June 1 marked the start of the 2012 hurricane season. A near to below normal Atlantic hurricane season is expected in 2012 even though 2 named storms have already formed in late May this year (only the third time in history this has happened). Early activity does not usually indicate latter season activity.

The official NOAA forecast calls for:
9-15 named storms
4-8 hurricanes
1-3 major hurricanes (category 3 or higher)

Several factors are coming together to potentially reduce the number or storms for the 2012 season compared to both 2010 and 2011 which had 19 named storms.

1). Atlantic sea surface temperatures in the region between Africa and the Caribbean Sea are running 1-2 degrees below normal for this time of year which suggest cooler than normal water in the Atlantic. Tropical cyclones feed off of warm water, so cooler than average conditions usually indicates a potential for less activity and less intense storms.

2). Forecasted sea level pressures across the entire Atlantic basin are forecasted to run between 50-80% above average during the peak of the 2012 season which again points toward negative conditions for development.

3). The forecasted development of El Nino (warmer than average waters by .5C in the central Pacific). ENSO forecasting models show the current neutral conditions warming to El Nino conditions by late summer. How fast this happens could have a major impact on the Atlantic hurricane season, as El Nino is a major hindrance of Atlantic basin tropical activity due to increased upper level wind shear. If El Nino forms quicker than currently expected, the number of tropical cyclones will probably be toward the lower end of the forecast (9-12).

As with any hurricane season, it is not the number of storms, but where they impact that is important. Current patterns for 2012 support “close-in” development in the Gulf of Mexico and off the SE US coast with potential for quick impacts. I remind everyone that it only takes one storm to make a bad year in your particular area (1983 only had 4 tropical systems the entire season, but one was category 3 hurricane Alicia, the last major hurricane to strike the upper TX coast).

Now is the time to review your hurricane preparation plans, prepare a hurricane kit, plan you evacuation route if a public evacuation is needed, and review your insurance policies….remember home owners insurance DOES NOT cover flood damage and flood insurance takes 30 days to go into effect. Prepare NOW!

In coordination with the National Weather Service (NWS), GBRA will add new river stage forecasts for the Guadalupe River and its tributaries in South Central Texas and the Hill Country. Beginning May 25 the new daily forecast services will help inform interests along the Guadalupe River system. A full range of forecast flows, from baseflow to flood conditions, will now be available on the Guadalupe River system. Daily forecasts will be available at 15 locations on the Guadalupe River, including the Blanco and San Marcos River tributaries. These forecasts may be monitored online with the United State Geological Survey (USGS) streamflow data at this link: http://www.gbra.org/conditions/data.aspx
“The addition of daily forecasts to our river forecast responsibilities will provide enhanced decision making information for the recreation industry, ranchers and other interests in the Guadalupe River basin,” said Joe Arellano, meteorologist-in-charge of the Austin/San Antonio office.

The Austin/San Antonio forecast office provides all weather services for 33 counties in South Central Texas. The office collects meteorological data; prepares and disseminates weather forecasts, river and flood forecasts and warnings; and issues severe weather watches and warnings to the public.

“This new forecast service on the Guadalupe River basin is an invaluable tool,” said Thomas Donaldson, hydrologist-in-charge of the West Gulf River Forecast Center. “Daily river stage forecasts across the entire spectrum of river flows will be available to decision makers and the general public through the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service.”

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources.

The GBRA was established by the Texas Legislature in 1933 as a water conservation and reclamation district. GBRA provides stewardship for the water resources in its 10-county statutory district, which begins near the headwaters of the Guadalupe and Blanco rivers, ends at San Antonio Bay, and includes Kendall, Comal, Hays, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Gonzales, DeWitt, Victoria, Calhoun, and Refugio counties.

In order to identify and eliminate government waste, duplication and general inefficiencies in state agencies, the Texas Legislature established the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission (Commission) in 1977. The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission is a legislative body which is made up of six Texas Senate members and six Texas House of Representative members.  The Commission is tasked with reviewing the policies and programs of more than 150 state agencies.  The sunset review process is designed to review each of these agencies every twelve years. This review is done by taking up a certain number of the state agencies each session when the Texas Legislature convenes.

In reviewing the various agencies, the Commission examines the continual need for the agency. A review is made of duplication of policies or programs with other agencies.  Also, the review looks at new and innovative was to improve each agency’s operations and activities. During the sunset review process, the Commission holds public hearings, and allows the public to provide their thoughts, ideas and general perception of the agency’s need.  After each agency is reviewed, the Commission then recommends actions to the full Texas Legislature.

