[meteorite-list] Raffle, The Final Tally

[Pete Pete]

Where do you think the next raffle will be for? ;]

Great job!

Pete

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2005/s2484.htm

NOAA RAISES THE 2005 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON OUTLOOK
Bulk of This Season's Storms Still to Come

Aug. 2, 2005 — A very active Atlantic hurricane season is underway, and with 
more storms projected, NOAA today increased the number of storms in its 2005 
hurricane season outlook. NOAA expects an additional 11 to 14 tropical 
storms from August through November, with seven to nine becoming hurricanes, 
including three to five major hurricanes. In total, this season is likely to 
yield 18 to 21 tropical storms, with nine to 11 becoming hurricanes, 
including five to seven major hurricanes. (Click NOAA satellite image for 
larger view of Hurricane Dennis as the storm made landfall near Pensacola, 
Fla., as a Category Three hurricane on July 10, 2005. Click here for high 
resolution version. Please credit “NOAA.”)

NOAA Podcast 3:18
Photos & Audio
"The tropics are only going to get busier as we enter the peak of the 
season," said Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, USAF (Ret.), director of the NOAA 
National Weather Service. "This may well be one of the most active Atlantic 
hurricane seasons on record, and will be the ninth above-normal Atlantic 
hurricane season in the last eleven years."

"Although we have already seen a record-setting seven tropical storms during 
June and July, much of the season's activity is still to come," said Gerry 
Bell, lead meteorologist on NOAA's Atlantic Hurricane Seasonal Outlook. The 
predicted high levels of activity during the remainder of the season are 
consistent with NOAA's pre-season outlook issued last spring, and are 
comparable to those seen during August to October of the very active 2003 
and 2004 seasons. (Click NOAA image for larger view of 2005 Atlantic 
Hurricane Season Outlook Update. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Atmospheric and oceanic conditions that favor an active hurricane season are 
now in place, as was predicted in the pre-season outlook. 
"Warmer-than-normal sea-surface temperatures and low wind shear are among 
the culprits behind these stronger and more numerous storms," Bell added.

This confluence of optimal ocean and atmosphere conditions has been known to 
produce increased tropical storm activity in multi-decadal (approximately 
20-30 year) cycles. Because of this, NOAA expects a continuation of 
above-normal seasons for another decade or perhaps longer. NOAA's research 
shows that this reoccurring cycle is the dominant climate factor that 
controls Atlantic hurricane activity. Any potentially weak signal associated 
with longer-term climate change appears to be a minor factor.

The multi-decadal signal that has contributed to increased Atlantic activity 
since 1995 has also produced a marked decrease in hurricanes in the eastern 
Pacific hurricane region. Similar conditions also produced very active 
Atlantic hurricane seasons during the 1950s and 1960s. In contrast, the 
opposite phase of this signal during 1970-1994 resulted in only three 
above-normal Atlantic hurricane seasons in the entire 25-year period. (Click 
NOAA image for larger view of the conditions NOAA expects for the rest of 
the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Conditions that steer hurricanes toward land are well known, but are 
difficult to predict on seasonal time scales and are often related to daily 
weather patterns. However, historical records indicate that an average of 
two to three additional hurricanes could strike the U.S. between August and 
November.

“Knowing precisely where a hurricane will strike and at what intensity 
cannot be determined even a few days in advance,” said Max Mayfield, 
director of the NOAA National Hurricane Center. Mayfield adds, “Residents 
and government agencies of coastal and near-coastal regions should embrace 
hurricane preparedness efforts and should be ready well before a tropical 
storm or hurricane watch is posted.” (Click NOAA image for larger view of 
the sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean. Please credit “NOAA.”)

An average Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through 
November 30, produces 10 named storms in which six become hurricanes, 
including two major hurricanes with winds of at least 111 mph. The most 
active hurricane season was in 1933 with 21 storms, followed by 1995 with 19 
storms. The most hurricanes in a season was 12 in 1969, and the highest 
number of major hurricanes was eight in 1950.

The 2005 Atlantic hurricane outlook is a joint product of scientists at 
NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, Hurricane Research Division and National 
Hurricane Center. NOAA meteorologists use a suite of sophisticated numerical 
models and high-tech tools to forecast tropical storms and hurricanes. 
Scientists rely on information gathered by NOAA and the U.S. Air Force 
Reserve personnel who fly directly into storms in hurricane hunter aircraft; 
NOAA, NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense satellites; NOAA data buoys, 
weather radars and partners among the international meteorological services. 
(Click NOAA image for larger view of the vertical wind shear associated with 
above normal hurricane season. Please credit “NOAA.”)

NOAA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is dedicated to 
enhancing economic



From: "Notkin" <geoking at notkin.net>
To: "Meteorite List" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Subject: [meteorite-list] Raffle, The Final Tally
Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2005 17:39:17 -0700

Dear Friends and Listees:

I sold some last minute raffle tickets before the Denver show, and a 
considerable number during the show, so I wanted to advise you all of the 
final tally.

Paypal and e-checks:  $10,427.49
Personal checks and cash:   $1,710.00
Vernon County Ebay auction:  $300.00

Total:  $12,437.49

The bulk of that sum is already in the hands of the Red Cross. The final 
batch of checks go out tomorrow, and the final money transfer of $2,437.49 
is under way. I made a series of six payments (four by electronic transfer; 
two by mailed checks) in order to keep funds moving to the Red Cross as 
quickly as possible.

I know there was some debate about where the funds should go, and I thought 
some of you might be interested to learn the following: I have a close 
friend here in Tucson who is an experienced Red Cross volunteer. She told me 
that the Red Cross are currently managing to get 91% of donated funds 
directly into the hands of the Katrina victims who need it. That sounds like 
a pretty efficient number to me. I hope you agree.

Once again, I need to thank everyone who donated meteorites, bought tickets, 
sent emails of support, and came to the drawing at the COMETS party. Hats 
off especially to Mike Jensen, Anne Black, and Martin Altmann who gave so 
much of their own time to make this event happen.

Mike Jensen has kindly volunteered to take on the big job of mailing out the 
majority of your prizes. I am handling a few from here, and a number of 
donators thoughtfully offered to mail their pieces directly to the winners. 
Hopefully everyone will have their prizes within a week or less.

Congratulations to our lucky winners, but let's remember that this wasn't 
about winning meteorites, it was about getting some much-needed funds to our 
unfortunate Gulf States neighbors. The whole project turned out incredibly 
well, and I am very proud to have been part of it. It's nice to see everyone 
in the community working together.

Finally, the "Arizona Daily Star" will carry an article on our raffle in 
this Thursday's edition. I'll scan and post to the List if it's not too 
embarrassing   : )


Regards to all,

Geoff N.

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