Weekly News Archives

                         or

       New Product  Archives

Check the health of your hard drive

Hard drives don't last forever in fact they fail more often than you might think. If your hard drive has ever crashed, you know the hassle it can cause.

But you may be able to get early warning because many hard drives feature S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology. On its own, S.M.A.R.T. won't help you. But software can use this information to keep you updated on your hard drive's health.

your hard drive. And it will help you keep an eye on your drive's temperature.  An early warning is nice. But don't rely solely on this software. You should still perform regular backups of your data.

 There may be signs, though. If you hear a popping or a cat-like sound, your drive may be failing. Problems starting Windows may also be caused by a failing drive. Programs are available to monitor the health of hard drives. They use the drive's self-monitoring tools. HDD Health and HD Tune are two such utilities. They're free.  www.hdtune.com/

Barrier Funding Update

The US House on August 1st approved the WRDA bill that came out of conference with a $20 Billion tab by a veto-proof 381-40 vote. You�ll recall WRDA contains language that would upgrade the status of the electronic barrier, to a federal project and include the completion of Barrier II, and upgrade Barrier I to a permanent status. The House accomplished this after the

president had threatened to veto the bill but before they recessed for the summer. The US Senate wasn�t as proficient and won�t take up the bill until after they return in September.

Lets hope the U.S. Senate is as concerned about invasive species movement into the Great Lakes and also approves the $20 billion Bill with a veto proof margin.

Migratory birds spread Lyme disease to every state

Includes urban areas not usually associated with the disease

 For years U.S. scientists have blamed the Lyme epidemic on deer, but birds spread it farther and wider. Now migratory birds transmit Lyme disease's spirochetes to every city, state, country and corner of the globe, say researchers, putting everyone at risk, even people who live in big cities. This flies in the face of the "party line" Americans have heard from federal authorities and officials for decades.

The USFWS is mandated by law to protect migratory birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and have been reticent to admit their birds carry any responsibility for spreading any diseases.

We've been told Lyme was "isolated" and could only spread as far as ticks and their preferred hosts, white-tailed deer, range through the wood and field. City dwellers considered themselves to be immune. Even rural folk in areas not populated by deer thought of Lyme disease as something "people in Connecticut get."

But migratory birds fly everywhere, now, as stunning research proves, taking Lyme with them. And if you don't think ticks hitch rides on birds, you're misinformed. Researchers in Sweden and Finland - where Lyme is common - say birds are especially prone to Borrelia-infected ticks during their autumn

and spring migrations.  The bacteria may also persist for

several months in the birds and it may then be reactivated in response to migration, the same experts have learned.

Borrelia spirochetes and the role of birds as global transmitters of the bacteria have been investigated by a Swedish research group led by Professor Sven Bergstrom. The group is part of a Finnish-Swedish research consortium included in the Microbes and Man Research Program,, which is co-funded by the Academy of Finland and the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research.

"The fact that the same type of Lyme disease exists in both the northern and the southern hemisphere shows that birds participate in the natural circulation of Borrelia spirochetes by carrying them all across the globe," Bergstrom said.

Previously, it was thought that only mammals such as the white-tailed deer and white-eared mouse could function as reservoir hosts for Borrelia infected ticks. The research results of the Bergstrom group show that Borrelia-infected ticks thrive on birds as well � without a mammal reservoir. Lyme Borreliosis is an infectious disease caused by the Borrelia bacterium.  It can cause eczemas, arthritis and, at the worst, different kinds of neurological disorders. In Finland, thousands of people are infected by the disease each year.

The National Lyme Report contributed to this article

Eating Fish: Good for Heart, Bad for Environment?

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (Reuters)  -- Doctors recommend a good dose of salmon or tuna in the diet because of its benefits to the heart. But is it good for the environment? Surging demand for salmon in particular has been spurred in part by numerous studies touting the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, which are present in some kinds of fish.

A study published in June in the American Heart Association journal Circulation said a diet with liberal servings of fish, nuts and seeds rich in such nutrients can help lower a person's blood pressure. Other studies have shown benefits to eye and brain development and preventing heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and eye disorders.

However, environmentalists worry that health trends could add pressure to already vulnerable fisheries.  "Over-fishing has predated the interest in omega-3 and healthy eating. But now there are places where it is certainly going to accentuate it," said Jason Clay, vice president of markets at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). "The FAO (U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization) estimates that by 2030 average annual per capita global consumption of fish will increase by 1.5 kgs (3.4 lbs) and some of it will be driven by health-related demand," he said.

When it comes to omega-3 fatty acids, not all fish are equal.

Fatty fish such as trout, salmon, mackerel and Alaska pollock are rich in this crucial group of nutrients. Tuna are, too, but few wild tuna fisheries are regarded by conservationists as sustainable. Omega-3s are very high in wild salmon and the Alaskan salmon fishery is well-managed, admit environmentalists.  Alaska salmon are among the fisheries that have been certified as sustainable by the British-based Marine Stewardship Council. It uses stringent criteria for a fishery to get its seal of approval and the right to bear its eco-label.

According to the U.S. National Fisheries Institute, American per capita consumption of salmon has risen from 0.87 lbs per year in 1992 to 2.026 lbs in 2006. The species also went from being America's sixth most popular fish to eat to its third over the same period of time.

Much of the burgeoning demand for salmon is being met by the rapidly growing aquaculture industry, but experts say there are environmental concerns linked to that, too. WWF's Clay said fish being caught for fishmeal to feed the aquaculture industry include species such as anchovies, which are rich in omega-3s but which have questions over their sustainability. "One out of every three fish that is caught right now is used to make feed for other fish," he said.

