Student Bus Travelers at Peril--Part 2

Friday, 25-February-2011 - Veghel - Was called today by Veghel township executive Annemieke van de Ven, as well as Bundersweg Reconstruction project leader Joris Jansen. They both shared my concerns for the safety of the student bus travelers at the N265 ROC de Leijgraaf location. This is a temporary situation which should last five more weeks when the bus stops at the new round-about will be ready for use. At that time, the "temporary" N265 ROC bus stops will be de-activated. Travelers need to use the nearby pedestrian crossing at the Cor van Schie intersection. It's one's own responsiblility to cross safely using existing means. This crossing has been modified to immediately stop automobile traffic when a pedestrian pushes the button. As for warning signs, I was informed that 30 km/hr speed limit signs already exist to regulate the traffic for this construction area. I told them than I did not see these signs, but I'd have a look today. I accepted that the township had taken the necessary measures to keep this area safe. Now, to figure out why traffic doesn't slow down, and why students continue to dangerously cross the road (photo). I rode my bike to checkout the location once more. Approaching from the ASV intersection, I discovered a one 30 km sign in clear view; but traffic passed by at 50-60 km/hr. Drivers didn't seem to notice this single sign among the several large yellow information signs--until I stood next to it taking pictures. at the "Cor van Schie" bus stop, I asked a student who had just crossed the road with three friends. She replied that she got used to doing it this way--it had become a habit. I then spoke to Suzanne Kuipers at the ROC de Leijgraaf. She would post another intranet message for the faculty and student body. She would also speak to her colleague at the Fioretti College. I then rode to approach the ROC from Mariaheide. I discovered the 30 km sign was not visible to drivers--it was hidden by a row of trees and a large yellow information sign. Mr Jansen needs to be informed of this. I remembered how signs for changing speed limits were posted in other areas of town, so I went looking for good examples whch could be applied at the N265 ROC de Leijgraaf location.
https://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Bus_stops_roc_leijgraaf_veghelPart_2#

Google Art Project

Saturday, 19-February-2011 - New York - Normally, to get this close to this painting, one needs to visit the The Museum of Modern Art in New York, but the Google Art Project now brings it to your home.

https://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Google_art_project#

Student Bus Travelers at Peril

Tuesday, 15-Februrary-2011 - Veghel - Since the removal of the earth berm and installation of two new bus stops along the Udenseweg (N265) between Cor van Schie and the BP gasoline station, a very dangerous situation exists at two large regional schools: ROC de Leijgraaf and het Fioretti College. Posted speed limit is 50 km/hr, but this is often exceeded. Bus travelers, younger and older, hastily cross the busy road without stoplight-protected pedestrian traffic crossings! I observed this today when I went to the carwash across the road. This is also a reason for students to cross the road--it has a convenience store for fast food and snacks.
https://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Bus_stops_roc_leijgraaf_veghel#
streetview of old situation with earth berm intact

Standing Water in Juliana Park

Tuesday, 15-February-2011 - Veghel - On my way to the Profile Tyre Center, I saw standing water in the Juliana Park. on my way back home, I stopped to take a closer look. It now has a resemblance to a tractor pull site; but except for a couple of "snow-" whitened trees and shrubs, it looks like it did before the Julia Winterpark: full of water. "It's difficult to return this park to its former condition after rain, snow, and more rain." 13-jan-2011 event organiser Jan-Hein Opheij. It's important to note that water had to be pumped out of the Juliana park prior to installing the Julia Winterpark (see prior link for photo). This was done wih the help of the township of Veghel. The Julia Winterpark was a wonderful event, but steps need to be taken to maintain the beauty of this park during the winter months.

https://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Julianapark#

prior to Julia Winterpark

Frozen AA-Broeken Nature Area

1-February-2011 - Veghel - Got another rush skating on 3cm ice cracking underneath me. This time I made rounds as near to the edge as I could. The pond is 280 meters long and 60 meters wide. I felt like Rocky Balboa, and started to "sing" the movie theme song. Then I thought about the Raymond van het Groenewoud concert, and I asked myself in Dutch, " How do I look"? After skating I walked around the nature area and saw it's frozen beauty. This area has rusty spring water which takes longer to freeze. This is probrably why I saw a common king fisher (Alcedo atthis)--ijsvogel in Dutch--before heading home. This bird relies on catching small fish. When water freezes over, the king fisher goes hungry.
https://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/AaBroeken_frozen_nature_area#
rocky on ice
how do I look?
Guy with a Stick, Skating on the Ice
rusty spring water