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Loud Pipes Do What?
All other things being equal, a loud motorcycle probably gets more attention than a quiet one, but at what cost? Is this good attention or bad attention? Let's think about this.
Ignoring the fact that many aftermarket pipes are illegal, motorcyclists who defer to the wisdom, "loud pipes save lives" are sadly misinformed. Riders who believe that an ear-shattering exhaust note actually increases safety are either kidding themselves or rationalizing self-indulgent behavior. Fact is, loud pipes do more to hurt motorcyclists than help them, the attention they draw to a rider is not worth the negative public image they create.
It's rooted in physics. Unlike an earthquake, which emits waves in a sphere away from its epicenter, sound waves can be directed. (A good example of this a megaphone: if sound waves were not directionally sensitive, megaphone users would all be deaf.) The pressure wave emitted from an exhaust pipe is pointed away from and behind the motorcycle. To hear it from anywhere other than directly behind the bike, you rely on the resonance of the pipes and reflection of the sound waves off of other objects, like cars, signs, buildings, etc.
In other words, the only time the loud pipes draw attention to a motorcycle in traffic is when the bike is facing away from the motorist. In most cases, facing away from the motorist means riding away from the motorist: increasing the separation of bike and potential hazard. The only possible situation in which a car can to pose an external threat to a motorcyclist when the bike is facing away from the car is if the motorist is backing up or (following) behind the rider. The threat exists, but only marginally: the Hurt Study found that a whopping three percent of accident hazards come directly from the rear (or the "six o'clock" direction).
by Pat Hahn
http://www.motorbyte.com/mmm/pages/safety/safety40.htm All other things being equal, a loud motorcycle probably gets more attention than a quiet one, but at what cost? Is this good attentio... more -
Inducing Children Into the Noise Culture
How Far Can You Go for Money?
Whirly-Wind Leaf Blower
In the spirit of fun and safe play, John Deere licensed its brand to a toy company to produce leaf blowers for children. It actually blows air.
Safety and Health Concerns
Leaf blowers are not merely an ear-sore, they blow particulate matter consisting of pesticides, fertilizers, spores, molds, dust, insects and fecal matter into the air. Gas powered leaf blowers burn a mixed combination of gas and oil fuel that create a tremendous amount of toxic exhaust.
Young children are at risk because their immune system is not yet fully developed and they are more susceptible to asthma. Elderly people exposed to airborne contaminants can experience severe lung and respiratory problems. Ironically, leaf blower operators are putting themselves at greater risk because of the direct exposure to airborne pollutants.
Gas powered landscaping equipment account for 5% of air pollution overall in the United States. An inefficient 3.5-horsepower gas mower emits the same amount of hydrocarbons in one hour as does an automobile driven over 300 miles. A chainsaw operated for two hours produces enough hydrocarbons equivalent to an automobile driven 3,000 miles.
http://www.noiseoff.org/landscaping.shtml How Far Can You Go for Money? Whirly-Wind Leaf Blower ... more -
Which is Greener: New Prius or Used Car with Good MPG?
Your query is a serious toughie, as we don't really know how much energy it takes to manufacture a hybrid. Toyota does admit that because the Prius' engine and battery are relatively complex, assembling the hybrid requires more energy than making a similarly sized nonhybrid vehicle. But the company has never quantified that energy premium, so the Lantern will have to rely on an educated guess. If our informed figure is in the ballpark, however, a fresh Prius beats virtually all used competitors—assuming you follow the Lantern's golden rule and keep your car running until the bitter end.
Your query is a serious toughie, as we don't really know how much energy it takes to manufacture a hybrid. Toyota does admit that beca... more -
Sale of 1 house will help 30 villages; Family will donate proceeds from sale of $8...
I think I just found my new role models...
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Central District Newsletter - July 8, 2008
Central District Newsletter
Captain James I. Dudley
July 8, 2008
Captain’s Comments
Safety Tips from SAFE:
Pedestrian Safety
The days are longer and lighter, and many outdoor activities are taking place throughout the City. Please be aware of pedestrians while you are driving; or if you are the pedestrian, be aware of automobiles, buses and bicyclists. Here are some safety tips:
Limit cell phone use while driving or walking - Cell phones distract you from paying attention to your surroundings.
Be watchful at all times - Expect the unexpected. Pedestrians can suddenly appear from between parked cars, especially children and the elderly.
Remember that a red light or arrow prohibits moving forward or turning - while walking, driving or riding a bike.
Yield to pedestrians - Be especially aware when at a stop or when turning at an intersection; pedestrians may be in the crosswalk.
