text:
About LebanonLebanon budget travel offers the chance to explore a country with a diverse and fascinating culture, beautiful scenery, outstanding beaches and a host of attractions in the exotic Middle East.
Lebanon Budget Travel
Below is a list of Lebanon's top destinations, click on the link to view all details and tours.
Fast Facts
Lebanese lira (LL)
Dialing Code
Being a largely Islamic country, Lebanon HIV/AIDS is not hugely endemic; however there is a small risk. To ensure that you stay safe from sexually transmitted diseases on your Lebanese safari, follow basic precautions and avoid unprotected sex at all costs.
The primary airport in Lebanon is: • Beirut International Airport (BEY)
Lebanon conservation plays a key role in preserving the wide range of species that are endangered, threatened or nearly extinct. With social and human issues causing a negative impact on the country's environment, conservation efforts have become even more important during the instability and turmoil that faces the country.
Lebanon culture includes the following aspects: • Food and drink plays a key role in Lebanese family and culture • Nightlife and entertainment is a popular culture, especially amongst the younger generations • Music and film are also prevalent across the country • Traditional folklore and history is still present across Lebanon • Modern culture is common in the cities and amongst wealthier groups
Lebanon customs allowances include the following import items: • 800 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 1000g of tobacco • 2l of champagne, whisky or cognac or a maximum of 4l of other alcoholic beverages • 1l of eau de cologne and 100g of perfume • personal belongings not exceeding L2,000,000 prescribed dosages for medicine
Lebanon health info for travellers includes the following: • The most common health risk is travellers tummy from rich foods or tap water • Health facilities are advanced in the major cities, but not in rural areas • Pack a basic first aid kit with medication for upset stomachs, nausea and other minor ailments • Check with your doctor about any health risks or disease outbreaks that may have occurred recently before leaving for your Lebanon safari
Lebanon inoculations include the following: • Diphtheria • Hepatitis A & B • Tetanus • Yellow fever • Rabies
Lebanon languages include the following: • Arabic (standard and North Levantine) • English • French • Armenian • Kurdish
While malaria in Lebanon is not a risk, there may be a malaria risk within Asia in general. Travellers who are visiting malaria-risk countries before or after travelling to Lebanon should consider malaria medication.
Lebanon money and banking info is as follows: • The currency is the Lebanese pound (LBP) • Most establishments accept payment in US dollars but may return change in Lebanese pounds • Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops • Traveller's cheques are not accepted and cannot be exchanged even in banks • Cash machines are found in most supermarkets, banks and other commercial buildings
Lebanon people include: • Sunni Arabs • Shiite Arabs • Armenians • Greeks
Lebanon local phrases include the following: • Hello: Marhaba • Good morning: S-bahh Al-khair • Good evening: Masa Al-khair • Please: Men-fadllaak (m) • Please: Men-fadllake (f) • How much: Gha-daish?
Lebanon plants range from edible crop plants such as fig, olive, fruit and grapes to a huge range of pine trees. Forests comprise of most of the country, with interrupted woodlands making up three quarters of the country's landscapes. Forest types range from oak forests to juniper forests, pine forests and evergreen Cypress forests.
A 2009 estimate puts the population in Lebanon at 4,224,000 people.
Lebanon religion includes the following: • Shia Islam 30% • Sunni Islam 25% • Maronite Catholic 23% • Greek orthodox and Greek Catholic 12% • Druze & Alwites 5% • Armenian Catholic/Orthodox & Other Christians 4% • Others/Agnostics/Atheists 1%
Safety Tips
Lebanon safety tips include the following: • The conflict in Israel could have impact in certain areas, especially as there is much unrest across Lebanon as a result of this conflict • Avoid large crowds and demonstrations that may become violent • There is a relative risk of terrorism against westerners - keep to your tour group, and do not consider solo travel in Lebanon, especially if crossing near Isreal • Generally, the country is safe for travel however, with a low crime rate and only petty crime in the towns and cities • Look out for scams run by private taxis that target visitors - do not be fooled by anything that seems suspicious
Lebanon local transport includes the following options: • Bus • Taxi • Car
Travel Books
Lebanon recommended travel books include the following: • Globetrotter Lebanon Travel Pack by Hugh Taylor and Moira McCrossan • Spirit of the Phoenix: Beirut and the Story of Lebanon by Tim Llewellyn • Lonely Planet Syria & Lebanon by Lara Dunston and Terry Carter • The Hills of Adonis: A Journey in Lebanon by Colin Thubron • A Key to the Lebanon by Salah Stetie
Visa Requirements
Lebanon visa information is as follows: • All visitors to Lebanon require a visa • A valid passport of six months minimum is required • No visitors who have Israeli stamps are permitted into the country • Single entry visas of up to one month are free • The maximum stay in Lebanon on a tourist visa is 90 days
What To Buy
What to buy for holidays in Lebanon: • Extra batteries for your camera • A water bottle or bottled water • Phrase and guide books • A good pair of sunglasses for summer • Basic first aid kit containing painkillers, nausea, and diarrhea tablets
What To Pack
What to pack for your safari in Lebanon: • Sunscreen and a sunhat • Comfortable walking shoes • Smart wear for evenings • Additional batteries and memory cards for your camera • Basic first aid kit • Local phrase book
When To Go
When to go to Lebanon: • Spring has warm days with cool evenings, and is the ideal time to visit Lebanon • In Autumn, the days start to shorten and cool down, with increased rain • Summer is warm throughout the country, and is perfect for beach holidays • Winter is cold and wet, with occasional snow, but is a very popular with tourists due to the skiing season
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.
The highlight of my trip had to be Gweru in Zimbabwe, it was my idea of paradise. So much to do there with the animals and the location of it was just beautiful!
— Anne B (27) from Ireland
The trip was great! A very relaxed ride in a mokoro, followed by camping in the Okavango Delta and watching the animals on the islands was awesome!
— Michael & Silke from Germany
I loved every millisecond of the entire trip... Guess what I did in Swakopmund? I skydived out of a plane - woohoo was that AWESOME :-)
— JoJo E (61) from Switzerland
Finally home and had a great time…. I loved the shark diving, Sossusvlei and Himba people. Saw Lions, a Leopard, Elephants, Giraffes, everything really! Thanks for…
— John E from Canada
I did not believe in god till i visited Chobe National Park.
— Juca from Uruguay
Do this on the Cape Town to Nairobi with Gorilla Trek.Tours with Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Do this on the 14-day Kruger and Mozambique Safari.Tours with Kruger National Park Game Drive
Do this on the Best of South West Africa.Tours with Okavango Delta Mokoro Excursion
Do this on the Best of East Africa.Tours with Serengeti National Park Excursion
Do this on the Best of South West Africa.Tours with Victoria Falls Flight of Angels
Do this on the Best of South West Africa.Tours with White Water Rafting on the Zambezi River
Visit Etosha National Park on the Best of NamibiaTours through Etosha National Park
Visit Okavango Delta on the Best of South West AfricaTours through Okavango Delta
Visit Serengeti National Park on the Best of East AfricaTours through Serengeti National Park
Visit Victoria Falls on the Best of South West AfricaTours through Victoria Falls
Visit Zanzibar Island on the cape town to darTours through Zanzibar Island


text:
2013 Convention & Expo Must-See Speakers
This year's speakers will be discussing an array of hot topics. From payment card data breaches to understanding consumer behavior, this lineup is nothing short of fascinating. Join us in learning what the future holds for credit unions across the country.
Brent Dixon joins us for an exciting session on understanding consumer behavior. What psychological cues resonate with members? Participants are sure to learn the anthropological triggers that drive members. Dixon has a creative background and enjoys understanding what makes people tick. He has spent the last couple years designing and teaching design, while also providing user-experience advice on behalf of The Filene Research Institute. During this time, he also founded the Cooperative Trust, a grassroots network of hundreds of young people fighting for the future of socially responsible finance. He also volunteers with Hackidemia, a mobile invention lab for kids, and sits on the board of directors for the Cooperative Food Empowerment Directive, a network that empowers students to create ethically sourced, cooperatively run food enterprises on college campuses. Prior to founding his studio, Dixon spent five years as creative director of Trabian, an Indianapolis-based interactive agency.
Bill Hampel comes with an economist's perspective on how the economy is doing. Where are we headed? When will we rebound? Hampel will share his forecast for economic growth, the job market and inflation. He has an extensive background in economic analysis as well as research and policy. He is currently the senior vice president of Research and Policy Analysis and chief economist for the Credit Union National Association (CUNA). He also writes economic analysis columns for several credit union publications. Prior to joining CUNA, he was an assistant professor for economics are the University of Montana at Missoula and an instructor of economics at Iowa State University at Ames. He has served as a staff member at Navy Federal Credit Union in Virginia during a one-year sabbatical and has also served as Great Wisconsin Credit Union's board chair.
Mark Arnold will deliver a realistic idea of "Who is the member of the future?" This notion is compelling and will grab your attention. He believes the future members are not baby boomers or even millennials but will possess characteristics and demands all their own. Arnold speaks regularly to audiences around the country on branding, marketing, strategy, leadership, personal growth and generational issues. His breadth of knowledge connects with audiences for keynotes, breakouts and training events. He is the author of "Business," "My" and "Marketing Across the Generations: Gen. X." He is also president of On the Mark Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in branding and strategic planning. Not a mere consultant, he partners with credit unions and organizations to help achieve their desired strategic goals. He has worked with financial institutions ranging in size from $32 million to $1.8 billion. Prior to founding On the Mark Strategies, Arnold served as senior vice president for a multi-million dollar financial institution in Dallas.
David Polet will help turn today's consumer insights into tomorrow's business success. Distinguishing your credit union when competitors offer the same or similar products can be difficult. He understands how consumer insight can help get a clearer picture of priorities and meeting the needs of your members. What sets you apart? During this session, learn how your business decisions will create a road map for future success. Polet is the director of Voice of Customer for CUNA Mutual Group. He has worked in the Voice of Customer area since 2009, becoming director in 2012. Beyond overseeing the execution of research, he is responsible for bringing the voice of customers, both credit unions and members, to CUNA Mutual Group. He is also responsible for facilitating a number of credit union advisory panels composed of credit union leaders and CUNA Mutual Group business leaders. Additionally, he helps bring CUNA Mutual Group's research to credit unions through white papers and speaking engagements.
Don't miss out on learning from these sensational speakers! Register today by visiting the event's page.
- Log in or register to post comments
- Printer-friendly version

