Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
with an uninteresting twist with the problem woman upstairs. She has resorted to lying. This evening, she called the police department with a false complaint on me. I don't know exactly what she said, but I had a visit from two of St. Petersburg finest because of this upstairs neighbor's lie. What had I been doing all evening? Working here at my computer as usual. So, I was very surprises to have those police officers at my door.
Nevertheless, all went well because I could explain fully the incidents that brought this woman to the point of seeking vengeance. I also was able to show the officer proof of my involvement in various civil groups whose only aim is the betterment of the county, the city and the state Florida.
It is clear that this woman did not care or did not know that to make a false complaint is now against the law and that she could be sued for it. There is no guessing or no question about it. Making intentional false reports about someone for the sole purpose of retaliation is without a doubt against the law in Florida and punishable by law.
Bearing all this in mind refer you to a previous entry of mine. "Neighbors Lie . . .", post on Saturday, November 1, 2008. Keep in mind that people like her have no respect for the law and will attempts to twist it and then use it for their own purpose. She and the others know that what I do and that I do it for the right reasons, but their criminal behaviors makes me think that there is some great and illegal secret here that she and the other fear I might stumble upon.
Personally, I, and millions of others, want to come home to a quiet evening and a soundless a sleep without a lot of unnecessary noises.
Evelyn out.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Attorney General McCollum Announces Florida Animal Fighting Tip Line
Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
with today news release from the Office of the Attorney General, Bill McCollum. Today’s news release deals with the crime and cruelty of dog fighting and cockfighting. It tell you how you as Florida citizens can be rewarded for helping to put an end to the suffering of these poor voiceless victims by greedy human beings whose only wish is to profit from these animals through wholesale savagery and slaughter. It is an unspeakable act of cruelty that has perversely been given the name of sport.
--------------
Bill McCollum
Attorney General
News Release
December 29, 2008
Attorney General McCollum Announces Florida Animal Fighting Tip Line
McCollum joins The Humane Society of the United States
and Norred &Associates to combat animal fighting
TALLAHASSEE, FL — Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that
Floridians can now report animal fighting and be eligible for a reward ofup to $5,000 by calling The Humane Society of the United States’ animalfighting tip line at 877-TIP-HSUS (847-4787). The toll-free tip line was first established in Georgia by The HSUS and Atlanta-based corporate security firm Norred & Associates Inc. Because of its success, and with the support of Florida’s Attorney General, the tip line has been expanded to help combat dogfighting and cockfighting in Florida.
"Animal fighting is a cruel and criminal behavior often associated with
gang activity and other violence," said Attorney General McCollum. "Now
Floridians will have an easy, anonymous way to help make their neighborhoods safer and perhaps receive a substantial reward for their
efforts."
The HSUS’ Florida animal fighting tip line is managed by investigators with Norred & Associates and The HSUS. Once tips are authenticated,
investigators work with law enforcement agencies to inspect, arrest and
prosecute animal fighters. Callers’ identities are protected, and if a
caller’s tip leads to the arrest and prosecution of an animal fighter, the caller becomes eligible for a reward of up to $5,000 from The HSUS.
"Animal fighting is a horribly cruel activity and I am proud to help bring the criminals who engage in these blood sports to justice," said Greg D. Norred, founder and CEO of Norred & Associates. "The HSUS animal fighting tip line has been immensely successful in Georgia and we’re hopeful that we will have similar results in Florida."
The HSUS’ animal fighting tip line was first established in the wake of the Michael Vick case so Georgia residents can easily report illegal animal fighting to authorities. Since its inception in January 2008, the Georgia tip line has received more than 1,000 calls, leading to seven raids and 11 arrests.
"The mix of a dedicated tip line for animal fighting investigations and a reward program is a winning combination," said Laura Bevan, director of The HSUS’ Southeast regional office. "The Humane Society of the United States is thrilled to partner with Attorney General McCollum and Norred & Associates in the effort to stamp out animal fighting in Florida."
Last May, the Attorney General announced The HSUS's $5,000 reward program to combat animal fighting in Florida and strongly supports this latest phase in the efforts to find and prosecute those involved in the crime. The HSUS estimates that Florida is one of the top three states in which major dogfighting operations exist.
The expansion of The HSUS’s animal fighting tip line has been made possible thanks to a grant from the Companions’ Fund of The DuPage Community Foundation. The HSUS’ animal fighting reward program was established through a grant from the Holland M. Ware Foundation.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal
protection organization, backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the Web at
http://humanesociety.org.
