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The other night I held a couple Scoutmaster Conferences, both for Scouts earning the Star Rank and both of the Scouts good young men. During our discussion the subject of merit badges came up as you need them for the Star, Life, and Eagle ranks.
One of the young men asked me why certain merit badges were Eagle required, while others were not. We looked at the merit badges that were on the Eagle required list and I explained to him that these are important merit badges that support the goals of Scouting.
Citizenship in the Community, Nation, and World focus not on teaching you about citizenship, but what your obligations are as a Citizen.
First Aid, Camping, Life Saving, Hiking, Emergency Preparedness, Swimming, Cycling, Personal Fitness and Cooking all focus on the Scout being fit and self-reliant. Communication, Family life and Personal Management focus on how he acts in the world. These are important.
Finger printing, art, music, basketry, and astronomy are just cool things that spark interest in the Scout.
I have noticed that there is a big push on the STEM programs in Scouting. As if Scouting was becoming a vocational arm of the education system. Now before I get hate mail, I am all for the Science and technology stuff, I am fascinated by what engineers can do. But this is Scouting dang it. I don't want to take my Scouts to Summer camp and have them sit in class all day learning about how to split an atom. I want them out there enjoying the outdoors. The go to School from September to June… July and August are times for them to be boys!
The STEM push has taken over and I want it to back off a bit. Even in our Council STEM is all over the place. We have great STEM partners in our areas that are assisting young men in cranking out merit badges. But are they learning anything? My guess is no.
I asked this young man in our conference which merit badges he had earned (looking at his history I knew the answer). He had really not got much out of the "filler badges". He did talk about First Aid and the Citizenship badges though.
I am not against the STEM Program, but I personally do not want Scouting to become the math club. Scouts get enough School. They join Scouts to get adventure and that is what we need to give them.
Sit a Scout down for an hour and teach them about anything.. they want to get up and run.. give them an adventure and in the process teach them life skills and appreciation for the outdoors and you have captured them for life long Scouting.
STEM is not going away.. this is the world we live in, but let's do more Scouting!
Just my opinion and thoughts.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Summer Camp
The STEM Push
The other night I held a couple Scoutmaster Conferences, both for Scouts earning the Star Rank and both of the Scouts good young men. During our discussion the subject of merit badges came up as you need them for the Star, Life, and Eagle ranks.
Finding the Arrow
I do not talk much about the Order of the Arrow on this blog, and maybe I should. I have not received a lot of requests for OA topics, but over the past few months I have been giving the Order of the Arrow a bit more thought.
As many of you know (that follow me on social media) I have been elected to Vigil Honor.
The Vigil Honor is the highest honor that the Order of the Arrow can bestow upon its members for service to lodge, council, and Scouting. Membership cannot be won by a person's conscious endeavors. (From the OA website) It is a great honor to have been chosen to be a Vigil member.
Since I have been giving more thought about the Order of the Arrow, I thought I would share some of my thoughts on OA membership and what the Order of the Arrow really means [to me].
First some background on the Order of the Arrow. And rather than rediscover the wheel, I am going to use information found at the Order of the Arrow website.
The Order of the Arrow was founded in 1915 by Camp Director E. Urner Goodman and Assistant Camp Director Carroll A. Edson at the Treasure Island Boy Scout Camp. Goodman and Edson were looking for ways to recognize campers that demonstrated a cheerful spirit and service. In those days there were many camp honor societies throughout the Nations Scout camps. Some of those were the Gimogash, Ku-Ni-Eh, Nani Ba Zhu, Firecrafters and Mic O Say. Over time many of those camper honor societies merged and became local Lodges within the Order of the Arrow. Mic O Say is still active and recognized by the Boy Scouts of America.
The Order of the Arrow became a part of the National Program of the Boy Scouts of America in 1934. By 1948, the OA, recognized as the BSA's national brotherhood of honor campers, became an official part of the Boy Scouts of America. Since then the Order of the Arrow has expanded to over 300 Lodges, most Lodges representing a Council, although some Lodges make up multiple Council areas.
The mission of the Order of the Arrow is to fulfill its purpose as an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America through positive youth leadership under the guidance of selected capable adults. The Order of the Arrow is completely youth led. A member of the OA is consider a youth until his 21st birthday.
The OA is more than just an honor society. It has a specific purpose and looks to gain members that loyal live up to those goals. It is for that reason that members should be chosen from within their units that best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. If the Scout is willing to not only live the Oath and Law daily, but dedicate himself to service than he is a good candidate for the Order of the Arrow. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, you will find that many if not all camp staff at your local Scout camp are members of the OA. They promote camping and Scout spirit daily making our Scout camps fantastic. Arrowmen serve promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich and help to extend Scouting to America's youth. One of the great ways that the OA promotes long-term retention in Scouting is through ceremonies starting with Arrow of Light and Cross Over ceremonies.
As Scouting's National Honor Society, our purpose is to:
Recognize those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and through that recognition cause others to conduct themselves in a way that warrants similar recognition.
Promote camping, responsible outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship as essential components of every Scout's experience, in the unit, year-round, and in summer camp.
Develop leaders with the willingness, character, spirit and ability to advance the activities of their units, our Brotherhood, Scouting, and ultimately our nation.
Crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.
Just like the Aims of the Boy Scouts of America, membership in the Order of the Arrow solidify in a Scout of Scouter the drive to be of service and grow in Character, Citizenship and fitness. The Order of the Arrow is summed up in three words, often seen as WWW. Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, and Service. In other words, the OA is the Brotherhood of Cheerful Service.
The OA is Local and it is National. What I mean by that is simply this. Just like your Troop is local and the programs offered at the Troop level are planned and executed locally, you and your Troop are part of the National Council or organization. This is strength in program and resources. The OA has many great local Lodge and Chapter programs, but the programs offered through the National Organization demonstrate the strength of the Order.
The support of the Order of the Arrow for the National Journey to Excellence program is one such program. JTE for the OA replaced the National Quality Lodge program and gave the OA a better tool of measuring the Quality program it offered at the National and Lodge level.
The National OA Endowment was formed more than 30 years ago as means for the Order to fund scholarships and special programs. The national Order of the Arrow committee oversees the annual program budget which is funded using the earnings from the national OA endowment.
And there are more programs at the Lodge level that benefit the local Council, Arrowmen, and Scouts in general.
The Order of the Arrow has its own recognition programs also. You can read all about the OA's awards at their site.
OK… so that's the Order of the Arrow from the book But where the Sash meets the Scout what does the Order of the Arrow mean and represent.
I won't go into the ceremony of the Order of Arrow other than to say from the beginning the Order of the Arrow, through its ceremony and tradition call on the Scout/Scouter to Find the Arrow.
The Arrow is that symbol that we use in Arrow of Light ceremonies to signify a journey. An adventure that is straight and true. A trail that leads the individual to find the right path in life. One of dedicated service to others and the living of the Scout Oath and Law. So in finding the arrow, we strive daily to seek that which is an honorable way of living.
The Order of the Arrow uses the legend of the Lenni Lenape Indians of the Delaware to start the members of the OA on that journey. It is a journey marked by service to others.
Personal Thoughts on the Order of the Arrow.
As stated above, the OA has high-minded goals and bases its foundation on service. This is why I initially started to like the Order of the Arrow. Well, lets back up for a minute… This is why I started to like it as a Scoutmaster. I was first introduced to the OA as a youth at Camp Freedom in Germany. The initial impact of Indians coming across a lake at night in canoes holding torches to light the way. A Great Chief that called his Brothers to seek those that were worthy to join the tribe.. those things as a Scout fascinated me. It was mysterious and cool. It was special. When I went through my ordeal we were given an arrow carved from a piece of wood. We had to wear that arrow around our neck and if we violated any of the rules of the ordeal a chunk was cut from the arrow. This tested us as young men to be disciplined and live that part of the oath that called us to be obedient. For what ever reason, that is no longer a virtue that parents feel important these days and the cutting of corner or chunk of wood is recognized not to reinforce expected behavior but that of offending or hurting the feelings of the person in violation of the agreed rules. But the couple of days that we worked hard serving our camp, quietly laboring cheerfully left a mark on us.
I had the pleasure of becoming a Brotherhood member of the Order with my oldest son. Again, we renewed our commitment to service. John later became a Chapter officer and served the lodge as an Ordeal master as well as a member of the Pre Ordeal, Ordeal, and Brotherhood ceremonies teams. Josh, my youngest son also sealed his membership in the Order of the Arrow as a Brotherhood member and served as an Elangomate during an Ordeal. Having my sons as members made being a member of the Order special in a different way. Watching them grow with an attitude of service was a great thing.
John, our oldest son continues his journey, even though out of Scouting now as a Vigil member. Those values or Cheerful Service carries with him in his daily life. Josh, our youngest, although out of Scouting now also does not stray from his commitment to live the Scout Oath and Law and be of service also. Both look back at their Scouting life with fond memories of time spent with the Order of the Arrow.
Me, in my role as Scoutmaster value the added emphasis that the OA places on living the Oath and Law and being one that goes above and beyond that of an "average" Scout. That may be that thing that is to set Arrowmen apart. We are all called to serve and live the values of the Oath and Law… but as Arrowmen we commit to taking it a step further and making that a life long commitment. Being a Brother in Scouting and to our fellow-man. To serve cheerfully.
In a perfect world that meaning and those commitments would resonate within every Arrowmen. Often times it is lost in a sash and flap and just another Scouting thing. As is with those Scouts that say the Oath each week at their meetings, but fail to live the standard of it, there are Arrowmen that fall short. But the Arrow is within them. The need only to find it.
That happens when the mature and look into themselves and see where their lives are headed. It happens when they see examples of Scouts and Scouters that truly live those values. The example of leaders that proudly wear the symbols of membership and share the meaning and journey of seeking the arrow.
Elections are held annually for membership in the Order of the Arrow. The Scoutmaster sets the ballot of eligible Scouts. Scouts that have met the requirements of membership and more importantly are those Scouts that have demonstrated leadership in serving their fellow Scout. I think also that we need to look at the Scouts potential to lead and serve. I have seen Scouts that met the requirements but fell short in the service area that really took to the OA. Becoming members of ceremonies teams and working for their troop and Council at camps and within the service opportunities offered through the Lodge. The OA can enhance a Troops program because of the higher calling of the Arrowmen.
Now, I don't want to sound overly dramatic here, but it does work. You can see it in the faces of a Scout called to serve. Reluctantly at first he finds success and meaning in his leadership and service.
The Order of the Arrow is good for Troops. I know of many Scoutmasters that feel that the OA takes away from Troop programs. When used correctly, the OA can be a game changer in a unit. It is not meant to be secret or exclusive. It is meant to enhance service and leadership. It is designed to give incentive to Scouts looking for more. In my opinion it is a great way to focus a Scout in the direction of finding the Arrow.
Where is the Arrow? It is up to you. We know that the foundation is a life that is right and true, but the Arrow is within each of us to seek and find. Once found, a life of cheerful service becomes the norm and our society is better for it. It makes the good Scout a Great Scout. In turn making Scouting better.
This organization, founded to honor those that served camps has grown into an organization that is looked to as the Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America. That higher calling to serve, what more could Scouting ask for?
If you are a Scoutmaster not sure that support of the OA is the right way to go, rethink that. Get it into your unit and watch the difference come alive.
For those of you that are in support of the Order of the Arrow.. Thank you.. keep it up.
I look forward to going through my Vigil Induction. I don't know what is ahead, but knowing the journey that I was set on at Camp Freedom those many years ago, I know that it will get me a step closer to finding the Arrow in me.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
**A note about the picture on top of this post.. From left to right in the picture are members of my Troop doing a Cross over ceremony. First on the left is James, now an Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor member, Second is my Youngest son Josh. A Brotherhood member and finished Scouting as a youth as a Life Scout. Third is my oldest son John. He is an Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor Member. Forth is Parker, he is an Eagle Scout and Brotherhood member. Finally is Lucas, he is wrapping up his Eagle Award right now and is a Brotherhood member of the OA.
Every unit has a method of tracking their Scouts. Advancement, activities, special awards etc. There are software programs and online resources for tracking, even an Excel spreadsheet can be used. But I want to introduce you to a real cool way of tracking your unit. Scoutbook.com.
Before I go any further, I should say in full disclosure that my unit does not use Scoutbook.com…. yet. I was made aware of Scoutbook.com recently and thought I would review it and let you all know about some of the great features it has. I should also say that as a Scoutmaster, I rarely get involved in any of this, but with Scoutbook.com your committee will be very happy to have such an awesome tool at their finger tips.
At first look I love the interface. The ease of the program. It is clean and requires no hunting to find what you are looking for.
