Damsel and I took some canned goods, some packaged food, a few blankets and bottled water to the Wickenburg Community Center today. The center is being used to stockpile and distribute food and supplies to the victims of the Yarnell fire disaster. We were glad that we had a stock of items on hand to be able to take them there today. Click on the image to enlarge.
Of course, there were plenty of other community members who brought a lot of items. Click here to see more.
By now, most of the nation has heard about the tragic events that took place yesterday in Yarnell, AZ, just 25 miles up SR 89 from our town. Going outside here in town, you smelled the smoke and ash was falling everywhere. Today, that has cleared up, but there is still some smoldering visible up on Yarnell Hill. Damsel took this image looking north from the high spot just a half mile from our house. Click on the image to enlarge.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the firefighters and the civilian victims of this terrible disaster.
I would like to call your attention to a current activity regarding the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11/2001. A group of California firefighters have launched their “Ride for 9-11” cross country cycling event.
The riders are trying to raise money for both the Leary Firefighters Foundation and the Wounded Warriors Project. Check out their website to read more.
RIDE FOR 9-11
We are a team of firefighters that will be cycling across the United States to honor those whose lives were lost 10 years ago on September 11, 2001 and those who continue to fight for our freedom and safety.
The Ride For 9-11 will commence July 24, 2011 in Hollywood CA and end in New York City at the FDNY Firefighters Memorial on September 9, 2011.
By the way, the Never Forget Tribute counter (seen in the right sidebar) is on schedule to surpass 75 million hits by 9-11.
Every homeowner with firearms in the home may want to pay close attention to this – a new 911 scam that exploits a weakness in the internet telephone system has been sending first responders, usually S.W.A.T. teams, to random phony emergency calls. If this happens to you, be very careful what actions you take.
The scene below takes place after 10 PM in a suburban neighborhood. A homeowner and his family are awakened by loud sirens, footsteps and a helicopter orbiting above.
The family has been SWATTED.
Doug Bates got up to lock the doors and grabbed a knife. A beam from a flashlight hit him. He peeked into the backyard. A swarm of police, assault rifles drawn, ordered him out of the house. Bates emerged, frightened and with the knife in his hand, as his wife frantically dialed 911. They were handcuffed and ordered to the ground while officers stormed the house.
The scene of mayhem and carnage the officers expected was nowhere to be found. Neither the Bateses nor the officers knew that they were pawns in a dangerous game being played 1,200 miles away by a teenager bent on terrifying a random family of strangers.
Bates said that if he had responded with a gun that he feared he would have been shot.
With that in mind, if that ever happens in your neighborhood, keep it cool with the personal armed response. Remember, we keep our guns handy just in case of a 911 emergency where the police can’t respond in time, but NOT if they’ve surrounded your house.
Read the report “New 911 fraud is duping SWAT teams.”
We were surprised on our regular visit to the County Recycle Center today to find out that right across the boulevard there was a Fire Expo in progress being presented by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The venue was the South Coast Botanic Gardens, where the firefighters set up an impressive display of equipment and demonstrations for the public.
They were demonstrating how to prepare for wildland fires and disasters. There was rescue equipment on display including a helicopter, heavy equipment, fire engines and transport trucks. Kids were be able to squirt fire hoses in an attempt to knock some traffic cones over. The firefighter turnout was impressive, with crews from all over the County.
As these firefighters got off of their “Fire Hawk” helicopter, they reminded me of the scene in “The Right Stuff” where the astronauts were walking abreast in the hangar.
All of our first responders, all over the country, are the Right Stuff, as far as we’re concerned.
Click the image for the wide-angle view.
