The Guild 12-06-2003 Brrrrrrrrrrrrr!

[BigWaveBetty]

Bob Evans, dressed as an old world Santa Claus, makes his way across a slick, snow covered parking lot Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, at the Maryland Christmas Show in Frederick, Md. at the Great Frederick Fair Grounds. The first real winter storm of the season swept up the East Coast on Friday, clogging roads with a daunting mixture of snow, sleet and slush. (AP Photo/Timothy Jacobsen)

People walk down a snow covered sidewalk on New York's Fifth Avenue, December 5, 2003. The New York area is expected to get up to eight inches of snow in the next two days. REUTERS/Jeff Christensen

Craig Dickerson, right, of Laurel, Md., uses branches to make arms on a snowman with his son CJ, 8. and jake, 2, after 4 inches of snow and sleet fell early Friday, Dec. 5, 2003. Heavy snow is predicted due to a second system working its way up the east coast. (AP Photo/ Matt Houston)

Second Day of Storm to Deal Heavier Blow

Northeast this season was threatening near whiteout conditions from New Jersey to Maine on Saturday after burying Pittsburgh under 7 inches of snow, delaying flights from Boston to Washington, D.C., and creating hazardous driving conditions blamed for at least five deaths.

As much as 2 feet of snow was forecast for Massachusetts by the end of the weekend, and northern Pennsylvania was bracing for as much as 20 inches.

"We're hoping the forecasters are wrong, but if they're not, we're trusting that people will be staying home with their families and off the road so we can get our job done," said Anna Farneski, spokeswoman for the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Drivers on Friday braved slick highways, and commuters shuffled along frozen sidewalks as they tried to make their way home through the wind and snow. In New York City, traffic slowed to a crawl.

"The salt is here, the trucks are ready, the chains are on, and New York is prepared for the assault," New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday.

The storm was blamed for at least five traffic deaths, including the 74-year-old driver of a van that collided with a school bus in Pennsylvania. None of the three dozen children on the bus was hurt. Two people were killed in Virginia and two in New Jersey.

More than 80 fender-benders were reported on the New Jersey Turnpike, where the speed limit was reduced from 65 mph to 35 mph because of dangerous conditions.

The storm brought several inches of snow to Virginia and Maryland on Friday, and road crews were preparing for a second onslaught with flurries overnight expected to turn to heavy snow. Four to 8 inches was expected in the Baltimore region.

Dave Martin, a National Weather Service (news - web sites) Meteorologist in State College, Pa., said the two-day storm was dumping a large but not overwhelming amount of snow on an area stretching from the Carolinas to New England.

"What's unique is the fairly big accumulation, but what's making it relatively easy is that it's over two days," Martin said Saturday.

Forecasters predicted accumulations of up to 20 inches in northern Pennsylvania, up to 15 inches in New Jersey, and 12 to 18 inches in New York City and its suburbs by the end of the weekend.

Flights were delayed or canceled early Saturday at Logan International Airport in Boston, where wind gusts were at 35 mph, an airport spokesman said. Cancellations and delays also were expected Saturday at New York's La Guardia and John F. Kennedy airports and New Jersey's Newark Liberty International, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

About 100 flights were canceled at Philadelphia International Airport on Friday, and some flights were delayed at Washington Dulles International Airport.

While the storm disrupted or postponed outdoor plans — including Frederick, Md.'s downtown Kris Kringle parade, which was delayed for a week — some people embraced the seasonal weather.

"We're loving it," said Tana Graham, visiting New York City from Jackson, Miss. "It's putting us in the Christmas spirit."

Others were dismayed at the prospect of digging out. Sucie Stevenson looked dejected while inspecting a shovel she had just bought at a home and garden center in Orleans, Mass.

"I love storms, but I don't like shoveling," Stevenson said.

Many schoolchildren got an early start to their weekend when dozens of schools closed early on Friday. Some high school students got a lucky break when several schools canceled Saturday's scheduled Scholastic Aptitude Tests.

[Endeavor]

she's running. trust me.

[BigWaveBetty]

I wish we could get at least one day of 4 feet. Quite optomistic, that's me.

I need to start unpacking decorations and try to remember where I had it last year. :/

Have no shopping done yet. Much to do on line so I'll plant myself in the morning and shop till the tea runs out. :-)

Granddaughter is coming for the week before Cristmas so I'll save the cookies and ginger bread house so she can help.