Second thing that you notice right away is that the Scout has some responsibility for his advancement in this program. Just like their Scout handbook, the Scout himself now has the ability to track and maintain parts of his record keeping. Yes, he still needs to get the work done and Yes, he still needs to see the Scoutmaster or who ever signs the book. But with Scoutbook.com, he has everything at his fingertips electronically.
I remember Former Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzucca reminding us to take Scouting where the Scouts are. Well, 78% of our teens have cell phones, and not just cell phones, but smart phones. So put this tool in their hands and see if they get excited about this part of Scouting.
I love that Scoutbook.com is on "The Cloud". Pretty much the world that we live in. The ability to have data on your tablet, phone, computer or other device is critical these days.
Ok, So the Committee has a role in this, the Scout has a role in this, and the leaders all have roles in this. It is a total package deal. Constantly updated to meet all of the BSA requirements, linked to ScoutNet, and easy to use.
As a leader, you can track and maintain your training records. I am sure that the Training chair on your committee would love for your help on that.
Printing Blue cards is a snap also.. right from your device.
Merit Badge counselors can track the Scout and report percentages of complete to the committee in real-time.
For the leader, you can track multiple Scouts with just a few clicks. Monitoring those first year Scouts sometimes can be chore. But using the tools in Scoutbook.com they have been made easy and right at your finger tips.
Troop Committees can print beautiful reports and even the 34403 form to purchasing awards and advancement for your next Court of Honor.
Scoutbook.com is 100% secure and allows the unit to decide who gets what access. The Scout, the Leaders, Merit Badge Counselors, and the Committee all have functions suited to them.
There are many features of Scoutbook.com that I can't write about here, it would take pages on the blog.
If you are currently using other tracking software or online programs you may be able to transfer your data, but before you do, check out Scoutbook.com and see all of this for yourself. It is worth a look.
And here is something cool about Scoutbook.com… You can have it for a year free because you read my blog.
The first 3 readers that send me an email (firstname.lastname@example.com) and ask for the subscription will get an annual subscription to Scoutbook.com. You need to check out the website to see all of the benefits that come with this cool program.
I think it is a resource that you and your unit need to look into.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Using Evernote ™ for Scouting
One of my goals for this year and in particular in working on the blog is to use tools to be more successful. There is nothing worse than a goal that is not attainable because of lack of want to or know how and sometimes tools can assist in making a goal more attainable.
A new years resolution to go to the gym only works while the motivation to work out is there. Going to the gym and not working out because you don' t know how only discourages you and you don't go back.
I am one of "those people" that needs constant motivation to stay on track. I do that by motivating myself and finding tools and resources that keep me focused and on task.
For example. I am working on doing more to lift some of the burden of household chores from my wife. She does and has done a fantastic job over the past 22 years and I know this is an area that I can do better at. So I have picked up the responsibility to doing the grocery shopping. I hate grocery shopping, but it is a task that I can do so I had to find motivation (other than just being more helpful). So I dove into the task to find tools that would make grocery shopping more interesting for me and make me want to do it. Enter an app for my phone. I downloaded the Out of Milk app and started using it. We make the grocery list on the computer and sync it with my phone. Bingo.. we have a winner. I am actually finding grocery shopping fun, walking up and down the isles scanning products and adding them to the shopping cart.
Apps and software have made much of what we do these days more tolerable. They have also made managing tasks, lists, notes, and resources more accessible. A few years back I started using an app called Evernote ™. It was a cool way to take notes and have them available across different platforms. My computer, phone, tablet etc. Then I started using for Scouting.
Some of the cool things about Evernote ™ that I really like are the note taking and sharing of information I gather. With Evernote ™ I can clip and save things right from the internet. I can save PDF files for retrieval later and I can record voice notes.
Evernote ™ has all of this in one nice bundle. I have many notebooks within Evernote ™. This is nice to I stay organized and have everything right at the tip of my fingers.
Our Troop uses Troopmaster ™ to manage the Troop's administrative functions. But Troopmaster ™ does not have a corresponding app for my phone or a mobile way of accessing information from Troopmaster ™. So I save the reports and most frequently used items from Troopmaster ™ as PDF files and drop them into Evernote ™. I can't tell you many times we have been at a Scout property and they need a roster with phone numbers, ages, etc. I just open up Evernote ™ and there it is. I can even print the roster from Evernote ™ if they have wireless printing available. I had to do this last summer at summer camp.
Scoutmaster conferences are easily tracked and noted using Evernotes voice memo feature. It is nice to talk with a Scout and then capture some of my thoughts right after we are finished without sitting a writing it all down. Then once I get home I can transcribe the voice memo into a note for future reference.
Project planning is another great use for Evernote ™. In 2012 I used Evernote ™ to plan and track our Philmont trek. Everything from setting reminders to making checklists to ultimately making notes along the journey. Adding pictures to remind me of tasks, people, places, and things we needed to do.
As most everything we get now electronically from the BSA comes in PDF format, dropping our reservations and other correspondence from Philmont was easy to save and retrieve.
I am still learning of new features and ways to use Evernote ™, but so far it is a great tool to make my Scouting life and my personal life more organized. It is a way that I stay focused and on task and therefore more productive.
Some of the other ways in which I use Evernote ™:
Building Packing list for Backpacking. It is a nice way to make checklists and track weight and gear.
Lists for places I want to go. Using the clip it feature on the web I can save maps, brochures, and information about places I want to go, in particular backpacking.
Saving ideas for future planning with the Patrol Leaders Council.
Recipes for Dutch oven or backpacking meals.
Using Evernote ™ Hello I save business card and meeting information. That is really a neat feature and a fast and easy way to build and maintain contact lists.
That's just a few. I follow the Evernote Blog also. It is amazing all of the different ideas shared there for use cases, tips, and what's happening with Evernote ™.
Finding a good way to stay motivated and on task is important. It is critical if you are like me and have many irons in the fire and want to stay focused. But like everything else if you don't commit to using the tools then you as good as that new years resolution to go to the gym.
I hope that helps you find a tool that will help you manage your irons in whatever fire you place them.
Let me know what you use.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Scouting… Cool?
First off.. if you are a Scout or Scouter read this post with caution. You may not agree with some of what I am going to say. Know that I love the Boy Scouts of America. I am always trying to tell our story in the best light of Scouting. I think it is the greatest youth program around. But in the discussion of membership it is fair that we take a look at ourselves and ask the question, Why is it Not cool to be a Scout? Please, if you disagree, read to the end and then leave a comment.
One of the most common things that I hear as a Scoutmaster during conferences is that sometimes our youth don't feel that it is cool to be a Scout. Peer pressure at School and in their neighborhoods, comments made, and the fact that in most cases the uniform causes a boy to shy away from the program and certainly not invite his friends to join something that is not cool.
So why is that?
In my opinion one of the reasons is that we and the National Council do a terrible job at telling Scouting's story. In our focus to deliver the "Main thing" we have lost sight on what Scouting has traditionally been about.
When I was a Scout, and I cringe at starting a sentence that way, but none the less, when I was a Scout I joined the Boy Scouts because it looked cool. I was drawn to the adventure. I was longing for to be in a group that Norman Rockwell painted climbing to the Tooth of Time or heading out for a weekend of canoeing. I watched as older boys embraced leadership and taught me skills in the outdoors. Older guys that played on the high school football team that we all looked up to but were not afraid to lead a song or skit at camp. Members of the Order of the Arrow that dressed like plains Indians and stood in canoes with torches blazing, landing on the shore and presenting dramatic ceremonies that left me wanting to be a part of their group.
While I am a believer that we need to take Scouting where the Scouts are… I am also a believer that we can take the Scout on an adventure that will challenge him and leave him wanting more. Instead, the Scouting story is that of catering to the lowest common denominator. We dumb things down because of parents that are over protective and do not understand Scouting.
We take away from the challenge and make it "Accessible". I want every boy to have the opportunity to be a Scout, but I want every boy to accept the challenges that lead to self-reliance, life long skills, good character, and being fit. There is plenty in Scouting for all, but we have made it so restrictive that leaders no longer feel that they can seek and provide adventures in their units.
Bad press is the only press. That's the story we get. It does not impact our youth that much, but it keeps Mom and Dad from bringing their son to us. When all we see is bad press, we judge the program based on it. Suddenly all Scout leaders are fat bone heads that push over billion year old rock formations. We are all looking to abuse youth. We are all.. well you get the point.
But what of good press. National does nothing. No ads on TV. Yes, I know that costs money, but what does the BSA waste each year fighting in the courts? How much does the BSA waste in preaching to the choir? They target the membership campaigns to those who are already in Scouting and fail to tell our story to those that need to hear it.
We have been systematically removed from the Schools, the Churches are bailing, and parents see this as an organization that can't keep it's poop in a group. It's all bad press and yet we do nothing to turn the tide of the bad publicity.
We tend to circle our wagons and rally the troops from within the organization, but that's it.
I watched a great video the other day on YouTube. Rex Tillerson, the former BSA President talking at the National Meetings of the BSA about the new changes that are taking effect. Of course I am talking about the new Non discrimination policy. What Rex had to say was fantastic, but you know, I bet only Scouters saw it. Why was it not on TV? Why did the BSA not contact the major media outlets and networks and have that 10 minute video or parts of it in the main stream media? 10,358 views on Youtube.. and I bet they are all Scout people. A google search produced hits on the video all associated with Scouting websites, blogs, and of course the National office.
Scouting is for nerds. Just ask your Scouts. That's what they will tell you their classmates think. I recently sat with one of my Scouts at his Eagle Board of Review. One of the board members asked him if he thought Scouting was not cool. He answered that he thought it was cool, but it was not cool to those guys at his high School. The discussion kept going, "Why do you think that?" the Board member asked. "Because of what they think we do in Scouts" the Eagle candidate answered. "What do they think we do?" "Well, for the most part they think we go camping, but it's mostly about crafts and artsy stuff."
Crafts and artsy stuff. Yep, that is what we have become.
As a Cub Scout I remember doing craftsy stuff. Soap box derby races, pinewood derby and rockets led the list of cool things that we did as a den. The craftsy stuff when we got to Boy Scouts was Monkey bridges that actually crossed water. Signal towers that you could actually climb. Earning the Paul Bunyan Ax man award and actually chopping down trees.
But that's all gone now. In the name of Safety? Really? No, in the name of insurance fear. I am not advocating getting Scouts hurt, but we didn't then so what's changed. We moved away from adventure and got wrapped up in the lowest impact don't let Tommy Tenderfoot get dirty family camp.
Look at our merit badge program. Last summer at camp we had more Scouts earn the finger printing merit badge than the canoeing merit badge. It is what we have become.
We as parents have forgotten that our boys need to be boys. We as parents have forgotten that getting dirty is part of childhood. Playing in the woods and coming home when the street lights come on is part of the adventure of being a boy.
We are so afraid that every boy is a victim. Every boy is fragile and a broken bone is the end of the world. I once broke two bones in my arm when I was 10. What was I doing? Trying to fly. Not smart, but you know what, I am no worse for ware.
I watched a Patrol mate burn his eye brows off blowing on a camp fire. A great laugh and no harm done. I can remember coming home from camp outs and my mom not letting me in the house till I first took all my clothing off and hosed down in the backyard. I learned, I grew, and I am a better person for it.
I never earned Basketry or the Art merit badge, and if it were around in 1980 I would not have earned the game design merit badge. I did earn Backpacking, hiking, first aid, wilderness survival and those badges. Heck I joined Scouts for fun and adventure.. not more School work.
The Boy Scouts of America has a rich tradition and yes it has undergone many changes since 1910, but our story is the same. Our Story is still about Character building and Citizenship. Our Story is still about challenge and finding our limits and growing from experience. Our Story is still about great outdoor programs. Our Story is still about adventure and life long learning. Our Story is cool. But we don't tell our story the way we want it heard. We don't take the opportunity not to be just another YMCA or after school program, but to be the Boy Scouts of America full of the cool stuff that boys want and need.
We tell the story of numbers and membership, but forget that not everyone wants to be or should be a Scout. We tell the story of abuse and scandal without telling the story of the million great things going on every week at meetings and on monthly camp outs.
We get excited when we have a mediocre district event and wonder why our Scouts are not better recruiters. We miss out on telling our story in the media when things are going good. We miss the boat on getting ahead of bad press and showing the Boy Scouts for what we really are. We are cool, we are making a difference, we are what we say we are. But, for a group that prides itself of spinning a great campfire yarn, we don't do a great job of telling our story.
Some thoughts. We clean up and get ourselves right. When we have guests come to our house, we straighten up, vacuum, and maybe even light a candle to make the place smell good.
Scouting needs to do that. We need to get our leaders to wear their uniform right and agree to deliver the promise of Scouting using the methods. Leaders need to be trained.
We need to get our Scouts in full uniforms out in the community doing something other than selling popcorn or marching in a parade. We need to show Scouts doing service and other cool stuff that really makes a difference.
We need to budget for local advertising. We need to get in the media in a positive light every opportunity we can.