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Color: CELADON
Collection: AERIN COLLECTION 2
Materials: RAYON – 76%, COTTON – 24%
Construction: CHENILLE
Style: DAMASK
Color family: SAGE
Product Specifications
- Dimensions
- Width: 55.5
- Lead Time
- 6-10 Weeks (Made to Order)
Nearby Showrooms
About Lee Jofa
Founded in 1823, Lee Jofa is the industry leader in high-end, to-the-trade home furnishings, including fabrics, furniture, wall coverings, carpet, trimmings. Lee Jofa specializes in style and luxury, offering products distributed under exclusive brands.
View Profile


text:
Studies in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism
Wisdom's Studies in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism series, launched in 1999, contextualizes South Asian Buddhist traditions within their historical, philosophical, and cultural settings. Applying historical-critical analysis to the study of Buddhist literature, the series illuminates the unique Indian and Tibetan Buddhist contributions to global religious and philosophical culture. The current eighteen volumes include works by renowned scholars as well as by prominent academics who are establishing themselves in the field. This series makes broadly accessible seminal research not well known outside of specialist audiences.
Editorial Board
- Tom Tillemans (chair), University of Lausanne
- José Cabezón (chair), University of California, Santa Barbara
- Georges Dreyfus, Williams College, Massachusetts
- Janet Gyatso, Harvard University
- Paul Harrison, Stanford University
- Toni Huber, Humboldt University, Berlin
- Shōryū Katsura, Ryukoku University, Kyoto
- Leonard van der Kuijp, Harvard University
- Thupten Jinpa Langri, Institute of Tibetan Classics, Montreal
- Frank Reynolds, University of Chicago
- Cristina Scherrer-Schaub, University of Lausanne
- Ernst Steinkellner, University of Vienna
If you are interested in submitting work to the Studies in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism series, please visit the Submission Guidelines page.


text:
Reviewed by Arihant M. (age 8) and Vincent B. (age 8)
The people in this book wore funny clothes. Their clothes were so big that they looked like costumes. A lesson in this book is to never let any job or chore get too out of hand.
I, (Vincent) wonder why the wise man had to choose rice for the king to give him as a reward. He could have chosen anything he wanted, but instead, his greatest reward was to fool the King! I think this book is funny because the wise man feeds the leftover rice to the poor and animals. First to a bird, then to a beggar. In my (Arihant's) opinion, this book is funny too because the King gave too much rice to the wise man to put on his chessboard. The rice kept coming and coming and coming. I (Vincent) also think this book is funny because of all the deception and treason that the King thought occurred. I (Arihant) think a funny part is when all the people were happy to see all the rice being delivered. The people thought it was very humorous.
We recommend this book to people who enjoy chess. You will like this book if you like funny things. It is so hilarious. You won't stop laughing! People who eat a lot of rice would like this book, but be careful, you might get hungry in the middle of the story! This book is so hilarious that you won't stop laughing from cover to cover.


text:
Your task is simple: just answer a few questions about your horse and his diet
Get Started »
SmartPaks are custom made, pre-measured daily dose paks of your horse's supplements
Learn More »
When it comes to horse first aid equipment, you hope you never have to use it, but when you do, you want what's best for your horse. We have selected top-quality, essential products such as leg wraps and horse liniments. Whether you are treating a minor scrape, poulticing an injured leg, or taking vitals of a sick horse, these are the basic horse first aid items you'll want at hand.
SmartPak Equine™ is the premier online provider of horse supplies and equine supplements.
© Copyright 2019 by SmartPak Equine LLC. All Rights reserved.
Legal | Security & Privacy Policy


text:
BSkyB has announced plans to roll out a broadband service, to be bundled alongside its pay-TV and newly relaunched 'Sky Talk' telephone service. Triple play, baby!
Well, we knew it was coming… that much was clear when Sky shelled out more than £200m on the acquisition of Easynet last year. It was simply a question of when it would happen, and what exactly the consumer offering would be, and whether there would be any mobile telephony element introduced (not yet). It certainly positions Sky favourably in the emerging battle for the living room.
Sky will invest a further £400m over the next three years to extend its broadband operations, which are being advertised widely from today. The brand strapline is 'uploads, downloads, save loads'.
The company has jumped on the 'free broadband' bandwagon to some degree, despite the recent ticking off handed out to rival Carphone Warehouse from the Advertising Standards Authority. CPW has been advertising 'free broadband forever', despite not offering an entirely free service.
Sky's basic service offers a 2MB connection, with a 2GB-per-month cap. For £10 a month consumers can upgrade to an "awesome" connection of 16MB.
Sky CEO James Murdoch described the move as "a transformational new initiative". He said: "Sky is ideally equipped to enter the large and growing markets of broadband and telephony and by pushing the boundaries of the home entertainment market, we will help our customers realise the full potential from technological convergence."
Sky has 8m customers and we reckon it will gain a few more over the coming months, as word spreads. Carphone Warehouse attracted more than 300,000 new subscribers purely as a result of marketing its free broadband deal, so we feel that Sky could feasibly add 400,000-600,000 new broadband customers by the end of the year, given its plans for a multichannel, multimillion pound ad campaign. Sky's competitors will be suitably concerned.
Advance sales are about to start (at noon today) via the www.sky.com/broadband website, where consumers can check availability and options.


text:
And I haven't found Hubby curled up in the fetal position somewhere {yet}.
Monday, April 23, 2012
"we encourage" - We Did Wha?!
And I haven't found Hubby curled up in the fetal position somewhere {yet}.
23 comments:
- Brooke @ Covered in Grace said...
Good for you!!
We got rid of cable in the middle of 2009. Haven't had it since. I can tell you...it's been so nice. We do have Netflix, too. (And, unfortunately, we have been watching waaay too much of it lately. It can become just as enticing, if not more so, as cable.) But...I will say that with out cable, the stuff we have been watching has had so much more substance than the junk that I used to fill hours and hours with.
Anyways... we got rid of house phones then as well, or rather, we just never started one back up when we moved.
I think more people should jump on the cable-free bandwagon. =)
- April 24, 2012 at 12:55 AM
Wow! I love this.
A few years back a gorgeous little girl in Melbourne died after being thrown off a bridge by her father because she was whining in the car, after investigations the police found that the little girl was so scared when her dad pulled over that she soiled herself. Ever since seeing that on the evening news ( about 4 years ago) we havent watched the news. It really affected my husband and I. Recently he has watched the news on a few occasions and I feel instantly sick. I applaud you. There is so much good to see in the world but we need to stop focusing on the bad.
- April 24, 2012 at 4:14 AM
- Bethany said...
We haven't had cable in years! I think after a while you won't miss it at all. We have netflix and I watch my favorite shows on hulu (just on the internet…I don't have it streamed to my TV), and the hubs can still watch major sporting events on TV. It's a blessing not to be tied down by it! You'll love it eventually…and I'm all for saving money!!
- April 24, 2012 at 5:31 AM
- Shanda said...
Good for you. I've tried but my husband won't go for it. I hate it that when he or my sons are home the TV is always on.
- April 24, 2012 at 5:33 AM
- tracy said...
my husband and i gave up cable about a year ago. we couldn't justify the $80+ we were spending each month to watch crap. we have netflix and hulu plus. we like hulu to watch shows we aren't able to watch in real time or dvr (since we don't have tivo). the $16 we pay for both is totally worth it! good luck! we have found that we hardly have time for tv anymore.
- April 24, 2012 at 5:48 AM
- Stephanie said...
That is awesome girl! You won't regret it. We didn't have cable either when the girls were young and like you said....there were so many other things we did instead of being glued to the tv. PLUS....they didn't see commercials so it helped in their contentment with wanting new toys and stuff. We eventually got a christian satellite called Sky Angel when the girls got older. And sadly today, we have the whole enchilada! I would love to cut it off again. You have inspired me girl! ....now if I can convince the rest of the Holdens! :)
- April 24, 2012 at 6:16 AM
- Kara @ Just1Step said...
We do not have cable either - we never have - and we just use Hulu and an antenna to get a few channels. Hulu works very nicely, I think, and there are even ways to hook your computer up to your TV so you can watch it on the big screen. :)
- April 24, 2012 at 6:33 AM
- The Arizona Russums said...
Yes! I haven't had cable since college and I pretty much love it! TV takes up almost none of my time and I feel blessed by that!
- April 24, 2012 at 7:07 AM
- hannah singer said...
go girl! we don't have landlines and we don't have "tv" either. netflix, dvds or nothing:)
it's a beautiful thing, that redemption of time!
press on, cutie, love you AND your heart for HIM.
- April 24, 2012 at 8:26 AM
- Mary said...
we're right there with ya...no land line, no cable and that's the way we like it! :)
lots more time for reading books together as a family and spending our time creating/being able to serve others better, too.
- April 24, 2012 at 10:37 AM
- adventures with 4 under 4 said...
You'll love it! We go through phases when we do the same. It's so nice to unplug! (Although I should warn that your phone may become more addicting.) in fact we are thinking about doing it again come summer time.
- April 24, 2012 at 10:40 AM
- Esther said...
congratulations! huge step! we were cable free for the first 2.5 years of our marriage. not sure if you have this set up but what we did was plug an extra laptop to our tv and watched hulu. it was a great set up since we could still feel like we were watching tv but for free!
i enjoy having (basic) cable. God knows i wouldnt leave the tv room if i had discovery, tlc, and the national geographic channels. yet i have to say that i think it's often a waste of time and a hugeeee distraction. i believe that eventually we'll go back to being a cable free home. for now, having some shows to watch has been a huge blessing while nursing babies.
- April 24, 2012 at 12:50 PM
- Krista said...
We're doing Hulu! The cable will be totally gone once our contract is up in another month but I think it will be a good thing :) Congrats on the big step!
- April 24, 2012 at 12:51 PM
- Laura@Splendor said...
cable free going on a year now too! you won't even miss it, promise. our kids spend a whole lot more time playing together and using their imaginations then glued to a tv, which was one of the biggest reasons we said adios!
- April 24, 2012 at 2:04 PM
- Jessica Johnson said...
super want to kick TV to the curb, too. but Dave might die from sports withdrawals. like literally. so, for now, it stays. and everyone i talk to LOOOOVES hulu.
- April 24, 2012 at 2:55 PM
- Alyson @Eisley Rae said...
Good for you!! We've never had a home phone for the same reasons as you. And, we got rid of cable last August. Best decision ever. We do have netflix and hulu. They're both awesome. We certainly don't watch as much tv as we used to, but the option is there still. Hulu really is great. We have hulu plus too and can basically watch anything. Congrats!
- April 24, 2012 at 3:39 PM
- Kelly said...
good for you! that's awesome!
hulu IS t.v. almost every show you want to watch is on hulu. but here's the thing they only have the last 7 shows that have aired available to watch. as far as shows for kids i really don't know.
- April 24, 2012 at 3:55 PM
- katygirl said...
Love this! We canceled cable too a while back and I am so grateful. Also, now you have more time to draw.
- April 24, 2012 at 4:51 PM
- Julie Marie said...
i am just now getting a good chance to look through your blog.. with all the blogs out there, its hard to keep up...to find out what i love, what i want to link up with etc.. but i love this link up... one of the niches of my blog is encouraging... so this is wonderful way to connect.. so awesome and excited to connect more in the future. =)
- April 24, 2012 at 8:02 PM
- Julie Marie said...
aw well i was trying to link it to a specific post i did this week about relying solely on God, but i guess it only linked to my most recent post..which isnt realy encouraging.. lol.. ooops.. next time..
- April 24, 2012 at 8:05 PM
- theolivetree said...
I get very bored with t.v. ... I am not sure I could do with out noggin...lol...it is very hard to find shows for small children that also have appropriate commercials.
p.s. I might be the only person who does not have netflix...!?
- April 25, 2012 at 9:24 AM
- Nessa Bixler said...
Hooray! We did it last October and haven't looked back. It was even easier than we thought it was going tobe.
- April 25, 2012 at 11:15 AM
- Rachel said...
When we moved into our house over a year ago we never got a landline or cable/sattelite. I regretted it for awhile, but now I don't ever see the need to have it. We have Netflix too and are quite into documentaries- because we are dorky like that. I find more time to read and garden and just talk with the hubby. Can you believe that? Sitting around talking without the boob tube!? Who knew!
- May 1, 2012 at 7:02 AM


