There's Got To Be A Morning After

David, our host, on left

Last night my neighbor David (pictured in the small inset at left)
decided that we needed to have a Hurricane Party to celebrate the storm that wasn't much for Longboat Key.

Tropical Storm Isaac (downgraded to T.S. Isaac from Hurricane Isaac) gave me an excuse to take the three cans of Lite beer, instead of something more powerful.  Truth be told, I left them in David's refrigerator as I stuck to wine to go with the many snacks pictured below.  This was our first time to meet new neighbor Sy and Robin who moved in just two weeks ago  experiencing their first storm.  Not a lot of storm, but a whole lot of fun.  And on Monday, the sun came out and life went on.

Me, Robin, Russ, Sy, Jo, Birgit and Ron (from left to right)

Ripley "hunkers down" before T.S. Isaak

Our hero, Ripley Wild (did I mention you can visit him on FaceBook?) has been practicing the art of "hunkering down" for the oncoming Tropical Storm Isaac.  He only understands that tropical storms bring lots of rain, and he's not a big fan of going outside to do his business in the rain.

Meanwhile, the map at the right shows the Cone of Uncertainty and compared to two prior blog entries (this is our broadcast weather report, via blog) has moved dramatically to the west, and continues the established NNW track.  This is exactly 24 hours from the prior blog entry map, and 96 hours since I began this narrative.  I am prepared, having taken down our patio furniture and umbrellas, and also helping two subdivision trustees in securing the pool furniture.  In two-and-a-half hours (1800 hrs) the neighborhood "hurricane party' begins - and I'm prepared for that as well.  Ripley is ready, I am ready, and my wife is in Missouri - c'mon Isaac, hit me with your best shot......with a wimpy hame like that, I bet T.S. Debby last month could land a harder punch.

48 hours later - Isaac turning away

As you can see by comparing this "cone of uncertainty" from my post just two days ago, Isaac is meandering west ("go West, young storm") and now projected to find landfall between Pensacola and New Orleans.

It had left Haiti and was headed to the somewhat lower mountain ranges in the SE provinces of Cuba.  It is still considered a Tropical Storm, however Key West is now under a Hurricane Emergency Warning which our Governor declared in order to tap federal relief funds.
Taller mountains and land mass help defeat formation of a TS into a true hurricane.  That requires wind speeds in excess of 74 miles per hour sustained.

Some of the more dramatic media outlets are allowing as how it 'could' reach Category One status after passing over Monroe County (the Florida Keys south of Miami).  Winds at 60 MPH, pressure at 1,000 millibars.  Millibar (not MiniBar as found in expensive hotels and cruise ships) readings drop as pressure rises, so a falling barometer reflects an increase in wind and rain.  The Weather Channel now expects Isaac to be a weak Category 1 hurricane, with a track well out to sea.  Sunday night into Monday and Tuesday expected to be the heaviest rain and flooding in Tampa.  Ought to keep those "Occupy" weenies and anarchists off the streets - see, a silver lining.

And, so it begins - hurricane season

This is today's chart for Hurricane Isaac, except for one small matter - Isaac (the 9th storm of the season) has yet to even graduate to earn the sobriquet "hurricane Isaac".  Until he hits sustained winds of 74 MPH, he's still technically a tropical storm.

Debby came through here a few weeks back, as a weak tropical storm.  Winds up to half a Cat 1 storm she did indeed move a lot of beach sand, and flooded some streets, and even caused some 1988 canvas awnings in our subdivision to tear, but we survived.  Only the dog had to hold his knees tightly together as he's not that fond of going out in a storm.

Personal experiences with hurricanes for me date back to 2004.  That was the year of Charley, Francis, Jean and Ivan.  The track of Charley looked ominously familiar to that of T.S. Isaac, and Charley did reach winds in the Cat 2 to Weak Cat 3 as I recall.  He was a manly hurricane, and we evacuated the island and went to Spring Hill to visit my uncle with Millie (prior beagle) and the cat.  In a Corvette, no less, so it was packed full.  We took all the meat from the refrigerator (and left it for my uncle and aunt), and stayed with them for two days.   Had we waited for half a day, we'd have never left as Charley went into Port Charlotte, 75 miles south, and up the Peace River to inland Florida.  We'd have seen some wind, and a lot of rain, but that would have been it.   Frances came later in the season, and left us without power for perhaps 16 hours - used those candles we'd stockpiled, and had to relearn the art of conversation.   My wife then left for the Missouri condo, and I weathered Jean (no power loss) and Ivan alone - nothing else significant in 2004.  When Ivan passed, the surfers went crazy because he was far out in the gulf, but made some nice waves to ride.  Ivan went to college, and Florida State closed down.  Caitlin drove north for a week but came back when classes resumed.

I have decided that "hunker down" is more than a phrase from Jim Cantoni of The Weather Channel, its an attitude of seasoned Floridians.  So far, no fear of Isaac........but you're welcome to stay tuned.

Publix/CVS Project Update

This is the brand new CVS drugstore on Longboat Key, replacing a much older and smaller facility.

This is the new CVS, open one month ahead of schedule, and the pile of debris is the old store, now gone and perhaps as quickly forgotten.  It is larger, and has a drive thru pharmacy window at the rear of the store to accommodate the many elderly residents who previously had to park, get out of their cars, and walk inside.

The Town of Longboat Key does not embrace change easily, but with Publix as the anchor tenant of the Bay Isles shopping district, we were able to get past the 'usual suspects' who were against any and all redevelopment.  This store is larger than its predecessor, shown in its final stages of decay and destruction.  I will not miss it, and the new store does have a familiar feel to it - perhaps because it is a standard CVS layout.   The only 'end-stage' argument was when the store requested a second sign on the elevation facing the road, and our town quickly denied same.  Our "anti business" attitudes are apparently still strong on some of the town boards.

This is the first new development in years, and comes at a good time for Longboat, as many older residents are making their final moves and being replaced by "baby boomers".  I noted that the economy must be on the upswing too, as one whole aisle was devoted to beach products.  Another area even had sandwiches and enhanced food selections, which helped those who needed supplies normally carried by Publix.  That grocery chain is also moving ahead of schedule, from appearances, and when initially proposed to our Planning & Zoning Board it was to be open by the 'first of the new year'.  Now the educated guesstimates are much closer to Thanksgiving than they are to Christmas or New Years.

Perhaps the happiest folk will be the Salvation Army and our Kiwanis Club, if we're able to man the
top grossing "kettle" in Sarasota County this year, and once again gain an award for our clubs work in benefitting the children's programs of the Sarasota Salvation Army.  Stay tuned to this blog for more information on the Publix side of the project.