitor storm drain inlets and clear any blockages to prevent flooding in the streets.
- Move vehicles from flood prone areas.- High winds may cause downed power lines. If you see downed lines, call 911.

More information:

- Fells Point Residents and Businesses-Prepare for Possible Flooding

- During these heavy rains, Fells Point is at risk for flooding. In addition to other precautions, residents there should: 

- Move vehicles parked below Fleet Street between Central Ave and Chester Street. At 5pm, the City will begin relocation towing. 

- To find a safe spot for your car, take advantage of free resident parking at the Fleet and Eden Garage (501 S. Eden) and the Little Italy Garage (400 S. Central Ave.). Move cars out of these garages by 8am on Friday, Oct. 1.

- Watch for basement flooding.

Meeting Cancellations

The following meetings have been CANCELLED due to today's heavy rains:
- TransForm Baltimore Southeast Workgroup (meet as usual next week)
- Community Forum for Highlandtown, Patterson Park and Baltimore Highlands (to be rescheduled)
- O'Donnell Heights Redevelopment Steering Committee (to be rescheduled)

Just because your meeting isn't listed here doesn't mean it hasn't been impacted by the weather. If you are planning to attend an event tonight, call ahead to find out if it's still taking place, and avoid being out on the roads as much as possible.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.

Be safe and God bless,
Jim Kraft

Tropical Rainstorm Nicole Heads for Baltimore

Looking at this satellite map - 4PM Wednesday - from AccuWeather, I'd say we are going to have a significant rain event over the next day or so.

WJZ TV says 2 - 4 inches. At noon WBAL TV was forecasting generally heavy rain and intermittent torrential downpours for Thursday.

Take an umbrella.