Snowstorm coming; care to opt out of snowblowing?

Dear Terrace Neighbors:

The second big winter storm is predicted to dump 6 to 12 inches of snow in the Capital Region starting tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon and running through Wednesday morning.

Several people mentioned to me that they preferred that their walkways not be cleared with our contractor's snow blower. They would rather shovel their walkways themselves to guard against blowing snow up against the sides of their houses.

So, if you do NOT want Bay to snowblow your walkway, let me know today (Monday) and I will so instruct Bay.

Otherwise, please be safe over the next couple of days. With temperatures plunging to zero and below on Wednesday through the end of the week, things will be pretty bad outside for a few days. Please take care!

Steven Sanders

THCA President

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City of Troy snow emergency parking rules

If you have to venture outside during the current snow emergency, here's the lowdown on what the City of Troy -- which, obviously, includes Lansingburgh -- requires of motorists:

"During the first 24 hours of a declared Snow Emergency, parking on the odd-numbered side of designated Snow Emergency roadways will be prohibited (unless otherwise temporarily posted).

"Parking on the even numbered sides of city streets will be prohibited during the second 24 hours of a declared Snow Emergency.

"Vehicles in violation of the parking restrictions will receive a parking ticket and will be towed, both at the owner’s expense."

To get a full list of affected roadways throughout the City of Troy, go to its Designated Snow Emergency streets page.

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Reminder: MLK holiday this coming Monday

The current partial federal government shutdown notwithstanding, Monday, January 21, will be a federal holiday in celebration of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. That means all "non-essential" offices will be closed.

What else will be closed, whether they are "essential" to you or not? Here are a few examples:

• Banks, although ATMs and online services should be available
• U.S. Postal Service branches
• Local government offices
• Schools and colleges
• The New York Stock Exchange

What will be open?

• Hospital emergency departments
• Most shopping malls
• Most individual stores

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Click here to hear the audio of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered in Washington, DC, on August 28, 1963, as the highlight of the "March On Washington For Jobs and Freedom."

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Braced for the wintry blast? Here's a checklist

The Terrace, 8:30 Saturday night.

The various weather prognosticators have warned us that the first significant snowstorm of the winter will hit us Saturday night and last well into Sunday.

Here are a few things to bear in mind:

√ Please be sure your cars -- and those of any visitors -- are parked in garages or the designated community parking spaces so all driveways are accessible to being plowed.

√ As THCA President Steven Sanders has said in several email messages, we have communicated with our snow-removal crew who tell us they're set to serve. However, because a long duration of snowfall is predicted, removal no doubt will be undertaken in several stages depending on the rate of snowfall and the necessity of moving snow around to avoid as much as possible high mounds that obscure road visibility. So, some patience will be needed.

√ If you lose heat, Lorraine Bailey has graciously offered to temporarily host neighbors because she has an auxiliary heat source.

√ If you have a neighbor with mobility or other health issues, please call them periodically to see if they are doing well or in need of any community help.

√ If you have to go outdoors, remember to dress in layers. Several lighter layers provide more insulation than one heavy coat or other outer garment, and allow you more movement.

√ Keep your cellphones plugged into chargers as long as you have power to your home. That way you'll have a better chance at having the battery fully charged should power go out. And, speaking of cellphones, remember to use the "Airplane Mode" setting, If you are not expecting a call and don't need to be connected to the Internet, it will preserve your battery for much longer in the event of a power loss.

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