[Iowa Granny]

Hello. I've been out most of the day. I had planned on a nap, but it just doesn't seem to be in the cards. It will be time to go to mass in an hour,, hardly time for a proper nap.

Great thread. And isn't it nice when fintan admits to what we've always suspected was floating around in his head,,, snowy day, or otherwise. ;>)

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Does this guy drive anyone else nuts?

[BigWaveBetty]

I'm try hard not to schadenfreud in his pain... but, he and al won over GWB and Cheney... So why are Joey numbers going not looking so hot?

Off to start some dinner and tackle the decorations.

[mountaineer]

Snowstorm news: Are you back from DC, E? Looks like it snowed plenty there and at your "home base," as well. We just got back from the f-i-l's. He lives about 10 miles north, and got twice as much snow as our less-than-2", while my mother in the Pgh suburbs got at least 7". I have those happy snow-filled childhood memories, too, but somehow can't get too excited about the occasional major storm any more.

Hey, cool, Soupy Sales! That picture alone will have me singing "cheese and crackers, crackers and cheese."

[Endeavor]

I'm back! We allegedly got 2 inches of snow here Thurs nite, which had all but melted by the time my plane got in last night about 7:30 pm. Yesterday morning I drove into DC from Williamsburg, and while several flights ahead of mine (to Chicago) were cancelled, mine actually went out only about an hour late. Whatever snow Chicago had gotten Thurs night was essentially gone Friday - it was 40 degrees there, so there was no weather to worry about. I don't know what DC got after I left, but it had only rain when I was there keeping Reagan National company most of yesterday. Ironically, CNN airport channel said you were hopelessly snowed in there in WVA (of course they said DC was a disaster, too - which of course, it wasn't at that time).

Glad you aren't in blizzard conditions!

[Fintan]

Does this guy drive anyone else nuts?

 

No, but these two sure do put lead in my pencil...

 

 

[Iowa Granny]

Thanks for telling us what we need to know about your preferences! Quite frankly, I'd have never guessed it.

[Iowa Granny]

Glad to see you're back home. I thought of you so often this weekend, wondering if you could get home.

[Iowa Granny]

Forgot to add this: ;>) to post #29

[Endeavor]

And I thought of you this week while in DC - wasn't it this time two years ago we went to the DC Chapter Christmas Party? (And we're still as young as we were then!) Maybe it was three years ago, I can't remember.

I'm enjoying Kansas State kick the tar out of Oklahoma. hehehe

[Endeavor]

I think that guy's head is pasted onto someone else's body.

[Iowa Granny]

I hadn't thought about the head being pasted on to another body. I just was thinking how totally unattractive the guy is, and no amount of body work would improve the situation.

I think it was 2 years ago we attended the DC Freepers Christmas Party together. What Fun, to meet You! And Them!

That DC trip was my very first venture out into the Real World after my surgery. I was so afraid to travel alone, but I knew I had to pick myself up and just get it done.

The year before that, was when I met all those DC Freepers at Al Gore's place. Sadly, I will miss their gig this year. My meeting next week is in Phoenix, rather than DC.

So glad you're back on friendly soil.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Dude, I see Britney nipplage.

[MaeWest]

Those video covers border on the obscene. He needs to keep his hands and barbells away from his crotch.

[Iowa Granny]

Good Morning. What has happened to the font?

JL, thinking of you this morning. Prayers going up on your Father's behalf.

[BigWaveBetty]

Dude, I see Britney nipplage.

Not as much as her brother has recently seen.

Dems don't learn very quickly. The last time Big Gay Al campaigned for Davis, most of California kicked him to the curb.

Former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore (news - web sites) (R) holds up the hand of San Francisco mayoral candidate supervisor Gavin Newsom at the start of a forum organized by the Newsom campaign in San Francisco, December 2, 2003. Gore endorsed fellow Democrat Newsom, who is in a tight runoff election with fellow supervisor and Green Party member Matt Gonzalez. Voters will go to the polls on December 9. REUTERS/Lou Dematteis

[BigWaveBetty]

Good morning IG, there's something wrong with the font?

[Iowa Granny]

The fonts seem smaller. I'm going to have to get my glasses out if they scrunch it down any more.