We need to sell adventure… Not just another chess club. (I have nothing against chess, but we are talking adventure here) Boys want and need adventure.
We need to get with current outdoor practices and try new methods of camping. It is fun for the boys and increases the challenge for the whole unit.
We need to develop better relationships with the Forest service and Park Rangers. They are a great resource for Scouting.
Do you want Scouting to be cool? Then you need to act cool. You need to be cool. You need to look cool. Hey, we are cool… right?
I am tired of the BSA getting beat up for nonsense. I see so much potential in how we can move ahead to tell our story so we can change the perception of Scouting. And then, our numbers will go up, boys will stay longer, and we will be cool, not just to us, but to everyone.
Your thoughts?
Have a Great Scouting Day!
The Dance of the Blue Card
The application for Merit Badge AKA the "Blue Card, is a little piece of paper that will get even the most level-headed Scouts doing the dance of the blue card.
Just sit back and watch as a Scout realizes that he'll be 18 in a few months. The line dance for a visit with the Troop secretary is reminiscent of scene from Urban Cowboy.
I was recently asked about the process of the Blue Card and how we do it in our Troop. The reader has asked to remain nameless, but I am glad that this question came up. I can not tell you how times I have had conversations about such a simple thing, but something that is sometimes more confusing than a rubics cube.
Our reader asks; "Anyway would you share how your Troop handles Blue Cards, from the time the Scout asks to start a merit badge and is give the Blue Card through completion and where the Blue Card goes and who handles what."
So here it goes… I'll let you behind the curtain of how Troop 664 does the Blue card dance. There are actually two ways that we do this. I will explain the regular way that we do it and then how we do it for summer camp.
First. The Scout expresses interest in a merit badge… He picks the merit badge and goes to the Troop Secretary and asks for a blue card.
Then, the Scout fills out the Blue card. He fills out the whole front of the card leaving only my signature space blank. He fills out the back of the card with his name and the name of the merit badge he is going to work. He can leave the name of the counselor blank.
The Scout then brings me the blue card and I sign the front of the blue card. This allows the Scout to start working on the merit badge. It also gives me an opportunity to talk with the Scout about the badge and answer any questions that he may have. If I know who the counselor for that merit badge is, I give the Scout the information, if I don't I have the Scout return to the Troop secretary and she will look up the counselor and give the Scout the information, phone number etc.
The Scout then works the merit badge. The counselor fills out the card and confirms that the Scout met all of the requirements. Once the merit badge is complete, the counselor signs and dates it and gives it back to the Scout.
The Scout will then bring the completed blue card back to me. I then sign the card and have the Scout give the blue card to the Troop secretary. She records the completion date and merit badge into the Troop master software and takes the first part of the card and files it with the Troop records. The Scout gets the remainder of the card. Most counselors do not retain their copy.
The Applicants record is stapled to the merit badge certificate as is the actual merit badge. The Scout is presented the merit badge at the next court of honor.
That completes the Dance of the Blue card.
The only difference in this process for summer camp is this. I will pre sign a bunch of blue cards. I then hand them out on day 1 of summer camp. The Scout takes the blue card and fills it out and takes it to the first session of the merit badge class.
At the completion of summer camp, the blue cards are returned from the summer camp staff to the Scoutmasters. I sign all the completed merit badges and make a note of the partials.
During summer camp, I track the merit badges being worked daily. I keep a chart in my notebook of who is working what badge at what time. Then I follow-up daily at the "Scoutmaster cabin". The camps in our council all make daily progress reports available. If by Wednesday, it does not look like progress is being made, I have a little chat with the Scout. It is the Scouts decision to work the badges and I will not force or push the Scout to complete the badges at camp. I do "Highly encourage" them to get them finished, but at the end of the week.. it will be up to him.
When we get home, I turn over all of the blue cards to the Troop Secretary and she records and goes through the same process as stated above.
So there it is.. The Dance of the Blue Card… I sure hope that helps.
Leave your questions, comments, and suggestions here on the blog or feel free to drop me an email.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
The 'Camp' Speech
Last night at our Troop meeting I gave my annual Summer Camp talk with the Scouts. This is never a popular talk with the parents because I kind of go against the grain when it comes to conventional wisdom regarding "Camp".
The rub comes when I tell the Scouts that the number priority of Summer camp (aside from being safe) is to have as much fun as you possible can. Do not worry about merit badges. Take a few and have fun.
I harken back to my Scouting days and the memories I have of Summer camp. 1978 at Camp Freedom was the best time I can remember. The fun we had purposely falling out of our canoes, shooting bows and arrows and never earning the merit badge, time spent with my best buddies swimming and goofing around at the water front. Fishing at the lake, singing songs in the dinning hall and just having a great summer camp experience. That's what it is all about.
Taking away from camp a life time of memories is more valuable than any merit badge. Parents often times view summer camp as an advancement opportunity, and it is certainly there for the taking, but cranking out merit badges without having fun is a waste of summer camp.
I encourage the Scouts to take a merit badge or two, participate fully in the evening programs, make new friends, and emerse themselves in the camp experience.
Our younger Scouts are heading off to camp this Sunday. The older guys hit the Trail at Philmont next week. Both of the trips offer great life time experiences that needs to be taken advantage of. Getting wrapped up in what I get out of it by way of cloth is not the focus and when it becomes the sole purpose you miss out on the wonderful Scouting experiences that are part of camp!
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Scout leaders at Camp
Scouting Magazine's blog, Bryan on Scouting recently posted an article discussing 25 ways Scouters can make the most of Summer Camp.
I found it interesting some of the comments made, by and large, they were spot on. I thought this was one worth sharing.
So check out the article share your thoughts (both here and there).
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Methods – Outdoor Program
A long time ago a Scouting mentor of mine told me that the secret to success in a Troop is PROGRAM, PROGRAM, PROGRAM. When you have a strong program you have Scouts that stay in Scouting, you have good advancement, you have Trained leaders, you have active Scouts and Scout parents. PROGRAM, PROGRAM, PROGRAM!
The outdoor program is Scouting's classroom. It is why Scouts join and stay in Scouting. Without the outdoor experience it's just another club.
Outdoor adventure is the promise that we make to these young men when they join Scouts.
Here is what the BSA's website (Scouting.org) has to say about the outdoor program, I have highlighted a few key words in this excerpt from the site.
In the outdoors, boys have opportunities to acquire skills that make them more self-reliant. They can explore canoe and hiking trails and complete challenges they first thought were beyond their ability. Attributes of good character become part of a boy as he learns to cooperate to meet outdoor challenges that may include extreme weather, difficult trails and portages, and dealing with nature's unexpected circumstances. Scouts plan and carry out activities with thoughtful guidance from their Scoutmaster and other adult leaders. Good youth leadership, communication, and teamwork enable them to achieve goals they have set for themselves, their patrol or squad, and their troop or team.
Learning by doing is a hallmark of outdoor education. Unit meetings offer information and knowledge used on outdoor adventures each month throughout the year. A leader may describe and demonstrate a Scouting skill at a meeting, but the way Scouts truly learn outdoor skills is to do them themselves on a troop outing.
Scouting uses the patrol method to teach skills and values. Scouts elect their own patrol leader and they learn quickly that by working together and sharing duties, the patrol can accomplish far more than any of its members could do alone. The patrol succeeds when every member of the patrol succeeds and Scouts learn that good teamwork is the key to success.
Exercise and fitness are part of the outdoor experience. As Scouts hike, paddle, climb, bike, or ride, their muscles become toned and their aerobic capacity increases. When they work as a patrol to plan menus for their outings, they learn to purchase cost-effective ingredients to prepare flavorful and nutritious meals.
Service to others and good citizenship is learned through such outdoor activities as conservation projects, collecting food, building trails and shelters, and conducting community service projects that promote healthy living. Through helping other people, Scouts learn to appreciate how they can share themselves and their blessings to those in need. By giving service to benefit others, Scouts gain a sense of personal satisfaction.
Your outdoor program is essential to the success of your unit. Getting the Scouts out side and active is the method in which it all comes together.
Lets talk a minute about types of activities… CAMPING! I don't care how you camp… camp! Backpack, tail gate, sleep in cabins, whatever.. just get out and camp. And when you camp.. make it for more than 1 night. 1 night is not enough to excercise the important parts of the Patrol method. Camp! Place NO RESTRICTIONS on camping or activities in your unit. Sumer camps and National High Adventure bases place age and rank restrictions on certain activities. These are in place to reduce lines, give older Scouts incentives, and maintain certain levels or risk management. At the unit level as long as you have QUALIFIED and WELL TRAINED Leadership… the sky is the limit. Younger Scouts can do amazing things when you let them. So take them climbing, Kyaking, swimming, rafting, canoeing, backpacking… The sky is the limit.
Never say no to your PLC! Let them plan and carry out great outdoor adventures!
Last weekend our Troop did a 10 mile Backpack trip over 2 nights (2.5 days). The whole Troop did the event. We have 17 brand new Scouts in the Troop and for a few this was their first camp out. We trained them to pack their packs and reduce their loads. We did a shake down before we left to ensure they were all prepared.. then we went. On Saturday, we gave the first year Scouts the option to carry their packs or have them forwarded to the next camp location. Most of them carried their packs.. and after many adjustments.. they all did very well. The best part is they challenged themselves. They pushed themselves and did their best. I am proud of them.
This is the adventure that they joined the troop for. Remember.. They joined Scouts.. we did not join them! You have to deliver the promise!
The outdoor program is an essential part of the Scouting movement. It is universal, it is the class room of Scouting, it is… The Promise of Scouting!
Pictured above are some of the Scouts that went on the backpack trip this last weekend. Most of the Scouts pictured are in the new Scout Patrol.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Delivering the Promise
At last nights Roundtable I was pleased to see a great turn out in the Boy Scout break out. Last nights attraction was Camporee and what units can do to get ready for it. We had about a half hour left so I thought it would be worth our while to talk a little District talk with the leaders that took their time to be at the break out.
Now first of all.. I have said it before, and I am sure I will say it again.. at Roundtable we typically are preaching to the choir, but there were plenty of newer faces in the room, so putting on my District Chairman hat, I stepped up front and spent a few minutes sharing some district news, reported back a little on the District Journey to Excellence Score card, and made myself available for questions.
Summer camp. This became a big subject last night. There are way to many units that still have not reported a summer camp sign up for this year. It is a fact that Scouts that attend summer camp stay in Scouting longer. We looked at the numbers. Only 1/3 of the scouts signed up for our council camps are from our council. That means that lots of units from outside of our council are flowing into our camps. That's a great thing, except to say, that means that lots of Scouts in our council are not going to summer camp.
Retention. Summer camp leads us to retention. IF lots of Scouts are not going to summer camp, then its no wonder why they are not staying in Scouting. Our numbers show that we are doing well crossing Webelos into Boy Scouts, and we are doing a great job getting boys to join Scouts "off the street". But we are not doing the best we can to keep them in Scouting. It is no surprise that boys leave the program when they are not engaged. If they are not having fun, or participating fully in Scouting, they will leave. I mean, why stay?
Program. Back when I was a new Scoutmaster, a mentor of mine shared with me that regardless of everything else the key to a successful unit is the program. He said Program, Program, Program! I have shared this here before to, my "Field of Dream" philosophy. If you build the program, they will come.. and stay. Monthly camp outs, Summer camp attendance, advancement focus, service opportunities all add up to great program. Youth leadership that is driven to lead to the next adventure keeps them excited and wanting more. A solid program at the unit level is the answer to most if not all of the problems we face in the Scouting movement.
Which brought me to the final point of the evening. What is the role of the Council and the District? Resourcing. It is not the role of the Council or the District to run units. They are there to assist in the administrative tasks, financial opportunities, and resourcing of program (materials, camps, etc). I think too many people wait around for the Council or District to do things for them. The unit is where Scouting happens. It is where Scouts become men of character, good citizens, and discover fitness. If you wait around for the council to do that, you will never be a successful unit. The council and district can not build you a program that is successful. They can assist with the resources that will help your success… but wait around and you will fail.
A question came up about the DE and his role. Again, he is a resource manager. He is there to raise funds, develop relationships in the community to build and grow scouting. He is there to assist units in training, growing, and ensuring that the promise of Scouting is being delivered in those units. But wait for him to do the work at the unit. You will fail. This is not a bad thing. This is the way Scouting was designed. Scouting is owned and operated by the volunteers that care to serve our youth. Bottom line. We are Scouting and we Deliver the Promise. We, the volunteer. Our District committee is made up of volunteers, our Council committee is made up of volunteers, but more importantly, our units, Packs, Troops, and Crews are made up of thousands of volunteers that every single day do something to deliver the promise of Scouting to the great kids that come seeking fun and adventure.
It was great to be able to talk with some of those volunteers last night. As I looked at the room and saw the faces of the BSA, people that really care. I know that all is well. The numbers are the numbers, and they will come around. The people care and will do what ever it takes to develop those programs to make Scouting the greatest.
Have a Great Scouting Day!