text:
Acufinder.com is the leading resource for everything to do with Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs and Asian Medicine.
It is the premier Web destination for those seeking health and wellness for themselves and their loved ones through the principles of Oriental Medicine.
We are the voice of authority for up-to-date health and wellness information from an Eastern Medicine perspective.
Herbal Category: Tonify Yang
Actions & Indications
Safety Issues
References:Bensky, Dan and Gamble, Andrew. Chinese Herbal Medicine, Materia Medica. Seattle: Eastland Press, 1993.


text:
New wildlife management area to open for hunters this fall
This fall Oklahomans will have about 8,000 new acres of public land to hunt thanks to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's acquisition of the new Cross Timbers Wildlife Management Area in Love County.
At its July meeting, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission approved emergency rules for the new property, which includes 6,100 acres that have been purchased by the Department and an additional 2,000 acres under lease agreement.
The emergency rules open hunting seasons on the new WMA this fall and establish rules on camping and area use.
"Since it's a brand new area and in an area of the state that might receive a lot of hunting pressure, we think the best approach is to start with conservative hunting regulations," said Alan Peoples, chief of wildlife for the Wildlife Department.
Most small game seasons on the area will be the same as statewide season dates, except closed from the opening day of deer archery season through the first nine days of deer gun season. Additionally, deer muzzleloader, deer gun and spring turkey hunting on the area will be conducted through the Wildlife Department's controlled hunts system.
Peoples said structuring the hunting seasons in this way will help provide a measure for the level of hunting pressure the area will receive.
In other business, the Commission approved dates for the 2011 dove season, which will run Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, statewide, followed by another nine-day period open from Dec. 24 through Jan. 1, 2012, statewide. In previous years, dove season was split only in the southwest portion of the state, whereas the majority of the state was open for a continuous 70-day season in the fall.
According to Peoples, the concept of providing a late season dove hunt during the holidays worked so well in the southwest dove zone that the idea appealed to other regions of the state as well. But until this year, federal framework options set forth by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not provide for it. When the option became available to Oklahoma this year, the Wildlife Department took the opportunity.
"This is a great opportunity that can benefit hunters statewide with more hunting opportunity," Peoples said.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considers populations and habitat status for establishing hunting seasons on migratory game bird seasons that open prior to Oct. 1 at an annual meeting during June of each year. The Service publishes the federal hunting season frameworks for these species soon after its meeting, when state wildlife agencies can then make their selections within the framework guidelines. Other season regulations remain unchanged from last year.
Along with approving dove season dates, the Commission also set dates for September teal season (Sept. 10-25 statewide; limit four daily, eight in possession after the first day) and special September resident Canada goose season (Sept. 10-19 statewide; limit eight daily, 16 in possession after the first day). In addition, the Commission set dates and limits for rail, gallinule, woodcock and snipe. For full details, consult the "2011-12 Oklahoma Hunting Guide," which will be available later this summer.
The Commission also heard a presentation on the Wildlife Department's new, fully-redesigned website, wildlifedepartment.com. The new site organizes information in a user-friendly format while providing resources for those interested in learning about Wildlife Department programs, projects and more. Along with accessing information such as hunting and fishing regulations, users can also manage their own account for online purchasing of licenses and check in their harvested deer, elk or turkey online. To view the Wildlife Department's new website, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.
The Wildlife Department also recognized Bluestem Ranch in Osage County as its Oklahoma Landowner of the Year Award recipient. Bluestem Ranch is comprised of about 43,000 acres of cross timbers and tall grass prairie and is owned by widely-known conservationist Ted Turner. Ranch manager John Hurd and his staff oversee management and day-to-day operations.
The Commission also welcomed Altus sportsmen, farmer and rancher Robert Dan Robbins as the newest Wildlife Commissioner. Robbins will serve on the Commission through 2019 as the District 7 representative, after having recently been appointed by Gov. Mary Fallin and confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate.
The Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.
The next scheduled Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m., Aug. 1, at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters (auditorium), located at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City.
Osage County ranch recognized for conservation efforts
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation recently awarded its Landowner of the Year Award to Bluestem Ranch in Osage County.
Bluestem Ranch comprises about 43,000 acres of cross timbers and tall grass prairie and is owned by media mogul and widely known conservationist Ted Turner. Ranch manager John Hurd and his staff oversee management and day-to-day operations.
According to Mike Sams, private lands senior biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, it is always a pleasure for officials of the Wildlife Department to recognize the work private landowners do to improve their land for wildlife.
"Ninety-seven percent of Oklahoma is privately owned," Sams said. "Without private landowners, wildlife management is not going to happen."
Bluestem Ranch is a working ranch that concentrates primarily on bison production, but it has adopted certain non-traditional ranching practices that benefit wildlife such as patch burn graze efforts, eliminating fencing and increasing pasture size. The ranch uses limited amounts of herbicides and in doing so has restored brushy native prairie beneficial to quail and has maintained a high diversity of wildlife food sources.
The ranch also has established waterfowl habitat by building a wetland area and seeding shorelines for waterfowl food production. Four ponds on the ranch have been constructed and stocked with fish and two previously existing ponds have been reclaimed and stocked with fish as well. Additionally, the ranch has established food plots, participated in the Wildlife Department's Deer Management Assistance Program and has held youth deer hunts and supported youth trapping activity on the property.
More than 100 youth participate in the two-and-a-half-day deer hunts held on the area, where a bison burger lunch is provided to participants. The ranch also donates bison meat to the Wildlife Department's Taste of the Wild booth at the Oklahoma Wildlife Expo, where thousands of Oklahomans can sample wild game while enjoying a range of hands-on outdoor learning opportunities. The Expo is held the last weekend of September at the Lazy E Arena just north of Oklahoma City. Admission is free.
Hurd said one of Turner's missions is to "restore and bring as much natural habitat back to his properties" as possible. "He allows us to manage these properties like this, and it's an honor to receive this," Hurd said.
For more information about the Wildlife Department or how landowners can get involved with Wildlife Conservation, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.
Caption: The 43,000-acre Bluestem Ranch in Osage County recently received the Wildlife Department's Oklahoma Landowner of the Year Award for its conservation efforts. Bluestem Ranch is a working ranch that concentrates primarily on bison production, but it has adopted certain non-traditional ranching practices that benefit wildlife.
Current weather conditions have potential to cause fish kills
Much to the dismay of anglers and wildlife enthusiasts, environmental conditions typical of late summertime can lead to fish kills, especially in the state's many small farm ponds. And with the second hottest June on state record now in the books, officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation are advising conditions may be right for fish kills sooner than normal this year.
"While it is not unusual for environmental conditions to cause fish kills with at least some regularity, those conditions don't usually arrive until later in the summer," said Gene Gilliland, assistant chief of fisheries for the Wildlife Department. "But we are already receiving reports of fish kills from farm ponds, and we want people to be prepared."
Fish kills, or die-offs of what are sometimes significant numbers of fish from a body of water, result from hot, dry weather and environmental changes.
"When it gets this hot and dry, water levels in ponds and lakes naturally get low while their temperatures rise, and that can lead to low dissolved oxygen levels," Gilliland said. "Combine these low water levels and extreme temperatures with an overabundance of nutrients from farm and lawn fertilizers, and you've got a recipe for a fish kill."
"Fish kills are nothing new, and they occur with some degree of regularity in the late summer," Gilliland said. "They usually don't threaten the stability of larger lake and reservoir fisheries, but they can negatively impact anglers who fish in ponds and small lakes."
Measures that farm pond owners can take to prevent fish kills need to be started in the late spring, such as employing aeration, preventing livestock from accessing ponds and avoiding the overuse of fertilizers on lands where run-off to ponds can occur. However, there are things that can be done in an emergency if a pond owner sees fish "gulping for air" on the surface — the first tell-tale sign that water quality is deteriorating. These include the use of emergency aeration using pumps, blowers or even farm machinery or adding fresh water to the pond from a well.
For more information about preventing fish kills in farm ponds, log on to http://wildlifedepartment.com/. Pond owners can also contact their local fishery biologist. The contact information can be found at http://wildlifedepartment.com.
Western Oklahoma photography contest open; winner to be
displayed at Wildlife Expo
This year's Oklahoma Wildlife Expo will include something for every kind of outdoorsman, including photographers hoping to showcase their work.
The Oklahoma Wildlife and Prairie Heritage Alliance (OWPHA) is currently accepting entries for the Great Plains Trail Photography Contest, and the first and second place photos from each category will be displayed at the Wildlife Expo Sept. 24-25 at the Lazy E Arena, just north of Oklahoma City. Judging for the contest will take place at the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site in Cheyenne, which will be accepting entries through Aug. 1. New this year, visitors to the Washita National Historic Battlefield in Cheyenne will have a chance to vote for their "People's Choice" favorite.
Submissions should depict the unique attractions, landscapes, wildlife, and wildflowers found across portions of the 30-county region of covered by the Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma.
"The Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma is a road-based wildlife viewing trail that takes visitors into some of the most unique landscapes in Oklahoma," said Melynda Hickman, wildlife diversity biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, a primary partner with OWPHA in the Great Plains Trail project.
The Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma is a series of 13 driving loops that explore a significant portion of the state located west of Highway 81. The loops are designed to offer the greatest likelihood of viewing wildlife and offer stopping points for vehicles and also opportunities to hunt, fish, camp, hike, ride horses, go caving, dig for crystals, swim, go rock climbing, boating and more. Full details on the Great Plains Trail, including different routes, maps and local amenities along the trail can be found by logging on greatplainstrail.com.
To enter the contest, applicants must mail or deliver their submissions — consisting of a matted photograph, a digital copy and an official entry form — to Washita Battlefield Historic Site, Rt. 1 Box 55a Cheyenne, OK 73628. Contest entry forms and rules can be found online at owpha.org.
The Oklahoma Wildlife Expo, hosted by the Wildlife Department, is Oklahoma's largest outdoor recreation event, offering guests the chance to shoot shotguns and archery equipment, ride mountain bikes and ATVs, catch fish in a fully-stocked pond, experience kayaking, attend seminars and even sample wild game and camp cooking for free. The Wildlife Department partners with a wide range of other state agencies, private individuals and outdoor-related companies to host Expo. The event is designed to provide hands-on learning opportunities for all types of outdoor enthusiasts while promoting and instilling an appreciation for Oklahoma's wildlife and natural resources.
Whether building a birdhouse to take home with them for free or attending a Dutch oven camp cooking seminar, visitors to the Expo get the chance to soak up a weekend of free outdoor knowledge, skills and experiences as hundreds of volunteers and Wildlife Department employees work to keep the event exciting, educational and entertaining.
The Wildlife Expo will be held at the Lazy E Arena, just north of Oklahoma City. Expo hours will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Sept. 24-25. Log on to wildlifedepartment.com regularly to stay up to date on this year's Expo activities.
Wildlife Expo gets families outside
Visitors to the 2011 Oklahoma Wildlife Expo Sept. 24-25 will have a chance to catch a fish, shoot a bow and arrow or shotgun, ride a mountain bike, float in a kayak, pet an alligator and even sample wild game meat and camp cooking.
The Wildlife Expo is a free public event designed to generate interest in the outdoors while providing hands-on learning opportunities. Hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in partnership with a range of other state agencies, businesses, organizations and volunteers, the Expo is the state's largest outdoor recreation event.
"The wildlife Expo is a unique, one-of-a-kind experience for the whole family," said Rhonda Hurst, Expo coordinator for the Wildlife Department. "Where else can you go spend the day actively participating in everything from tossing an atlatl to paddling a kayak? You can touch native reptiles and see bats up close. You can catch a fish or shoot a bow. You can learn about wildlife from birds to worms and how to conserve Oklahoma's resources for future generations. You are sure to find your favorite outdoor activity as well as discover some new ones, and the best part is that it's free!"
Some opportunities at the Expo are considered common and popular among outdoorsman — such as fishing at a pond or shooting a shotgun — while others, like tanning a buffalo hide with primitive tools or even experiencing a mock bowfishing trip, will be new experiences for all involved.
"The idea is to provide an absolutely free opportunity for people to come see all that Oklahoma's outdoors have to offer," Hurst said. Hurst is confident that getting people interested in the outdoors leads to heightened awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation.
The Wildlife Expo will be held at the Lazy E Arena, just north of Oklahoma City. Expo hours will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 24-25. The event draws thousands of people every year for a weekend of outdoor recreation and education.
The Expo features archery and firearms ranges, a stocked fishing pond, bird watching areas, mountain bike trails, ATV test ride courses, Dutch oven cooking seminars, and even an indoor pond used for kayaking and sporting dog demonstrations. The event also features free wild game samples, live wildlife, and booths and activities that provide information, learning opportunities and recreation. Though admission and activities at the event are all free, visitors can shop at the Expo's Outdoor Marketplace, a large area where vendors will be showcasing their outdoor-related goods and services.
Log on to the all-new wildlifedepartment.com regularly to stay up to date on this year's Expo activities.
Artists wanted: Oklahoma waterfowl stamp design contest now accepting entries
Artists' entries are now being accepted for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Waterfowl Stamp Design Contest, featuring the white-fronted goose. Submissions will be accepted through Aug. 31, and the winning artwork will be featured on the 2012-13 Oklahoma waterfowl stamp.
The Wildlife Department's waterfowl stamp design contest draws artists from across the United States hoping to see their rendition of a pre-selected waterfowl species on the state's next stamp, which also serves as a state waterfowl license. The Oklahoma waterfowl stamp is required of hunters who pursue waterfowl in Oklahoma, unless exempt, and is an important source of funding for on-the-ground habitat work that benefits waterfowl and other wetland wildlife. The Wildlife Department receives no general state tax appropriations and is supported primarily through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, among them the Oklahoma waterfowl license. Duck stamp sales help finance many projects that benefit ducks and geese. Since the duck stamp program began in 1980, thousands of acres of waterfowl habitat have been created through duck stamp revenues.
