STEAMBOAT SPRINGS For those plowing streets across Routt County, mornings like Tuesday start early.

The 5 inches of snow overnight prompted both the city of Steamboat Springs and the county to put their full snow-moving resources into action as early as 2 a.m.

Everything within the city limits, roughly 160 lane miles, is the responsibility of the city to plow. The rest, nearly 600 lane miles, is the responsibility of the county to clear.

David Van Winkle, street superintendent for the city, said he puts the plowing operation locally up against any other resort community.

Not to toot my own horn, but I think the community has a good thing going here, Van Winkle said. I think if you can get out of your driveway, you can pretty much get everywhere.

Troy Wertenberger, foreman for Routt County who is based in Hayden, said they just call out the plow trucks with sand for a dusting of light snow. If there is more snow, they activate the gravel crew, which consists of motor graders to plow the gravel roads in the county.

For his area, depending on the depth of the snow and wind, it takes about eight to 10 hours to complete a route. The paved roads are done by the plow trucks, which are not as effective at plowing the gravel roads.

Both the city and the county prioritize high traffic roads, as well as those used by Steamboat Springs Transit and school buses.

Steamboat keeps its snowplow drivers on call all season, not allowing them to leave town from Nov. 1 until April 1. There is always someone monitoring the weather to call plows in when it starts snowing, and shifts are staggered between 13 full-time employees and four seasonal hires.

The city has five motor graders with wings, allowing them to plow closer to the edge of the road. The fleet also includes two loaders, mainly used for parking lots, as well as five sand trucks to plow tighter areas and put down their traction product.

The advantage of the grader is that it can apply downward pressure to scrape the packed snow off the road, something the more nimble sand trucks cant do.

This cuts the pack off of the road and keeps it cut down to almost bare pavement all the time, said Van Winkle, who has been plowing for the city for 25 years. The sand trucks, the advantage to them is they can get around and plow more area, but they are just floating.

He said if the snow is not scraped off the road and is instead packed down as cars continue to drive on it, the product they apply to the road to improve traction is not as effective.

The wing on the grader an additional plow on the right side of the machine allows drivers to better reach the edges of the road and push back piles to allow space for new snow.

If the snow is allowed to build up too much on the sides of the road, then the new snow has no place to go.

The further we can get it back then the less that goes in the driveways, Van Winkle said. Once the snow storage gets filled up, it goes to the first hole available, whether that is a driveway or a fire hydrant.

Van Winkle also said it is safer to use the grader for this as opposed to the sand trucks.

If you are just trying to do it in a sand truck, you are running a very fine line of whether you are going in the ditch or not, he said. With a grader, we can cover a span nearly 20 feet or so.

The city tries to limit the amount of salt used on the road to keep runoff out of the Yampa River. Salt is used on corners or shaded areas, but it is not used as a control product. Instead, the city uses scoria, an igneous rock that has lots of cavities in it.

He said the rock is crushed down to about three-quarters of an inch, and because it is so porous, the rock floats on top of packed snow better than sand. While it does break down over time, it is crushed into sand, which also helps with traction.

Cars get a lot better traction with it, Van Winkle said. Weve had much better luck with it than with sand.

When the roads dry out, the city also deploys street sweepers to clean up any extra sand or salt to keep it out of the river.

After city crews are done plowing the roads, the same crew turns its attention to parking around Lincoln Avenue and other areas around town. Persistent storms like Steamboat has seen recently often lead to parking difficulties on the street.

The city hauls the snow to a storage lot near the Public Works building. Last year, the city brought more than 70,000 cubic yards to the lot. The pile of snow often does not melt fully by the time the next season has started.

When driving behind a plow, both Van Winkle and Wertenberger advise drivers not to try to pass it.

We can see them coming around, but they wont be able to see us because we got a lot of snow fog from the snow coming off the wings and front plows, so it is like driving through a cloud, Wertenberger said. Theyll have a hard time making sure it is safe to pass in a lot of cases.

When a plow is on the other side of the road, Wertenberger suggested people get as far over as possible, maybe even stopping to allow it to pass.

These are big pieces of equipment; they dont stop on a dime, Van Winkle said.

To reach Dylan Anderson, call 970-871-4247 or email danderson@SteamboatPilot.com.

Continued here:
How crews clear the snow that makes Steamboat so famous - Steamboat Pilot and Today

BILL BONVIEFor The Press

At a time when properties in Downbeach communities are more in demand than ever, finding a home in one of them that offers an abundance of space on both sides isnt always a can-do proposition that is, unless a buyer is willing and able to spend an extravagant sum of money to get that kind of privacy in a resort retreat.

