Lobby Pickup

Posted on August 21, 2020 by vanbraman

This afternoon I took a quick trip to the library to pick up some books.

curbside service, library, book drop, social distance, booksThe library has “Curbside Pickup” in the lobby of each branch.

curbside service, library, book drop, social distance, booksHowever, when bringing back books you have to put them in the drop box.

I usually do not like using the drop box as I don’t know how the books will be stacked. Will they get bent or pages get ruffled?

curbside service, library, book drop, social distance, booksToday the library was a bit busy so I had to stand in line for a couple minutes.

It was nice to see everyone wearing masks and being patient.

curbside service, library, book drop, social distance, booksI made sure to stand where I was supposed to 🙂

curbside service, library, book drop, social distance, booksI finally made it to the front of the line. However, I didn’t have my library card ready as I knew they would already have my books checked out for me since they saw me in line.

Since I am a regular patron and on the board of the Friends of the Library they all know me.

You may have noticed that some of the pictures have an interesting coloring to them. The air was very smoky today because of the nearby wildfires. Another good reason to wear a mask today.

I will probably be back at the library again on Monday as one of the books I have on hold is in quarantine. When books are returned they are put into a 96 hour quarantine before being re-shelved.

Now back to some reading 🙂

Steven

 

 

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SCU Lightning Complex Fires

Posted on August 20, 2020 by vanbraman

Today the smoke is getting worse and the Air Quality Index (AQI) has risen to the  Very Unhealthy level.

lightning proximity alert SCU Complex firesThe fires near me were all started by lightning strikes over the weekend during a string of thunderstorms which swept through the area.

The fires together are known as the SCU Lightning Complex.

Fire outlines, SCU Lightning Complex Fires, California, Livermore HillsThe fires have been spreading fast and cover a very large area. The outlines here are the approximate extent of the fires, but the area within is not all filled.

Fire outlines, SCU Lightning Complex Fires, California, Livermore HillsHere is another view that uses more precise data.

Fire outlines, SCU Lightning Complex Fires, California, Livermore HillsThis afternoon my phone gave off a loud alert and displayed an Emergency Alert. An area south of me was alerted to immediately evacuate.

Fire outlines, SCU Lightning Complex Fires, California, Livermore HillsThe evacuation area is for the hilly area south and west of where the 580 symbol is on the Interstate. You can also see here that there is another fire burning to the north of Livermore.

Fire outlines, SCU Lightning Complex Fires, California, Livermore HillsA little later in the afternoon you could see that the two fire areas have joined and they continued to spread.

Fire outlines, SCU Lightning Complex Fires, California, Livermore HillsHere is the latest map and you can see that the outline is mostly the same with the exception of the north central area that has come together.

Hopefully they will get the fire contained and keep it from spreading further. There shouldn’t be much chance of the fire crossing over the Interstate as the terrain flattens as it nears the roadway which allows for easier access. Also the roadway will act as a firebreak so unless there are very high winds the fires should not cross over.

The smoke has been pretty bad and I have been able to smell it most of the day even while inside.

I just continue to shelter in place to protect myself.

Steven

 

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