Fair Winds

The elders quorum had a sailing activity, courtesy of several very generous members, out on the Patuxent River (set sail from near Broomes Island).

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Jill & CJ stayed on land (we didn't have a baby life-jacket for CJ) - they swam in the big pool and played with some of the other folks that came. After my quick cruise, we grabbed a bite to eat and headed back to real life: homework for Jeremy and a baby shower for Jill & CJ.

Here are some photos from the trip:

Heading down to the dock

Getting ready to raise the sail

Catching some wind

Tying off the rigging

Heading out on the Patuxent

Getting ready to drop sail

Floating, so we can swim

Self-portrait; on the bow, headed back to the dock

Artsy; passing motorboat

Artsy; channel marker thingy

Flying the US and USMC colors

Another artsy attempt; moored motorboat

What's wrong with this picture?

Headed back to the dock

For better-quality pics, go see the album.

What a fun trip. A BIG THANKS to everyone who made that activity possible.

Don't Worry

DHS Secretary Napolitano tells us of "recent specific, credible but unconfirmed threat information" and urges public vigilance (repeating an earlier warning given by her Press Secretary).

The Washington Post reported yesterday:

U.S. officials are investigating a possible al-Qaeda plot to detonate a vehicle-borne bomb in Washington or New York City around Sunday’s 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

A handful of individuals may have entered the United States in recent days as part of the plot, which officials said originated from the tribal areas of Pakistan along the Afghan border. One of them may be a U.S. citizen.

Numerous officials familiar with the information cautioned Thursday night that while the threat is specific and worrisome, it is based on raw intelligence that is unconfirmed. Law enforcement agencies across the Eastern Seaboard were scrambling to determine how serious the danger is and to find any possible terrorist plotters.

[...]

Members of Congress were also briefed on what law enforcement and intelligence officials described as the first specific and credible threat related to the anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The concern was amplified by the knowledge that before he was killed in May, Osama bin Laden had seemed fixated on attacking the United States again on or around Sept. 11.

Then, the local county alert system sent out this message today:

This weekend will mark the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001. Residents of Arlington County may be aware of warnings issued by federal, state, and local agencies regarding potential attacks that may occur during this time. Police Chief M. Douglas Scott would like to assure residents that the Arlington County Police Department has plans in place to address needs as they occur. The police department would like to remind our residents of ways that they can assist in preventing future acts of terrorism.

“See Something Say Something”

The Arlington County Police Department joins our federal and local partners in the “See Something Say Something” campaign. The campaign is a simple and effective program developed to raise public awareness of indicators of terrorism, crime, and other threats and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper transportation and law enforcement authorities. Remember that the suspicious activity does not need to be criminal in nature to report it to the Arlington County Police.

The 7 Signs of Terrorism awareness are listed below:

1. Surveillance: Recording or monitoring activities. May include drawing diagrams, note taking, use of cameras, binoculars or other vision-enhancing devices, or possessing floor plans or blueprints of key facilities.

2. Elicitation: Attempts to obtain operation, security, and personnel-related information regarding a key facility. May be made by mail, fax, e-mail, telephone, or in person.

3. Tests of Security: Attempts to measure reaction times to security breaches or to penetrate physical security barriers or procedures in order to assess strengths and weaknesses.

4. Acquiring Supplies: Attempts to improperly acquire items that could be used in a terrorist act. May include the acquisition of explosives, weapons, harmful chemicals, flight manuals, law enforcement or military equipment, uniforms, identification badges, or the equipment to manufacture false identification.

5. Suspicious Persons: Someone who does not appear to belong in a workplace, neighborhood or business establishment due to his/her behavior, including unusual questions or statements he/she make.

6. Dry Runs/Trial Runs: Behavior that appears to be preparation for a terrorist act without actually committing the act. Activity could include mapping out routes and determining the timing of traffic lights and flow.

7. Deploying Assets: Placing people, equipment, and supplies into position to commit the act. This is the last opportunity to alert authorities before the terrorist act occurs.

Arlington County residents are encouraged to contact the police if they observe suspicious situations by calling 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line at
703-558-2222.

But, don't worry, we're safer now.

[update]
Hearing Rumors of a Plot, Cities Make Their Security Forces Seen (New York Times) - complete with photo of law enforcement armed with automatic weapons by NYSE

Terror threat darkens Pentagon 9/11 ceremony (AP/Boston.com) - "Panetta offered no details on the latest threat."

N.Y., Washington tighten security amid probe of bomb threat (WaPo) -

With the latest news, officials vowed to tighten security even further. D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said at a news conference that officers are working 12-hour shifts citywide, with 200 to 400 additional officers per shift.

“You will see a heightened level and presence out in the community,’’ said Lanier, who urged people to “keep your eyes open.’’ The city’s heightened reports of “suspicious activity,’’ she said, included people calling about vehicles parked with someone inside.

In Montgomery County, police will be deployed in uniform and in plainclothes. They will monitor “soft targets,” such as shopping malls and government buildings, as well as individuals who live in Montgomery and could be targets, officials said.

a little fall of rain

Stopped in a parking lot. A little fall of rain today.
Only a few highways and bridges closed...

Reston Park'n'Ride
From Justin Hart

County Alerts
Flooding and Huntington Area Evacuations 7:06 PM
Heavy rain continues and roads are flooded throughout the county. Structural flooding also possible. Residents on Fenwick Dr. Arlington Terrace, Mount Vernon Dr., Liberty Dr. in Huntington strongly suggested to evacuate immediately

Beltway Closing at Cameron Run 7:14 PM
Beltway I-495 closing in both directions over Cameron Run due to high water. Traffic will be detoured.

Beltway Closed @ Mixing Bowl 8:16 PM
Beltway I-495 now closed at Mixing Bowl; no traffic allowed east on I-495; traffic being rerouted.

Emergency alert 8:46 PM
Only call 9-1-1 for an emergency. For non-emergency questions call the Hotline: 571-350-1265, TTY 711.

Heavy Rains Continue, Stay Home 9:56 PM
Stay off the roads, especially at night. Fairfax County has received 5 inches of rain in the last 3 hours. Heavy rains will continue until approximately midnight.

officially official

It's officially official. I completed my Certificate in Homeland Security Studies back in May (with a 4.0, I might add).

I just received my actual certificate.

My first certificate got destroyed (along with all other diplomas and certificates) when a particular office flooded due to bursting pipe. Then, the printer was behind schedule. Finally, they were all re-printed. But for mine (and, I imagine, others), the faculty members that were supposed to sign the certificate disappeared for the summer. But now it's here:

I'm no expert in academic "stuff" -- but is that ribbon they included supposed to mean something besides just being the school colors?

[update]
Received a Diploma Care and Feeding document:
Congratulations on receiving your degree! We hope this explanation will answer some of the questions you may have about the graduation material enclosed. As you may have noticed, the diploma is written in Latin. You will find an English translation of the text on the reverse of this page for your convenience. You should know that while the diploma is a ceremonial representation of your degree award, the transcript is the legal documentation of it. We’ve also offered a few suggestions for displaying your diploma. Again, Congratulations!

Ribbon
Originally, when diplomas were made of sheepskin, they were presented scrolled; each diploma was inserted through the looped portion of the ribbon. Although today’s diplomas are made of parchment, we still include the traditional ribbon, which may be used for decoration.

The ribbon may be unstitched, pressed, and then arranged diagonally across a corner of the diploma...

...or, the ribbon may be left as is and displayed in the lower left-hand corner.

Must be that time of the year

Yep . . . school is starting up again.