Storm Report for Woodcliff Lake

We had some storm here in Bergen County Tuesday night and the radios were hopping with down trees and even a few water in basment calls. Above is a picture I snapped the day after. Below are excerpts from the official National Weather Service report

1114 PM HAIL HILLSDALE 41.01N 74.04W
07/07/2009 E0.75 INCH BERGEN NJ PUBLIC

PENNY SIZE HAIL, TIME ADJUSTED FROM RADAR

1114 PM TSTM WND GST HILLSDALE 41.01N 74.04W
07/07/2009 M58.00 MPH BERGEN NJ TRAINED SPOTTER

POWER LINES DOWN, LARGE TREE LIMBS DOWN, TRANSFORMER
BLOWN, TIME ADJUSTED FROM RADAR

1117 PM TSTM WND DMG WOODCLIFF LAKE 41.03N 74.06W
07/07/2009 BERGEN NJ TRAINED SPOTTER

TREES DOWN BLOCKING PASCACK ROAD AND WOODCLIFF AVENUE

Happy 4th of July

I could do my usual page or two of comments about the Fourth of July, but I had a better idea......let "Brother Ray" do it for me. I will say this remember our veteransz and SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. God Bless America!! Watch this video:
America the Beautiful by Ray Charles

Post Erie Wrap-up Part II

Now there was specific reason why I broke this into two entries while one would have been sufficent. Of course the main theme is collecting license plates, and a lot of that went on, the stuff that went on after t he convention hall closed was just as exciting. Wenesday is the usual Welcome Reception where everyone mingled and got caught up on the latest news outside of collecting.
Since this was my fifth convention I have become accustomed to the pattern, trading during the day, the bar scene at night. This time I got to do something I have always wanted to do, have dinner with Marco, who co-hosts the Garden State Meets with me. Sure we've had dinner before but there's something about havingl dinner at a convention that's special. I also got to formally congratulate him on his engagement to Kristy. So we chatted about our meet in November and some other stuff that couldn't be one via e-mail.

Post Erie Wrap-up --Part I

Below is a post I sent to the ALPCA listserve. Part II will consist of events outside of the convention hall, including some bar eescapades with John Ferguson
Alright well I tried to write this e-mail three times last night and three times I hit send too early! Driving eight hours certainly home had more of an effect on me. Note to self next time listen to the little voice i your head when it says, do some swimming instead of hanging out at the bar. Although I had so much fun with John Ferguson, Tom Smith and the gang it was definitely time well spent.
OK onto the big convention. I arrived Wednesday about 2PM, mom and dad in tow. We got to the convention and immediately bumped into Tim Laughlin. Well not even a hello, Tim just said "You HAVE to be Justin!" we exchanged strong hand shakes from that time on I knew this was one for the books.......and I was right
By the time I got there the trading was in full swing. I entered to see Roger Haynes greet me with "Here's speedy!". I went to the registration desk and was warmly welcomed by Scott Mitchell. With his trademark military, but friendly military tone he said," Ok Justin you're all set". My dad put my Route 66 wheelchair plate display down and left. After doing my initial few laps around the two rooms, I finally got back to the hotel room, (have to love that sky bridge) and found my folks relaxing, much deserved.
The Welcome Reception was great.....except of course for the food! I won't got into details, but I will say the convention center made up for it on auction night! The "oh I'm so glad you made it Justin" remarks continued!!
Thursday was my full day at the hall and man did I pick up a few jems! Actually th
Alright I can't go into every day of the convention but I have to mention the night of the auction. I got there late and missed the number 99 souvenir plate, which was the one I got t he previous three years. After some negotiating with the winning bidder, he -let me buy it from him. Out of respect he will remain namelss, but if he's reading thank you again!
I glanced on this list and dropped a few posts during the convention I saw a few negative comments about the two rooms. I again like to remind everyo-ne that Erie was a last minute decision based on things out of the Board's control. If you keep that in the back of your mind you'll realize it was a great convention.
My hats of to Mike Liscio, the convention manager, did a great job
Justin Mattes ALPCA#6748

Erie here I come

Alright since the postings have been a bit light these past few weeks I figured I would try something a bit different......a preview of the convention whichj starts tomorrow! Well this makes the fifth convention I have attended since joining ALPCA in 1994. IO know other members have made everyone since the seventies, but each convention I have tried very hard to attend, this one isn't any different. Like the title infers this gathering of ALPCA member is in Erie,PA. Erie is about a seven hour car ride, not a record for me but close. The majority of the driving will be in Pennslyvania which is kind of anti-climatic, as a matter of fact the trip is the same as a round trip upto Lake George. Something tells me my back will not be same for a few days, just in time to come home.
The convention itself is three days of wall-to-wall license plates!! I don't think it's possible to visit every singhle table, but I usually cover 90% of the floor. My scooter becomes the "license plate recovery unit" I have been very lucky with some of my finds over the years. I got my want list ready, but always manage to pick something up I didn't expect.
I also looking forward to catching up[ with some old friends, like Roger Haynes,Jeff Minard ( the "other " JM) among others. I'm sure people are g oing to be looking for me too. It's something I have gotten used to over the years.
An yway the Friday auction shoul[d be interesting because if all works out I'll have another ALPCA #99 plate in my collection. What started out as a fluke at the auc tion in Huntsville has become an obsession! I wound up bidding, and winning, the ALPCA #99 plate in Salt Lake Cit. So now I have to go after it again this year!!