Bayshore Sandy Survivor News: More Elevation Grants, More Flood Insurance Mania, Less Homelessness, Sandy Czar To Resign

Christie announces more grants for post-Sandy home elevations | The governor said the state has been working with municipalities to decide where to award rebuilding grants and where to buy flood-prone homes. http://www.northjersey.com/news/christie-announces-more-grants-for-post-sandy-home-elevations-1.1047187

Restoring Credit After Sandy - Free Seminar Tues., July 15 | The Affordable Housing Alliance will present a program to help individuals impacted by Hurricane Sandy. http://rumson.patch.com/groups/opinion/p/restoring-credit-after-sandy--free-seminar-July-15

Sandy Housing Recovery Resource Center Opening Wed., July 16 | The grand opening event will take place Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at 171 1st Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716 with an open house from 1:00pm – 4:00pm . Ribbon Cutting will be at 3:00 pm. http://hub.mcltrg.org/tag/affordable-housing-alliance/

Christie's 'Storm Czar' to Resign, Be Replaced by Deputy | Terrence Brody replaces Marc Ferzan, who became the executive director of the office when it was created shortly after Superstorm Sandy devastated the state. http://manasquan.patch.com/groups/hurricane-sandy/p/christies-storm-czar-to-resign-be-replaced-by-deputy11811230

FEMA Releases Additional Information on Flood Insurance Reform | This fact sheet provides an overview of the changes to flood insurance rates under the National Flood Insurance Program. http://www.region2coastal.com/site-news/femareleaseadditionalinformationonfloodinsurancereform

Highlands woman gets flood insurance shocker | When she opened the envelope, D’Arrigo saw that her annual premium was $34,396. D’Arrigo’s premium had grown 17-fold in a year’s time - and they had raised their home! http://www.app.com/story/news/local/monmouth-county-bayshore/highlands/2014/07/06/highlands-woman-gets-flood-insurance-shocker/12258251/

FOR UNION BEACH KIDS ONLY
Two FREE summer programs are available to Union Beach children. Registration is first come, first served. Camp Marcella in Rockaway township is offering week long, sleep away camp options for children 7-12. Registration immediate. "Turning the Tides/CBI" is for 5-7 year olds. Program uses movement, music and storytelling . Free lunch at noon, and group from 1-2p, Tuesday & Friday. Registration information and packets available at Borough Hall - please inquire at the resource Center with Gateway or call 732-264-3026 or email jwmaier@unionbeach.org. 

New Jersey conducts hurricane drill | "In a worst-case scenario, you want to be able to move the people out and get them to safety if a storm were coming," Schapiro said. http://www.nj.com/cumberland/index.ssf/2014/07/department_of_transportation_conducts_hurricane_evacuation_drills_on_major_roadways.html

Dear Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority:
IF YOU BUILD IT IN UNION BEACH, WE WILL SUE
1) US Judge Orders Lake Wind’s Noisy Industrial Wind Turbines to be Shut Down – AGAIN! | Michigan: The court found that noise levels from the operator’s turbines were well in excess of the relevant noise standard. http://stopthesethings.com/2014/07/07/us-judge-orders-lake-winds-noisy-turbines-to-be-shut-down-again/
2) Kingston, MA Independence turbine exceeds state's noise threshold during study | The turbine’s sound levels exceeded the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) noise threshold of 10 decibels over background during sampling. Plus, Massachusetts has a stricter wind turbine noise statute than New Jersey does. This is happening all over. http://kingston.wickedlocal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Template=MobileArticle&AID=/20140709/NEWS/140707349
3) MUST-SEE VIDEO: Engineers at the University of Minnesota record wind turbine infrasound | With falling snow acting as a screen, it is possible to SEE the footprints of infrasound (sound pressure waves at frequencies below your hearing range). There's no denying it any longer. http://windfarmaction.wordpress.com/2014/07/03/now-you-can-see-infrasound/

Christie Administration Announces New Hazard Mitigation Initiative To Support Post-Sandy Energy Resilience | This initiative builds upon the Administration's efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy to enhance energy resilience at critical infrastructure throughout New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/552014/approved/20140710b.html