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Classification Scope and Challenges
The United States has implemented two different Commodity classification systems, the Export Control Classification Number (ECCN or ECN) classification for exports and the Harmonized Tariff System (HTS or HS) classification for imports and exports.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Baby Name Poll Results
Aspen Grace vs. Jordan Piper
Have 2 boys, Isaac and Maddox. Looking for help on a girl's name!
The Top Baby Name is...
|Aspen Grace Jones
|61% (11 votes)
|Jordan Piper Jones
|39% (7 votes)
Piper Grace
posted by guest :: 2013-11-06 20:02:45 | report
Post a Comment:Please keep your comments positive and helpful.
Even if you don't like the names. Thanks!
For all baby name poll questions, complaints, or improvements
contact email@example.com.


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The dean of Temple University's College of Science and Technology was named interim provost of the university effective Sunday during Temple's board of trustees meeting Thursday.
Hai-Lung Dai, a graduate of National Taiwan University and the University of California, Berkeley, joined Temple's staff in 2007. In addition to serving as dean, Dai is a Laura H. Carnell professor of chemistry and the senior vice provost for international affairs.
Dai will replace Richard Englert, who is leaving the position to serve as Temple's acting president, also effective Sunday. Englert is replacing Ann Weaver Hart, who will become the president of the University of Arizona.


