
Tuesday, March 06, 2018: So, what should we talk about? I’m talked raw over the last nor-wester -- and I’m really not big on forecasting the upcoming blow. I have much better luck postcasting a storm -- after it has been here and gone. My accuracy at postcasting is excellent, as is my Monday morning quarterbacking.
As to the forecasts of what’s now coming up the pike, I like the way predictors are using the “95-corridor” expression, even though it’s technically Rte. 295 in Jersey. I often refer to the “95 corridor” as a demarcation line between rain (east) and snow (west), or heavy snow (west) and lesser amounts (east).
By all indications, the rapidly closing-in low is really tight-roping it. If snowcasters are correct, the Pennsy side of the Delaware could get clobbered, while we’ll be lucky to get a dusting. If the up-from-the-south low goes off-roading northward, through the Pines, our nearby mainland areas could be decently whitened. Even with that less-likely more-easterly route, it’s hard to imagine the immediate coastline getting dumped upon, with ocean water temps pushing 44 – and the winds due to come off the water this go’round.
Now onward to potential flooding, as arriving NE winds could push 40 mph.
The bay remains filled to the gills from Riley – and an ongoing long-period ground swell related to him. Even today, there was some lingering LBI road flooding, mainly at usual-suspect low points. In fact, it won’t take much to inundate the Boulevard since we’re still hosting moderate astronomical enhancements, moon-wise. The NWS is issuing “minor” coastal flood warnings.
I just got advised (6:30 pm) that the tell-tale, backbay meadows off the south side of Route 72, approaching the Causeway bridges in Stafford, are quite filled with water, as of late afternoon. Over the decades, I have monitored those tidal meadows in Manahawkin, photographing various tidal levels -- best gauged on the bridge pilings on Morris Blvd. Max high tides in those backwaters can max out five hours – and even more -- after LBI oceanside high tides. Amazing, considering that’s almost a full tidal cycle opposite of the ocean, dead east, only a couple miles away, as the gull flies.
Keep a load of quarters at hand for yet another coin-op, self-service, car-wash de-salting rinse.


I prefer the coin-op places that allow a credit card to be used in the timer, though it sure seems the credit card service is usually not working. Don’t tell anyone, but all those quarters I get metal detecting the beaches – after being tumbled cleaned – work perfectly in machines. Hey, they’re just a tad discolored. Ok, so maybe their sometime indiscernible as quarters. They’re still blue-blooded American coinage.

This coming weekend, we’ll go back to getting lit later. No, it’s not St. Patrick’s Day just yet (March 17), the most get-lit of all quasi holidays. Early Sunday morning we go back to Daylight Savings Time. That means you bar bugs lose an hour of party time. T’was a time that really mattered to me. Now, it’s the luscious late day sunlight I'll be getting to do my daylight -- and late-afternoon -- things. By the by, one of these years, likely soon years, we won’t depart Daylight Saving Time come fall, if folks in Congress have their ways.