"This is really much more than an art contest," said Micah Holmes, information supervisor for the Wildlife Department. "When waterfowl hunters purchase that stamp, they are doing their part in conserving wildlife and preserving the sport of hunting. Stamp collectors can support the cause as well, since the stamps always feature stunning and unique artwork that's worth adding to a collection."
Artwork may be of acrylic, oil, watercolor, scratchboard, pencil, pen and ink, tempera or any other two-dimensional media. Photographs are not eligible. The illustration must be horizontal, six and a half inches high and nine inches wide. It must be matted with white mat board nine inches high by 12 inches wide with the opening cut precisely six and a half inches by nine inches. Artwork may not be framed or under glass, but acetate covering should be used to protect the art. All artists must depict the white-fronted goose, and any habitat appearing in the design must be typical of Oklahoma. Artists also can include a retriever dog in their entry, as long as the white-fronted goose is the featured element of the artwork.
Complete entry guidelines can be found online at the all new wildlifedepartment.com.
Entries should be sent to the Duck Stamp Competition Coordinator, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. Fed Ex, UPS and other ground deliveries should be sent to 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
Entries will be judged on anatomical accuracy, artistic composition and suitability for printing. The winner and honorable mentions will appear in a future issue of Outdoor Oklahoma magazine.
A non-refundable entry fee of $20 (cash, money order or cashier's check) must accompany each entry. No entries will be accepted after 4:30 p.m. Aug. 31.
The winning artist will receive a purchase award of $1,200, courtesy of Tulsa-based conservation group NatureWorks, and the winning entry will become the sole and exclusive property of the Wildlife Department.
A selection of waterfowl stamp art from previous years is currently on display in the lobby of the Wildlife Department headquarters located at 1801 N. Lincoln, in Oklahoma City.
Prints of the winning art are no longer made, but a small number of limited edition prints from previous years are available for $135. To order, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.
For more information about the contest call (405) 521-3856. For a complete list of contest rules, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.
2011-2012 Oklahoma hunting regulations available online now
Hunters can now log on to the all new wildlifedepartment.com to view the newest version of the "Oklahoma Hunting Guide," which provides regulations for the 2011-12 hunting seasons.
The 62-page full-color guide, produced by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, also features a wide range of hunting-related articles and other helpful information, such as sunrise/sunset tables, game meat processors, game warden listings and detailed information on the state's wildlife management areas.
"The redesigned Hunting Guide is an important publication for hunters, because it contains information on laws and regulations that hunters need to know," said Ben Davis, information specialist and hunting guide coordinator for the Wildlife Department.
The free guide will also be available in printed form Aug. 1 anywhere hunting licenses are sold. Hunters who pick up a printed copy will notice a new look and feel.
"The 2011-2012 Oklahoma Hunting Guide looks different than it has in past years, because it is printed on higher-quality paper and has a magazine-style layout," Davis said. "Publishing the guides in this way actually saved the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation money, meaning that the savings can support other conservation work around the state."
To find the new "Oklahoma Hunting Guide" online, log on to wildlifedepartment.com and click on the "Laws & Regs" tab on the homepage. In addition to the most recent hunting and fishing guides, wildlifedepartment.com provides a comprehensive source of outdoor information relating to hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and other conservation topics. Sportsmen can also use the site to purchase hunting and fishing licenses and to access interactive topographical maps of the state's public hunting and fishing lands. Additionally, sportsmen can sign up online for a free weekly news release from the Wildlife Department that is sent directly to their e-mail inbox. The news release contains late-breaking outdoor-related information important to Oklahoma hunters and covers everything from upcoming hunting and fishing seasons and events to news about state records, wildlife management, public lands and more. The free news release also contains a weekly fishing report from lakes and other fisheries as well as seasonal reports on waterfowl activity across the state.
"We're always striving to give sportsmen more and better information," said Nels Rodefeld, information and education chief for the Wildlife Department. "When you combine the new 'Oklahoma Hunting Guide' with wildlifedepartment.com and the Department's weekly e-mail news release, you're going to get a lot of great information that is important for Oklahoma sportsmen to know. Plus, it's all absolutely free."
More information about the Wildlife Department is available by logging on to wildlifedepartment.com.
Wildlife Expo to feature Oklahoma angling opportunities
Some would say if you have never had a chance to catch a fish, then you really haven't experienced Oklahoma, but you can at this year's seventh annual Oklahoma Wildlife Expo slated for Sept. 24-25.
The Wildlife Expo, held at the Lazy E Arena just north of Oklahoma City, provides visitors a chance to fish for free in a stocked pond. Other angling-related opportunities at the Expo include seminars, fish filleting demonstrations, bowfishing simulations, kids casting games, fly fishing and fly-tying lessons, and exhibits hosted by personnel from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Visitors can speak with experts on a range of fishing topics such as the Wildlife Department's paddlefish program, kayak fishing, tackle, spring and winter crappie fishing and more. Visitors can even sample delicious fried fish at the Expo's popular Taste of the Wild booth, where volunteers serve up free samples of wild game snacks.
New this year, Expo visitors can even visit a trotlining and juglining booth and attend seminars that teach the methods.
With more shoreline than the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf coasts combined and over a million surface acres of water, Oklahoma is an ideal fishing destination. And according to Rhonda Hurst, Expo coordinator for the Wildlife Department, the free event can be the springboard for a lifetime of fishing excitement.
"Oklahoma has so many places for anglers to go fishing, many of them right in your backyard," Hurst said. "By coming to the Expo, visitors can learn anything from the basics of how to start fishing to perfecting advanced techniques."
While angling activities are a highlight at the Expo, fishing only scratches the surface of the activities, events, seminars and other opportunities provided at the Expo. Visitors can shoot shotguns and archery equipment with hands-on instruction from experts, ride an ATV, attend a hunting dog seminar, learn to identify wildlife and even paddle a kayak in an indoor pond built right into the floor of the Lazy E Arena.
The Wildlife Expo is Oklahoma's largest outdoor recreation event, drawing thousands of people for a weekend of hands-on outdoor recreation and learning. The Expo is hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in partnership with a wide range of other state agencies, private individuals and outdoor-related companies.
The Wildlife Expo will be held at the Lazy E Arena, just north of Oklahoma City. Expo hours will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 24-25. Log on to wildlifedepartment.com regularly to stay up to date on this year's Expo activities.
New association to help simplify prescribed burning for landowners
A new association has been formed to provide landowners and state prescribed burn associations with an organization that can assist them with liability insurance, finding funding for equipment and training, and a voice for prescribed burning throughout the state.
The Oklahoma Prescribed Burn Association (OPBA) was formed through a three-year Conoco-Phillips challenge grant from the Playa Lakes Joint Venture through the High Plains Resource and Conservation District. Ron Voth is the executive director of this first of its kind organization to assist landowners with all aspects of prescribed burning.
Prescribed burning is a useful and important habitat management tool employed to remove accumulated litter, encourage new vegetative growth and to control excessive invasion of brush and woody cover. Native rangelands that are burned periodically have a wider diversity of plants that are beneficial to wildlife than unburned prairies. Wildlife such as quail benefit from burns because they increase mobility by removing ground level clutter, attract greater density and diversity of insects used by quail chicks as food and increase the ability of birds to feed on those insects.
The primary goal of the OPBA is to become the umbrella organization for landowners and local prescribed burn associations to receive reasonably priced liability insurance for conducting prescribed burns. Through the OPBA, the insurance will be available to burn association members at an affordable rate. The insurance covers escaped fires, suppression costs, injury to people assisting with the burn, and problems caused by smoke. A five-member board of directors has been formed to assist with the development of this organization. Members include Alva Gregory, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation; Darrel Dominick, Oklahoma Conservation Commission; Paul Clark, Natural Resource Conservation Service; Karsen Davis, Roger Mills Prescribed Burn Association; and John Weir, NREM, Oklahoma State University.
There will be a minimal annual fee, and a charge for each burn the landowner would like to have insured. There will be some requirements for each burn, which are currently being developed by the association and the insurance company.
The OPBA is currently conducting a survey of landowners throughout the state to get information on the number of landowners that would be interested in joining a prescribed burn association and if they are interested in the liability insurance. The survey can be found at the Oklahoma Prescribed Fire Council website at www.oklahomaprescribedfirecouncil.okstate.edu. Click on "Burn Associations" and send the completed survey to Ron Voth at the address listed.
August 19: deadline for youth bonus antlerless deer hunt applications
Beginning deer hunters have a unique opportunity to participate in three bonus antlerless deer hunts that will take place on private land in Osage County (Oct 7-9, 2011), Ellis County (Dec 9-10, 2011) and Alfalfa County (Jan 13-15, 2012).
This year 42 youth will be drawn to receive one of the bonus private lands antlerless deer gun permits. To be eligible, youth must have completed their hunter education requirements prior to applying and must be 12-17 years old at the time of their scheduled hunt.
"These hunts are on private property and should provide young hunters a great opportunity to see some deer as well as a chance to harvest a doe," said Bill Dinkines, assistant chief of wildlife for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission has endorsed the youth hunt program and we are thankful for the landowners' willingness to allow these kids the opportunity to hunt on their property."
To apply for a hunt, applicants must submit (mail or walk-in only) an index card with the following information:
*Each child participating in this hunt must have an adult (licensed or unlicensed) who is at least 21 years of age accompanying them on the hunt.
· List of the hunts by order of preference (Please do not list any hunt that you are not interested in or know in advance you cannot attend.)
Envelope should be addressed to: OK DEPT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, Attn: Wildlife Division: "Private Lands Youth Deer Hunts," PO BOX 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. All applications must be received no later than Friday, August 19, 2011.
Antlerless deer taken by selected applicants during these hunts will be considered a "bonus deer" and will not count toward the hunter's season statewide limit.
Applicants who are successfully drawn will receive a notification letter in the mail that includes specific information about their hunt and the deadline for purchasing required license(s) as listed below:
Resident Options (Ages 12-15):
Lifetime Hunting or Lifetime Combination License
$10 CH Private Lands Youth Deer License**
Resident Options (Age 16-17):
Lifetime Hunting or Lifetime Combination License
Resident Annual Youth Hunting + $10 CH Private Lands Youth Deer License**
Resident Fiscal Year Hunting + $10 CH Private Lands Youth Deer License**
Non-Resident Options (Ages 12-17):
CH Nonresident Private Lands Youth Deer License**
**NOTE: The $10 resident or the $201 non-resident CH Private Lands Youth Deer Hunt Permits will be issued in lieu of the open season license and must be purchased through our Central Office. No Apprentice Licenses will be allowed due to the Hunter Education requirement.
For additional information, please contact the Wildlife Division (405) 521-2730.
Volunteers needed to take children fishing at 13th Annual Oklahoma Firefighters' Burn Camp
Volunteer boaters are needed Aug. 20 to help children who are burn victims enjoy a day of fishing on Lake Hudson.
The 13th Annual Oklahoma Firefighters' Burn Camp is held at Dry Gulch U.S.A. near Pryor for children ages 6 to 16 that have suffered major burns.
"Every Saturday of camp, we host a fishing day which is filled with fun activities such as bow fishing, fly fishing, bow shooting and instruction, and an early morning fishing tournament," said Kristi Collins, Burn Camp fishing and boating chair. "We have volunteers from all over the state who come out to take these kids out to fish."
Fifty or more campers are anticipated, and volunteers are needed to bring fishing boats as well as to take campers fishing.
Each camper is paired with a volunteer for fishing from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tackle and bait are provided, and a fish fry lunch will follow. According to Collins, children are awarded a variety of prizes for their catches. Volunteer check-in time is from 5:30 a.m. to 6 a.m., and a free breakfast is provided to volunteers at 6:30 a.m.
According to Collins, when asked to name their favorite part of Burn Camp, campers say it is fishing day.
"It would not be possible without the hundreds of volunteers that come to lend their hand and heart for the day," Collins said.
Those interested in volunteering should pre-register by Aug. 15 by requesting a volunteer sign-up form from Collin, who can be reached at (918) 830-4631.
More volunteer details and information about the Oklahoma Firefighters' Burn Camp can be viewed on the sign-up form.
Wildlife Department's Archery in the Schools Program now on Facebook
The Wildlife Department's Oklahoma National Archery in the Schools Program (OKNASP) is now on Facebook.
"We felt that Facebook would be the ideal social media platform for this program since it is aimed towards teens," said Justin Marschall, OKNASP coordinator for the Wildlife Department. "This page will allow archers and coaches to share success stories. It will also be a versatile meeting place to share photos and information about practices and upcoming competitions."
The Wildlife Department has been updating sportsmen on Twitter for almost two years and currently has around 700 followers. Additionally, it communicates with thousands of sportsmen through its free Weekly Wildlife News, which is sent to subscribers by e-mail. But with thousands of kids participating in the OKNASP program at nearly 300 schools across the state, Facebook will continue to help the Wildlife Department spread the outdoor traditions for which the state is so well known.
The new OKNASP Facebook page has been active since mid-July, and the Wildlife Department has also set up an agency page that will be monitored. Facebook users can become fans of both of these pages by logging on to Facebook and searching for them by name ("Oklahoma National Archery in the Schools Program" or "Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation").
Coordinated by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, OKNASP is part of the National Archery in the Schools program. The program partners state wildlife agencies, schools and the nation's archery industry to introduce students to the sport of archery. The Archery in the Schools curriculum is designed for 4th-12th graders and covers archery history, safety, techniques, equipment, mental concentration and self-improvement.
About 290 schools across the state are involved in the program, many of which participate in a state shoot each year after a season of practice and competition in their respective schools. Schools and shooters qualified for the state shoot by first attending regional competitions, and this past year over 1,150 students from about 70 Oklahoma schools turned out at the Oklahoma State Fair Park for the state shoot. Top shooters were awarded prizes and awards and qualified for the national tournament, where they competed against students across the nation in Louisville, Ky.
Teachers interested in learning more about the OKNASP program or in starting the program at their school should contact Marschall, at (405) 522-1857.