Governor Chris Christie Kicks Off Series of Summer Shore Conversations With New Jerseyans | He'll be in Long Branch, New Jersey Tues, July 15, 2014 to have a Summer Conversation with you. Says he will answer questions, What will you ask? http://blogs.app.com/capitolquickies/2014/07/10/christie-in-long-branch-for-town-hall-talk-next-week/

Sandy projects continue, two years later | Though it's been almost two years since Sandy hit, many of these programs are just getting underway or picking up steam now. http://nj1015.com/sandy-projects-continue-two-years-later/

Storm surge threatens nearly 450K N.J. homes with $134B in reconstruction costs | Only Florida, Louisiana and New York have more exposed homes than New Jersey. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2014/07/storm_surge_nj_hurricane_sandy.html

Regional architecture groups look at critical infrastructure in a post-Sandy world | “I think we’re all looking to move forward as quickly as possible and some projects might be more complicated than others,” Davis said. http://www.njbiz.com/article/20140711/NJBIZ01/140719935/Regional-architecture-groups-look-at-critical-infrastructure-in-a-post-Sandy-world

Stories From Main Street: Volunteers Help Sandy Victims Rebuild In Sea Bright | In the quest to restore more than 100 homes, Sea Bright Rising has partnered with the St. Bernard Project, which arose from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/07/07/stories-from-main-street-volunteers-help-sandy-victims-rebuild-in-sea-bright/

ON TWITTER
 1) Michael Symons (@MichaelSymons_) South Jersey Transportation Authority warns of email phishing scam masquerading as E-ZPass warning. Looks like this: http://t.co/bJeahJoNrs
2) NY/NJ Baykeeper (@NYNJBaykeeper) Help us make a splash for Swimmable Water July 22, 2pm Beach Ave Bch, Union Beach.
3) Distress Helpline (@distressline) Do you know someone struggling after Sandy? Encourage them to call The Distressline at 1-800-985-5990 and to press "1" for 24/7 help & support.

Carteret cleanup gets final NJDEP permits, but could it cause problems for Raritan Bay | The old American Cyanamid site in Carteret is one of New Jersey's most contaminated sites, with acres of cyanide-contaminated sludge. http://newjersey.news12.com/news/kiyc-perth-amboy-mayor-wilda-diaz-raises-concerns-over-rahway-arch-cleanup-1.8522267

Court Rules Seismic Blasting off Ocean County Can Move Forward | Once the wind industry finally gets the go-ahead for offshore wind - which will set the precedent for offshore oil and gas - the seismic testing and construction noise will be far worse than the testing that's being done here. http://barnegat-manahawkin.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/court-rules-seismic-blasting-off-ocean-county-can-move-forward71876?ncid=newsltuspatc00000003

N.J. Sandy energy grant program revised, leaving Hoboken with more money | "We found some difficulties and some problems and that's why we really decided to take a really ... good solid strong look at this," Ragonese said. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2014/07/nj_sandy_energy_grant.html

Strategy to End Homelessness in Monmouth County Is In The Works | The county experienced a spike in the emergency shelter population, directly related to Superstorm Sandy, but as those families find permanent shelter, that number is returning to typical levels. http://middletown-nj.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/homelessness-in-monmouth-county-is-being-studied-for-a-solution#.U7v6qp1vi_w.twitter

Joe Reynolds: A See-Through Fish Swims in Local Waters | One critter that is sure to be a crowd pleaser is a pale skinny flatfish with a quirky name called a Windowpane. A beautiful looking fish that often gets overlooked by many people. http://www.ahherald.com/columns-list/old-oak-trail/17891-a-see-through-fish-swims-in-local-waters

Many still trying to rebuild beach homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy | A Rutgers study estimates that more than 300,000 New Jersey homes were damaged by the storm, but the state doesn't track what percentage have been repaired since then. http://www.ydr.com/business/ci_26128290/many-still-trying-rebuild-beach-homes-damaged-by

Manhattan Theatre Club and Ars Nova to Present Hurricane Sandy Drama By the Water | Set in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, By the Water follows Marty and Mary Murphy as they attempt to rebuild their lives and Staten Island home while past betrayals start coming to light. http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/07-2014/hurricane-sandy-drama-plays-mtc_69143.html

THIS ONE'S FOR THE FUN OF IT | Turtle and dog play ball together - FOR REAL! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81720bVYf9Q&feature=youtube_gdata