--------------
Evelyn out.
Evelyn here,
with today news release from the Office of the Attorney General, Bill McCollum. Today’s news release deals with the crime and cruelty of dog fighting and cockfighting. It tell you how you as Florida citizens can be rewarded for helping to put an end to the suffering of these poor voiceless victims by greedy human beings whose only wish is to profit from these animals through wholesale savagery and slaughter. It is an unspeakable act of cruelty that has perversely been given the name of sport.
--------------
Bill McCollum
Attorney General
News Release
December 29, 2008
Attorney General McCollum Announces Florida Animal Fighting Tip Line
McCollum joins The Humane Society of the United States
and Norred &Associates to combat animal fighting
TALLAHASSEE, FL — Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that
Floridians can now report animal fighting and be eligible for a reward ofup to $5,000 by calling The Humane Society of the United States’ animalfighting tip line at 877-TIP-HSUS (847-4787). The toll-free tip line was first established in Georgia by The HSUS and Atlanta-based corporate security firm Norred & Associates Inc. Because of its success, and with the support of Florida’s Attorney General, the tip line has been expanded to help combat dogfighting and cockfighting in Florida.
"Animal fighting is a cruel and criminal behavior often associated with
gang activity and other violence," said Attorney General McCollum. "Now
Floridians will have an easy, anonymous way to help make their neighborhoods safer and perhaps receive a substantial reward for their
efforts."
The HSUS’ Florida animal fighting tip line is managed by investigators with Norred & Associates and The HSUS. Once tips are authenticated,
investigators work with law enforcement agencies to inspect, arrest and
prosecute animal fighters. Callers’ identities are protected, and if a
caller’s tip leads to the arrest and prosecution of an animal fighter, the caller becomes eligible for a reward of up to $5,000 from The HSUS.
"Animal fighting is a horribly cruel activity and I am proud to help bring the criminals who engage in these blood sports to justice," said Greg D. Norred, founder and CEO of Norred & Associates. "The HSUS animal fighting tip line has been immensely successful in Georgia and we’re hopeful that we will have similar results in Florida."
The HSUS’ animal fighting tip line was first established in the wake of the Michael Vick case so Georgia residents can easily report illegal animal fighting to authorities. Since its inception in January 2008, the Georgia tip line has received more than 1,000 calls, leading to seven raids and 11 arrests.
"The mix of a dedicated tip line for animal fighting investigations and a reward program is a winning combination," said Laura Bevan, director of The HSUS’ Southeast regional office. "The Humane Society of the United States is thrilled to partner with Attorney General McCollum and Norred & Associates in the effort to stamp out animal fighting in Florida."
Last May, the Attorney General announced The HSUS's $5,000 reward program to combat animal fighting in Florida and strongly supports this latest phase in the efforts to find and prosecute those involved in the crime. The HSUS estimates that Florida is one of the top three states in which major dogfighting operations exist.
The expansion of The HSUS’s animal fighting tip line has been made possible thanks to a grant from the Companions’ Fund of The DuPage Community Foundation. The HSUS’ animal fighting reward program was established through a grant from the Holland M. Ware Foundation.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal
protection organization, backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the Web at
http://humanesociety.org.
--------------
Evelyn out.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
St. Petersburg Times: 9 to watch in 2009
Evelyn here,
with two note worthy excerpts from today online addition of the St. Petersburg Times at Tampabay.com. The two excerpts are from the article 9 to watch in 2009 and are focused on the nine people and/or group of people more likely to be news worthy and/or have predicted events that will have a direct impact of us Floridians.
------------------
MICHELLE OBAMA
Mom-in-Chief
First black first lady? That's just the start.
Speculation has fixated on which of Michelle Obama's predecessors she will emulate. The soigne Mrs. Kennedy? She's certainly got the wardrobe for it. The hard-driving Mrs. Clinton? She certainly has enough Ivy League ed and real world cred to match.
But instead of retreading someone else's style, Mrs. Obama, the mother of daughters 10 and 7, seems determined to define her own role. She calls it "Mom-in-Chief."
The furor that this announcement provoked among working women — "How could you sell us out like that?" — and the smug response of the stay-at-homers — "You bet it's a full-time job" — only shows how crippling partisanship has infected the postpartum arena as well as the political.
