1, September J, 2008 by admin.

When hurricane Ike came ashore last Friday night and early Saturday morning here in Friendswood, Texas, it left town with part of my roof, and other minor damages to our property.  I would have to say, besides the loss of power, A/C, cable TV and the internet, the worst seemed to be a section of our roof, that lost alot of shingles and felt; along with an Live Oak Tree I planted in the back corner of our backyard in memory of my Dad, who passed on back in October of 1995.

For days, I looked for assistance from anyone in putting a roof tarp up on the damaged section of the roof, and to somehow raise Dad’s Tree back up off the fence, that it came to rest on.  Well today, after 6 days, I am very glad to say that help finally arrived in the form of Mr. Dale Jones, a good friend of of a good friend of mine, Jim Gerland, also of Friendswood. 

Earlier today, I was updating Gerland about my predicament, and as well about his home here in Friendswood.  He and his wife, Melody and family evacuated in front of Ike’s landfall, faster than the decision-makers on the evacuation situation could yell “GIT!”.  In no time they had checked in at my favorite hotel in Austin.  Ah, The Driskill Hotel, which was built in 1886 as the showplace of cattle baron Jesse Driskill, The Driskill still remains a landmark of Texas hospitality. As a member of The Historic Hotels of America and Associated Luxury Hotels International, The Driskill is among the world’s finest hotels, offering an elite level of luxury and service. 

So anyway, while Jimbo and his fab wife, Mel were enjoying themselves in such luxury, with a wonderful roof over Jim’s head, here I sat, under a roof that threatened to turn into a shower-head with the next cloud-burst.  Ok, I kinda drifted off the story-line…

Well I guess maybe he was pondering my desperate situation, (between bob-bons, & ice cream, yum, ice cold ice cream, hmm I can almost remember what that taste and felt like), and finally he said, ”Hey, give my old buddy Dale Jones a call…”  ”I bet he can fix you right up on that roof problem”, so thats what I did, I gave Dale a call and he said something like, Sure thing, “I can fix you up this afternoon”.  He then inquired about Jim and his family, and when they were expected back in town.  I then found out that Dale had, “borrowed” his old buddy Jimbo’s super-dupper generator and needed to return it before the Gerland’s returned home.

Well, what do you know, but right when Dale said he and his crew would show up, there was a knock on the door and sure enough, there was that tall Texan, Dale Jones and his Calvary to save my day, well my roof at least.  I tell ya what, in no time… in fact, faster than I could find my checkbook to write the payment, the Crew were through. 

Oh… and that’s not all… as we were looking at the roof before the crew got started, I happened to mention that my Dad’s Tree had fallen down on a fence, just in a matter of fact way…

As soon as the crew climbed down from my roof, I started to finally write the check, but when I looked up to say thanks to Dale and his crew, they were no where to be seen out in front.  Finally, I heard some voices in the back yard, and that was exactly where they had dissapeared to.  I walked through my side fence into the back, and there they all were… they had all gathered around the tree, all working together to raise the Live Oak off the fence and back in the hole its root ball had pulled out of. 

It was that fast, that quick, and they were all laughing the whole time!  I was impressed by the men on the crew, their skill and their smiles as I just couldn’t stop thanking them enough.

I handed over the check for the roof, and started to write another for the tree work, and Dale said, “no thanks, that was on us… “  All I could do, was say thanks to everyone that had just helped me and my wife start healing from the minor wounds that Hurricane Ike had done to us. 

Yes we were blessed with just minor damage, which in no way compares with so many here in SE Texas, yes indeed, we were blessed by our friends and neighbors that helped us in the aftermath.  People like Rod, Joan, Charles, John, Amy and her husband, Ben, Pete and his wife Paula, Margie, Tom, and his wife Cindy and now Dale Jones and his roofing crew, yes truely blessed.

All my wife and I can say is, “Thanks so much for all of you that helped us”, and I do hope y’all know that we mean that, from the bottom of our hearts.

*Chuck, who works with Dale, just dropped off their estimate for a new roof, and it doesn’t look bad at all.  Now I gotta run down to the Friendswood Hardware Store and get a few stakes and wire to secure Dad’s Tree a bit tighter and return the rope back to Dale.

As I finish up this Log, I feel a great load has lifted off my shoulders, thanks to my friends and neighbors, Thanks Y’all, and God Bless…

Stay Safe,

Cane

Posted in Hurricane Ike Recovery, The Fincher Inn, Galveston County Information, Recovery from Hurricane Ike, Greater Houston/Galveston Area Information, Home, City of Friendswood, TX | No Comments »

1, September J, 2008 by admin.