Thats why the three-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath split-level now being listed for a mere $375,000 at 204 N. Melbourne Ave. in the Ventnor Gardens section of Ventnor City, just a three-block stroll from this trendy towns beach and boardwalk, might be the ideal acquisition for a couple or a small family that wants to either summer at the Shore or live there year-round without the feeling of being hemmed in.

Its a great beach house in a great neighborhood with good-size yards on both sidesthe kind of land that you simply cant get any more in a place like Ventnor, says the current owner, who spent a lot of her growing-up years in this house, which was owned at the time by her grandparents.

But all that surrounding green space, which gives this corner home a distinctly suburban feel, isnt the only thing about it that she says might appeal to anyone who likes relating to their neighbors without being on top of them. Theres also what she has always considered her favorite thing in the entire houseits broad, elevated, awning-shaded front porch with its decorative wrought-iron railing, where she, her family and friends spent many convivial hours during her childhood.

See the article here:
The Space Surrounding This House Makes It a Rare Real-Estate Find in a Place Like Ventnor - Press of Atlantic City

Its truly been a year like no other, yet people around the world have done so much good in 2020.

Scientists have not just been working on COVID vaccines, researchers have made major diabetes breakthroughs, discovered new cancer therapies, and launched critical green innovations to make the world a better place for us all.

And though this year has been difficult for our favorite restaurants and bars, and people losing jobsmillions of people have done whatever it takes to keep them afloat.

From all of us at GNN, thank you to our readers, for your hilarious and heartwarming comments, and for sharing our positive stories with your friends.

With everyone proclaiming, Good Riddance to 2020, we cant help but bask in the magnificent glow of kindness, resilience, and personal growth that has emerged

Watch this young-hearted senior as she sews homemade face masks for all her friends, family, and community memberswhile jamming out to The Beatles.

The Oscar award-winning actor hosted several virtual bingo games for the Round Rock Senior Living facilitywith his family cheering them on.

Dozens of Facebook groups for the Sisterhood of the Traveling Wine popped up across America so wine fairies can leave gifts for community members.

Sheltering in place, Jimmy Fallon produced a Tonight Show At Home Edition, and his Hashtags segment was hilarious #MyQuarantineInSixWords

The Fownes Hotel in Worcester housed 45 rough sleepers during the COVID-19 shutdownsand in return, the homeless repayed the kindness.

Although it took the little English family 6 hours and 40 sticks of jumbo chalk, their brick house became a source of cheer for the community.

When electrician John Kinney found Gloria Scott living in a house that was falling into disrepair, he rallied their MA. community to help.

A senior supermarket customer praised a teenage employee for being the light of day after she insisted on paying for his groceries.

The employees of the Colonial Steakhouse in Pine Bluff, Arkansas were over the moon with gratitude after a customer left them a particularly hefty gratuity.

Huntly, New Zealand restaurant customers jumped in to help when Thai Food Huntly lost most of its staff on a busy Friday night.

The IKEA Instagram page published 6 DIY illustrations on how to build the best blanket fortsfrom the Cve to the Wigwm.

JOANN Fabrics rallied behind Americas healthcare workers by donating fabric and materials to anyone who wants to sew maskswith curbside pickup option.

A moving company serving the U.S. and Canada has been donating its time and labor to help victims of domestic violence move safely and quickly.

The Newtons have created Britains best garden and grown a spring spectacular bursting with color in Walsall after spending lockdown tending their oasis.

Inspired by his grandmas love of gardening, Englands Tony Le-Britton has been growing rare house plants worth $15,000 per leaf.

Rather than learn to live with a smartphone, this engineer designed her own cell phone with a rotary dialand she is helping others to make their own.

Since bringing the nifty little Stick Library to his local park, more than 50 dogs have delighted in the stash of sticks.

Several social media pages asked their followers to combat quarantine boredom by recreating iconic paintings using just three objects from their house.

When Nandi Bushell challenges you to a drum-off by playing your Foo Fighters hit song Everlong, if youre Dave Grohl, you say yesand more.

The activities director for a London nursing home, Robert Speker, shot photos of seniors recreating classic album covers while in lockdown and donated calendar proceeds to an Alzeimers organization.

The company that has been selling $20 plastic bracelets made of ocean plastic is expanding operations and succeeding in a big way.