New Passport Rules to Cost US $1 Billion

The nation's passport headaches may be easing a bit, but now comes the bill: almost $1 billion. New travel rules that

swamped passport offices and frustrated U.S. travelers this summer will cost the government an estimated $944 million.

Operation Channel Watch nabs illegals

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. - The U.S. Coast Guard, along with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, conducted "Operation Channel Watch" during the past two days on Lake St. Clair.

The operation resulted in one fugitive taken into custody and turned over to St. Clair Shores Police Department. Another man was arrested as a criminal alien illegally in the United States.  The criminal alien is being detained by ICE and processed for removal from the United States.

"The Operation was successful in promoting safe boating and improving public service by furthering cooperation among multiple agencies from all levels of law enforcement," said Cmdr. Dave Beck, USCG Incident Commander.

USCG Marine Safety Unit Cleveland transfers command 

CLEVELAND - Cmdr. Joseph Gleason on August 10 transferred command of U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Cleveland to Lt. Cmdr. Linda Sturgis.  The ceremony was held at the Marine Safety Unit Cleveland, across from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Gleason departed to U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, in Washington, D.C., where he will serve as the Exercise Coordinator at the newly commissioned USCG Deployable Operations Group. Lt. Cmdr. Sturgis is coming from U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters.

Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels for August 17, 2007

Weather Conditions

Some areas in the Great Lakes basin received some very beneficial rainfall this week as a number of frontal systems tracked through the region.  Many locations across the region are experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions due to the lack of rainfall this summer.  Cooler and drier air will settle in for the upcoming weekend.  Temperatures will struggle to reach 70 degrees in some northern cities.

Lake Level Conditions

Lake Superior is presently 11 inches below its level of a year ago, while Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are 5 to 8 inches lower than last year�s levels.  Lake Superior is predicted to remain at around the same level over the next 30 days. Lake Michigan-Huron is projected to decline two inches, while Lakes St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are expected to drop 5 inches over the next month. Each lake is forecasted to be below their water levels of a year ago during the next few months.  

Current Outflows/Channel Conditions

Outflow from the St. Marys River is predicted to be well below average for August. Flows through the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers are also predicted to be lower than average this month. In addition, flows in the Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers are

expected to be below average as well.

Alerts

Due to abnormally dry conditions on the Lake Superior basin over the last several months, | Lake Superior �s water level is currently below chart datum and is expected to remain below datum over the next six months.  Users of the Great Lakes, connecting channels and St. Lawrence River should keep informed of current conditions before undertaking any activities that could be affected by changing water levels.  Mariners should utilize navigation charts and refer to current water level readings.

Cabela�s to Purchase Canadian Outdoor Retailer

SIDNEY, Neb. - Cabela�s on August 16 announced it has reached an agreement to purchase S.I.R. Warehouse Sports Store, a Winnipeg-based specialty retailer that for generations has supplied hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise to Canadian outdoorsmen and women.

S.I.R. was founded in 1924 by Sydney Isaac Robinson and has grown into one of Canada�s leading outdoor outfitters through its mail-order operation and 44,000-sq-ft retail store in the heart of Winnipeg�s busiest shopping district.

�S.I.R. has long been a tradition for many outdoor enthusiasts in Canada in much the same mold as Cabela�s,� said Dennis Highby, Cabela�s President and Chief Executive Officer. �This acquisition will allow us to accelerate growth of our retail,

catalog and Internet business in Canada, and though we already have a loyal customer base in Canada, we expect significant growth in Canadian business as a result of this transaction.�

�S.I.R.�s facilities will become the headquarters for our Canadian operations,� Highby said. �And S.I.R.�s employees, who we expect to retain, will become our first Canadian employees.�

The purchase, which Cabela�s expects to close in 30 to 60 days, will be Cabela�s second announced venture in Canada. The Sidney, Neb., -based company plans to build one of its trademark destination retail stores at the proposed Lac Mirabel development in Montreal.

Another Record Year in Rimfire Sporter

200 shooters gathered on Viale Range at Camp Perry on Sunday, 22 July to participate in the 6th National Rimfire Sporter Match. Last year 169 shooters competed in this fast-growing National Matches event. Match participants were especially lucky this year; the weather was absolutely gorgeous! With the sun shining and a gentle breeze, the day was just that, a breeze. Scores and the spirits of competitors and match staff were high. It was a fantastic day to be at Camp Perry.

Number of U.S. gun dealers plunges

Federally licensed sellers of firearms have declined 79%

WASHINGTON - Tougher laws and stricter enforcement cost nearly 200,000 U.S. gun dealers their licenses since the mid-1990s, a new study indicates.

Led by remarkably sharp declines in states including California, Florida and Washington, the number of federally licensed firearms dealers fell 79 % nationwide since 1994. In that year, Congress adopted gun-control measures that still spark fiery debate. In 1994, 245,628 U.S. residents held federal licenses allowing them to sell firearms. In California alone, the nation's most populous state, there were 20,148 license holders.

Now, there are 50,630 of the so-called Type 1 federal firearms licenses nationwide. In California, the number of licenses fell to 2,120 this year. The number of firearms licenses likewise 

fell more than 80 percent since 1994 in Florida, Washington, Louisiana and Georgia, among other states. Even the state with the smallest reduction in licensed dealers - Montana - saw a 68 % decline.  The number of Arizona's licensed dealers declined 75 % to 1,059 in 2007 from 4,178 in 1994.

The decline in licenses began after Congress approved in 1993 the Brady Bill, named for former White House press secretary James Brady, who was wounded in a 1981 assassination attempt on President Reagan. The 1993 law, and a subsequent 1994 anti-crime law, imposed new restrictions.

The firearms licenses that once cost $10 a year now cost $200 a year for the first three years. License applicants now must submit photographs and fingerprints and inform local police of their plans.