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Atlantic City Electric Prepares for Next Round of Tough Weather
All employees and contractors ready as Quinn approaches
MAYS LANDING, N.J. (March 6, 2018) – Just as Atlantic City Electric restores the very last customer impacted by Winter Storm Riley, the company, its employees and local contractors are bracing for the second of this one-two severe weather punch expected overnight and into tomorrow. All day today, employees worked diligently to ready the system as Winter Storm Quinn approaches.
Atlantic City Electric’s Emergency Response Organization remains activated as crews worked throughout the day to make final repairs to utility poles, crossarms, lines and other equipment in advance of Winter Storm Quinn. The company also is preparing for the winter storm with enhanced staffing in its call center, dispatch centers and in the field to respond to customer needs. And, in support of our neighboring communities, the company also provided resources to Jersey Central Power & Light to support the ongoing power restoration and preparation efforts there.
“It has been a difficult few days for our customers as we worked to restore service following Winter Storm Riley,” said Vince Maione, Atlantic City Electric region president. “I want to thank our customers for their patience and understanding during this time and thank our crews and contractors who have worked around the clock since Friday to bring every customer back online.”
The destructive nor’easter Winter Storm Riley inflicted heavy damage along the East Coast beginning last Friday. Strengthening significantly beyond forecasts, the storm delivered high sustained winds and gusts through the 70-mph-range for more than 48 hours. Utilities from Mid-Atlantic to New England reported more than 2.6 million power outages at the storm’s peak and more than 200,000 customers remain out across all affected utilities.
Each of Exelon’s Mid-Atlantic utilities mobilized in advance of the storm and were joined by crews from ComEd, Exelon’s utility in Illinois. Exelon worked with the mutual assistance networks to supplement its own crews with additional line workers, contractors and support staff from more than 16 states and Canada to form a force of nearly 7,500 working on the restoration. Crews worked through challenging conditions that included severe winds, road closures, downed trees and other debris.
The company’s greatest concern with Winter Storm Quinn is the potential for heavy, wet snow, which can stick to tree limbs and aerial power lines. An accumulation of wet snow could coat tree branches bringing them down into power lines and causing service interruptions for customers. Strong winds are also expected, especially along the coast, which could result in additional damage and outages for customers.
Atlantic City Electric urges customers to stay safe and always stay away from any storm damaged electrical equipment, especially downed power lines and tree limbs that may come into contact with power lines. Always assume that downed electrical wires are energized and report them to the company immediately. Customers should check on their neighbors, family and friends, and assist the elderly and those with special needs.
Customers can visit Atlantic City Electric’s website at www.atlanticcityelectric.com, use the mobile app or contact the company at 1-800-833-7476 to report any outages.
To learn more, visit The Source, Atlantic City Electric’s online news room. Follow the company on Facebook at facebook.com/atlanticcityelectric and on Twitter at twitter.com/acelecconnect. Atlantic City Electric’s mobile app is available at atlanticcityelectric.com/mobileapp.
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2017 Bluefin Tuna Fishing Year Summary January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017

NOTES
1 Currently, the best available annual estimate of dead discards for the 2017 pelagic longline fishery is the 2016 estimate of 25.0 mt.
2 The Adjusted Quota column in the table above reflects the adjusted quota as of December 31, 2017. Category quotas were adjusted by inseason and other actions during the year as shown below.

This notice is a courtesy to Atlantic tuna fishery interests to keep you informed about the fishery. Official notice of Federal fishery actions is made through filing such notice with the Office of the Federal Register. To view this notice please click here. To view catch statistics from previous months, please click here or contact Brad McHale at (978) 281-9260.
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Ahhh, Chiquita ... nothin' sweeta, color-wise.

