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

Cracking AA-Broeken Ice

Monday, 31-January-2011 - Veghel - The ice was 3 cm thick today, and the weather would be getting warmer, so it was do or die. I put on my skates and slid on to the ice. The adrenaline rushed through my body as I heard the ice crack with every stride. What a kick! I started in the center of the pond. Each round got larger and larger. I didn't want to skate over the same path. After about six rounds without breaking through the ice, I considered myself lucky, and headed for the bank. After putting my boots back on, I met Leo who showed me the Archimides screw (photo) which was once used to flood the meadow to make the ice skating pond.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/AaBroeken_ice#
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b4Y2JuCTWI

AA-Broeken Daredevils

Sunday, 30-January-2011 - Veghel - I got dressed for ice skating, just in case. The ice was only slightly thicker than yesterday--about 2.5 cm now. It was still not thick enough for me, but a couple of younger guys dared to go out on the ice.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/AaBroeken_skating#

Sunset Bike Ride to Vorstenbosch

Thursday, 27-January-2011 - Vorstenbosch - The sun was going down, but I wanted to get a short bike ride in today.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Sunset_bike_ride_to_vorstenbosch#

Honus BioLogical Diary Farm

Saturday, 15-January-2011 - De Rips - Got up at 0515 today to join Johan to watch and maybe help milk his cows. Start time was 0645. I had a standing invitation. He knew I milked cows when I worked as a farmhand in Michigan. Johan volunteered to host this year's Fun-on-Wheels (FOW) family day at Honus (the name of the biological dairy farm he runs with his brother Kees). The FOW family day committee was to meet at 1000, but I wanted to get a first-hand look before then. At Honus, cows have names, not just numbers.
photos(101)
video clips:
Milking Cows at Honus--Part 1
Milking Cows at Honus--Part 2
Milking Cows at Honus--Part 3

More Skating at the AA-Broeken

Thursday, 30-December-2010 - Veghel - The snow and ice were melting. Went to mail some greeting cards on my way to go ice skating, but discovered our local mailbox had been removed as a precautionary measure to prevent vandalism.Met Niek at the AA-Broeken. He's the bass player in the Fioretti school band. He was waiting for his cousin Huub to arrive so they could play hockey.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dale.weiss.planet/Ice_skating_aaBroeken_20101230#