Not all crosswalks are designated with painted lines - A pedestrian is considered in a crosswalk at all corners whether or not lines are painted on the street.
Safety Tips for Visitors and Tourists
Do you have friends coming in to the City for the July 4th Holiday? Even in times of celebration and festivities, ensure your guests practice proper safety techniques:
Do not leave valuables or anything visible inside your vehicle; always keep doors and trunk locked.
Walk in well-lit and well-populated areas, preferably with another person; do not take short-cuts through dark alleyways.
Limit your valuables (ID and money) by carrying only what you need for the day.
If taking public transportation, have your money or Fast Pass ready. Do not fumble with your wallet; you might draw attention to a pickpocket.
Keep your cell phone charged; and in case of an emergency dial 9-1-1.
Are you going on Vacation? - Here are some reminders to help prevent your home from being burglarized:
Keep all doors and windows locked.
Let a trusted neighbor know you will be out of town.
Stop mail and newspaper deliveries.
Keep a light on.
Enable your alarm if you have one.
Central District Newsletter Captain James I. Dudley July 8, 2008 Captain’s Comments Safety Tips from SAFE: Pedestrian Safety ... more -
Hubble snaps ghostly ribbon of light
Cosmic Ribbons!
From the report...
"Medieval skywatchers got to see a star explode, but modern-day astronomy buffs get all the pretty pictures of its ghostly remains.
Hubble has captured a close-up of the remnant of a supernova that exploded in the Milky Way over 8000 years ago, and whose light reached Earth on 1 May 1006. The explosion is one of the brightest in recorded history and was visible with the naked eye.
The delicate-looking remnant is actually part of a shock wave from the stellar explosion. The roiling remains are still expanding, moving at a clip of about 10 million kilometres per hour.
Hubble's image is mostly a composite made from the visible light emitted by hydrogen atoms in the remnant.
Bright parts of the twisting ribbon are places where the shock wave from the explosion lies edge-on with our line of sight.
The remains of the supernova are faint in visible light, but astronomers have produced stunning images in the X-ray part of the spectrum.
View a gallery of other shimmering supernova remnants (move your mouse over the images to read the captions)." Cosmic Ribbons! From the report... ... more -
Central District Newsletter - July 01, 2008
Captain’s Comments
As July 4th approaches, please remember a few things:
∑ Fireworks are illegal in San Francisco. Every year the SFFD responds to fires caused by illegal fireworks. Bottle rockets and fireworks that propel an object into the air cause fires to rooftops or flammable things likes like fields or other structures. Even seemingly innocuous items like sparklers can cause severe burns to small hands. Of course, the emergency rooms are frequented by those who didn’t quite throw the fireworks fast enough, or by those unfortunate to be near the ‘landing zone.’
∑ Every year we also hear gunshots along with the fireworks. Needless to say, shooting a firearm in San Francisco is also illegal. The old adage, “What goes up must come down” certainly applies to bullets. Some geniuses think shooting a gun into the air, but over the years, we have responded to calls of those injured by the bullets that cannot escape gravity.
∑ Along with this years public fireworks display in the Bay, it also happens to be a Friday night in San Francisco. Activities span from Aquatic Park to Pier 39 and beyond, into the Southern District. Entertainment will begin at 2 PM and fireworks will begin at 9:30 PM at the end of Muni Pier and from a barge at the end of Piers 39 and 45. There will surely be traffic jams along the bay so please take public transportation or walk to any events in the area. Have a Safe and Sane 4th!
(Editor’s note- On Saturday afternoon at 2:30 PM, Sgt. Ed Garcia was on foot patrol walking through Portsmouth Square when he spied three juveniles sitting on a bench in the park. At one end of the bench sat a canvas bag full of illegal fireworks, including 16 Roman Candles, 600 missiles, forty four “M-80’s” and 2 “m-100’s”. These are pretty serious illegal fireworks that fall into the high explosives territory. Due to the nature and volume of the collection, the SFPD Bomb Disposal Unit was summoned to take charge of the property for destruction).
Last week, Sgt. Mark Hernandez broke up a fireworks sales ring under the Bush Street arch at Grant. On 6/28/08 at 8 PM Officer Jonathan Tong cited a 19 year old for discharging and selling fireworks on the 900 block of Grant Ave. On 6/29/08 at 6:45 PM, Officer Tong made another arrest for sales on Waverly Alley. That amount too, called for disposal by our Bomb Squad.