Next year we will watch her model a new version of modern American womanhood. Neither trapped at home nor chained to a career, she will show families across
That's worth a fist bump.
Underutilized tool
Did you realize when we started 2008 that 4.6 percent of us were out of work? By year's end that number was 7.3 percent — over 10 percent if you live in
This stinks. We're begging on our knees for jobs at the landfill, giving serious thought to joining the military (sure, there's a couple of wars on, but the health plan is tops) and the only thing to be thankful for is that the gas is cheap while we drive around chasing work.
So is it crazy to predict that you, the
But a combination of President Obama's new deal money and the normal cycle of a recession should put many of us back to work before the year's out. (We sooo hope that's true.) You might be wearing a hard hat on a road project rather than a headset in a call center, but it'll be a job.
In the meantime, we'll all get a lesson in pulling together. That's something no government program can do.
------------------
Evelyn out.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Get Thee Behind . . . .
Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
The residents who live above me have made it their pet project to create as much noise as they think they can get away with. During the last week, including Christmas Day, this small group to people and their visitors have been extremely loud. Their noise includes running car engines for long durations of time if there were no mufflers, revving up motorcycles (a trio of women bikers), stomping up and down the staircase like ill-mannered children, stomping around on the floor above me, running water excessively, and urinating and flushing the toilet excessively, with this latter being amplified or recorded and played loudly. These are very old trick and well known by the authorities. It shows me that these people are not very smart if they believe any reasonable person cannot see through their act.
Overall they probably has a terrible week and joyless holiday, one in which I gladly declined to share. And yes, there were the usual boomer car drivers but all this evil have faces and names. Moreover, many have known places of residency, at least for now. As usual, all incidents were reported.
Evelyn out.
Monday, December 22, 2008
A Letter from NoiseOff Founder Richard Tur
Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
with an interesting letter about NoiseOff from its New York founder, Richard Tur.
----------------
Published: December 19, 2008 3:00 a.m.
Letter (Web version): Excessive noise causes health problems; isn't a 'pet
peeve'
Regarding Frank Gray's column "Pet peeves don't make good laws" (Dec. 14): I
founded a group called NoiseOFF, a coalition working to reduce urban noise
pollution. It started four years ago and has grown to 750 members from across
the country. Our members raise public awareness and speak to public officials
for better legislation and enforcement on noise ordinances. Our Web site is
www.noiseoff.org.
I started the group in Queens, N.Y., because my family could not sleep at night
from vehicular noise outside our apartment. For residents, especially those who
live near thoroughfares and intersections, noise is not merely a nuisance - it
is affecting their health.
The noise from boom cars that Gray describes as lasting only 10 seconds is 10
seconds several times an hour, day and night. It is a noise that can be heard
and felt. In cases where people deal with neighbors with boom cars, the problem
is much worse.
I have received thousands of heart-wrenching messages from people across the
country who write to me in desperation because the noise is causing them pain.
Often their complaints to police and legislators are met with indifference.
The adverse health effects of urban noise pollution are recognized by most
governments and NGOs, including World Health Organization, National Institutes
of Health and the United Nations.
Noise pollution, including noise caused by boom cars, is not a pet peeve. For
people who cannot sleep at night and suffer the ill effects of noise, things do
not sort themselves out, as Gray puts it. His column is ignorant, and it's a
shame he apparently didn't research this issue before writing his piece.
RICHARD TUR Queens, N.Y.
-------------
Evelyn out
Evelyn here,
with an interesting letter about NoiseOff from its New York founder, Richard Tur.
----------------
Published: December 19, 2008 3:00 a.m.
Letter (Web version): Excessive noise causes health problems; isn't a 'pet
peeve'
Regarding Frank Gray's column "Pet peeves don't make good laws" (Dec. 14): I
founded a group called NoiseOFF, a coalition working to reduce urban noise
pollution. It started four years ago and has grown to 750 members from across
the country. Our members raise public awareness and speak to public officials
for better legislation and enforcement on noise ordinances. Our Web site is
www.noiseoff.org.
I started the group in Queens, N.Y., because my family could not sleep at night
from vehicular noise outside our apartment. For residents, especially those who
live near thoroughfares and intersections, noise is not merely a nuisance - it
is affecting their health.