Carvey Ehren Maigue invention harvests UV rays and converts it into visible light to generate electricity.

The assembly phase of one of humanitys most-complex engineering projectsa giant nuclear fusion reactor called ITERlaunched in France.

Ocean Voyages Institute made history, removing 103 tons of fishing nets and consumer plastics in one trip to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Air Company is using their NASA award-winning carbon conversion technology to turn air pollution into eco-friendly rocket fuel.

Young Dutch scientist Boyan Slat is responsible for cleaning up the worlds oceansand he is now cleaning up rivers with his new invention: The Interceptor

It has been 35 years since the world passed legislation to protect the ozone layerand new research says it has been a thrilling success.

Not only is the process used by Caltrans more eco-friendly that traditional methods, the material lasts 3 times longer than normal asphalt.

Youve already heard about solar-paneled rooftops, but now, a company from Hungary is powering residential homes with solar driveways.

Dutch biodesigner Bob Hendrikx has designed a coffin made of mushrooma living cocoon that will turn a deceased body into super compost.

The University of York has increased the ability of solar panels to absorb light by a stunning 125 percent using a checkerboard design.

Katy Ayers has succeeded in growing her own canoe out of myceliumand the student believes its a perfect example of how mushrooms can save the world.

More than 80% of the municipal plastic recyclables of Halifax are being processed by a brilliant local company that turns it all into lumber.

Swedish startup Azelio is deploying solar systems that use recycled aluminum to store and generate power using thermal energywithout batteries.

Edmontons Dr. James Shapiro has cured diabetes in mice, raising hopes for a cure in humans with funding and more research.

Once the researchers determine the mechanism of the revolutionary new T-cell, they hope to trial the treatment by the end of the year.

On a meteorite, scientists believe they have discovered the first complete extraterrestrial protein that could define lifes origins on earth.

Solving Hawkings black hole information paradox, scientists end a 50-year contradicton of what happens to things that fall in a black hole.

After enduring three heartbreaking losses in the same year, this former airman quit his job so he could find happiness on the road with his pet ferret.

Jaguar, the tortoise named for his speed, loves to play soccer with the familys Dachshund, which is usually an unfair fight.

Bunny the dog may only be 11 months old, but he has already learned to communicate with his owners using a 45-button sound board.

An amateur Seattle bird watcher was stunned to discover that the neighborly crow family in his front yard had left him two mind-blowing gifts.

An Australian woman found that her Christmas tree had a new ornament after a live koala wandered inside and snuggled up the branches.

When a random basketball fan approached Shaquille ONeal to express his condolences, the NBA legend repaid the kindness by buying the guy a laptop.

Linda Herring has fostered more than 600 children of every age, gender, race, and medical category.

Rather than tear down the elaborate model train display in this New Jersey warehouse, a businessman paid a quarter-million to renovate it for the public.

Shetara Sims won $100, but even though she needed it, she donated it to a Kansas City officer, but the police department then raised $145,000 for her kindness.

Jeremy Cohen became internet-famous after he published a series of videos on how he won the heart of his neighborhood quarantine cutie.

Zach Regan and Matty Johnson were camping on Vancouver Island when they found a lost dog stuck in a sea cliff cave for months.

When African-American Shawn Dromgoole was afraid to walk in his gentrified community, he expressed his fear and 75 neighbors walked with himand started a movement around the country.

Heres to 2021, during which we wish for youand the worldall the good news possible.

Tell us Your Favorite 2020 Story in the Commentsand Dont Forget to Share!

Read the original post:
A Pandemic of Good News: The Top 50 Positive Stories of 2020 - Good News Network

There are few things more magical than waking up to newly fallen snow on a cold winters morning. But all that enchanting snow loses its appeal when it comes to actually dealing with it; namely, shoveling it off your driveway, sidewalks, and steps so you can safely drive in snow and get into and out of your own house. If you grew up in an area where it snowed frequently, you likely had to help shovel each time it snowed. But now, as adults, there are some easier options you can utilize that dont take as long and arent as physically taxing. So if you have to deal with heavy snow where you live, purchasing a snow blower will save you both time and energy (and make you the envy of your shoveling neighbors). But there are many different factors to consider in choosing a snow blower: how much snow does your area usually get? Do you need to clear a large or small amount of snow? What about gas-powered versus electric models? Taking all these factors into consideration, these are the five best snow blowers to buy for this and future winters!