Captain’s Comments As July 4th approaches, please remember a few things: ... more -
An inconvenient truth about motorcycle smog
Motorcycles and emissions: The surprising facts
This story is about emissions. More specifically, it's about the surprising level of emissions spewing from on-road motorcycles and scooters. In California, such bikes make up 3.6% of registered vehicles and 1% of vehicle miles traveled, yet they account for 10% of passenger vehicles' smog-forming emissions in the state. In fact, the average motorbike is about 10 times more polluting per mile than a passenger car, light truck or SUV, according to a California Air Resources Board comparison of emissions-compliant vehicles.
By Susan Carpenter, THROTTLE JOCKEY
LA Times!
Motorcycles and emissions: The surprising facts ... more -
California to drivers: Drop the cell phone, dude!
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Next week California will try to wrest cell phones from the hands of drivers, telling everyone from movie starlets and dot-com millionaires to surfers and soccer moms that conversations behind the wheel must be on a headset.
Several U.S. states and some two dozen countries around the world already have restrictions on mobile phones while driving but now such a law has come to California -- where the car is king and much of life is spent on the famously snarled freeways.
Californians interviewed by Reuters mostly supported the law requiring hands-free phones in cars and outlawing cell phones entirely for drivers under 18, which takes effect on Tuesday -- though they were puzzled by a loophole that allows seemingly more dangerous text messaging.
By Dan Whitcomb;
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN2547...
What you need to know;
BlueTooth Technology:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth
More States say cell phone and driving don't mix;
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=5241554&a... LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Next week California will try to wrest cell phones from the hands of drivers, telling everyone from movie star... more -
Organic Jams Tasting -San Francisco
Free Organic Jams Tasting
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Come to the Warming Hut (Crissy Field) July 20 from 2-4 pm and join local farmer John Lagier for a taste of his most delicious jams of the season. Lagier Ranches' beautiful berries are locally and organically grown. Support sustainable, responsible farming practices and enjoy food that goes straight "from the soil to the plate."
Sunday, July 20, 2008
2 PM - 4 PM
Location: Crissy Field, San Francisco
Event Type: Food, Seasonal/Holiday
Cost: Free
- - - see link for direction/map/further info - - - Free Organic Jams Tasting - ... more -
Central District Newsletter - June 24, 2008
Central District Newsletter
Captain James I. Dudley
June 24, 2008
Captain’s Comments
Summer is officially here.
No one wants to be “their brother’s keeper” but it certainly helps when it comes to crime. I am not advocating everyone to be nosey when it comes to their neighbor, but let’s employ the “buddy system” this summer. Historically, it is a time when burglary and general theft goes up on the crime charts. School is out, the weather tends to warm up a bit and people leave their doors and windows open. Let’s make the district one big Neighborhood Watch Group. That means we get to know our neighbors, we look out for each other, we pick up any piled up mail or newspapers with their permission. We call the police when something looks suspicious. If it involves a suspect, call 911 and let the dispatcher sort it out.
Nine years ago, I was the Captain of the Juvenile and Family Services Division. It was there that I learned that juvenile related crime and child abuse cases goes way down. At first I thought how great it was to have a summer break from all of those awful cases. It didn’t take long to realize that schools were the place where things were reported to police. The number of incidents of child abuse and juvenile crime didn’t actually go down; those crimes just weren’t being reported by the people who saw our kids everyday. Schools are mandatory reporters, as mandated by law. Let’s all become our own mandatory reporter as well. If we see a kid that is abused or neglected or a victim of crime, let’s call it in. We will all be better for it.
As July 4th approaches, please remember a few things. Fireworks are illegal in San Francisco. There will surely be traffic jams along the bay so please take public transportation or walk to any events in the area. Have a Safe and Sane 4th!
Broadway Corridor
Friday June 20, 2008: Saturday June 21, 2008:
Felony arrests made 0 Felony arrests 0
Misdemeanor arrests made 1 Misdemeanor arrests made 1
Drunk related arrests made 1 Drunk related arrests made 1
Moving citations 6 Moving citations 31
Parking citations issued 18 Parking citations issued 18
Towed vehicles 5 Towed vehicles 13
Traffic Company Enforcement: Five Traffic motorcycle Officers assisted. The SF Sheriff’s Department assisted in crowd control on both evenings. On Saturday night the CHP was in the district to conduct an Operation Impact enforcement program. They always provide great support and tend to calm traffic and the crowds by their presence.
Central District Newsletter Captain James I. Dudley June 24, 2008 Captain’s Comments Summer is officially here. ... more -
Inter Solar Tradeshow Exceeds Expectations And Heads for San Francisco
The world's largest tradeshow for solar technology, Intersolar Europe counted more than 50,000 trade visitors at Messe Munich, an increase of more than 62 percent. The visitors from a total of 140 nations came to see the more than 1,050 exhibitors show off their innovations to the worldwide solar industry.