The noise from boom cars that Gray describes as lasting only 10 seconds is 10
seconds several times an hour, day and night. It is a noise that can be heard
and felt. In cases where people deal with neighbors with boom cars, the problem
is much worse.
I have received thousands of heart-wrenching messages from people across the
country who write to me in desperation because the noise is causing them pain.
Often their complaints to police and legislators are met with indifference.
The adverse health effects of urban noise pollution are recognized by most
governments and NGOs, including World Health Organization, National Institutes
of Health and the United Nations.
Noise pollution, including noise caused by boom cars, is not a pet peeve. For
people who cannot sleep at night and suffer the ill effects of noise, things do
not sort themselves out, as Gray puts it. His column is ignorant, and it's a
shame he apparently didn't research this issue before writing his piece.
RICHARD TUR Queens, N.Y.
-------------
Evelyn out
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Twisted Words and Willful Lawlessness
Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
It would appear that these new neighbors or mine are old hands at trying overrun the lives and wills of new residents, who want just a little peace of mind with a lot of unnecessary noise. There is also a great gulp in the original meaning of the words "to and protect one's family and community".
My understanding of those words have always been to protect one family and community as a whole within the boundaries of the laws of this country; and if a certain law is unjust, then we as Americans have the rights to see that it is either changed or stricken from law. However, it would seems that some of my neighbors believe that they should group together and protect only those they wish to and even when the ones they protect knowingly break the law. Being witnessed to this type of reasoning countless of times, I have reasoned that it would do absolutely no good to ask for any further cooperation from them.
Evelyn out.
Evelyn here,
It would appear that these new neighbors or mine are old hands at trying overrun the lives and wills of new residents, who want just a little peace of mind with a lot of unnecessary noise. There is also a great gulp in the original meaning of the words "to and protect one's family and community".
My understanding of those words have always been to protect one family and community as a whole within the boundaries of the laws of this country; and if a certain law is unjust, then we as Americans have the rights to see that it is either changed or stricken from law. However, it would seems that some of my neighbors believe that they should group together and protect only those they wish to and even when the ones they protect knowingly break the law. Being witnessed to this type of reasoning countless of times, I have reasoned that it would do absolutely no good to ask for any further cooperation from them.
Evelyn out.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
The boomer cars drivers were up to their antics in high form yesterday evening. Those that do it have demonstrated no thoughts of caring for the concerns or welfare of their neighbors and of late have shown open disdain.
The situation is worse in other parts of the country either, and in a report from WKYC-TV for one Cleveland man such disdain cost him life.
--------------
We who struggle here in the city of St. Petersburg to stop the excessive loud music and other unhealthy noises can only pray that our struggle does not go this far before it is given the attention it deserves from our officials. To date we are still trying to get a noise complaint form on the police department web site.
Evelyn out.
Evelyn here,
The boomer cars drivers were up to their antics in high form yesterday evening. Those that do it have demonstrated no thoughts of caring for the concerns or welfare of their neighbors and of late have shown open disdain.
The situation is worse in other parts of the country either, and in a report from WKYC-TV for one Cleveland man such disdain cost him life.
--------------
CLEVELAND -- Estevan Argenal was charged with aggravated murder in the stabbing death of a neighbor over the weekend.
The victim was 33. Notification has not been made to his next of kin at this time.
At approximately 9:45 a.m. on Dec. 14, the two neighbors got into an argument over loud music. It had been an on going dispute between the victim and Argenal.
The victim was allegedly yelling and banging on the walls. After approximately 2 hours, Argenal went downstairs and confronted the victim. The argument escalated and Argenal allegedly stabbed the victim.
The victim fled north on W. 87th Street to 8701 Lake Ave., where he received assistance from employees. Police responded and Argenal was arrested.
The victim was taken MetroHealth Medical Center, where he later died.
The incident is under investigation. A coroner's ruling is pending.
-----------------------We who struggle here in the city of St. Petersburg to stop the excessive loud music and other unhealthy noises can only pray that our struggle does not go this far before it is given the attention it deserves from our officials. To date we are still trying to get a noise complaint form on the police department web site.
Evelyn out.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Consumer Advisory - Attorney General Encourages CyberSafety over the Holidays
Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
with a consumer advisory from the Office of the Attorney General, Bill McCollum on how get children safety during this holiday seasons.
--------
Evelyn here,
with a consumer advisory from the Office of the Attorney General, Bill McCollum on how get children safety during this holiday seasons.