text:
Car Deals
Luxury SUV Deals: February 2013
If you're looking for a new SUV but don't think you can stretch your budget to afford a premium brand, you may be in for a surprise. Several luxury automakers are offering strong luxury SUV deals in February. We've rounded up those incentives, listing them below for shoppers interested in getting the most high-end bang for their SUV buck.
Acura MDX
Two February lease offers are available on Acura's 2013 MDX crossover. The first touts nothing down, but requires monthly payments starting at $500 for up to 35 months. Taking advantage of the second deal requires $2,499 down, but it includes lower payments starting at just $439 per month. Unfortunately for finance shoppers, Acura isn't offering any low interest deals on the MDX -- or its smaller RDX crossover -- in February.
The BMW X5 is available with several special offers in February. For finance shoppers, BMW is offering interest rates as low as 3.19 percent -- a deal that extends to the X1, X3 and X6 crossovers as well. The X5 is also available with lease deals in February, depending on which model you choose. For the base-level X5 xDrive35i, BMW is offering a 36-month deal with payments starting at $499 after $4,224 at signing. With a similar down payment, the diesel-powered xDrive35d is available for around $100 per month more. And the V8-powered xDrive50i starts at $719 per month after $4,464 at the lease signing.
Infiniti JX35
The large Infiniti JX35 crossover includes strong lease deals in February, whether shoppers are interested in 2-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. 2-wheel drive models tout payments as low as $499 per month for 39 months after $3,499 at the lease signing. Shoppers in snowy northern states will be pleased to know that all-wheel drive models offer the same monthly payment, though all-wheel drive requires a slightly higher $3,799 down payment. Unfortunately for finance shoppers, Infiniti isn't offering any interest rate incentives in February.
Find and Infiniti JX35 for sale
Lexus RX 350
Shoppers interested in the updated 2013 Lexus RX 350 can get two lease deals in February. Front-wheel drive RX 350 models are the least expensive, with a 36-month lease starting at $439 per month after $4,189 at the lease signing. But shoppers who need the year-round security of all-wheel drive pay only a little more, with the RX 350 AWD starting at $479 per month after a similar down payment. Hybrid RX 450h models also offer a deal in February. 2-wheel drive models start at $589 per month for 36 months after $5,089 at signing, while all-wheel drive adds $40 per month to the SUV's payment.
Volkswagen Touareg
Volkswagen is offering lease and finance offers on the upscale Touareg this month. The best lease deal is on the Touareg Sport V6, which starts at $489 per month for 36 months after $2,999 at the lease signing. Finance shoppers also find a deal, with Volkswagen offering interest rates as low as zero percent for up to 66 months. That deal even applies to the latest 2013 models. And for shoppers interested in a leftover Touareg TDI, VW is touting interest rates as low as zero percent for up to 36 months -- a deal that's good on 2012 or 2013 models.
Find a Volkswagen Touareg for sale
What it means to you: The latest luxury SUV deals prove your budget may earn you an upscale new SUV.


