Lightning Facts

As we enjoy  the summer season, here is some information about "Lightning" from the National Weather Service.   There are an average of 73 people killed per year by Lightning strikes… 

Lightning: What You Need to Know

• NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area!!
• If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.
• When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up.
• Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.

Indoor Lightning Safety

• Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.
• Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets.
• Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
• Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.

Last Resort Outdoor Risk Reduction Tips

If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:

• Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks
• Never lie flat on the ground
• Never shelter under an isolated tree
• Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter
• Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water
• Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.)                    

Lightning Safety Myths and Facts Myth: Lightning never strikes the same place twice. Fact: Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially if it’s a tall, pointy, isolated object. The Empire State Building is hit nearly 100 times a year. Myth: If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds overhead, you’re safe from lightning. Fact: Lightning often strikes more than three miles from the center of the thunderstorm, far outside the rain or thunderstorm cloud. “Bolts from the blue” can strike 10-15 miles from the thunderstorm. Myth: Rubber tires on a car protect you from lightning by insulating you from the ground. Fact: Most cars are safe from lightning, but it is the metal roof and metal sides that protect you, NOT the rubber tires. Remember, convertibles, motorcycles, bicycles, open-shelled outdoor recreational vehicles and cars with fiberglass shells offer no protection from lightning. When lightning strikes a vehicle, it goes through the metal frame into the ground. Don't lean on doors during a thunderstorm. Myth: A lightning victim is electrified. If you touch them, you’ll be electrocuted. Fact: The human body does not store electricity. It is perfectly safe to touch a lightning victim to give them first aid. This is the most chilling of lightning Myths. Imagine if someone died because people were afraid to give CPR! Myth: If outside in a thunderstorm, you should seek shelter under a tree to stay dry. Fact: Being underneath a tree is the second leading cause of lightning casualties. Better to get wet than fried! Myth: If you are in a house, you are 100% safe from lightning. Fact: A house is a safe place to be during a thunderstorm as long as you avoid anything that conducts electricity. This means staying off corded phones, electrical appliances, wires, TV cables, computers, plumbing, metal doors and windows. Windows are hazardous for two reasons: wind generated during a thunderstorm can blow objects into the window, breaking it and causing glass to shatter and second, in older homes, in rare instances, lightning can come in cracks in the sides of windows. Myth: If thunderstorms threaten while you are outside playing a game, it is okay to finish it before seeking shelter. Fact: Many lightning casualties occur because people do not seek shelter soon enough. No game is worth death or life-long injuries. Seek proper shelter immediately if you hear thunder. Adults are responsible for the safety of children. Myth: Structures with metal, or metal on the body (jewelry, cell phones,Mp3 players, watches, etc), attract lightning. Fact: Height, pointy shape, and isolation are the dominant factors controlling where a lightning bolt will strike. The presence of metal makes absolutely no difference on where lightning strikes. Mountains are made of stone but get struck by lightning many times a year. When lightning threatens, take proper protective action immediately by seeking a safe shelter – don’t waste time removing metal. While metal does not attract lightning, it does conduct it so stay away from metal fences, railing, bleachers, etc. Myth: If trapped outside and lightning is about to strike, I should lie flat on the ground. Fact: Lying flat increases your chance of being affected by potentially deadly ground current. If you are caught outside in a thunderstorm, you keep moving toward a safe shelter.

FJ&G Railcar

I wanted to share this amazing photograph of the Fonda Johnstown & Gloversville Railcar located in Trail Station Park in Gloversville, New York.
This photograph was taken by Bill Ackerbauer. Thanks Bill!

Hiking the Adirondacks

Yesterday while discussing the hike I went on with my girlfriend over the weekend at work someone asked me what a lean-to was. The Adirondacks are practically in our backyard and many have never gone hiking nor camping! The Adirondack mountains are over 6.1 million acres. There are a plethora of peaks to hike that all have stunning views at the top. If you are looking for recreation on a sunny day that has minimal costs associated with it, then this is your event!

Gloversville is located at the foot of a vast wildlife preserve with many mountains to explore. The Department of Conservation offers challenges for hikers that hike certain trails, such as the ones with fire towers atop, that result in achieving patches. It is important to note that not all of these peaks are long. There are two trail heads that lead to the top of Kane Mountain and the fire tower. The .5 mile hike climbs 600 ft. to the top of the mountain at 2200 ft. above sea level.

There are also many trails that are more suitable for those who do not want to climb a mountain. Willie Wildlife Marsh is an easy 1.5 mile loop, where there is a viewing platform, ten interpretive stops, and three boardwalks that traverse the marsh and open water.

The Northville-Placid Trail officially starts in Northville and ends in Lake Placid at a total of about 133 miles. Now that sounds daunting if you hike the entire trail at for an average of 19 days. However, you can always break the hikes up into smaller inspiring trips.
Over the weekend I hiked from Upper Benson to Silver Lake along the Northville-Placid Trail. It was about 8 miles in and we chose to sleep in a lean-to before heading back the following morning. At about 5.5 miles there is Rock lake which has a small clearing for camping right on the shore. The route has many rolling hills but is an around rather steady elevation hike.

Sometimes I find it nice to just put my electronics away for a weekend and get back to the simpler things in life. It provides time for reflection and truly reminds us of the things that are most important in our lives.

Article by B. Logan Barclay

History of NYS Minimum Wage Chart

There has been frequent discussion these past few weeks about the possible minimum wage increase in New York State. Lawmakers are debating over whether to increase the State minimum wage to Governor Cuomo's Proposed $8.75 or whether to wait for the Federal goverment increase to $9.00 as President Obama has mentioned. Upon following this topic I stumbled upon the below chart on the New York State Department of Labor website and thought I would share. The proposed Federal minimum wage increase is being being backed by the idea of keeping up with inflation, yet it still seems like quite a leap to increase by $1.75 all at once. It is obvious that the people who must live on such a wage are in need of a solution, but what sort of impacts will such a drastic increase have on our already sensitive economy? With the wage increase the cost of goods and services are sure to fluctuate as well. This is just some food for thought.

New York State's Minimum Wage is $7.25

Prior to 1962, state minimum wage rates varied from industry to industry.
October 15, 1962	Increased from $1.00 to $1.15
October 15, 1964	Increased from $1.15 to $1.25
January 1, 1967	Increased from $1.25 to $1.50
February 1, 1968	Increased from $1.50 to $1.60
July 1, 1970	Increased from $1.60 to $1.85
May 1, 1974	Increased from $1.85 to $2.00
January 1, 1975	Increased from $2.00 to $2.10
January 1, 1976	Increased from $2.10 to $2.30
October 6, 1978	Increased from $2.30 to $2.65
January 1, 1979	Increased from $2.65 to $2.90
January 1, 1980	Increased from $2.90 to $3.10
January 1, 1981	Increased from $3.10 to $3.35
April 1, 1990	Increased from $3.35 to $3.80
April 1, 1991	Increased from $3.80 to $4.25
March 31, 2000	Increased from $4.25 to $5.15
January 1, 2005	Increased from $5.15 to $6.00
January 1, 2006	Increased from $6.00 to $6.75
January 1, 2007	Increased from $6.75 to $7.15
July 24, 2009	Increased from $7.15 to $7.25

http://www.labor.ny.gov/stats/minimum_wage.asp

Article by Logan Barclay