--------
ATTORNEY GENERAL ENCOURAGES CYBERSAFETY OVER THE HOLIDAYS
~ As schools let out, many children will spend more time online ~
TALLAHASSEE, FL – As Florida schools let out for the holidays, Attorney
General Bill McCollum today issued an advisory encouraging parents to talk
to their children about cybersafety. During the holiday break, children
have more leisure time and often spend more time on the internet. The
Attorney General emphasized the importance of taking a proactive approach
to teaching children safe internet use and encouraged parents to become
familiar with the websites their children visit and programs they use.
“Parents can make cybersafety a priority in their homes by talking to
their children about internet safety and how to avoid attacks from
internet child predators,” said Attorney General McCollum. “Education is
one of the best tools children have to protect themselves while using the
internet.”
Last Christmas Eve, the Attorney General’s CyberCrime Unit arrested a
Seminole County man who traveled to meet a young girl for a sexual
encounter. The man had met the teenager in a chatroom and sexually
solicited her, but her parents alerted the CyberCrime Unit and the man was
subsequently taken into custody. That man is now serving a 63-month prison
sentence.
The Attorney General offered the following list of internet safety tips
for parents to share with their children:
- Children should be discouraged from chatting online with someone they
do not know in real life;
- Never give out or post personal information like last names,
addresses and dates of birth;
- Never post photos or use screen names which may reveal personal
information such as age or school name, or photos that may be considered
provocative or seductive;
- Children should never make plans to meet someone who they have only
met online without a parent present; and
- Always report any inappropriate chatting or sexual solicitations
received online.
Additional tips on safe internet surfing for parents, students and
educators are on the Attorney General’s cybersafety website at
http://www.safeflorida.net/safesurf.
The Attorney General also encouraged Florida’s middle and high school
principals to set aside time during the spring semester to schedule
cybersafety presentations for their students. The Attorney General’s
50-minute interactive CyberSafety Presentation has reached over 85,000
students this school year with real-life stories and examples about safe
internet use and the tactics commonly used by internet child predators.
Principals can go to http://www.safeflorida.net/safeschools to schedule
cybersafety presentations with a volunteer from the Attorney General’s
Office or one of several hundred school resource officers specially
trained in cybersafety.
-------
Evelyn out.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Boom Car Driver Resorts to Threats of Rape
Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
with a very disturbing report. Early this morning a boom car driver and his male companions resorted to playing music filled with bad language, threats of rape, and other violence. The men involved in this incident talked and laughed loudly among themselves while they walked back and fore from to the car that blared the obscenities to an apartment at least four to six doors up from my location.
There was at least four to five black men involved in this incident, and their ages ranged from late thirties to early fifties. They seemed unconcerned about breaking the noise law with such loud and obscene trash. One of the men wore a bright orange shirt, and the others wore darker clothing. At first, there was not enough light to see the car but someone turned on some additional light. The car they stood beside was a long older model (80s), gray in color with a replacement panel of a darker gray on front right fender. The car could be an old Buick, Chevy, or Pontiac. It could belong to the resident responsible for the incident, but most likely, it belongs to one of resident’s visitors.
Nevertheless, one thing is clear, these men were attempting to attract the attention someone and threaten him or her.
There was an incident of loud music and revving up of a car engine late Friday night, but the driver soon left and the incident was left unreported. However, this morning driver was out there at 1:00 AM, he turned the volume of the stereo up and down until he, and his companions finally left the complex. Naturally, they left just prior to the police officers arrival. As for the male resident involved in this incident, and who is responsible for all their actions, he is in an apartment four to six door up, which should make it easy for the authorities to find him. He and his companions have now graduated from a simple breaking of a noise law to issuing threats of rape and other violence. That there was music behind their message makes it no mess the threat.
Evelyn out.
Evelyn here,
with a very disturbing report. Early this morning a boom car driver and his male companions resorted to playing music filled with bad language, threats of rape, and other violence. The men involved in this incident talked and laughed loudly among themselves while they walked back and fore from to the car that blared the obscenities to an apartment at least four to six doors up from my location.
There was at least four to five black men involved in this incident, and their ages ranged from late thirties to early fifties. They seemed unconcerned about breaking the noise law with such loud and obscene trash. One of the men wore a bright orange shirt, and the others wore darker clothing. At first, there was not enough light to see the car but someone turned on some additional light. The car they stood beside was a long older model (80s), gray in color with a replacement panel of a darker gray on front right fender. The car could be an old Buick, Chevy, or Pontiac. It could belong to the resident responsible for the incident, but most likely, it belongs to one of resident’s visitors.