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New power plant planned for Nolan County
NOLAN COUNTY, Texas - A Florida energy company will begin construction soon on a natural gas electric generating plant in Nolan County.
NTE Energy is building the Pecan Creek Energy Center along Highway 70 about 18 miles south of Sweetwater.
It's anticipated construction will bring about 100 jobs to the area – with 10 to 15 jobs expected during operation.
NTE is currently working to get the necessary permits. Construction should start late this year. Officials hope the plant to be in operation in 2016.


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Skip to comments.Obama's Gun Ban List Leaked
Posted on 12/21/2012 8:37:06 AM PST by txnativegop
On Monday, Alan Korwin, 2nd Amendment activist and author of Gun Laws of America, published a preliminary list of firearms and firearms accessories to be included in the yet-to-be announced, but much anticipated new version of the so-called Assault Weapons Ban.
The chief sponsor of the last ban, Sen. Diane Feinstein is said to be crafting new legislation now, which, if passed, President Obama would undoubtedly sign.
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
China is ambitious but sees more benefit, for now, as a economic power and a better return on their investment by flexing their muscle in the South China sea area
Well then, what is stop the Chinese from renting the area for their use (so to speak); Putin probably needs the money and it is a very long way from Moscow. Help would be difficult to send.
Concord Bridge is dead ahead. Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes.
If the bill doesn't go through Congress, he'll just executive order it. :(
I hear you!
The sea lanes through the South China sea hold a better promise of economic strength for the Chinese. The recent disputes with the Philippines over ownership of few rocks give evidence of that. A conflict with India over dominance in the Indian Ocean would be more likely, although not likely yet.
Unless you want to pay triple the price, you cannot find an AR rifle in stock at retail anywhere. EVERYONE is sold out.
Obviously this is much more than they'd ever expect to get.
They allow a few to scratch off the list so it appears they are compromising.
Cmon guys this is negotiation 101.
I would want our side's list to be a blank page of paper, to complement theirs.
The way I see it, the left is not going to like the outcome.
Right now, I'd hurry over to Sportsman's Guide and order some 10mm ammo, much of which is still showing "In Stock"... even the 60-round packs of Federal Hydra-shock. Other ammo sources might have it as well, but don't wait and ponder the choices. Beef up your ammo supply now and use the Glock as-is.
The .40 ammo is more plentiful overall, but also a LOT more popular, so you may be wasting time hoping to go in that direction.
Anyone have any experience or knowledge about Thermold Magazines? I am looking for two Magazines for an Armalite AR-180 rifle and it looks like Thermold is the only one selling a magazine specifically manufactured for the AR-180. There is about a two week back order on these Mags which I don't mind if I can get them. $45 for two.
ping gun bans
RE: Prices going up
You won't believe it... $15 mags going for $78 each in 100 quantities. $800 rifles with buy now prices of $2500. It is alreridiculouslous.
What does "infringe" mean? Rather than getting hung up in technicalites the founders used the most inclusive word "infringe". (Some state constitutions say "question").
The 1994 Crime Bill was an act of War, but the people waited, because it had a sunset provision. I don't think there are enough votes in the House to pass a similar bill. But if one does pass, then their intensions are clear. They mean to destroy us. It has NEVER been about crime. It's about diarming their opposition.
Does this mean I should go for heavier bullet rather than higher muzzle velocity? Or should I simply look for something that has high fragmentation on contact?
It has always been about handguns. Assault rifles was just a decoy to try and get their anti-gun foot in the door.
Once they get a ban on AWs then they will use the same reasons to go after handguns.
John Kennedy killed with a 5 shot bolt action rifle.
Bobby Kennedy killed with a .22 Iver Johnson Cadet revolver.
George Wallace wounded with a 5 shot Charter Arms .38spl.
Gerald Ford attacked with a 7 shot 1911 semi auto.
Edmond OK post office with two National Guard 7 shot 1911 pistols.
Ronald Reagan and Jim Brady shot with an RG-14 .22 pistol.
Ronald Gene Simmons killed his family and neighbors...H&R .22 revolver and a Ruger .22 revolver. Aslo used a strangling cord and two hammers.
What do they all have in common? NONE over 9 rounds, yet after each one came a cry of panic to ban them.
There is a PLETHORA of good material out there. We'd better start using it to educate the shrinking minority of those around us who are still capable of grasping FACTS!
Failure is NOT AN OPTION!!!!
No .40 cant be used in a 10mm. If you do and can get the pin to hit the primer.......Boom! (not in a good way) reload them....180gr JHP
good luck with that. very few judges support individual rights or the second.
Judge HATE independence or rugged individualism. This means you don't need the courts to settle issues. Just need people dependent on the courts for resolving issues just as the executive and congress need peole financially dependent on government.
As much as it is frowned upon, the right lower court has to be selected as well as appellate court. IOW no NYC, no 9th circus.
I refuse to surrender like you and so many here on FR. Stay home... if needed I will fight for the Second Amendment and I will defend it with my life. We will beat this because we must.
I have two Garands and a Carbine from them. I have been looking seriously at one of their rebuilt specials.
LOL! Read the list. That's funny!
[Flames full of conspiracy theories about the mythical "EO," a Democrat coup, the end of the world, etc.]
It's still funny, and I would love to see a bill from Feinstein and co. first! [Sound of the bill going kersplat! in total in both houses.]
Put private armed security around schools. Try to outlaw violent computer games (left vs. left), and so on. Good work so far (NRA, all). Write to your representatives and senators. If you're sane and supporting our Second Amendment, sign the petition for our Second Amendment!
Sign the PETITION on the White House Website on BEHALF of Gun Owners
Robinson Arms converted VEPR hunting rifles into evil black rifles that accepted high capacity magazines. They came in a variety of calibers from 5.45x 39mm to .308.
He didn't have support for Welfare reform - but he did it anyway.
He didn't have support for the Dream act - but he did it anyway.
I doubt he'll care if he has support for his gun grabbing.
I fully expect GOP House members to cave, and then bring back a few crumbs to appease those "stupid hicks and gun nuts" back in their home districts.
It will be sold to the constituents as; "We fought the good fight and managed to preserve your rights in what we feel is a reasonable compromise, given the situation."
Or, as I said, it sends us into a panic and then "relief" when their plan is not quite as horrendous as the leak, but still strips us further of our civil liberties.
Keep your ear to the ground and don't let people fool you.
After that, everyone else who bought them legally gets a letter in the mail stating that they are in violation of law, and either surrender the weapons, or provide an explanation of where it went if you sold it. I don't know, maybe something similar to a tax audit notification.
They could just rely on the FBI background check records. You know, the ones that are (supposedly by law) not kept. If something like that even made it to the media (yeah, right), who would call them on the unlawful abuse of power? It would just be another abuse like the NSA spying, Holder's database, Fast and Furious, and whatever else is out there.
"Extra-Constitutional" as you state, would test our collective mettle.
Is "an UZI" a pistol? Seriously; I'm not well-versed in firearms.
Looks like my .38 is still legal! LOL
This would be the proverbial straw and perhaps that's what he truly wants, but I'm not so sure that they will get the outcome they desire.
The final compromise had better be a blank page too.
I've never used them.
Then I guess they are SOL because it isn't going to happen.
No it is not! I am writing letters, talking to anyone who will listen and generally trying to get the word out.
Yes, the UZI came in three sizes all fully automatic, standard, mini, and micro.
The micro was about the size of a Desert Eagle or so and was made in a semi-auto handgun version.
Let's just hope the conservatives in the House stand firm and don't sell us down the river.
**Lets just hope the conservatives in the House stand firm and dont sell us down the river.***
They caved in 1968 and 1994 when they saw the gun bills had loaded lots of CASH for the states to use for "crime control". One local town got a whole $150.00 back in 1969.
You can bet if the laws proposed now are sent to Congress they will be loaded with pork in exchange for the vote.
Get ready: they're going to push it.
What's going to stop them?
They have the media cheerleading and their special interest groups flush with cash.
They can push it all they want, and believe me, I'm ready.
That will never happen; the politicians believe themselves to be special and worthy of protection that they would deny to the rest of the citizenry.
Hard to say, now. In the past, most would say "use whatever _your_ gun 'likes' to shoot."
Here is how that was explained to me: every gun shoots every brand(and this includes different bullet weights) of cartridge differently from every other gun. IOW, what works well in _your_ Glock 20 may not shoot as well as in _my_ Glock 20. Therefore, one should try shooting as many different loads as is possible then select that load which shoots 'best'-in your gun.
Considering the run on ammo that's been going on lately, this may not be feasible. (Yes, even I have succumbed and recently purchased another thousand rounds! You might give SGammo.com a try.)
I personally carry a Glock 23 and it just seems to shoot 180 grain bullets more accurately than any other weight. Doesn't seem to matter if they are hollow-points or FMJ, it puts 'em right where I want 'em. Generally the lighter weight bullets have higher velocity(but lesser foot pounds of energy) than the heavier bullets.
By "fragmentation" I assume you are referring to the Magsafe-type of frag bullets? I have no experience with those whatsoever. You may try asking your questions on one of the many Glock forums.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