One of the agencies currently in the sunset review process is the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE).  The TBAE is setup as a multi-professional regulatory agency that oversees architects, interior designers and landscape architects.  The agency was established in 1937 by the 45th Texas Legislature.  The Legislature established the agency after an explosion at the New London School killed 295 students and teachers. The agency’s mission statement is to “to ensure a safe built environment for Texas by regulating the professions of architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design.”

The TBAE duties and responsibilities are outlined in Subchapter B of the Occupation Code, Chapters 1051, 1052, 1053.  The agency is overseen by a nine-member Board which is appointed by the Governor of Texas and confirmed by the Texas Senate.  The Board is made up of four architects members, one interior designer member, one landscape architect member and three members who represent the public, of which at least one is a person with a disability.  The day-to-day  operations of the agency are handled by the staff, and overseen by the executive director, who is hired by and serves at the will of the Board.

If you would like to learn more about the TBAE agency and their functions, you can go to www.tbae.state.tx.us .  On their site you can learn about the agency’s regulatory laws and enforcement responsibilities and other information.

Over the coming weeks, I will take the opportunity to outline and present to you other state agencies currently undergoing the sunset review process.  If you would like to learn more on your own about the Sunset Advisory Commission or other agencies undergoing the sunset review process, you can go to www.sunset.state.tx.us .  Some of the agencies that that I will be outlining are the Texas Education Agency, Texas Lottery Commission, Texas Ethics Commission, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Texas Railroad Commission, State Preservation Board,  and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

-State Representative Todd Hunter

Cast of “The Velveteen Rabbit”
Jax Stringham (Andrew), Bailey Leadbetter and Faith Fojt (Rabbit Spirit), John-Michael Sadleir and Brice Caughron (Skin Horse Spirit), Natalie Brown and Story Sudik (Mother), Shaughnessy Howell and Taylor Hunt (Nana), Ashley Spears and Elaina Cuellar (Model Boat Spirit), Blaine Schmidt and Hannah Shelly (Timothy Lion Spirit), Mikayla Caughron and Sarah Armstrong (Train Engine Spirit), Shaylee Patterson and Mercedez Kalisek (Brown Rabbit), Macy Tomlinson and Abby Foester (Wild Rabbit One), Keegan Brumfield and Baylee Nunley (Wild Rabbit Two), Cassie Lane and Emily Stavinoha (Magic Nursery Fairy), Trevor Miller and Tyler Schultz (Uncle Brad), Bauer Willoughby and Hannah Davis (Doctor), Cianndra Smith and Sara Demicelli (Cook), Steven Spears and Aston Sudik (Peavy), (Tree Spirits): Reggie Frederick, Sky Pesek, Emily Llanes, Levi Stringham, Briana Bordovsky, Kaitlynn Schultz, Casey Nunley, Camree Crober, Ariadne Rubio, Cameron Pesek, Savannah Lane; (Extra Rabbits): Aislynn Olascuaga, Allie Olascuaga, Payton Cox, Arianna Silvas, Angelina Fredericksen, Kendyl Smith, Emma Garcia, Fisher Franck, and TaHithia Hunter.

 
The Port Lavaca Main Street Theatre announces the cast of the upcoming 14th Annual Children’s production, Margery William’s The Velveteen Rabbit. Production dates are June 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening shows begin at 7:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2:00 pm. There will also be a 2:00 pm matinee on Friday June 15. For more information visit www.plmainstreet.org or contact Jody Weaver at 649-6116.

Angie B & Betsy B

Angie B on the left and Betsy B are sisters (with the B standing for bobtail) about 8-9 months old. Super sweet dispositions and very loving, you can’t go wrong with either one of them or, better yet, both as they are very twin like in nature. We fell in love with these girls from the first day, you will also.

Jiggles

Jiggles is one of those terrier mixes of undefined parentage, but he’s 100% Happy Dog, that we know. The spots remind us of some possible Dalmatian in him, and he’s certainly a lively guy. At about 6 months, he still has all those puppy ways and would be great for an active family ready to play with and train him.

Come see Jiggles, Angie B, Betsy B, and all the other animals at the Port Lavaca Animal Shelter, 201 Stringham Drive (across from the rodeo arena), Monday through Saturday, 10 to 2, or call the Calhoun County Humane Society, 553-8916.

You can also view them and other animals ready for adoption on line at www.calhouncountyhumanesociety.org

Thanks and we’ll be waiting for you!