Nevertheless, one thing is clear, these men were attempting to attract the attention someone and threaten him or her.
There was an incident of loud music and revving up of a car engine late Friday night, but the driver soon left and the incident was left unreported. However, this morning driver was out there at 1:00 AM, he turned the volume of the stereo up and down until he, and his companions finally left the complex. Naturally, they left just prior to the police officers arrival. As for the male resident involved in this incident, and who is responsible for all their actions, he is in an apartment four to six door up, which should make it easy for the authorities to find him. He and his companions have now graduated from a simple breaking of a noise law to issuing threats of rape and other violence. That there was music behind their message makes it no mess the threat.
Evelyn out.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
The conscientious citizens of Pinellas County are scoring victory after victory in their efforts to make Florida a noise free state. The most recent victory has been the "Vehicle Noise Complaint Form" on the Large Police Department official website.
http://www.largo.com/egov/apps/action/center.egov?action=form&item=63
Fantastic job Largo!
Evelyn out.
Evelyn here,
The conscientious citizens of Pinellas County are scoring victory after victory in their efforts to make Florida a noise free state. The most recent victory has been the "Vehicle Noise Complaint Form" on the Large Police Department official website.
http://www.largo.com/egov/apps/action/center.egov?action=form&item=63
Fantastic job Largo!
Evelyn out.
Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
with as important article by Jane E. Brody about the damage caused to children hearing from excessive sounds.
---------
Personal Health
All That Noise Is Damaging Children's Hearing
By JANE E. BRODY
Published: December 8, 2008
Michael became hooked on headphones in his early teens. He walked the streets of Brooklyn day after day with his favorite music blasting directly into his ears. By his early 20s, the sensory hair cells in his inner ears had been permanently damaged and Michael had lost much of his upper-range hearing.
The Children's Hearing Institute reports that hearing loss among children and young adults is rising in the United States, and that one-third of the damage is caused by noise.
According to the American Academy of Audiology, about one child in eight has noise-induced hearing loss. That means some five million children have an entirely preventable disability that will stay with them for life.
The academy has begun a "turn it to the left" (the volume dial, that is) awareness campaign in hopes of protecting current and future generations of youngsters from unwittingly damaging their hearing. Often, the problem is not detected until children develop persistent ringing in the ears or begin to have learning or behavior problems in school because of trouble understanding speech.
Although newborns are now routinely screened for hearing loss, there is no federal mandate for screening the hearing of school-age children. What testing is done often fails to check hearing at high enough pitches, a federal research team pointed out in the journal Pediatrics.
Surrounded by Noise
We live in a noisy world. Young and old alike are beset by sounds over which we may have little or no control: power mowers, leaf blowers, snow blowers, car and house alarms, sirens, motorcycles, Jet Skis, loudspeakers, even movie previews.
We attend rock concerts, weddings, parties and sports events at which the music is so loud you can hardly hear the person sitting next to you. At home, televisions, stereos and computer games are often turned up so loud that listeners cannot hear a doorbell or a telephone.
Many "modern" restaurants have opted for noise enhancement instead of abatement. And try having a conversation in a school cafeteria at lunchtime.
Any time you need to shout to be heard by someone near you, your hearing is most likely to be in a decibel danger zone.
As if environmental noise were not enough, now we besiege children with noisy toys and personal listening devices that can permanently damage their hearing. Toys that meet the safety standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials can produce sound up to 138 decibels, as loud as a jet taking off. Yet workplace rules require hearing protection for those exposed to noise above 85 decibels.
A series of studies conducted in 2002 among 116 infants by researchers at Johns Hopkins indicated that even moderate background noise can interfere with how they learn language. The effect on babies' hearing in a noisy house is similar to what an older person with age-related hearing loss may encounter at a crowded cocktail party.
A landmark study in 1975 found that children in classrooms on the noisy side of a school had lower reading scores than those whose classes were on the quiet side.
Noise-induced hearing loss can come about in two ways: from a brief exposure to a very loud noise or from consistent exposure to moderate-level noise. Thus, there is much concern about the lasting effects of MP3 players that are turned up loud enough to block out surrounding sound, like street noise. An MP3 player at maximum volume produces about 105 decibels - 100 times as intense as 85 decibels, where hearing damage begins. (For every 10 decibels, sound intensity increases tenfold.)