"Never before has Intersolar had more exhibitors, more visitors and more different nations represented. At the new Munich venue, Intersolar has reached a new dimension. Both exhibitors and attendees are thrilled that we are expanding this legacy to our inaugural North American show," said Markus Elsaesser, CEO of Solar Promotion GmbH, one of the two organizers of Intersolar.
The market for photovoltaic and solar thermal products, equipment, materials and services, is exploding worldwide with recent estimates projecting the PV market to grow from $13 billion today to over $40 billion in 2012.
It is because of these developments that SEMI and Intersolar have collaborated and are now able to bring together the latest innovations in solar energy technologies from the entire value chain under one roof, resulting in increased efficiency and market impact.
In July they have partnered to bring Intersolar North America to the US through a co-location agreement with SEMICON West 2008. Having a dedicated location will allow visitors who are looking for manufacturing technologies to focus on their needs, while the presence of all the industry players will allow for cross-fertilization and benchmarking.
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This is very positive. We can get this solar revolution going, and we have to do it now. We can solve the climate crisis one cell at a time and in the process work to bring peace to our world. It won't happen with oil, or coal, or ethanol, or nuclear. The solution comes up every morning and personally, it is my hope for the future. The world's largest tradeshow for solar technology, Intersolar Europe counted more than 50,000 trade visitors at Messe Munich, an incr... more -
"Dead" Baby Starts Breathing On Way To Cemetery
Nearly five hours after being stillborn following a pre-mature delivery, an infant started breathing again to life when the relatives were carrying her to cemetery.
The 30-year-old mother Aruna Gaikwad from western-Indian city of Mumbai was admitted to Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital on June 15 after being refused from three reputed city hospitals. She suffered from convulsions resulting from high blood-pressure in her pregnancy in the seventh month of gestation.
Gaikwad was induced labor to undergo delivery and was put on anti-convulgents and anti-hypertensive therapy. The baby was delivered on the evening on June 16. As no heartbeat was felt, the doctors declared the child was stillborn.
While the members of the family were heading to make funeral preparations, the baby girl started gasping. The family immediately took her back to the hospital, where she is being kept in the neonatal intensive care unit. The baby, who weighs 1,400 grams, is critical and is on a ventilator, reports The Times of India newspaper.
The doctors believe that a high dose of sedatives coupled with the convulsions may have suppressed the fetal heart beat and when the effect of the sedative wore off, she started breathing again.
Hospital dean Dr. Suleiman Merchant told the newspaper that though a preliminary inquiry shows that the child was presumed dead on visual observation but the authorities are making a detailed inquiry to rule out any negligence.
Nearly five hours after being stillborn following a pre-mature delivery, an infant started breathing again to life when the relatives ... more -
Oakland Motorcycle Cops Stir Controversy with Loud Pipes
Monday June 16, 2008:
Civilians are usually the ones getting attention for loud motorcycle exhausts, but this time the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Oakland Police Department-- AKA "Rolling Thunder"-- has re-installed noisy aftermarket pipes onto their fleet of Harley-Davidsons. According to the article, safety concerns spread among the department three months ago when an officer riding with stock pipes was struck by a motorist who claims he didn't hear him coming. The new pipes produce an average of 93 decibels.
MIC spokesman Mike Mount is quoted as saying, "We encourage all motorcycle riders to keep the original low sound levels that meet the ... federal sound limit of 80 decibels." He adds that "It would seem counterintuitive that a law enforcement agency would go against federal standards." Especially considering that recent laws have been clamping down on loud bike exhausts, the Oakland PD's attitude seems to suggest that they are above law, or perhaps that they know something that non law-enforcement types don't. Monday June 16, 2008: ... more -
Africa's Congo Basin forest aided by satellite tree felling survey
A project to map every place in the world's second-largest tropical forest where trees have been cut down will be announced today.
A purpose-built camera will be sent into space to record every clearing and logger's track in the Congo Basin in Africa to determine how much of the forest is left.
The camera will be fixed to a satellite and should be operational by the end of 2010 as part of an initiative to save the Central African tropical forest from being chopped down.
At twice the size of France, the Congo Basin forest is exceeded in extent only by the Amazon but it is estimated that loggers, many of them illegal, destroy an area the size of 25,000 football pitches every week.
Forests absorb huge quantities of carbon but it is released when they are cut down and their preservation is regarded as one of the biggest challenges by those trying to slow the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.
Douglas Alexander, the International Development Secretary, will announce extra funding to save the forest today when he explains the camera project. It will record the forest in more detail than before.
