Mr. Levy's Random Observations

DNAInfo.com reports on Columbia's "clean construction" techniques

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:18:00 +0000

PLAY VIDEO

(DNAinfo/Serena Solomon)

HARLEM — One day, Columbia University hopes its 17-acre Manhattanville campus expansion site will become the place where scientists unlock the secrets of Alzheimer's.
But for now, the most important scientific protocol taking place at the future site of Jerome L. Greene Science Center, involves keeping dust levels down to prevent adding construction debris to the list of pollutants in an area with higher-than-average rates of asthma.
Each truck rolling out of the construction site and onto the streets of West Harlem, has to stop at a wheel cleaning station where a massive spray of recycled water blasts up from the ground, knocking off excess dust and wet concrete stuck to the wheels and undercarriage.
It's part of Columbia's clean construction program designed to limit the amount of air pollution, dust, noise and even rodent issues facing the surrounding neighborhood.

"Five years ago we got some peculiar looks before bidding this project out," said Ramesh Raman, executive director of environmental field compliance for Manhattanville development, slated to open in 2016. "Now good contractors realize this is the wave of the future."
An Environmental Protection Agency grant was used to retrofit almost every diesel engine used on the site with a particulate filter to prevent the black smoke usually seen spewing from the top of the gigantic trucks. Ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel is required and much of the site has been electrified to prevent the use of machines running on diesel fuel where possible.
The construction fences are 11 feet tall with angled banana tops and noise blankets to baffle the racket that emanates from construction sites.
A mesh cover is used to smother the dust that could leak from every load of dirt or rubble that leaves the site, while more than 90 percent of the wood, metal, brick and concrete used in the 33 one and two story buildings that were taken down to clear the site were recycled.
"You don't smell any odors or have that diesel taste in your mouth," said Philip Pitruzzello, vice president Manhattanville Construction for Columbia University. "For dense, urban projects we are proving that you can construct responsibly."
With the potential for more than three new university campuses to be built in the city, including Cornell's $2 billion, 2.1 million-square-foot engineering and applied science school on Roosevelt Island, and New York University's expansion in the Village and their Center for Urban Science and Progress program in downtown Brooklyn, Columbia University officials are hoping that the construction of their new campus can be seen as a role model.
"Columbia's clean construction project should serve as a model for other construction projects. I hope when NYU does their expansion they will use the same strategies and methods and make the same efforts to keep the air as cleans as possible," said Isabelle Silverman, an attorney for the Environmental Defense Fund which helped develop the clean construction plan.

In Harlem, where children already suffer from disproportionately high asthma rates, a massive construction project without such environmental abatement tactics could pose a threat to neighborhood health, said Patrick Kinney, professor of environmental health sciences at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Some estimates say one in four children in Central Harlem suffer from asthma.
"You have such a high concentration of people that would be vulnerable to air pollution. And West Harlem, with their prevalence of asthma, doesn't need another trigger," said Kinney. "This sets a standard that other construction projects could follow."
Kinney credited group's such as WE ACT for Environmental Justice, which has 30 years of experience of fighting for cleaner air for Northern Manhattan, for pushing for the higher standards.
"They were mobilized to act about air quality because it's not a new problem or an issue. When Columbia announced their plans the community was ready to engage. There was no learning curve. They got the issue on the table so Columbia took it really seriously and was able to plan community engagement and pressure that helped to guide Columbia in that direction," said Kinney.
The university's efforts still have their critics.
Alicia Barksdale, president of the 3333 Tenants Association, a complex of five buildings ranging from 10 to 35 stories on Broadway between 133rd and 135th streets, said residents believe there is evidence of more air pollution than normal, as a result of the construction.
Some still blame Columbia for higher rodent infestation and fault a plan to give out air conditioners to some tenants to muffle construction noise as not going far enough.
""Our buildings are filthy, you can see the grit on the window sill," said Barksdale.
Silverman said there are other factors for pollution in the area such as the type of heating oil burned by buildings and the nearby North River Wastewater Treatment Plant. The university also says it has taken steps to exterminate buildings before demolition as well as installing sealable trash cans with lids on the site to prevent an influx of rodents.

"They've gone far in the direction of ensuring the impact on the community is as minimal as possible," added Kinney.
Pitruzzello said the university is proud of its environmental efforts which may evolve even further as the full campus construction project evolves over the next three decades. There is a plan to collect and examine air quality data to see if the construction methods made a difference, said Kinney.
When it's finished, the new Manhattanville campus will stretch from 125th to 133rd streets and be completely open to the surrounding neighborhood. It will bring useful stores to the area and even have hidden environmental perks such as a new combined sewer overflow system that should help reduce the amount of untreated sewage that flows into the Hudson RIver, Pitruzzello added.
"Hopefully, this is something that can be replicated," said Silverman.