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Hakim Belabbes
BioVisiting Artist, Film, Video, New Media, and Animation (2009). MFA, 1993, Columbia College, Chicago; DEA, 1986, Université Lyon II, FRANCE; BA, 1983, Mohamed V University, Rabat, MOROCCO. Concurrent Positions: Producer/Writer, Director, Cinemaat Productions Morocco; Co-Founder, Cinemaat Iamge Education Center. Films: Imilchil (in development); Antar and Abla (in development); In Pieces (in post-production); These Hands...; Riding High; Threads; Bejjaad: A Nest in the Heat; A Witness; Three Little Angels; Men Singing; Whispers; A Shepherd and a Rifle; Still Ready. Film Festival Awards: Muhr Best Feature, Duabi International; Special Jury, New Media International, Montreal; Best Midwest Feature Film, Milwaukee; Honorable Mention, Bangkok.
Disclaimer: All work represents the views of the INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS & AUTHORS who created them, and are not those of the school or museum of the Art Institute.


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A woman who stole thousands of dollars in jewelry from her grandmother three months ago is in trouble with the law after her grandmother turned her in this week, officials said.
Nicole K. Werner admitted she took $8,933 in jewelry from her 70-year-old grandmother's home in the 3000 block of Drighton Street in Bethlehem Twp., Northampton Co., in mid-December and sold it to a pawn shop for about $1,000 over a two-month period, officials said.
The grandmother told police that she met with Werner when she discovered the theft on Feb. 28, and that Werner later admitted to the theft in a telephone call, officials said.
The grandmother told police she "struggled with the situation for several weeks" before contacting them on Thursday, officials said.
Werner, 23, of 905 Spring St., Bethlehem, a student at Northampton Community College, was arraigned on charges of theft and receiving stolen property and committed to the Northampton County Prison on $5,000 bail, according to court documents.
A preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. March 26.


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HALE CENTER - Steven Gomez, 15, died Sunday, Sept. 24, 2000.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Gene Meacham officiating. Burial will be in Hale Center Cemetery by Freeman-Abell Funeral Home.
Steven was born in Corpus Christi. He was a sophomore at Hale Center High School and a member of the football, basketball and track teams. He was a member of the Owl band.
He was a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church, where he was involved in the youth group and provided videotaping services to the church.
Survivors include his parents, Mel and Francisca "Alma" Gomez; two brothers, Rudy Tomas of Norfolk, Va., and Joe Gomez of Nebraska; grandparents, Manuel and Maria Gomez of Brownsville and Jesus and Rachel Torres of Mexico; and great-grandparents, Aurora Ponce of Mexico and Camillo Torres of Mexico.
Amarillo Daily News, Sept. 26, 2000
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Slesnick - Auto Salvage telephone number is (330) 489-6690.
Telefax: No fax number available
Website: No web address available
Biz owner? Moderate reviews or edit listing.
Search entire category for Auto Parts - Used & Rebuilt
'Used and Rebuilt Auto Parts' in Canton refer to use of second-hand auto or car parts, instead of opting for expensive spare parts. Used parts are an economic way for repairing automobiles, though they do not necessarily replace important auto parts that should always be bought new, in case of damage or wear.
NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli Addresses Clean Energy Leadership Task Force
Audits Confirm Savings from Energy Efficiency Improvements at Long Island School Districts (Long Island, NY) On Friday, February 19th, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli spoke before the Clean Energy Leadership Task Force which is a project directed by the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College located at Republic Airport in Farmingdale NY. Mr. DiNapoli discussed the results of audits..


