Below is an excerpt from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory’s December, 27 2008 report:

The University of Utah Seismograph Stations reports that a swarm of small earthquakes of magnitude 3.5 and smaller is occurring beneath Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park, five to nine miles south-southeast of Fishing Bridge, Wyoming. The swarm began yesterday afternoon, Dec. 26, and has continued and intensified today. The two largest earthquakes in this swarm have been shocks of magnitude 3.5 and 3.4 which occurred at 1:17 and 1:26 pm MST, respectively, today. Many smaller earthquakes have also occurred, including three events this morning of magnitude 2.5 to 2.8 and a magnitude 3.2 event at 3:30 pm MST. Some of the earthquakes in the swarm have been reported felt by people in the Yellowstone Lake area. Swarms of this nature are relatively common in this part of Yellowstone Park.

Earthquakes in and around the Yellowstone area affirm the continuous underground activity.  However, the likelihood of a major eruption is currently small.  This should not deter visitors from visiting and enjoying the beauty of this great American national park.

For more information visit the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.

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Phoenix METRO

Residents of the Phoenix, Arizona metro area get their first rides on the long awaited light rail public transportation system today.  As part of the opening celebration, all rides are fare-free through the rest of 2008.

Construction on the 20 mile system began in March of 2005.  Stops along the 50 minute route include areas of Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa with future expansions to include Glendale.

Celebration activities include displays and entertainment at each stop.  At Sycamore and Main, Grand Funk Railroad highlights a full day of music and food for the entire family.  There’s also a kid zone and a classic car show.

At Veterans Way and College Avenue in Tempe there will be a festival including live music, fireworks, and a farmer’s market plus a whole lot more.

If you are in the Phoenix area this weekend, be sure to ride the new light rail system while enjoying some of the festivities.  And for you Diamondbacks baseball fans, there is a light rail stop within 400 feet of Chase Field!

On the web: Valley Metro

Technorati Tags: Arizona, light rail, Phoenix

A second accident occured in the Red Dog area near Squaw Valley, California on Christmas Day. One skier was caught and buried.

These two incidents bring the 2008-09 U.S. winter season avalanche fatality total to six.

More information can be found at www.avalanche.org.

Technorati Tags: avalanche fatalities, utah avalanche

Not all situations end this well.  If you are planning backcountry ski trips, please be safe.  Wearing a beacon and letting others know where you are and when you plan to return can mean the difference between living to tell the story and being a statistic.

Last year in the United States many died in avalanches.  More than 30 people were not as fortunate as these guys.

Have a safe and merry Christmas!

Technorati Tags: Avalanche, avalanche fatalities

Please remember to be careful in the backcountry.  Always wear a beacon and be safe.

The Ride Utah Blog has posted links to snow safety videos from the Utah Avalanche Center.  This is great information for everyone.

Technorati Tags: Avalanche, avalanche deaths, u.s. avalanche

For many travelers in the western United States, a nightmare is becoming reality.  Airport delays, clogged roadways, and full hotels are all adding to the misery.

In the Seattle area snow rarely causes a problem.  However, this season has been different.  The city, unprepared for such downfalls, has been caught short on snow melting supplies such as sand and salt.  Add to that the problem of fewer but fuller flights from the airlines and many are left to simply try driving or cancel their plans altogether.

While listening to NPR this morning, I heard a woman saying her family had decided to delay their Christmas celebration by a week. 

Whatever decisions these weary travelers make, hopefully all will be safe and be able to enjoy the spirit of Christmas this year.

-Tommy

Technorati Tags: holiday travel, Snow, western snow

A similar crash occurred in 2006 on the Klamath River which shut down commercial fishing in the area. In that year Congress approved more than $60 million in aid.

Carlos M. Gutierrez, a top official in the Bush administration, has announced a fisheries failure. This gives Congress the green light to once again bail out the industry.

Technorati Tags: 2008 salmon collapse, salmon, salmon industry

Have you ever seen fine rustic furniture in a museum or lodge?  If so, you can surely appreciate the beauty of these pieces of art.

I know of an excellent place in Idaho where a craftsman makes extrodinary pieces like this everyday.  His name is Tracy Carpenter of Idaho Made.  Tracy works with a large collection of redwood burl to craft some of the finest tables, desks, and stands you will ever see.  His items, all of which are different and unique, bring out the best the wood has to offer. 

Below is a quote taken from Tracy’s website: 

“My work is sold in 22 high-end locations across the west from Palm Desert, Scottsdale, Aspen, Vail, Jackson Hole, Big Sky, Sun Valley, Park City, San Francisco and many more.  My work makes it way across the country and even outside the U.S.”

You can view Tracy’s work at IdahoMade.com.

Technorati Tags: burl furniture, burl table, idaho made, redwood burl

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed budget cuts for the state that will help close the $3.3 billion gap in the state’s budget this year.

Although not all of the cuts the governor proposed were included, he did appear satisfied.  He also cautioned on more to come.

“I respect the fact that it is not exactly what I proposed,” Schwarzenegger told reporters as he signed the bills into law.

“There is much more to come.  This is only the beginning,” he said.

Schwarzenegger had originally proposed across the board reductions for state agencies. The agreed cuts, which are expected to take effect immediately, largely address spending in education and social services.

Technorati Tags: California budget, california budget cuts

Speculators believe Yahoo is trying to increase the bid from Microsoft.  Yahoo simply states the deal was too low.  Either way, Yahoo is likely to receive more money unless a hostile takeover strategy is implemented by Microsoft.

Besides talking with News Corp., Yahoo also reportedly has explored an advertising partnership with Google.  In addition, reports of a possible merger with AOL appear to be more rumor than fact, said the person familiar with News Corp. negotiations.

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