Now that the local newspaper did a series on the folks who live in Tent City, I understand the city is about to bulldoze their campsite. Where will they go then?

UPDATE: City Hall types get together today (Monday) to talk about potential solutions.

Winter Season Reminders

KEENE, NH – The City of Keene Department of Public Works Department would like to remind you of a few items that would make the winter season easier for you, our customers, while allowing the Department greater efficiency during plow events.

On-street nighttime parking ban is in effect 1am – 6 am from November 1st, to May 1st. Vehicles left in the street are subject to towing without warning at the owners expense.

Do not place snow on sidewalks, in the street, or in front of fire hydrants. This is in violation of State Statutes and/or City Code.

You can help!

Remove vehicles from side of roads so drivers can perform snow removal properly.

Remove any and all potential hazardous objects from the right-of-way (edge of pavement) i.e. basketball hoops, skateboard ramps, etc.

Do not pile snow on the sidewalks. It makes it very hard on the removal equipment and jeopardizes children walking to school safely.

Please keep in mind for you, your family and everyone’s safety:

Allow extra time to reach your destination.

Be cautious of “Black Ice” and continuous changes in road conditions.

Allow extra distance between vehicles.

The City of Keene Department of Public Works extends a happy and safe Holiday Season.

- END -

As per usual, as close to 4am today I was outside saying my prayers asking The Lord to bring good things into my life. Just then, a Keene Police cruiser pulled into the yard.

I waved to the officer then looked up and said “not only are you wonderful in so many ways Lord, but I see you’ve got a wicked sense of humor, too.”

The officer left. The Lord stayed.

I am so manic about not missing work that I risked my life and the safety of my pets last night driving from Walpole to Keene in the ice storm. I had to stop three times along Walpole Valley Road to move big tree limbs just so I could get through. Not smart for a woman to be doing at midnight, all alone on a road where there’s no cell reception. Did I mention that visability was under 1/8th of a mile due to dense fog? Yep, that was the trek into work. By the time I got to Keene I was sick to my stomach from fear.

I made sure to leave extra food and water for the furfaces thinking I might be delayed getting home, but I chose to travel Route 12 and trees down were not an issue at mid-morning so I arrived back safely.

Unfortunately, all the power was out and while I had plenty of pet food in the house, I didn’t have a single can of anything for people, only macaroni and rice and such, all things that had to be cooked. But with no power, that was impossible. I guess I should have eaten in Keene but I was too anxious to get home to my pets.

I live on my debit card so I never carry cash and when the power’s out, debit cards don’t work. When the power’s out, gas stations don’t work and so forth on down the line. Tomorrow I will get some cash.

Obviously, the power is back on now and I’m loving this cup of coffee I’m drinking; such nice hot coffee. But tomorrow, I also promise I will stock up on canned foods in the event of another emergency. You see, I am one of the lucky ones. More than 400 thousand people in New Hampshire still don’t have power and I’m sure many of them were equally as unprepared.

There are lots of things we put off till tomorrow that should have been done today. Luckily, I still have tomorrow to make up for the shortcomings of today.