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Promotion Terms & Conditions
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HACKENSACK, NJ – June 12, 2013 – Vidyo, Inc. today announced it was selected by CERN to support global, large-scale, real-time collaborative video conferencing among a community of 20,000 scientists from over 600 institutes collaborating with the European Organization for Nuclear Research. CERN's Vidyo infrastructure has the scalability and capacity to hold collaboration sessions with hundreds of participants in a single video conference. Scientists around the world use Vidyo's products to collaborate on Large Hadron Collider (LHC) experiments, whose research includes the study of the Higgs boson.
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is one of the world's largest and most respected centers for scientific research. On any given day, 3000 CERN-related video connections may occur over Vidyo; some of the meetings are hosting hundreds of users in a single call joining from a variety of personal desktops, mobile devices and room systems. The infrastructure is also being used by more than 300 H.323 room systems either at CERN or in partner institutes. With peaks of up to 750 concurrent users, the traffic is spread over 20 servers worldwide that automatically cascade to enable network efficient mega conferences in one of the largest private Vidyo conferencing deployments in the world.
"CERN's worldwide community of researchers represents 113 nationalities and more than 600 universities so gathering in person to discuss research projects can present quite a challenge. Face-to-face, real-time meetings are crucial to the success of CERN's research mission," said Frédéric Hemmer, Head of IT at CERN. "Because of the scale and frequency of our meetings and the range of devices and technologies that need to be supported, we needed a powerful solution. Vidyo offers a solution that is compatible with a wide variety of operating systems, which is key in our environment; it also provides high scalability that does not compromise the quality of the video. We have been collaborating closely with Vidyo and, thanks to our joint efforts, their solution was able to transparently integrate with the hundreds of different H323 videoconferencing systems previously deployed in the community, which is a big asset for us."
Further Information
Samantha Sharp
Operations Manager
Tel: +44 (0)1522 883640
Email: [javascript protected email address]


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Hey guys,
I'm not an expert when it comes to hardware so I wanted to gather some opinions about upgrading my Asus Aspire 7750G (2414G75Mn) notebook.
Specifically, from 4GB ram to 8 or more and from S-ATA to SSD.
The programs I use most often are Chrominium, Adobe Air Applications and a basic editor.
Would it even make sense to go for an upgrade in such a case? If so, what would be the memory limit and what specific products do you recommend?
Thanks a lot,


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|Questions & Answers (2)
Zebra has done a superb job combining all the desirable characteristics of a gel ink pen into one creation - the Sarasa Push Clip.
The new Sarasa line features a 1.0 mm broad gel pen in metallic ink colors. The pen has a smooth flow and the tip is sturdy enough to endure hard writing pressure, drops, and other pen abuses. It's also retractable, and is equipped with a binder clip that allows it to clip onto thicker object without breaking. It's a great pen for scrapbookers and artists.


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|Women, Men, Girls, Boys, Petite, Tall, Plus-sized
I've been crafting since forever, knitting fanatically since about 2006 and designing since 2008. When not knitting, I teach university students about primates and play with my horses.View all patterns by designer (93) »
It is a top-down sock, and it comes with TWO charted patterns - one you see here (chart 1) and its doppelganger (hence the name), the same stitch patterns but combined in a different way. You can choose one or the other, or use one of each - it's entirely up to you. Also, the pattern is made using wrapped stitches and psso's, so no cabling required at all for this pattern.
7 sts x 11 rows over 1" in stockinette


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The Peoria Rivermen announced today that right wing Graham Mink has been named the World
Painting Company Player of the Month for March. Over the 13 games in March,
Mink scored six times and had at least one point in eight of the team's
On March 11, Mink scored his 20th goal of the
season. It marked the seventh time in
his 10-year AHL career that he has reached the 20-goal plateau. He now leads the team with 24 goals, which is
the most since Charles Linglet and Julian Talbot both scored 24 in
2007-08. He is second on the team in
assists (26) and points (50).
season he played in 67 games for the Rochester Americans and finished with 20
goals in 67 games. . In January, Mink
was honored by the American Hockey League as being named team captain for the
PlanetUSA All-Stars at the 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic in
Portland, ME. A two-time Calder Cup
Champion with the Hershey Bears (2006,2009), Mink has 451 points (227 goals,
224 assists) in 637 career AHL games.
6-3, 220-pound Stowe, Vermont native was acquired by the Blues from Florida in
exchange for T.J. Fast on August 3, 2010.
month, World Painting Company will present the player of the month with a
plaque to honor their achievements at a Rivermen home game. Whether it's a
room in your office or home, or the entire building, visit www.worldpaintingcompany.com for all your residential and commercial painting needs.


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NCUA Says Prepayment Plan Not Happening
The NCUA said Tuesday it only received $369.9 million in pledges for the prepayment program to pay the costs of the Temporary Corporate Credit Union Stabilization Fund, far short of the $500 million needed to have the program go forward.
The agency received pledges from 799 credit unions.
"NCUA responded to credit union requests and created a viable alternative to offer prepayments as a way to manage assessments in the long run. While the pledges fell short of meeting the required threshold to move forward, the NCUA Board remains open, perhaps, to reconsidering this issue next year," NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz said in a statement.
The agency said the prepayments, which would have been interest-free loans, would have resulted in reduction of the assessments that credit unions would have to pay this year. The NCUA has said if the program had gone forward the assessment for natural person credit unions insured by the NCUSIF would drop 6.4 basis points.


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Daily Archives: March 1, 2013
American Public Health Association News
APHA's "Amazing" and "Phenomenal" Experience Now Accepting Applications
The American Public Health Association Public Health Fellowship in Government is now accepting applications for 2014. This is the seventh year that the American Public Health Association is offering this fellowship, which has been described as an "amazing" and "phenomenal" experience by previous fellows.
Candidates must have strong public health credentials and be interested in spending one year in Washington, D.C. working in a congressional office on legislative and policy issues related to health, the environment or other public health concerns.
The fellowship will begin in January 2014 and continue through December 2014. The fellowship provides a unique learning experience for a public health professional to gain practical knowledge in government and see how the legislative and public policy process works.
Apply now online. The electronic application, including a CV and three letters of recommendation, are due to APHA by April 8, 2013.
All candidates:
1. must be citizens of the United States or permanent residents
2. must be APHA members
3. must have five years or more experience in a public health setting. Internships, graduate assistantships, and residencies do not count toward the five-year requirement
4. must have a masters degree or doctorate in a public health or related discipline
For more information, email Charlene Bright or call 202-777-2491.
APHA launches Online Continuing Education Program
Finding relevant opportunities to earn continuing education credits and satisfy professional licensing or credentialing requirements can be difficult, particularly for those working in public health. Fortunately, APHA's Center for Professional Development recently announced its first offering of year-round continuing education credits through its Online Continuing Education Program.
For a minimal fee, public health practitioners can earn up to 12.75 continuing education credits offered for selected 2012 APHA Midyear Meeting sessions. Credits can be earned by physicians (CME), nurses (CNE), health educators (CHES/MCHES), public health practitioners (CPH) and other professionals (CME for non-physicians) by listening to the recordings, passing the quiz, and completing an evaluation.
Learn more on APHA's continuing education pages, or contact Annette Ferebee with questions.
Want to celebrate National Public Health Week? Here's how
National Public Health Week is April 1 – 5. This year's theme, "Public Health is ROI: Save Lives, Save Money," recognizes the tremendous value of public health in our lives. Learn more about what is planned to celebrate and how you can be involved in this year's activities in this interview with Kimberly Moore, director of Affiliate Affairs at APHA.
How Will Sequestration Affect Public Health?
Experts seem to agree that the consequences could be dire. Below is a list of four news sources, a small sample really, of the wide world of experts who are trying to convey just how dire sequestration will be to public health and other health-related programs.
Politico: Cuts could harm health emergency preparedness
Governing: Sequestration's impact on public health


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Childhood Disorders experts in this Psychology/Psychiatry directory provide witness opinion and testimony in all types of Childhood Disorders accidents including Clinical Psychology neuropsychology, Clinical Psychologist, Forensic and Psychological Issues, Psychological and Neuropsychological Testing and Competency Evaluations.
Childhood Disorders accidents can occur in Couple, and Child Psychotherapy, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,Forensic Neuropsychologist and Forensic Neuropsychologist critique.
In litigation, Childhood Disorders accident experts attempt to use forensic engineering and biomechanical engineering research to reconstruct the accident and damages or event by providing witness testimony, computer animation or graphical exhibits to opine in a compelling way to the jury


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Club3D R9 290 Royal Ace Review
Bioshock Infinite
Published: 20th June 2014 | Source: Club 3D | Price: |
Bioshock Infinite
Bioshock, with its Unreal 3 engine, continues the good work of the Club3D card. If anything we're becoming even more impressed by the R9 290 than we initially were. It can munch through frames at both resolutions.
Most Recent Comments
Today we're looking at a tri-fan card from Club3D, the Royal Ace R9 290.
Continue ReadingQuote
One thing I would like to say though, is there any need to run Cloud gate on these high end GPUs? It is a score that I, and I'm sure many others, don't want to see.
Sky diver would be more relevant, but i do understand that there wouldn't be many cards to compare score though.
You new mic sounds good Tom.Quote
Very nice looking card. I like the look of the shroud and back plate. Are the club 3D cards only available in Europe? I tried to find a price from a USA E-Tailer and could not find it for sale.
On the audio quality. It is much improved. Your voice sounds good, not brittle, or thin. It provides a nice rounded full sound. Noise from the background is not apparent and that is a good thing. Is it a Omni-directional pattern mic or a Cardioid pattern one?
Thanks again
Chin Chin.Quote
Besides the odd flickering (usually during transitions) nice video
p.s classic Rooney comparison!Quote
Are those FPS numbers from the built-in benchmark of the china-town sequence?Quote
Hello! Thank you for the write up. I had a question about the Hitman: Absolution benchmark.
Are those FPS numbers from the built-in benchmark of the china-town sequence?
Yes. Why would he benchmark himself when the game already has one? lol
If you asked that question to Linus, he would tear you apart. Some people really believe that actual gameplay is more important (not Tom).
Game play requires playing the same level and playing a LOT more of it to get a decent average score..... Fixed benchmarks are more accurrate unless you are talking multiplayer and I wouldnt want to go ruin games for people like that


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unexpected T_STRING
;)I am trying to run a config.php file to connect to mysql database but i'm getting a error Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_STRING on the last line amy ideas how to over come this my last line is mysql_select_db ($winahome_biz $db)
Re: unexpected T_STRING
This happens due to syntax error.
I think you have missed a comma between the arguments and a semi colon at the end.
mysql_select_db($winahome_biz, $db);
|All times are GMT +5.5. The time now is 03:32.