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via dnainfo.com

Disclosure: I work for Columbia University.

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NYTimes: Republicans Retreat on Domestic Violence

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:37:00 +0000

Recalcitrant lawmakers should explain to voters why they refuse to get behind the federal fight against domestic violence and sexual assaults. http://nyti.ms/wgrw9P

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A special message from the President, Adam Goldstein

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:03:00 +0000

Good move by Royal Caribbean to address safety concerns among cruise passengers. Very surprised that Carnival (owner of Costa) has done so little in the wake of the awful accident off the Tuscan coast.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Royal Caribbean International <RoyalCaribbean@royalcaribbeanmarketing.com>
Date: Mon, Jan 23, 2012 at 9:14 AM
Subject: A special message from the President, Adam Goldstein
To: dlevy@nasw.org

Dear Douglas,

All of us at Royal Caribbean International continue to extend our heartfelt sympathies to those affected by Carnival Corporation's recent tragic incident on the Costa Concordia. As a Crown & Anchor Society member and loyal Royal Caribbean guest, we know you may have some questions as the situation continues to unfold.

At Royal Caribbean International, the safety and security of our guests and crew is our highest priority. It is fundamental to our operations. Our maritime safety record over our 42-year history illustrates our commitment to the safety of the millions of guests and crew that sail on our ships. The measures we take in the interest of safety are many, often exceeding the regulatory requirements – these are all part of our ongoing commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in every aspect of our business.

To address some of your questions and concerns, here is a video that will provide an overview of safety onboard our ships; the training of our crew, officers and captains; and the many regulations that govern our practices. Click here to watch.

As a past cruiser, we know your friends and family may be asking about your own time at sea. We hope that you'll share this video along with your personal Royal Caribbean experiences with them, and reinforce that cruising continues to maintain the best safety record of any industry in travel.

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to welcoming you aboard again soon on one of our ships sailing to 270 destinations worldwide.

Sincerely,

Adam Goldstein
President and CEO
Royal Caribbean International

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One of the many great stories that could only happen in NYC

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:26:00 +0000

NYTimes: Caged? Writing a Book? The Next Stage in Life for a Subway-Riding Opossum The New York Times:

Caged? Writing a Book? The Next Stage in Life for a Subway-Riding Opossum

The truth has finally emerged about what happened to an animal that stowed away on a D train last week.

http://nyti.ms/zWWqfa

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Quite a sunrise! Looking east on 181st St, NYC

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:31:00 +0000

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NYTimes: Organic Agriculture May Be Outgrowing Its Ideals

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Even as more Americans buy foods labeled organic, the products are moving away from a traditional emphasis on local growing and limited environmental strain. http://nyti.ms/t3xibo

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Afghanistan shot at homecoming party in California

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 17:59:00 +0000

Check out this article:

Soldier back from Afghanistan shot at homecoming party in California http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/soldier-back-afghanistan-shot-homecomin...

------Sent from The Daily News

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Why do we keep crooks in office, year after year?

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 15:45:00 +0000

From The New York Times:

EDITORIAL: Illegal, Just Not on Capitol Hill

House Republican leaders sidetracked a sensible and overdue bill to ban members of Congress from using inside information in stock trades.

http://nyti.ms/sRgkJj

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NYTimes: Utah: Thousands of Birds Die After Crash Landings

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 01:03:00 +0000

From The New York Times:

NATIONAL BRIEFING | ROCKIES: Utah: Thousands of Birds Die After Crash Landings

Thousands of migratory birds were killed or injured this week after apparently mistaking a Wal-Mart parking lot, football fields and other snow-covered areas of southern Utah for bodies of water and plummeting to the ground.

http://nyti.ms/uyvQJj

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Best "Pepper Spraying Cop" image yet

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 03:20:00 +0000

The meme of UC Davis Police Lt. John Pike placed in all kinds of settings has created some good humor out of a horrifying incident. So far, this picture got me laughing the most:

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NYTimes: Senegal Curbs a Bloody Rite, African-Style

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:07:00 +0000

From The New York Times:

Senegal Curbs a Bloody Rite, African-Style

Over the past 15 years, the drive to end genital cutting has gained such momentum in Senegal that the majority of villages where it was commonplace have now committed to stop it.

http://nyti.ms/oCFkx8

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Photos of NYC Transit Vintage Fleet

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 01:54:00 +0000

See the full gallery on Posterous

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Historic NYC Transit Buses on Display at Bus Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 01:48:00 +0000

p261.mov Watch on Posterous

This was a special Sunday, as the New York City Transit Museum rolled out some of its historic fleet for all to see.

