Steve Drillette, Amarillo National Weather Service (NWS) Warning Coordination Meteorologist, and Ed Andrade, Senior Forecaster addressed the Texas Agriculture Cooperative Council during their annual conference on February 9, 2004. The NWS representatives mingled with council members over lunch. After lunch Steve provided information on the climatology of the Texas panhandle and how it related to the ongoing drought. Ed followed with long term forecasts for the spring and for the rest of the year. The program was very well received with lots of interaction from those in attendance. This was Steve and Ed’s second time to speak to this group. They made their debut presentation in February 2001.

Over 130 of the combined staff at the Bivins Memorial Nursing Home and the Elizabeth Jane Bivins Nursing Home attended the Tornado Safety Training provided by the National Weather Service (NWS). Three sessions, two at Bivins Memorial and one at the Elizabeth Jane home were held on March 4, 2004. The required monthly training session focused on tornado climatology, tornado preparedness and safety, and the benefits of NOAA Weather Radio. Steve Drillette, NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist provided the training. Bivins Nursing Home Safety Director Lavisa Hollingsworth is also working with the NWS on a tornado drill for the nursing homes to be held in April.

Steve Drillette, Amarillo NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist, took part in Career Day at Perryton High School. Steve spoke to 14 students who had a strong interest in Meteorology, providing information on the various careers in Meteorology, educational requirements and institutions, and the specific duties of a NWS meteorologist. Perryton High School Career Day was held on January 28th and was sponsored by the Ochiltree County 4-H organization.

Steve Drillette, Amarillo NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist, spoke to 65 Texas Panhandle Mental Health Mental Retardation (TPMHMR) Clients about severe weather safety on February 13, 2004. TPMHMR Coordinator, Thomas Matthews set up the presentation. Thomas is also a NWS trained Skywarn Spotter and is a volunteer of the Amarillo Emergency Services network. The TPMHMR Clients showed a lot of interest and were very interactive in the discussion.