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says 110 decibels can produce hearing damage after just 1 minute, 29 seconds of exposure. The League for the Hard of Hearing cautions that "noise levels above 85 decibels will harm hearing over time" and that levels above 140 decibels - the pain threshold - can damage hearing after just one exposure.
New bone-conduction headphones that hook over the ears and pass sound through the skull to the inner ear may not solve the problem. While they allow listeners to hear an oncoming car or a person speaking, users may turn up the volume to overcome ambient noise, damaging the 15,000 tiny hair cells in the inner ear that transfer sound energy to the brain.
Once damaged, hair cells can neither be repaired nor replaced. The damage makes it difficult to hear high-pitched sounds, including certain speech sounds and the voices of women and children. Tinnitus, a continuous ringing, roaring or clicking in the ears, can also result.
Protecting Young Ears
Before buying noisemaking toys, parents would do well to listen to how loud they are. If the item comes with a volume control, monitor its use to make sure it is kept near the lowest level. Consider returning gifts that make loud noises, or disable the noise-making function. Or restrict the use of noisy toys to outside play areas.
Children who play computer games and stereo equipment should be warned to keep the volume down. Time spent in video arcades, where the noise level can exceed 110 decibels, should be strictly limited. Most iPods have a control that allows parents to set a maximum volume.
Avoid taking children to loud action movies. If you do go and the sound seems deafening, ask the management to turn down the volume or insist on your money back. Children who play in bands and teenagers who use power tools, gardening equipment or guns should be made to wear hearing protection, available at pharmacies and hardware and sporting goods stores.
The League for the Hard of Hearing urges parents to encourage participation in quiet activities, like reading, watching family-oriented films, doing puzzles, making things with construction toys, playing educational computer games, drawing and painting, and visiting libraries and museums.
-----------------
Evelyn out.
Evelyn here,
with as important article by Jane E. Brody about the damage caused to children hearing from excessive sounds.
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Personal Health
All That Noise Is Damaging Children's Hearing
By JANE E. BRODY
Published: December 8, 2008
Michael became hooked on headphones in his early teens. He walked the streets of Brooklyn day after day with his favorite music blasting directly into his ears. By his early 20s, the sensory hair cells in his inner ears had been permanently damaged and Michael had lost much of his upper-range hearing.
The Children's Hearing Institute reports that hearing loss among children and young adults is rising in the United States, and that one-third of the damage is caused by noise.
According to the American Academy of Audiology, about one child in eight has noise-induced hearing loss. That means some five million children have an entirely preventable disability that will stay with them for life.
The academy has begun a "turn it to the left" (the volume dial, that is) awareness campaign in hopes of protecting current and future generations of youngsters from unwittingly damaging their hearing. Often, the problem is not detected until children develop persistent ringing in the ears or begin to have learning or behavior problems in school because of trouble understanding speech.
Although newborns are now routinely screened for hearing loss, there is no federal mandate for screening the hearing of school-age children. What testing is done often fails to check hearing at high enough pitches, a federal research team pointed out in the journal Pediatrics.
Surrounded by Noise
We live in a noisy world. Young and old alike are beset by sounds over which we may have little or no control: power mowers, leaf blowers, snow blowers, car and house alarms, sirens, motorcycles, Jet Skis, loudspeakers, even movie previews.
We attend rock concerts, weddings, parties and sports events at which the music is so loud you can hardly hear the person sitting next to you. At home, televisions, stereos and computer games are often turned up so loud that listeners cannot hear a doorbell or a telephone.
Many "modern" restaurants have opted for noise enhancement instead of abatement. And try having a conversation in a school cafeteria at lunchtime.
Any time you need to shout to be heard by someone near you, your hearing is most likely to be in a decibel danger zone.
As if environmental noise were not enough, now we besiege children with noisy toys and personal listening devices that can permanently damage their hearing. Toys that meet the safety standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials can produce sound up to 138 decibels, as loud as a jet taking off. Yet workplace rules require hearing protection for those exposed to noise above 85 decibels.
A series of studies conducted in 2002 among 116 infants by researchers at Johns Hopkins indicated that even moderate background noise can interfere with how they learn language. The effect on babies' hearing in a noisy house is similar to what an older person with age-related hearing loss may encounter at a crowded cocktail party.