Compactly designed with a stylish black and neon-green color scheme, the two-stage Ego snow blower is one of the best electric snow blowers available. And not just because its quiet and hassle-free, but also because its cordless, so theres no need to be dragging a cold-weather extension cord around the yard. Measuring 24 inches, the steel auger can funnel in huge amounts of snow, breaking up heavier bits and then ejecting the snow out of the chute to a distance of 50 feet. A dashboard allows you to change the auger speed, and a pair of ARC Lithium batteries bring long-lasting power. Other handy features include LED lights for late-night or early morning snow removal.

Designed to attach to the front of select John Deere tractors, this 44-inch, two-stage snowblower really packs a wallop thanks to the added power from the tractor. Even though its a two-stage, it can handle the type of heavy, wet, and deep snow thats usually best suited for three-stage blowers, and its designed to work on gravel and unpaved surfaces. With its powerful blower that pumps out huge volumes of snow at a consistent, high velocity, you can clear large tracts of land quickly and efficiently, making this model especially ideal for people who live on larger estates or out in the country.

Capable of clearing a 34-inch path and battling through snowdrifts up to 21 inches high on everything from pavement to gravel, there are few winter storms and snowy conditions the Massimo 375CC 2-Stage snow blower cant handle. With a two-stage motor and anti-clogging machinery that allows the impeller to work at high speed, the chute deposits your churned-up snow and ice up to 49 feet away, leaving you plenty of space to work. For ease and convenience, its also electric, requiring just the push of a button to get going. With easy operational levers, headlights, and tracks instead of wheels, this guy can more than get the job done.

Toros single-stage models are routinely considered among the best in class for single-stage snow blowers, and the SnowMaster 724 ZXR is no exception. With a simple, self-propelled design that allows you to control the speed and smoothly angle around your yard to achieve maximum snow removal, this model is ideal for suburban or neighborhood environments. Carving a 32-inch path, Toros signature 212cc OHV 4-cycle engine propels the snow out the chute at a distance of up to 40 feet.

If you live in an area that gets regularly pummeled with heavy winter storms, you need to break out the big guns. Hailed as one of the best three-stage snow blowers money can buy, the Cub Cadet 3X can clear a 26-inch-wide path through up to 23 inches of snow thanks to its massive auger, which gobbles up snow, breaks down frozen chunks and ice, then spits them out through an adjustable steel chute that can be swiveled to different directions or pitch heights. With tons of other great features like lights, power steering that helps you retain control even on slippery inclines, and an easy electric start, youll be done clearing that wall of snow in no time.

When choosing the best snow blower for your needs, its essential to keep these questions in mind: How much snow does your area usually get, and how high does it accumulate? What type of snow is most common; is it wet and light, wet and heavy, or some other combination? What surface will you be working on the most: ground, pavement, or gravel? Is the area flat or are there inclines and indentations? How far do you want the snow to be blown? And, finally, how big of a path do you want your snowblower to clear?

You want a snow blower that will fulfill the specific needs of your area as well as your personal preferences. For example, if you want to clear wider paths so you dont have to do as many back-and-forth rows, a two- or three-stage snow blower will get the job done more quickly than an electric or single-stage model. If you live out in the countryside, youd want a stronger model with more power that can handle dirt, gravel, and varied landscapes. However, if you live in a suburban area where the ground is pretty flat, a simple single-stage or electric snow blower should be sufficient.

Overall, the most important thing to keep in mind is that using a snow blower should make your life easier, especially on your body. Long hours shoveling heavy snow can really do a number on your back, so a snow blower should save you a ton of physical discomfort and pain, not to mention time and energy.

Below, well go more in-depth about the specifics of different kinds of snow blowers.

One of the biggest differences between various snow blowers will be what kind of motor it has, which influences its power and usability. At its most basic, snow blowers are divided into electric or gas-powered models. Electric snow blowers require less maintenance, take up less space, are handy for snow blowing in smaller areas, and in general, are easier to handle as you dont need to refill any oil or gas tanks. While in the past electric snow blowers were generally overlooked due to their low power and the need to keep them plugged in, nowadays more powerful and advanced models of electric and battery-powered options are becoming some of the best choices out there. For gas-powered motors, there are three different options: single-stage, two-stage, and three-stage. As the name implies, each models method of channeling and throwing snow has either one, two, or three steps. Single-stage have a single auger, which scoots along the ground scooping up snow and channeling it to the chute. Two-stage adds an impeller to the mix, which churns up the snow before sending it out the discharge chute. The three-stage takes it even further by adding an accelerator to the mix, which first breaks down heavy snow and ice before sending it through the impeller and then out the chute. For the biggest jobs, theres also track drive, which uses tracks instead of wheels for increased mobility and traction.

