Wow, what a thunderstorm on Friday night!
Crackling lightning, booming thunder and drenching rain rocked Redding and environs, knocking out electricity in some areas and scaring the bejeebers out of pets and people.
We were riding in a car from Anderson to Redding on Highway 273 during the worst of the storm, and it was like riding through a car wash. Every time I thought it was getting too difficult for our intrepid driver to see the road, lightning would flash among the low clouds, lighting up the whole landscape, showing us that we were indeed still in Shasta County in June.
The rainstorm drowned some local activities, including Enjoy magazine’s outdoor movie in Caldwell Park, which had to be stopped midway through the screening.
The National Weather Service said Redding recorded .68 inches of rain during the 24-hour period, but it clearly was heavier in some locations.
Forecasts call for more thunderstorms this afternoon, with the potential increasing as the day wanes toward evening. Redding should see a high of 78 degrees.
- Movies We’ve Seen: We were in Anderson at Prime 11 Cinemas to see the new film “The Taking of Pelham 123,” starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta. Fast-paced thriller with tons of action and some interesting psychological back-and-forth between the two plump stars. The plot centers on some crooks who isolate a subway car full of riders, then pledge to shoot the hostages unless the city hands over $10 million. Travolta is the dastardly ringleader and Washington is the New York transit official on the other end of the walkie-talkie. (Caution: Not for those allergic to profanity. “F-bombs” galore.)
- Here’s a sunny story to balance off the rain: The California Department of Transportation has announced that it’s installing solar power projects at 70 of its facilities around the state. The projects not only will generate jobs, but the electricity savings over the next 25 years could be more than $50 million. Cuts down on greenhouse gases, too. The projects will be funded by bonds approved by Congress in 2005. Full story here.
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