The hurricane experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say there is a good chance that the 2009 hurricane season, which starts Monday, could have between nine and 14 named tropical storms. Four to seven of them could become hurricanes, with as many as three reaching the dangerous Category 3 level. Therefore, we blithely predict multiple opportunities to see television reporters trying to stand up in driving wind and rain during hurricane season. (If an evacuation route sign speared Geraldo Rivera through the chest while he was on the air, would that make him an "embedded" reporter?) Know your evacuation route; have a plan beforehand; and check our "before, during and after" hurricane pages here.

Summer Camp for Kids is no place for monsters
A few years back, we suggested that you "send your little monsters to TI summer camp." Someone complained. "Children should not be referred to as monsters," this someone huffed as we obligingly deleted the word "monster" from wherever words reside when they're not in use. (And we agree: Geraldo Rivera? Yes, storm monster. Kids? No, not monsters, though there could always be a future Geraldo lurking in the bunch). The TI Summer Camp program is monsterously inventive, however, and roars to life Monday, June 8th. You can also track what your little monst - ... er, little ones - are doing everyday at camp thru our website.   

Rise above it all with our Flood Program
Wednesday, June 17th. 1pm. You're momentarily sitting in one of our famously uncomfy orange chairs at city hall when you're invited to walk around to view the floodproofing displays. You are delighted that this Floodproofing Program you've attended hasn't turned out to be one giant government nap. There are government officials there, to be sure, but they have to sit in the orange chairs; you get to set the information agenda with your questions. See for yourself at the Flood Protection Program Wednesday, June 17th at TI City Hall. For details, click here .