text:
Photo Albums Frames
We have Photo albums and photo frames, modern, traditional and stylish.
Some of our photo albums have "green credentials " and are handmade with recycled cotton.
Products In Photo Albums Frames(Total Products 10, Showing: 1 -> 10)
Sort By: Product Name | Price Low to High | Price High to Low


text:
(Leading website for Indian, Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Sikh,
Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malyalam, Kannada, Gujarati & Marathi Baby Names
Latin Baby Names >>
Latin baby Girl names starting with S
Latin Baby names for your
new born baby. In this section
we have unique, cute, modern, sweet and latest Latin baby
Girl names which begin with letter S
for new born baby Girl. You can read new born baby names
of Latin origin
starting from S with meanings for free.
To choose the
Latin names for your baby Girl with other alphabets, Please
choose an alphabet from the baby Girl name list below.
Latin Baby Girl names: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Latin Baby Girl Names starting with T
Tags: Latin Girl Baby names starting with S, Latin
Girl names, Latin Girl names with meanings - S , List of names for Indian
Latin babies, Latin names, Latin baby
Girl names starting with S, Latin baby Girl names - S, Latin baby Girl names with meanings - S, Latin
female child names with
S, Latin baby Girl names, Girl baby names for Latin, Girl names starting with S, Baby Latin
Girl names, Baby Latin Girl names with meanings, Baby Latin Girl names starting with S, Baby Latin Girl names - S, Latin names for
female child, Latin names for Girl baby statring with S
Choosing the
Latin name for your baby Girl is almost similar to choosing your child's
future and identity. Our names actually work that way. So if you want your baby
moulded with a great personality, you should choose the best name for him. Your
little princess deserves the best baby name. If you are also looking for a unique,
modern, latest and cute Latin baby name for your baby Girl, here is the list. We have compiled a List of unique and modern Latin Baby Names with their Meaning and origin to help Parents. These Names are cute as well as latest. Large collection of Latest and Popular, Rare and Originally Latin names, Latin biblical Baby Names Both male and Female Baby Names. These baby name lists are arranged in alphabetical order. This compilation of names and their meanings has been compiled from various sources we cannot be held responsible for their authenticity.


text:
No One Wanted To Pay $30 For In-Home Movie Rentals... So Now Universal Will Try $60?
from the is-this-a-joke? deptThere are times when I wonder just what various entertainment industry execs are thinking (or drinking or smoking, as the case may be). Back in April we laughed at the idea that people would be interested in paying $30 for video on demand for a movie, just because they could get it a little bit before it came out on DVD. The $30 price point was just too high. And, of course, it didn't take long for the news to come out that... $30 was just too high and almost no one bought.
So what do you do if that plan fails? Well, if you're smart, you look at more reasonable price points. If you're not... you raise the price. Yes, that's right. Universal, with the assistance of parent company Comcast, is now going to test the preposterous $60 video on demand offering. The reason for the jacked up price? Because it'll come out on VOD three weeks after being released in the theaters -- at which point the film will still be in the theaters. The test is also going to be done on what the studio hopes is going to be a blockbuster: Tower Heist, starring Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller and Matthew Broderick.
Here's what's wrong with this: the studio is thinking about this from the studio's perspective and not the consumer's perspective (at all). Of course, this is NBC Universal we're talking about, so that's not particularly shocking. In the studio world, release "windows" are everything. And each later release window is less and less of a big deal. So it's totally natural to them to think "gee, if we move up the release window, that's more valuable, so let's jack up the price." But a consumer isn't thinking about release windows. A consumer is thinking "I want to watch a movie. I could go out to the theater, or I could watch it at home." And then they look at the option at home... and if they can, say, watch a film at no additional cost from Netflix... or if they can grab a movie at Redbox for $1... and they compare that to $60 for video on demand, who's actually going to do that? The pricing is insanity.
Even funnier, however, was watching how the theaters totally freaked out over the original $30 plan, as they do with any plan to shrink the precious "window" between the theatrical release and any other kind of release. This is because theater owners don't know what business they're in. They think that they're in the content business, when they're really in the business of selling their seats. The fact that theater owners thought they couldn't compete with an insane $30 rental suggests that they don't know how to provide a good experience.
And, of course, now that there's an even more ridiculous $60 price point, you would think that the theater folks would chuckle and say "hey, we can compete with that, no problem." But it appears theater owners may be even more unable to comprehend the mind of the consumer than the execs at NBC Universal. Thus, Cinemark is already warning that it will boycott the movie if Universal goes forward with this plan.
In the meantime, it's also worth noting that the theaters convinced a bunch of big name Hollywood directors to sign an open letter to the studios protesting these kinds of "early" VOD releases. One of the names on that letter, by the way? Brett Ratner. The director of Tower Heist. Embarrassing... He is, of course, trying to distance himself from this trial, noting that he wasn't informed of it until the day before it was announced and had nothing to do with it. Of course, that's part of what happens when you do a deal like this. The studio owns the project, and they can do whatever they want with it.
Either way, don't expect too many people to pay up for this experiment. It almost makes you wonder if the idea is to make it fail on purpose.
Filed Under: $30, $60, movies, studios, video on demand
Companies: cinemark, comcast, nbc universal


text:
User talk:EagleForumFan
From MeritBadgeDotOrg
- Welcome, EagleForumFan! We're very glad to have you here and contributing, so much. I will say this though... You're wearing us sysops out having to patrol your numerous edits... I know that sounds like I'm complaining; but, really, I'm not... that's what sysops are supposed to do on a wiki... You know, "Trust; but, verify." We know your edits are okay; but every edit has to be patrolled. I know I'm hipoctrite for saying this, but... I would recommend using the "Show preview" option as many times as necessary (for your drafts) and then you only have to save the edit once, maybe twice. Admittedly, this wiki stuff is new to me; but, I'm really enjoying learning about it. --RWSmith 12:58, June 7, 2007 (EDT)
- P.S. By the way, are you registered over on MeritBadge.Net? --RWSmith 12:58, June 7, 2007 (EDT)
- No, I don't think I am registered there.
- Yeah, I figured out a little late that each individual edit is logged, including changing periods and typos. Oops. Sorry about that. I didn't read any instructions ;-). I'll cut and paste in the future.
- Thanks for the nice words. Love your site!
- Well, we'd be glad to have you over there, too. And while "cut-and-paste" has it's advantages (and, of course, dis-advantages), we want to provide a place where users can edit contribute by adding, editing, refining, content. I'm glad you like it; but, it's not my site... it's actually yours. I'm just one of the janitors. (I don't mean that in a bad way.)
- Always sign you posts on talk pages by typing four tildes, like this... ~~~~, at the end of your comments.. See, here's what mine looks like... --RWSmith 13:55, June 8, 2007 (EDT)


text:
Actress Jenna Elfman shares her challenging breastfeeding experience, how she overcame obstacles, and how her pumped breastmilk helped save the life of a baby that was born drug-addicted. Jenna Elfman won a Golden Globe for her role in the hit TV series Dharma & Greg, starred in the movie Keeping the Faith and just wrapped filming Friends with Benefits, set to hit movie theaters July 2011. Jenna is married to Bodhi Elfman. They have two children, Story and Easton. We're naming Jenna a Best for Babes Champion for Moms and she also works closely with the non-profit Healthy Child Healthy World. Don't forget to read our breastfeeding resources at the end of the interview!
BfB: Jenna, thank you so much for talking to us about your breastfeeding experience!