Food in refrigerators

o          Throw out any perishable food (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, leftovers) if the power to the refrigerator has been off for 4 or more hours. 

Food in freezers

(If the door remains closed, a full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours; a half full freezer will keep temperature for about 24 hours.) 

o          If the freezer thermometer reads 41° F or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen. 

o          If there is no thermometer, check each package of food.  If the food still contains ice crystals or is 41 °F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.  Refreezing of these foods will be a quality (not food safety) issue.

Disposal of food

o          Liquids (excluding fats, oils and grease) - pour down the drain. Caution:  there is the possibility that you will experience sewage back up if your establishment does not have power.

o          Fats, oils and grease - place in approved grease disposal bins or place in closed containers and contact grease disposal facility for pick-up.

o          Small quantities of food - denature with a cleaning product such as bleach and place in covered refuse bin outside the facility.  If garbage pick-up is greatly delayed, place perishable food in closed containers, clearly label “not for sale” and place in a refrigerated location separate from other food until proper disposal is possible.

o          Large quantities of food - store in covered refuse containers in a secure location until proper disposal is possible

o          Massive quantities of food - take to Type 1 landfill. 

Type 1 Landfills

Landfill         Company      Address         County

McCarty Road          Allied 5757 A Oates Harris

Atascocita      Waste Management            3623 Wilson Rd.       Harris

Blue Ridge    Allied 2200 FM 521  Fort Bend

Baytown        Waste Management            FM 1405, just north of FM 2354    Chambers County

Security         Waste Management            19248 Hwy 105         Montgomery County

Water

o          Until a city or municipal utility district declares its water safe, only bottled water or water that has come to a rolling boil for one minute should be used.  Boiled or bottled washing should be used for food preparation, drinking and washing hands. 

o          Use single service utensils and tableware or use approved sanitizer in approved concentration to sanitize dishes after washing and rinsing.  (1/3 cup bleach to 5 gallons water)  Sequence should be wash-rinse-sanitize.  Heat sanitizing dish machines should not be used unless the sanitizing temperature reaches boiling (212°F.)

Ice

o          Establishments that are under a “boil water” notice should not make ice.   Purchase packaged ice from an approved source.

o          Discard any stored ice.  Clean and sanitize ice machine according to the manufacturer’s recommended procedures. 

When may I re-open?

Food establishments may resume operation if they meet the following conditions*:

1.         Potentially hazardous food (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, etc.) that has not been held at 41°F or less is properly discarded.

2.         Full power is restored.

3.         Hot and cold running water is restored and is at sufficient pressure to wash hands and clean and sanitize equipment effectively

4.         Toilet facilities are operating properly.

5.         The establishment does not have structural damage that will cause contamination of food or food contact surfaces and equipment.

*If you wish to resume food operations, but these conditions are not fully met, please consult HCPHES supervisory personnel at (713) 439-6270.  Partial operation may be possible.

Contact:     

Rita Obey            (713) 439-6293

Sandy Kachur     (713) 439-6192

***end***

Posted in Business, Home, Greater Houston/Galveston Area Information, Hurricane Ike | 1 Comment »

1, September J, 2008 by admin.

Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites

September 17, 2008

Contact: Sandy Kachur

713.439.6292

Due to the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES) cautions residents that mosquito activity is increasing. The combination of storm debris and standing water left behind has produced many more mosquito breeding sites.

HCPHES Mosquito Control is currently conducting county-wide surveillance to detect disease-carrying mosquitoes and determine pest mosquito populations. Ground-based operation (evening spray truck) and aerial treatment operations will be implemented according to on-going surveillance information.

Now is the time to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats from your property.

        • Don’t feed the storm drains. Sweep up lawn clippings, leaves and tree limbs from sidewalks and driveways.

        • Empty any containers that can hold water such as flowerpots, tires, buckets and other outdoor containers.

        • Keep rain gutters clear and draining.

Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.

        • When outdoors (especially between the hours of dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active), use an insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 (Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus). Apply as directed on the label.

        • When possible, wear long-sleeved clothing and long-pants.

Keep mosquitoes out of the house.

        • Make sure window and door screens are in good condition.

        • Seal other openings, such as those around window air conditioning units.

        • When mosquitoes are noticed in the home, use a “flying insect spray”. Be sure to use according to the label.

Posted in Business, Home, Greater Houston/Galveston Area Information, Hurricane Ike | 1 Comment »