A project to map every place in the world's second-largest tropical forest where trees have been cut down will be announced today. ... more -
Resident Says Loud Music a Big Problem
Monday, June 16, 2008
Resident says loud music a big problem
By Mike Reddell
Bay City Tribune
Published June 14, 2008
Cars blaring loud radio music is a continual problem a north side resident told city council and said Bay City has too few police officers to deal with a situation that has gone on for five years.
Council also renewed an insurance consultancy pact with a Sugar Land company and agreed for the city to meet with Allied Waste on resolving costs for grinding refuse at an old city landfill site.
Sharon Kotrlik said she came before city council in 2004 to complain about vehicle drivers playing radios extremely loud in Bay City, “and nothing has changed in that time.”
“I live on 13th Street and it’s not just me. People all over town are complaining,” Kotrlik said. The ages of the drivers with those loud radios, she said, range from 22 to 35 years old. Monday, June 16, 2008 Resident says loud music a big problem By Mike Reddell Bay City Tribune Published June 14, 2008 ... more -
The Din of Dining
Stacy Finz, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
It was a recent Friday night at Farmer Brown, a fashionable soul food restaurant in downtown San Francisco.
The clang of dishes, the clink of glasses, the roar of voices and the pulsating music seemed to grow louder as I perused the menu. By the time the server came to our table, I felt the sudden urge to order a side of noise with my fried chicken. But the cacophony would have drowned out my sarcasm. Instead, I pointed to the entree I wanted on my menu.
Ten years ago, so many diners complained about how loud restaurants had become that The Chronicle began incorporating noise ratings into our restaurant reviews - one bell being pleasantly quiet, at less than 65 decibels, up to the too-noisy-for-normal-conversation "bomb" at 80-plus decibels. Now, diners are hard-pressed to find restaurants that are under 75. Stacy Finz, Chronicle Staff Writer Wednesday, June 4, 2008 ... more -
Salem neighbors making noise about loud motorcycles
SALEM — There are days when Alicia Hart claims to endure the earsplitting rumble 50 times a day.
“You can hear them a half-mile in either direction,” said the Salem Common neighbor.
They ride in packs of five or six, revving their engines at stop lights and storming through the neighborhood with no regard for the peace-seeking residents who live there, she says.
Chris Cassidy
The Salem News
http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_168001633.h...
SALEM — There are days when Alicia Hart claims to endure the earsplitting rumble 50 times a day. ... more -
Elkhart Looks to Quiet Mufflers, Music
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/19981669.html
by Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)
Proposed changes to Elkhart's noise ordinance would increase fines and make it easier for police to enforce. (WSBT photo)
By Beth Boehne
Story Created: Jun 16, 2008 at 4:06 PM EDT
Story Updated: Jun 16, 2008 at 5:11 PM EDT
ELKHART — Elkhart leaders want to make the city's neighborhoods quieter.
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/19981669.html by Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com) ... more -
Central District Newsletter - June 17, 2008
Central District Newsletter
Captain James I. Dudley
June 17, 2008
Captain’s Comments
The North Beach Festival weekend was a good one. On Saturday, the weather and crowds were both good. Sunday was more subdued with cooler weather.
Central Station Officers often receive awards. Recently Sgt. Arlin Vanderbilt and his crew of Officers who work on Prostitution Abatement along our western border of Larkin and Polk received recognition from the Mid-Polk Neighbors. Supervisor Aaron Peskin also awarded certificates to Sgt. Vanderbilt and Officers Rene Nielsen, Matt Sullivan, Jeff Smetherst, Chris Anderson, Martin Garay, Chris Olson, Milan Kangrga and Monica Macdonald.
A week ago, Officer Kevin Richins was awarded the SFPD Bronze Medal of Valor for outstanding efforts last year in disarming a knife wielding suspect. The suspect was confronting a police Inspector who had drawn his hand gun on the suspect, with little deterrence. Officer Richins saw that a large crowd was gathering and that he had a momentary surprise advantage. With little regard for his own safety, Officer Richins took a run at the suspect and tackled him in the street, dislodging him from his knife.
On June 10, 2008 I attended the SFPD Softball League annual awards banquet. I was proud to see three of our Central Station members receive awards. Recent retiree Mike Norman and current Day Watch Sergeant Edmund Garcia received the “Most Inspirational Player” awards. Despite a large field of very talented players, it was our own player/coach Kevin Worrell of our Night Watch who walked away with the League MVP Award. I salute them all.
The Budget Hearings
You’ve read about it in the papers, you’ve seen it on tv and heard it on the radio. See the Board of Supervisors discuss the budget live and in person on Thursday June 19, 2008 at Central District Newsletter Captain James I. Dudley June 17, 2008 Captain’s Comments ... more
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