A landmark study in 1975 found that children in classrooms on the noisy side of a school had lower reading scores than those whose classes were on the quiet side.
Noise-induced hearing loss can come about in two ways: from a brief exposure to a very loud noise or from consistent exposure to moderate-level noise. Thus, there is much concern about the lasting effects of MP3 players that are turned up loud enough to block out surrounding sound, like street noise. An MP3 player at maximum volume produces about 105 decibels - 100 times as intense as 85 decibels, where hearing damage begins. (For every 10 decibels, sound intensity increases tenfold.)
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says 110 decibels can produce hearing damage after just 1 minute, 29 seconds of exposure. The League for the Hard of Hearing cautions that "noise levels above 85 decibels will harm hearing over time" and that levels above 140 decibels - the pain threshold - can damage hearing after just one exposure.
New bone-conduction headphones that hook over the ears and pass sound through the skull to the inner ear may not solve the problem. While they allow listeners to hear an oncoming car or a person speaking, users may turn up the volume to overcome ambient noise, damaging the 15,000 tiny hair cells in the inner ear that transfer sound energy to the brain.
Once damaged, hair cells can neither be repaired nor replaced. The damage makes it difficult to hear high-pitched sounds, including certain speech sounds and the voices of women and children. Tinnitus, a continuous ringing, roaring or clicking in the ears, can also result.
Protecting Young Ears
Before buying noisemaking toys, parents would do well to listen to how loud they are. If the item comes with a volume control, monitor its use to make sure it is kept near the lowest level. Consider returning gifts that make loud noises, or disable the noise-making function. Or restrict the use of noisy toys to outside play areas.
Children who play computer games and stereo equipment should be warned to keep the volume down. Time spent in video arcades, where the noise level can exceed 110 decibels, should be strictly limited. Most iPods have a control that allows parents to set a maximum volume.
Avoid taking children to loud action movies. If you do go and the sound seems deafening, ask the management to turn down the volume or insist on your money back. Children who play in bands and teenagers who use power tools, gardening equipment or guns should be made to wear hearing protection, available at pharmacies and hardware and sporting goods stores.
The League for the Hard of Hearing urges parents to encourage participation in quiet activities, like reading, watching family-oriented films, doing puzzles, making things with construction toys, playing educational computer games, drawing and painting, and visiting libraries and museums.
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Evelyn out.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Clearwater Police Department Launches New Program: “Operation Clamp the Amp”
Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
The battle to end the terror of excessive noise throughout the state of
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Date last updated: 12/3/2008 11:11:23 AM
Clearwater Police Department is starting a new program - "Clamp the Amp."
Citizens can now report booming car stereos by going online and entering a
few details.
Citizens who witness amplified car stereo volume should note the date and
location of the incident, the vehicle type, tag number and a brief
description of the driver if possible.
Reporting excessive volume will generate a letter from the Clearwater Police
Department to the vehicle's registered owner. A police officer must observe
the offense to take enforcement action, but the letter will warn the driver
of the violation and make a record of complaints.
audible 25 feet or more. The penalty is a $91 fine.
To report violations go to www.clearwaterpolice.org
<http://www.clearwat
Clearwater Police Department
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Will the Saint Petersburg Police Department follow
Evelyn out.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Hillary Rodham Clinton to Stand with President-elect Obama
Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
The is breaking news from Politico.com
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Politico.com Breaking News:
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Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) will stand with President-elect Obama at 10:40 a.m. Eastern time on Monday as he names her secretary of State, Democratic officials said. At the news conference unveiling his national-security team at a Chicago hotel, Obama will also announce he is retaining Defense Secretary Robert Gates at the Pentagon and making retired Marine general James Jones his national security adviser, the officials said.
For more information...http://www.politico.com
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Evelyn out.
Evelyn here,
The is breaking news from Politico.com
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Politico.com Breaking News:
-----------------------------------------------------
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) will stand with President-elect Obama at 10:40 a.m. Eastern time on Monday as he names her secretary of State, Democratic officials said. At the news conference unveiling his national-security team at a Chicago hotel, Obama will also announce he is retaining Defense Secretary Robert Gates at the Pentagon and making retired Marine general James Jones his national security adviser, the officials said.
For more information...http://www.politico.com
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Evelyn out.
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