The exact clearing path of each snow blower can vary slightly from model to model, but in general, single-stage models clear paths about 18-22 inches wide. Two-stage can do wider swathes of 20-38 inches, and three-stage or track-drive bulldoze through those drifts to clear paths 24-32 inches wide. Electric models generally only clear about 12-18 inches.

Different kinds of snow blowers will work best on different kinds of surfaces. For paved areas like driveways, sidewalks, and roads, a standard electric or single-stage model will be enough to do the trick. But if youre going to be tackling areas with gravel or dirt, youll want a two- or three-stage option, so that the auger wont be scooting directly along the ground and picking up debris. Two- and three-stage models are also handy because they can work on both paved and unpaved surfaces.

Just as you would need to consider inclines or rises and falls in the landscape for lawnmowers, the same holds true for snow blowers. If your property is hilly or has lots of inclines, youll want to go for a higher-powered snow blower like a two- or three-stage. Partially this is so that youll have more power to go up and down hills while still clearing the snow in a uniform fashion, but also because, as the inclines and indentations can cause the bottom of your snow blower to come into contact with the ground, you want a snow blower with a slightly-elevated auger so that it doesnt pick up rocks and other debris along with the snow. Not only could this potentially injure someone as the debris is ejected, but it could also damage the machine.

Original post:
The 5 Best Snow Blowers To Buy in 2021 - The Manual

Press release from Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ):

Jan. 4, 2021

Since March, Girl Scouts has not been able to operate in the same manner it has been accustomed to for the past 100 years.

Since the journey began with Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low, Girl Scouts has been an organization dedicated to building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

Although the mission remains the same andbeing a G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) is still in their DNA, the delivery model has been forced to change in 2020. Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) has transitioned to a new way of Girl Scouting for tens of thousands of girls across seven counties of New Jersey.

What makes the Girl Scout Leadership Experience so unique is its ability to adapt to the needs of girls, and keep them motivated and engaged regardless of extenuating circumstanceslike when they need to stay at home for schooling and socializing. Over the past several months, as troops could no longer meet in person, leaders have found new ways to give their girls a quality Girl Scout experienceto continue to earn patches or badges and contribute to their communities.

To remain a robust, relevant, vital part of girls' lives, GSHNJ had to re-engineer its entire programming menu in response to COVID restrictions. In-person summer camp was canceled, but week-long virtual experiences imbued with the camp spirit so many girls look forward to each summer were offered alongside family pod overnight camping.

"Even as other extra-curricular activities are suspended during the COVID pandemic, GSHNJ has quickly and effectively found new ways to keep our membership engaged, and to fill the gap left by the suspension of after-school activities," said Jamie Kay Discher, Director of Girl Experience at GSHNJ. "We continue to deliver the best Girl Scout Leadership Experience through new virtual and remote program delivery models to give girls a fun and safe way to stay connected to their troops, friends, families, and communities."

For example, a program that traditionally would have been geared toward troops was instead adapted to encourage a girl's entire family to participate. The Family Ramblers Hiking Club uses technology to connect families and subject matter experts who share tips and best practices for hiking in NJ. As families hike, girls report their experiences and earn recognition. Over the summer, The Ramblers collectively logged over 650 miles through 243 outdoor adventures.

In some ways, engaging with new technology has given GSHNJ an opportunity to expose girls to experiences they might not otherwise have had. Online meeting platforms enable girls to meet and engage with influential, inspiring women role models without the limitations of travel. Since the start of the pandemic, GSHNJ has virtually connected members with leading women from around the world working in industries ranging from STEM to politics to environmental stewardship.

Another important aspect of Girl Scouting that has not changed is the commitment to community service. "At GSHNJ, service is the heart of our program," Discher explained. "This year, from April through September, girls earning their Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards met the challenges presented during the pandemic accomplishing more than 10,000 service hours and affecting real change within their communities."

Natasha Hemmings, the CEO of GSHNJ, has been an instrumental part of the transition. "Yes, this has been a very challenging year for Girl Scouts, but we are still offering quality, engaging programs to girls throughout our council footprint," she said. "We have just embraced a new type of delivery system, and are offering opportunities that are more family-based."