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9/11: Time to decide what America stands for

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 05:27:00 +0000

Watching David Frost's interview with British Prime Minister David Cameron on Al Jazeera last night provided stark evidence of where the USA went wrong in our reaction to the terror attacks that took so many innocent lives 10 years ago today. Cameron defended the attacks on the Taliban in Afghanistan for harboring Al Quaeda. But he staunchly opposed any actions that violated Britain's principles. Britain did not approve of and objects to any form of torture in the "war on terrorism." At the same time, former US Vice President Dick Cheney is actively defending the use of "waterboarding" torture while parading around peddling his memoir. By yielding on our fundamental principles, the USA loses what had been our most persuasive source of power.

In the 10 years since that awful day, the USA has tumbled from its post as the moral leader of the free world. Maybe it's time to figure out how we can earn that crown once again.

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NYC busses slowly rolling again

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:05:00 +0000

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Keeping Food and Water Safe During Emergencies

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:50:00 +0000

http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm076881.htm">What Consumers Need to Know About Food and Water Safety During Hurricanes, Power Outages, and Floods

Emergencies can happen. When they do, the best strategy is to already have a plan in place.
As Hurricane Irene batters the Bahamas and makes its way up the Eastern seaboard, do you know the proper food and water safety precautions if a hurricane, or any other natural event, causes a power outage?
Get quick tips on http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm076881.htm#s1">basic preparations for emergencies, what to do both http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm076881.htm#s2">during and after a power outage, how to http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm076881.htm#s3">keep water safe and to http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm076881.htm#s4">keep food safe if flooding occurs

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ALLERGY ALERT: Undeclared Shrimp And Fish In Vegetable Gyoza Dumplings

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:49:00 +0000

Why those of us with certain food allergies need to be super careful:

Begin forwarded message:

From: "FoodSafety.gov" <subscriptions@hhs.gov>
Date: August 25, 2011 1:30:30 PM EDT
To: dlevy@nasw.org
Subject: ALLERGY ALERT: Undeclared Shrimp And Fish In Vegetable Gyoza Dumplings
Reply-To: "FoodSafety.gov" <subscriptions@hhs.gov>

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm269593.htm">Ajinotmo Frozen Foods Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Shrimp And Fish In Vegetable Gyoza Dumplings

08/24/2011 08:29 PM EDT

Ajinomoto Frozen Foods of Portland, OR is recalling 8.47 oz. trays of Ajinomoto Brand Vegetable Gyoza Dumplings, lot code 231751, that contain undeclared shrimp and fish (Pollock). See the http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm269594.htm">product's label.

The recalled product was distributed between 6/30/2011 and 8/4/2011 through retail stores and restaurants nationwide.

People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to shellfish and fish run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this Vegetable Gyoza Dumpling product.

http://api.addthis.com/oexchange/0.8/offer?url=http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USHHSFS-108ad7&username=govdprod&title=ALLERGY%20ALERT:%20Undeclared%20Shrimp%20And%20Fish%20In%20Vegetable%20Gyoza%20Dumplings&pubid=@GovDelivery">

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Update your https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USHHSFS/subscriber/new&login=dlevy@nasw.org">preferences or unsubscribe

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The sad facts behind Rick Perry’s Texas miracle - The Washington Post

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:24:00 +0000

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-sad-facts-behind-rick-perrys-texas...

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Why I buy direct from farmers: Banned Asian honey infiltrating (flooding?) US market

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:23:00 +0000

This lengthy article should cause serious concern - and certainly reinforce the need to KNOW YOUR FARMERS!

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/08/honey-laundering/

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Three Arrested with Explosives in Luggage at Indonesian Airport | NYCAviation

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 03:09:00 +0000

This story leaves many questions unanswered. http://nycaviation.com/2011/08/three-arrested-with-explosives-in-luggage-at-i...

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FAA Fines American Eagle $155K for Flights with Bad Weight Data and Improper Engine Maintenance | NYCAviation

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 03:07:00 +0000

http://nycaviation.com/2011/08/faa-fines-american-eagle-155k-for-flights-with...

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Man shot while feeding the homeless with family in East Oakland | abc7news.com

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 03:41:00 +0000

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=8274450#&cmp=twi-kgo-article-8274450

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Assn of American Universities publication explains serious science that sounds funny - and why it needs federal funding

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:07:00 +0000

AAU's Scientific Enquirer, Vol. 3, July 2011.pdf Download this file

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Assn of American Universities publication explains serious science that sounds funny - and why it needs federal funding

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:02:00 +0000

AAU's Scientific Enquirer, Vol. 3, July 2011.pdf Download this file

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Doug's visit to Monticello; July 2011; #WBC11

noreply@blogger.com (Doug Levy) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 19:43:00 +0000

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