text:
Dec 31
The First Half
by Grinch Troosers
We arrive at Christmas, out of the play-off places in fifth place in the league, out of Europe and with many of our top line players injured. So, how has it been for you?
In the words of dancing luvvie, Craig thingamyjigger "Disaaaaaaaaaastaah daling", but hey maybe I'm a drama queen, maybe others are quietly happy.
To assess Ulster's performance to date you either say, these guys are professional, WTF is going on or you take some account of circumstances. So...
Jan 15
First Home Quarter Final this Century – it's all in the mind
And so, as has seemed almost inevitable since allowing Tigers to escape from Ravenhill for the first time with anything but a real hiding, we to the home of the perennial big English club.
No team has so consistently been at the top of their domestic game & lifted so many trophies as Leicester Tigers. They are the epitome of the big bully in the biggest of school-yards, the self-confessed toughest league in the world, the PRL.
No time here for the details of the row over future ERC Heineken...
Aug 31
Standing on the brink
Standing on the brink – glory at last or no cigar?
So a new season is about to get underway and expectations can never have been higher that a first trophy since the Magners League success of 2006 may well be on its way.
Heineken Cup or Pro12? Of course we would take either but what are the prospects. We would all take either one of course but what are the chances of grabbing either?
No significant signings have been made to add to our strength over the summer but this time, that has to be...
Dec 23
Merry Christmas
The UAFC would like to say a big Merry Christmas, and thank you to all our readers throughout the year.
Without you, we wouldn't be the best rugby fan club website for any rugby team bar none.
We would also like to say a big Thank you to Ulster Rugby for the roller-coaster ride that has seen us sweep all Rabodirect and Heineken opposition aside this year. I can honestly say this has been the best season I have ever witnessed, and enjoyed, since last year
Not forgetting the league coverage...
Dec 10
Great Expectations
by DC
On the back of the greatest all round performance of this season, and indeed perhaps our best away victory in memory in terms of all-round quality, it's time to reflect on the short medium & long term prospects for our team.
We arrive in the happiest place an Ulster team has been for many years. We bestride the Rabo Pro12 looking odds on a home semi-finalist, currently with a 9 point lead and importantly a 12 point lead over the most likely team to make a run at us, Leinster.
Nov 5
The season so far...
Having arrived at the first natural break of the season, it seems like a good time to review what has been almost a perfect start to the season. Seven League wins & 2 Heineken Cup wins for a 100% record is without question a start none of us could claim to have foreseen. Sadly it has also been touched by a tragedy which seems to have driven the team onwards united.
Apart from the obvious joy of our position, the second best feature is the sight of our biggest threat, Leinster, languishing in...
• Page 1 of 3 • 1, 2, 3 Next
Recent Forum Topics
Heineken Cup seeding.
by big mervyn on Mon Apr 29, 2019 2:25 pm
Replies: 4, Views: 1147
Pro 14 2018/19
by Neill_M on Wed Jul 04, 2018 12:11 pm
Replies: 330, Views: 24706
Munster 18/19
by Shan on Sat Aug 18, 2018 4:55 pm
Replies: 409, Views: 21974
2018/19 End of Season ...
by UlsterNo9 on Sat May 18, 2019 11:28 am
Replies: 50, Views: 4795
What makes you happy
by BaggyTrousers on Sat Aug 13, 2011 12:55 am
Replies: 2098, Views: 113790
Cricket season
by gannonman on Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:15 pm
Replies: 282, Views: 21037


text:
Israel News - Stay Informed, Pray Informed
Rest and action are two poles of existence. Whatever one is doing, one is either resting or exerting oneself. Exertion complements rest and rest complements exertion as day complements night and night complements day. The reader knows from universal experience, that exercise leads to a deeper sleep and that without resting, one cannot have the energy to act. Therefore, the question of primary importance, as with all pairs of opposites, is the question of balance.
The issue of balance between work and rest is epitomized in the difference between the Hebrew and the Greek approaches to time and place.
In Homer's epics, the heroes fight battles and travel on voyages. The direction of activity starts from home and extends outward to the farthest reaches of the Earth.
In the case of the ancient Hebrews, their texts describe the conquest of a homeland and its settlement. The direction of activity is inwards. The goal is to return to the pre-fallen state of man wherein man lived in a garden and the point of life was to "settle it and guard it." The ultimate messianic vision is that "every man would sit under his vine and under his fig tree." The ultimate goal is to arrive at a state of tranquility wherein movement is unnecessary and time is of no consequence.
The goal of technology is to quicken movement, to go faster and farther, in less time and with less effort. Let us take a step back and look at the expectations for modern technology and how it would help us. Calculators were meant to replace slower and more tedious forms of computation. Cars and planes were invented to save the time and effort of lugging baggage and one's self to various locations. In these respects, technology has succeeded.
However, everyone expected that technology would lead to shorter workweeks, but it has not. Ever since Henry Ford came up with the forty-hour work-week, nothing in North America has changed. Instead, technology has become invasive, eliminating the boundaries between work and the rest of one's life, thereby increasing the length of the work-week to allow it to reach to within one's private life.
Home is no longer a refuge from work and the time in our private lives has decreased.
The reason for this failure of technology to save time is that focusing on action will not increase rest. No matter how much one focuses on getting things done, there will always be more to do. In fact, the more one focuses on getting things done, the more things one finds to do!
The only solution is to focus on rest. A focused rest is different than a rest that is merely a gap between two activities. Just as it takes focus to be active, it takes focus to properly rest. It also takes an appreciation for rest. We must set aside time to rest, to just be and to not achieve. The key is in setting aside time both for rest and activity; and in this, the Hebrew approach is worthy of emulation.
As opposed to the Ancient Greeks, who had no day of rest, the Hebrews set aside a day for focused rest, the Sabbath. This day is not considered a break from the week, but the purpose of the week! On this day one does not merely take time off, but instead actively focuses on creating an atmosphere of rest. Electronic devices are completely forbidden by Orthodox Judaism to be used on the Sabbath.
The Sabbath also exists in Christianity, the premier child of both Greek and Hebrew civilization that has inherited practice and ideology from both. In abandoning religion, western society has abandoned its Hebrew heritage to exclusively focus on continuing the Hellenic pursuit of perpetual advancement.
Ancient Greece tired itself out and vanished. The Hebrews are still here. Was tranquility the secret for their longevity? Perhaps it was. Perhaps the wise reader would like to entertain the thought of a day without technology once a week — a day of tranquility.
Want more news from Israel?
Click Here to sign up for our FREE daily email updates
For Information & Reservations:
E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Israel Today
Free to Your Inbox


text:
- Description
DetailsEuro Sunbrella Black Linen SJA-8336 is a densly woven, outdoor upholstery fabric, full of rich color and part of the new Sunbrella fabrics from Europe. Made from 100% solution dyed Sunbrella acrylic, Euro Sunbrella is treated with CleanGard to hold up to salt water, chlorine, and weather-related chemicals. Euro Sunbrella will also resist water, stains, and fading. Enjoy this boutique collection of stripes and solids with some of the specialty weaves and jacquards from the Sunbrella Watercolors and High Point collections.
- Width: 54 inches (137.16 cm)
- Collection Name: European Collection, 54 Inch Solids
- Color Name: Taupe
- Fabric Colors: Beige
- Contents: 100% Sunbrella Acrylic
- Cleaning Code: Mild Soap and Water
- Finish Treatment: U.V. Resistant, Mildew Resistant, Water Repellent, Soil / Stain Resistant
- Flame Resistant Codes : California Bulletin 117-Section E,UFAC Class 1
- Put Up: 60 yard(s)
- Specification(s)
Additional Information
Product Width 54 inches (137.16 cm) Application Indoor - Outdoor Upholstery Brand Sunbrella Fabric Collection 54 Inch Solids Pattern Name Taupe Pattern Number 3729 Color Name Taupe Fabric Design Solids Fabric Type 100% Solution Dyed Acrylic Performance fire retardant Unit by the Yard Warranty PDF PDF Download Cleaning PDF PDF Download