Hemmings noted there are some awesome perks that come with being CEO: one is the ability to create her own patch for the girls to earn. With some direction from her daughter, she created a patch that states, "Be the Change."

This year any currently registered Girl Scout can earn her patch by fulfilling certain criteria at home. "Handing out CEO patches is intended to encourage girls to share their ideas and feedback about their experiences; this temporary patch program reimagines the ways girls engage with me so we can still get to know each other," Hemmings explained.

"During this time of social distancing, as we continue to do our part to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 virus, we want girls to know that GSHNJ is offering the same quality programming, support, and experiences, and there are several options to join," she added.

"All girls are welcome!"

To register for the many programs GSHNJ has planned this winter, visit http://www.gshnj.org/events.

This press release was produced by Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ). The views expressed here are the author's own.

See original here:
Girl Scouts Heart Of New Jersey Continues To Be Pillar Of Support - Patch.com

Tylor Norwood directs Robins Wish, a documentary about Robin Williams final months. He talks to Keiran Southern about the films mission.

It is perhaps surprising that for a celebrity as beloved and well-known as Robin Williams, the truth surrounding his untimely death is itself not more widely known.

In the days after the 63-year-old actor and comedian took his own life in August 2014, reports focused on his historic battles with addiction and depression, while a media frenzy also speculated financial woes may have played a role.

The truth, however, was one of the brightest talents of his generation had been struggling with Lewy body dementia (LBD), which was only diagnosed after his death.

Williams harrowing final months suffering with deteriorating mental abilities, hallucinations and physical infirmity are told in the documentary Robins Wish, which features his wife, Susan Schneider, as she tries to raise awareness about the disease she described as the terrorist inside my husbands brain.

Directed by Tylor Norwood, it features interviews with not only Schneider, but Williams neighbours, friends and some of the celebrities the Oscar-winner worked with over a glittering career, and said setting the record straight became one of the films goals.

Early on, I didnt really understand the depth of what Lewy body dementia was, Norwood says.

But there was a beautiful love story here of people that went through something traumatic, and it was one of the biggest movie stars of all time. And theres value there.

But as we started adding people, and by the time we got Shawn Levy (the director of films such as Night At The Museum) and David E Kelley (the producer behind shows such as Big Little Lies and The Undoing), the pressure was really on the project to deliver a film that righted all the bad reporting that was done when he (Williams) passed.

Williams was a supremely talented performer; after impressing on the stand-up circuit with his frantic pace and improvisational brilliance, he found wider fame in the late 1970s playing an alien in the sitcom Mork & Mindy.

Hollywood came calling, with roles as the genie in Disneys 1992 animated classic Aladdin, a female housekeeper in 1993s Mrs Doubtfire and his Oscar-winning turn as a therapist in 1997s Good Will Hunting.

While Williams career features prominently in Robins Wish, the film is a highly personal depiction of the man behind the characters, with a strong focus on the illness that took his life.

Norwood, originally not sure if he wanted to make a science-heavy feature, was soon won over by Schneider, who married Williams in 2011.

She started telling me all these stories about this neurological disease that Id never heard of and this story Id never heard about Robin, the filmmaker says.

I said if youre willing to tell those stories about what you and he went through, thats a movie I would watch and would love to be a part of.

Like Williams and Schneider, Norwood lives in Marin County, just north of San Francisco.

He describes Williams death as a local trauma as well as one that shocked millions of fans around the world, and stressed how beloved he was in the community.

That was the thing that got me most excited about the project, because Id never seen a documentary about a global superstar where youre hearing from his neighbours.

When Schneider invited the filmmaker to the couples home, Norwood admits he expected a gated community and said: Im thinking theres going to be a mile-long driveway and a guard out front, and its going to be this compound.

Instead, Williams lived in a residential street, albeit in a luxury home with sweeping views of San Francisco Bay.

Hardly a two-up two-down, but not a Beverly Hills mega-mansion.

It was just one of the things that marked Williams as different from the average superstar, Norwood says.

It would have been difficult to dehumanise him, he adds. He was so intentional. You hear him saying in the movie, I wouldnt do well in LA, I wouldnt do well behind a big fence. These were choices he made so you have to ignore those choices to get to the bigger-than-life guy (he was on screen).

Neighbours appearing in Robins Wish told how Williams attended backyard barbecues and played with the local children while doing chalk drawings on the pavement.

You assume that people of that level of celebrity are very cloistered by necessity, Norwood says.

They cant allow themselves to be that way. And that was something I ended up seeing as courageous. The idea that Robin was so set on a certain type of life that he wanted to lead, he opened himself up to people who could have hurt him.