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Some shark and swordfish limited access permit holders must attend the protected species safe handling, release, and identification workshop.
This workshop is designed to educate longline and gillnet fishermen on the proper techniques for safe handling and release of entangled or hooked protected species, such as sea turtles, marine mammals, and smalltooth sawfish. In an effort to improve reporting, identification of protected species is also taught at these workshops.
Instructors: Angler Conservation Education (ACE) | dehooker@gmail.com | (386) 682-0158
Requirements
Required Attendance
Are you a commercial vessel owner or operator?
Do you use longline or gillnet gear?
Do you hold one or more of the following permits?
Shark directed limited access permit
Shark incidental limited access permit
Swordfish directed limited access permit
Swordfish incidental limited access permit
If you answered "yes" to 1, 2, and 3, then you are required attend this workshop and obtain a workshop certificate before you can operate under any of these commercial shark or swordfish limited access permits. All workshop certificates must be renewed every three years, prior to renewing your permit. A copy of both a valid vessel owner and operator certificate must be possessed on board the vessel.
If you answered "no" but would still like to attend a workshop, please contact Angler Conservation Education at (386) 682-0158 to check for availability.
Workshop Certificate
Submit a copy of the workshop certificate with your shark or swordfish permit renewal application each year.
Keep a copy of the workshop certificates on board your vessel as proof of certification.
Dates and Locations
Upcoming workshops are listed below. Workshops are scheduled quarterly in many locations in the Atlantic and Gulf states. For more information please see the Federal Register Notice.
March 2018
March 7, 2018
Hilton Garden Inn
55 Town Center Boulevard
Palm Coast, FL 32164
March 13, 2018
Holiday Inn Express
9300 South Main Street
Houston, TX 77025
April 2018
April 4, 2018
Holiday Inn
151 Route 72 East
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
April 11, 2018
Hilton Garden Inn
5353 North Virginia Dare Trail
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
April 23, 2018
Hampton Inn
230 Lee Burbank Highway
Revere, MA 02151
May 2018
May 7, 2018
Hilton Hotel
901 Airline Drive
Kenner, LA 70062
May 10, 2018
Hampton Inn
678 Citadel Haven Drive
Charleston, SC 29414
May 21, 2018
Holiday Inn Express
210 Seminole Boulevard
Largo, FL 33770
Registration
It is free to attend a workshop. Please contact Angler Conservation Education (ACE) by phone at (386) 682-0158 to reserve a space at a workshop. A reservation is not required, but is recommended.
To prepare for the workshop, please fill out the correct form below* and e-mail it to ACE, fax it to (386) 437-8115, or bring it to the workshop.
To ensure your workshop certificate is linked to the correct permit, please bring the following materials with you to the workshop:
Vessel Owner
Proof of identification.
A copy of the permit(s).
A copy of the vessel registration or documentation.
Representative of a Business or Co-Owned Vessel
Proof of identification.
A copy of the permit(s).
Proof that the participant is a co-owner of the business or vessel.
Vessel Operator
Proof of identification.
*There are three ways you can fill out a form:
If you have the full version of Adobe Acrobat (Standard or Professional), you can download the form, type in the fields, save the form, and e-mail it to ACE.
If you only have Acrobat Reader you can type in the fields and send the form using Reader, or you can print the form and fax it to ACE or bring it to the workshop.
If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Professional or Adobe Reader simply print out the form, write in the spaces, and either fax it to ACE or bring it to the workshop.
Handouts
Sawfish and Sturgeon
Sea Turtles
Marine Mammals
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Outdoor Show is Thursday thru Sunday, March 1-4
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Birdwatchers Are Flocking to Alabama to See This Bird: Why It's So Special
By Jeanna Bryner, Live Science Managing Editor | March 1, 2018 11:42am ET
Birdwatchers are rushing to a town in Alabama in hopes of glimpsing a one-in-a-million look at a yellow bird, after a local resident posted images to social media of the bird feeding in her backyard, according to news reports.
So what's so special about this bird? It's a cardinal that has yellow feathers due to a rare genetic mutation that blocks its ability to assimilate red hues. The mutant bird is so rare that one ornithologist says that, if there were a million or so backyard bird feeders in the United States and Canada, just two or three would get a visit from one.
"There are probably a million bird feeding stations in that area, so very, very roughly, yellow cardinals are a one-in-a-million mutation," Geoffrey Hill, a professor and curator of birds at Auburn University in Alabama, told AL.com. [Of a Feather: Photos Reveal Stunning Birds of the Southwest]
This year, it seems, Charlie Stephenson, of Alabaster, is one of those extremely lucky birdwatchers. "I thought, 'Well, there's a bird I've never seen before,'" Stephenson told AL.com. "Then I realized it was a cardinal, and it was a yellow cardinal."
A male, yellow Northern cardinal perching on a branch in Mexico, Baja California.
Credit: Hal Beral/Getty
The unusual cardinal continues to visit Stephenson's backyard feeder, she said, adding that she wouldn't give out her address for fear that too many enthusiasts would flock to her yard.
But Stephenson's friend Jeremy Black, a professional photographer, did take advantage of the sighting and set up camp in her yard. After waiting 5 hours, Black captured gorgeous shots of the unusual visitor.
So, how did this bird get its yellow feathers?
Like its red counterpart, this rare cardinal relies on the carotenoids(organic pigments) in its diet to turn its feathers a bright yellow. But diet isn't everything: Research has shown that certain genes determine which of several carotenoids the bird deposits into its feathers and bare skin.
For instance, red cardinals synthesize their red hues from four yellow or orange pigments they consume, according to research published in the journal The Condor in 2003.
In that study, researchers found that the plumage of a yellow Northern cardinal collected in 1989 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, didn't show any of the red carotenoids found in common Northern cardinals. Assuming the yellow bird had access to similar foods as the red-hued ones, the researchers concluded that this bird couldn't manufacture any of the four carotenoids typically found in a cardinal's red feathers. A genetic mutation, they said, knocked out the bird's ability to carry out the chemical reactions that would have led to red feathers.
Though the "missing" pigments likely don't harm the birds' health, there is a downside to being yellow when all your pals are red.
"We don't know of any health or physiological functions of the red pigments," Hill told Live Science. "They are social signals. So, the yellow cardinal's biggest problem is that he is sending the wrong social signals. It should make it hard for him to defend a territory and find a mate."
Editor's Note: This article was updated with comments from Geoffrey Hill.
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