text:
Fancy footwork: step up your sneaker game this season
Out of all of this season's trends; colour blocking, metallics, loungewear- this has got to be by far my favourite. Thanks to the fashion gods, there is no longer a need to sacrifice comfort when it comes to footwear this winter. Push your sky-high stilettos to the back of your wardrobe because, whether you're hitting the town with the girls, heading to a meeting with colleagues or going out to a Sunday lunch, there is never not an occasion that doesn't call for sneakers.
Here we have broken down some key looks no matter what your style, and shown you how to pair it back with your favourite pair of trainers.
Image via Vogue
Keep it tonal
Style a pair of Nike's newest range of suede pastels into a fresh and lush neutral look to rug up this winter. Don't be deterred if the tones differ ever so slightly, it only adds to the dimension of the look. Finish it off with some rose gold highlights before stepping out.
Pictured clockwise from left: Hourglass bronzer from Mecca, Uniqlo sweater, Zara coat, Thomas Sabo hoop earrings, Benefit mascara from Sephora, Tarte lip tint from Sephora, Off-White x Sunglass Hut sunglasses, Nike Sneakers, Zara skirt, Daily Edited bag from David Jones, Mecca blush brush.
Suit up
For a crisp and fashionable office look, slide on a pair of crisp white trainers with a tailored pant suit. Finish the look with a bold statement earring, liquid eyeliner and a red lip to really exude cool and take the look from boardroom to bar.
Pictured clockwise from left: Mac lipstick from Mecca, Stila eyeliner from Mecca, The Horse watch from Universal Store, Saba Jacket, Thomas Sabo choker, Ray Ban sunglasses from Sunglass hut, Uniqlo t-shirt, Christie Nicholaides earrings from Myer, Saba trousers, Springcourt sneakers from General Pants, Dylan Kain bag drom David Jones.
Look good in leather
It is often easy for leather pieces to look a bit much in the day, no matter how form fitting and warming it is in the cooler months. A killer way to dress this down is to pair it with knitwear and some trainers to really help soften the silhouette.
Pictured clockwise from left: Celine sunglasses from Sunglass Hut, Uniqlo knit, Sportsgirl hat, Aje jacket from Myer, Tom Ford perfume from David Jones, The Base by Lara Bingle illuminator from Sephora, Adidas sneakers, Portmans Skirt, Gregory Ladner clutch from David Jones.
Burst of brightness
Perfect way to insert some comfort into what can end up being a rather painful night out with the girls in your highest heals! Slip on some crisp kicks with a party dress and a pop of colour of your nails and lips to ensure a fun Saturday night look.
Pictured clockwise from left: Zara coat, Sinful Colours nail polish from Priceline, Zoeva blush from Sephora, Vogue sunglasses from Sunglass hut, Aje dress from David Jones, Forever New clutch, GHD straightener from Hairhouse Warehouse, Viktor & Rolf perfume from David Jones, Converse sneakers from Rebel Sport.


text:
PC360 brings our readers the top quotes from major industry players for the week of April 9. Industry leaders comment on topics ranging from recent government-regulatory efforts in the U.S. and Europe, to the potential for an active wildfire season, to new efforts to cap crop-insurance subsidies.
ACE Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Evan G. Greenberg commenting in a letter to shareholders about the trend toward over-regulation in the U.S. and Europe and what he sees as wrongheaded efforts to implement "one-size-fits-all" insurance regulations for risk management, capital and governance:
"In the U.S. and much of Europe, we face an unrelenting assault on business by government. [Some regulators and political leaders believe] the primary job of government is to protect its citizens from the evils of business."
In a Willis report on commercial-insurance rates rising, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Plumeri helps risk managers frame the conversation about the emerging reality of having to pay more for coverages:
"The role of the insurer is to make sure they survive the storms so that when their clients need them, they will be here. What insurers offer…is their own resilience.
"We suggest that risk managers and others in charge of risk mitigation and risk transfer may benefit by taking a similar view of your own work. That, ultimately, is your job as well: ensuring resilience."
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke discusses a "shadow-banking" system he says is responsible–even more so than the housing crisis itself–for the financial crisis and prolonged economic slump. He used American International Group as an example of how this system operated outside of regulators' authority:
"[I]nsurance operations of AIG were supervised and regulated by various state and international insurance regulators, and the Office of Thrift Supervision had authority to supervise AIG as a thrift holding company, [however] oversight of AIG Financial Products, which housed the derivatives activities that imposed major losses on the firm, was extremely limited in practice."
U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, R-Okla. (pictured left) and Mike Becker, assistant vice president of PIA National (pictured right) offered very different assessments of a Government Accountability Office recommendation to cap crop-insurance-premium subsidies for individual farmers or reducing subsidies for all farmers, or both:
Coburn: "I applaud GAO for providing Congress with yet another way to save taxpayer dollars and reform government."
Becker: "The program sustained multi-billion dollar cuts during the 2008 Farm Bill and additional multi-billion-dollar cuts during the most recent Standard Reinsurance Agreement. …When it comes to budget cuts, crop insurance has already done much more than its fair share."
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones commenting on his lack of authority to regulate health-insurance rates despite being able to regulate medical-malpractice rates:
"It defies reason that the insurance commissioner has the legal authority under Proposition 103 to reduce excessive medical-malpractice-insurance rates for doctors, dentists, and other medical providers, but I don't have the authority to reject excessive health insurance or HMO rate increases for ordinary Californians, their families, or their businesses."
Insurance Information Institute President Robert Hartwig issues the following warning regarding what could be an active year for wildfires in the U.S.:
"With more than 15,000 temperature records broken in the United States in March 2012 alone, combined with low precipitation and little or no snowpack across much of the nation's lower 48 states, this year could be very active one for wildfires and brushfires, including parts of the Northeast where such events are relatively uncommon."


text:
Couple Faces Jail Time for Saving Baby Deer [VIDEO]
Have you ever done a good deed and gotten punished for it? Or had to do the right thing but others would consider wrong? One couple is facing some serious jail time for helping out one of nature's most vulnerable creatures.
Jeff and Jennifer Counceller from Connorsville, Ind. found an injured and malnourished fawn just over two years ago and started nursing it back to health. "I could feel all of the open wounds all along her back side and she wouldn't stand up," Jennifer Counceller told ABC News. When the fawn, named Little Orphan Dani, had healed she stayed put at the police officers home simply because she wanted to. The couple willingly let her stay, she had somewhat become family.
Late last summer, an Indiana Conservation Officer stopped by their home and inquired about the deer. The couple explained their story and how she got there, and that they had not kept her illegally or harmed her in any way. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources didn't care, they wanted to euthanize Dani, stating that she might be "dangerous and a threat to people". Needless to say the Councellers were devastated.
On the day the Little Orphan Dani was to be put down, she escaped from the back yard and ran off into the wild. Although Dani is no longer in their care, the Councellers were still charged with a misdemeanor and face jail time plus heavy fines for illegally harboring a deer. This case will be in court next month; and if charges aren't dropped it will be left for a jury to decide whether the Councellers broke the law.
"No matter what the law is, we did what was right for the animal," the couple stated.
The story has caused a huge uproar across the country and online. A Facebook support page has almost 17,000 "Likes" in support of the couple. An online petition to drop the charges already has just over 14,000 signatures.


text:
Most receptions I've been to, at least someone from the recruiting office was by the name tags to greet everyone as they came and had a name list with checkmarks. Maybe they do annoyance dings for people who RSVP and never come.
I got a call yesterday from a firm in my town inviting me to a reception for interested 1L students on Monday. I've never been to one of these before and was wondering if any of you could clue me in as to what I should expect. Any tips, tricks of the trade, etc would be appreciated.Thanks for the help!


text:
MIDDLEBURY — New England Quality Service LLC (NEQS) is seeking zoning permission to acquire a large metal shredding device for use at its Wyre Wheel location at 4079 Route 7 south.
The shredder, according to company officials, will allow NEQS to recycle metal debris — including cars and washing machines — more quickly and efficiently.
Neighbors, meanwhile, told the Middlebury Development Review Board (DRB) on Monday that they want to make sure the new equipment doesn't bring more noise and traffic to the area.


text:
Samsung apologized yesterday for the January acid leak at one of its semiconductor plants that killed one worker and injured four others. The event occurred at one of the plants in the Hwaseong area of South Korea.
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Oh-Hyun Kwon said that as part of the apology, the company plans to revoke its bid to have all of its Hwaseong plants certified as green for another five years, the Yonhap News Agency reported today.
Kwon also promised that the company would take measures to prevent future accidents, saying that "we plan to overhaul the system in a bid to better make environmentally friendly workplaces."
On Jan. 28, a 132-gallon tank of hydrofluoric acid started leaking at the plant. A colorless poison, hydrofluoric acid can burn the lungs and affect the entire nervous system. One person died from exposure. Four others were hospitalized but recovered.
Samsung at first claimed the leak was minimal. However, local law enforcement fined the company 1 million Korean won (around $900USD) for waiting too long to report the leak. Samsung also claimed that the acid did not leak into the environment, but a police investigation found that it did seep outside the plant.
Seven people, including three Samsung officials, have been arrested on charges of negligence over the acid leak, according to Yonhap.
The plants in Hwaseong were certified as "green" in 1998, Yonhap noted, meaning the government was no longer regularly checking them for their environmental impact.
Apple is nixing iPhone parenting apps: Here's why: Let's dive into the saga of mobile device management, or MDM, software and why it's causing a showdown between Apple and iOS developers.
What Amazon's one-day shipping means for you: Last week, Amazon announced it will decrease the standard shipping time for Prime members from two days to one. In this Tech Minute, here's how this change will impact your deliveries.


text:
All Podcasts
Guest Artists
- Lionel Cordew episode #20
- Jimmy Haslip episode #19
- Sheila Jordan episode #18
- Les McCann episode #17
- Jay Azzolina episode #16
- Buddy Williams episode #15
- Julia Blenzig episode #14
- Charles Blenzig episode #13
- Jennifer Vincent episode #12
- David A. Barnes episode #11
- Pheeroan akLaff episode #10
- Sean Conly episode #9
- Jua Howard episode #8
- Tjut Nyak Deviana Daudsjah episode #7
- Kengo Nakamura episode #6
- Mark Egan episode #5
- Jacques Schwarz-Bart episode #4
- Willard Dyson episode #3
- Jay Anderson episode #2
- Michael Franks episode #1
- The Podcasts
- Contact
Subscribe to 'Tales' Blog via Email
Veronica's newsletter!
Sign up for V's newsletter and get the latest updates on performances, Podcasts and Vocal training sessions.
Category Archives: Podcast
Tales from the Jazz Side with Lionel Cordew, episode #20
This month's Tales will be coming from drummer, bassist, guitarist, composer Lionel Cordew. My guest this month is another accomplished player that I have had the honor to work with while out on the Michael Franks tour. … Continue reading
Posted in Podcast Tagged Angelique Kidjo, Bill Evans, Gato Barbieri, Jon Lucien, Kirk Whalem, Kyle Eastwood, Michael Franks, Mike Stern, New York Voices, Regina Carter, Roberta Flack, Special EFX Comments Off on Tales from the Jazz Side with Lionel Cordew, episode #20