They could have talked about things theyd heard at a party, they could have been taking pictures of him, but the idea he opened himself up and this community of people really took care of him, it felt so much that he was just a guy in the neighbourhood.

I thought, if we missed that piece of the story, it would really not separate itself in the way it could from other movies.

Doctors feature prominently in Robins Wish, providing a grim assessment of the horrors Williams would have experienced with LBD.

A man known for an electric wit struggled to remember his lines, had trouble sleeping and suffered from a Parkinsons-like tremor.

Suicide, one of the doctors featured says, is a common outcome. As Williams grappled with an unknown enemy, his work suffered.

Shawn Levy directed him in 2014s Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb and tells how Williams became riddled by insecurity as he struggled to remember his lines.

Prolific TV producer David E Kelley worked with Williams on TV series The Crazy Ones and similarly reveals the star had at times not seemed his usual brilliant self.

His final hours are told through the heart-breaking testimony of those close to him.

Williams was spotted standing outside his home on the night before his death, looking distracted. He told his neighbour, Boss, I really need a hug, before breaking down in tears.

His final words to Schneider were: Goodnight, my love. He was found dead at their home the next day.

One of the final tributes in the movie comes from the 93-year-old comedian Mort Sahl, who said Williams understood the bigness of love.

That quality was key for Robins Wish to capture, according to Norwood.

I think that was very difficult to not lose in the making of this film. Yes, he was wildly funny and a genius and so quick and beautiful and kind, but theres this other side to him, that he was deeply human. Robins Wish is available now on digital and on demand.

Continued here:
He understood the bigness of love - The News International

Just like too much salt in your diet can be bad for your health, too much salt on our roads and sidewalks can be bad for the health of our rivers and streams.

Pennsylvania is among northern states in what is referred to as the Salt Belt, named for their use of salt on roadways to control snow and ice.

Last winter, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation treated snow and ice on roadways with nearly 486,000 tons of salt and 374,000 tons of small stones as anti-skid materials. Thousands more tons are added by local municipal road crews.

For storm events last winter, PennDOT also pretreated roads with more than 8.2 million gallons of salt brine. The water in the brine evaporates and the remaining salt helps prevent ice from forming a strong bond with the road surface. PennDOT has 63 facilities statewide for making its own brine.

This winter, road warriors have been busy treating about 120,000 miles of Keystone State highways and 32,000 state and local bridges.

Everyone is familiar with table salt or sodium chloride. This, along with chlorides containing magnesium, calcium, or potassium are typically used as deicers.

When these compounds do their job, they dissolve in the melted snow and ice where they either accumulate in nearby soils or find their way to the nearest waterbody.

The various compounds, but particularly the chloride, can be toxic to aquatic life in freshwater. In saltwater environments like the brackish Chesapeake Bay, animals arent likely to react as negatively to additional chloride as will critters in freshwater.

For critters and creeks, it can be a bad brew.

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that salt ions are changing the chemistry of freshwater streams across the nation, including in Pennsylvania. The study, which analyzed five decades of data from 232 U.S. Geological Survey river and stream monitoring sites, found that salt ions increased in 37 percent of the study sites.

Salty, alkaline soils and freshwater can cause big problems by corroding bridges and pipes, polluting drinking water supplies, leaching metals and nutrients, and even decreasing carbon sequestration.

Salt that stays on the land can be harmful to plants as evidenced by dead or dying, seemingly burned-out vegetation found along many roadways. This affects the ability of these plants to support valuable wildlife.

The cascade of negative impacts is ominously called the Freshwater Salinization Syndrome.

Around the home we can do our part to reduce winters salty soils and polluted runoff by not using salt on driveways, walkways and other slick surfaces.

Alternatives to chloride-based ice melts like calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) exist, but may come with their own negative environmental impacts.

Be aware that store-bought salt products may include additives or impurities that include trace metals that can also be toxic. Some salts may also contain an anti-caking device such as forms of cyanide, which is also toxic. So read the label. Know whats in those products.

Sand is a popular go-to alternative to salt for improving traction on slick surfaces. But it too can find its way into streams where it can smother habitat important to fish and other aquatic life.

Regardless of which type of snow or ice melt you choose, proper application is key to preventing damage to vegetation and polluting nearby waters. As with the use of fertilizers, using just enough ice melt to get the job done, at the right time and in the right locations, is the key.

