Friday, June 29, 2012

NEW RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE SET THURSDAY, ANOTHER RECORD EXPECTED FRIDAY 
Temperatures in Nashville set a new record yesterday. The official high of 105-degrees broke the previous record of 104 set in 1952, and we're expecting another record-breaker today. The triple-digit temperatures are expected to last through the weekend.

SALVATION ARMY ISSUES URGENT PLEA FOR BOTTLED WATER: DONATION DRIVE IS TODAY 
The Salvation Army has issued an urgent plea for bottled water, and has asked Mix 92.9 to put the word out. The non-profit organization has only enough water to supply the people they help for about a week. And now, with this heat, the Salvation Army has opened its Hydration Station in downtown Nashville, which serves hundreds more. You can find today's bottled water drop-off locations HERE, and find out how to donate through the summer or make a monetary donation online HERE.  

CONSERVE ELECTRICITY TO PREVENT POWER OUTAGES!
With the five straight days of 100-degree temperatures we're supposed to get before all this is over with, Nashville Electric Service (NES) says we must conserve electricity, so we don't overload the system and have power blackouts. You're asked to unplug any electronics you're not using, since they draw power even when they're off, use the microwave instead of the oven, since it consumes less power, and bump the thermostat up a couple of degrees, especially during peak power use times, from 3 to 7 in the afternoon. www.nespower.com

AIR QUALITY ALERT
You may find yourself coughing a little more today, or having breathing or throat issues, because of our poisoned air. There's an air quality alert in effect today, for ground level Ozone. Ozone is toxic and corrosive, and can irritate your throat and lungs, make your bronchitis, asthma or emphysema worse, and reduce your body's ability to fight respiratory infections. Ozone is made worse by car and gas engine emissions. You're supposed to stay indoors as much as you can today, especially between 2 and 7 this afternoon....when ozone is at its highest level of the day.

OUTDOOR BURNING BAN IN MIDSTATE, INCLUDES FIREWORKS BAN, GRILLING
Because of the heat and dry conditions, there's a ban on outdoor burning in most of Middle Tennessee. There are burn bans in Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, LaVergne, Clarksville, Portland, Dickson and all of Robertson, Smith and Wilson counties, until further notice. That includes fireworks. If you're caught setting off fireworks in these drought conditions you could face a steep fine. 

NO GRILLING IN BACKYARD
The Fire Department is encouraging everyone to refrain from using the backyard grill until a burn ban has been lifted and warning about the use of fireworks during the July 4th holiday.

EVENTS CANCELLED THIS WEEKEND BECAUSE OF HEAT
It’s so hot in Nashville that Metro Parks have begun cancelling events over the next few days. Triple digit heat and drought have led to potentially hazardous conditions.
The Red Caboose concert at Bellevue Park and the Big Band dance in Centennial Park have been cancelled with high temperatures over 100 degrees predicted through the weekend. 

AIR QUALITY ALERT
The heat is also causing some HEALTH problems for some of us... by holding that Ozone at ground level, where it's an irritant for your lungs... and is especially dangerous for people with lung problems, Ozone is made worse by car and gas engine emissions, so you're asked to drive less today if you can.

iPHONE TURNS 5
And the device millions of people depend on to manage their daily lives is now five years old.  Today is the fifth anniversary of Apple's iPhone.  Most analysts agree that no other device has changed social and technological life so much, in such a short time.  

HEALTH CARE RULING REAX
As you might expect, President Obama is thrilled with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling... upholding the constitutionality of the healthcare reform act... Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is still calling for a full repeal of the law.  

WALDO CANYON FIRE
The Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs has become a killer. A body was found in the ashes of a burned out home... one of nearly 350 that've been destroyed by the state's most destructive fire ever.

MUSIC CITY CENTER MORE THAN THREE-FOURTHS COMPLETE
Here's an update on the new Music City convention center in downtown Nashville: builders say the 16-acre, 585-million-dollar facility is three-fourths complete.... and scheduled to be open in April of next year. 

WILLIAM SHATNER LOSES PANTS AT L.A. AIRPORT
Star Trek legend William Shatner apparently had a wardrobe malfunction at the Los Angeles International Airport. He was wearing loose-fitting clothing for his trip, and as he was earched, his pants reportedly fell down, exposing his underwear. The actor was headed to South Africa.

80 ACRE FIRE IN KENTUCKY
We had a fire in OUR part of the country yesterday: an 80 acre fire in Christian County, Kentucky. Firefighters from more than a dozen communities fought to get it under control, and as of this morning the fire was contained, but there were still some hot spots burning. Firefighters from more than a dozen communities fought the fire, and one was treated for heat exhaustion.

EBAY CARS WITH PRICES GOING DOWN
Auction site eBay is offering new cars on its site, by counting down.  The "New Car Revolution Devolution Sale" works the opposite of how eBay operates.  Instead of putting a car up for auction with the price at zero and bidding going up, cars will start at full price then show discounts for the vehicle every hour until it sells.  

SOUTHWEST FLIGHT MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING IN NASHVILLE 
A Southwest flight bound for Houston made an emergency landing in Nashville yesterday.  A spokesperson from the airline cited a flap indication.  Officials with the Nashville International Airport said the 737 landed safely and none of the 137 passengers onboard the plane were injured.

JERRY SEINFELD IN NASHVILLE TONIGHT
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld brings his national comedy tour to TPAC's Andrew Jackson Hall on Friday (6/29). Tickets are $47.50-$77.50 through www.tpac.org, the TPAC Box Office, or 615-782-4040. Details: www.jerryseinfeld.com.