Its treachery aside, some winter snowpack is essential to having ample water supplies in the spring. Snowmelt on forests, farms and fields tends to infiltrate into the groundwater. Along the way its filtered by the soil and cooled. During dry summer months, cool, clean groundwater feeds many Pennsylvania streams.

On the roads and at home in winter, we encourage the wise use of salt and other chemicals when Pennsylvania paving turns slick. For our human and water bodies, reducing the use of salt is the healthy choice.

Motorists can check conditions on state-owned roadways, including color-coded winter conditions, by visiting http://www.511PA.com.

Read more here:
Their view: Salts effects on waterways not very nice - Wilkes Barre Times-Leader

In addition to beauty trees bring many other benefits:

Their leaves filter the air by removing dust and other particulates. They absorb carbon dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide and give off oxygen. They clean the air we breathe. Tree roots capture rainwater and remove impurities, reducing creek and ocean pollution.

They reduce noise levels.

Their shade reduces the use of air-conditioning by as much as 25%.

They reduce soil erosion.

They increase real estate values.

Their shade prolongs the life of asphalt.

Workers with views of trees are generally more productive, less stressed and happier.

Post surgery patients with views of trees recover more quickly than those without.

People simply are nicer where there are trees; their presence reduces domestic violence.

I hope everyone will do everything they can to maintain and enhance our urban forest. We all will benefit.

Continue reading here:
Santa Barbara and Its Trees - Santa Barbara Edhat

Image : Pauline E / Geograph

Apples left on walls are not a sign of criminal activity, police have said.

Speaking at Barnstaple Town Council on Monday, December 14, Councillor Mel Lovering asked Inspector Andrew Wills about the issue following a strange email she had received from a resident.

She said: There seem to be codes being drawn on fences, garden gates, different areas of peoples houses, and some are insisting that apples are being left on a wall.

They say these codes are indicating to burglary gangs in North Devon whether somebody is in, our, whether there is a dog in the residency, whether it is a second home. Is this true, and is there anything that can be done about it?

Can we put out a message that if you find anything on your garden gate, can it be removed and let 101 know?

Inspector Wills responded saying that it was speculation, and no conclusion could be made.

If there was any information underlining that, such as those properties which were subsequently targeted, he said.

Apples left on a wall could be anything, and indeed is very different from a mark being left on a fence.

He said there was a danger of connecting a series of unconnected events.

That in themselves doesnt mean anything and are formulating a concern, he added.

Theres information going back years that say some travelling criminals will mark walls or come and do your block paving on your driveway and they will put a pattern on there that means youre a mug. Having some evidence is entirely different, and I am not aware of any evidence linking a series of crime to the property being marked.

If you do want to send that information, we can make sure we can record it as intelligence, and if we get any links with any trends like that emerging, we will be aware of it.

I wouldnt want to publicise that as an ongoing trend.

Shine a spotlight on Barnstaple, Devon, by becoming an Area Ambassador. Click here to learn more!

Go here to see the original:
No connection between apples on walls and crime say police - In Your Area

BRIDGEWATER, NJ Meet Smokey! She has been chosen as Bridgewater Patch's Pet Of The Week.

"Smokey is our special joy ball of fur that we officially adopted in May. We know she will bring much happiness to our home. She is absolutely adorable and a true gift. Our previous dog of 17 years died nearly a year ago and being more isolated has caused us to realize how much we needed another dog in our home.

Smokey was born in Kentucky and came up here through a rescue organization."

Jayne, Jeff, Kevin, and James Danco of Bridgewater

Do you think your pet should be Bridgewater's Pet of the Week?

Participating in the Pet of the Week happenings is simple: submit your nomination by emailing alexis.tarrazi@patch.com with the subject line "Bridgewater Pet Of The Week." Be sure to include a photograph or two of your pet, a paragraph about what makes him or her so great, the town you're from, and your name.

Then just keep an eye out for a photo of your pet on the Patch!

The photo can be of a present pet, or it can be a baby picture of the adult pet you're so proud of today. All photos must be the property of the submitter. By submitting a photo to Patch the submitter agrees to give permission for it to be published on Patch.

Additionally, selected winners each week will be given a free bag of Woof Gang dog or cat treats when they stop in Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming inside Bridgewater Towne Center at 732 US-202. And winners can also bring their pet into the store for a picture. Woof Gang Bakery will put them up on their social media page as well.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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Originally posted here:
Smokey Is Bridgewaters Pet Of The Week - Patch.com