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on August 30, 2012 - 12:33 PM
A free workshop, "Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Cancer Treatment and Side Effects," will be presented from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Gilda's Club of WNY, 1140 Delaware Ave. Dr. W. Sam Yi, medical director for CCS Oncology, will talk about understanding and managing the physical and psychological side effects of treatment such as fatigue, hair loss, anemia, infection and pain. All welcome. For information or to register, call 332-5900.
Support groups, and phone numbers to call for information include: Co-Dependents, fellowship of men and women whose purpose it is to develop healthy relationships, 7:30 p.m. today, Trinity Old Lutheran Church, 3445 Sheridan Drive, Eggertsville, 864-0746 or 609-3022; anxiety self-help, 11 a.m. today, participants must be chem-free and refrain from using scented items while in the building, WNYIL, 3108 Main St., 836-0822, Ext. 118; Gam-Anon, for family and friends of gamblers, 7 p.m. Thursday, Weinberg Campus, 2700 N. Forest Road, Amherst, 254-4941; Reformers Unanimous faith-based addictions program, 7 p.m. Friday, Hedstrom Baptist Church, 55 Losson Road, Cheektowaga, 818-1012; Alcoholics Anonymous First Step, 8 p.m. Friday, auditorium, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, 278-4569; Alcoholics Anonymous International Group, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, 278-4569; Narcotics Anonymous, 5 p.m. Sunday, Memorial Medical Center Auditorium, 278-4569.


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Beltre homers in 7th, Rangers beat Blue Jays 6-4
TORONTO - Adrian Beltre hit a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning, Nelson Cruz and David Murphy also connected and the Texas Rangers rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4 on Sunday.
One day after the Blue Jays beat Texas in 18 innings, Beltre hit an opposite-field shot to right off Neil Wagner for his 14th homer of the season. That helped the Rangers avoid a three-game sweep and their first four-game losing streak of the season.
Neal Cotts (2-0) worked one inning for the win and Joe Nathan escaped a ninth-inning jam for his 19th save in 20 chances.
Wagner (1-1) had pitched 7 2-3 scoreless innings since being promoted from Triple-A Buffalo on May 29.
Cruz hit a solo homer in the fourth, his team-leading 15th. He finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Beltre went 2 for 4 with a walk, extending his hitting streak to 14 games.
Adam Lind hit a three-run homer for the Blue Jays, who had won three straight.
Pinch-hitter Maicer Izturis walked to begin the bottom of the ninth and advanced to second when Elvis Andrus bobbled Munenori Kawasaki's grounder to shortstop for an error.
Both runners advanced on Melky Cabrera's sacrifice bunt before Jose Bautista struck out on three pitches, then was ejected for arguing with plate umpire Gary Darling. Bautista jawed with Darling, then tossed his bat, helmet and elbow pad on the field in protest before leaving.
Nathan closed it out by getting Edwin Encarnacion to pop out to second.
The Blue Jays took a 4-0 lead with a two-out rally in the third. Cabrera walked, Bautista reached on an infield single when second baseman Jurickson Profar slipped, and Encarnacion hit an RBI single. Lind followed with a three-run drive to center, his sixth.
Making his second start since missing 31 games with a right triceps injury, Josh Johnson allowed three runs and five hits in five innings for Toronto. He walked four and struck out four.
Johnson didn't allow a hit until Cruz's two-out homer in the fourth. Murphy followed with a walk and scored on a double by Chris McGuiness, the first hit and RBI of his career.
The Rangers cut it to 4-3 on Cruz's RBI single in the fifth, then tied it against reliever Juan Perez in the sixth. Leury Garcia scored from third when catcher Josh Thole made an errant throw to second on Craig Gentry's stolen base.
Gentry went to third on the play but was called out for leaving the bag too soon on shallow pop fly by Andrus, mistakenly thinking the ball had dropped in for a hit.
Beltre's two-out homer gave the Rangers the lead in the seventh, and Murphy added some insurance by going deep on Dustin McGowan's first pitch of the eighth, his eighth homer of the season.
Rangers rookie right-hander Justin Grimm allowed four runs and five hits in 5 2-3 innings. He walked three and struck out six.
Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/06/09/4923058/beltre-homers-in-7th-rangers-beat.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/06/09/4923058/beltre-homers-in-7th-rangers-beat.html#storylink=cpy
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UNIVERSITY PARK - An hour-and-a-half before practice was scheduled to start, some members of the Penn State wrestling team drilled hard in the warm wrestling room of the Lorenzo Wrestling Complex.
Even as coach Cael Sanderson addressed questions during media day, the drills went on.
The Nittany Lions have won three straight NCAA titles under Sanderson, who is beginning his fifth season as head coach.
Article Photos
Mirror photo by Todd Irwin
Coach Cael Sanderson begins his fifth season with the Nittany Lions.
In addition to the team talent, they have a number of studs back like two-time NCAA champion Ed Ruth at 184, three-time NCAA finalist and 2012 champ David Taylor at 165, two-time national runner-up Nico Megaludis at 125 and returning runner-up Matt Brown at 174 just to name a few. Two-time champ Quentin Wright has graduated, but he's still in the room training to make the world team.
The Lions don't officially begin their dual meet season until Nov. 16, when they wrestle at Rider, but some of them will compete on Nov. 3 at the Clarion Knight Point Open and Nov. 10 at the Bighamton Bearcat Open.
"I think we have a lot of real tough, talented kids," Sanderson said. "We'll find out at Binghamton, but I think these guys are as ready to go as any team we've ever had. They've got potential of being a great team. You can see that by who we have returning and some of the new faces that are coming up. So, we're real excited about the potential of this season."


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Half the anxiety patients suffer in a dental office is created by the dentist himself," says Mardy Doyle. Those are uncommon words coming from a D.D.S., but Doyle is not the average tooth doctor. To start, his informality is disarming. Patients, including such luminaries as Joyce DeWitt of Three's Company and Natalie Wood, call him Mardy. He will sometimes wear the dentist's traditional white jacket, but prefers a shirt and tie instead. "The dental gown is an intimidating symbol," he explains. When patients enter Doyle's Century City, Calif. office, he doesn't say, "Sit down and open," but chats for a while before the work gets under way. His innovations are not just style. Recently Doyle perfected a new cosmetic technique called veneer capping which he calls "the most exciting thing that has happened in dentistry" since he began practicing nearly 35 years ago.
Doyle has applied veneer caps to hundreds of patients. Actor Denzel Washington Jr., who plays opposite George Segal (another Doyle fan) in the upcoming Carbon Copy, needed the caps to cover a gap between his front teeth. Another Doyle patient was a fledgling actress whose teeth had been stained as a child by the antibiotic tetracycline.
Veneer crowns were developed in 1973 at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. They are made of acrylic no thicker than a fingernail and are cemented directly onto the front of a natural tooth. No anesthetic is required, nor does a healthy tooth have to be filed down to a spiky stump as with porcelain caps. Doyle believes veneers will last as long as porcelain caps (an average of six years), and decay cannot develop under them because they are sealed to the tooth.
There are other advantages. While conventional crowns cost from $300 to $800 each, veneer caps are one-third to one-half that. If need be, the entire procedure can be done in one sitting, though two are preferable. Doyle recently placed 14 caps in a woman's mouth during a three-hour session. With conventional caps, the patient would have spent at least nine hours in the chair.
During the first visit, Doyle makes plaster impressions of the patient's teeth. These serve as "patterns" for the veneers, which are custom-shaped. On the second visit, the translucent cap is painted on the underside to blend with the patient's other teeth. The veneer is then applied to the front surface of the tooth, extending one millimeter under the gum for a natural look, and just to the edge of the tooth. An ultraviolet curing light sets the adhesive. If necessary, the veneer can be ground off. Veneers are seldom used for molars, which require conventional caps to withstand the brunt of the chewing process.
Veneer capping has yet to win wide acceptance. Doyle estimates only about 10 percent of the dentists in Los Angeles use the method. One explanation comes from Kenneth Hochman, who teaches at the New York University College of Dentistry. "Veneers can be bulky, causing gum problems," he says. "They may discolor, chip and become dislodged more readily than porcelains."
Doyle offers another reason for this lack of enthusiasm. "It takes skill, training and an infinite amount of patience to learn this technique," he says. "It requires a lot of time to complete the procedure in one appointment. And there's a financial reason. There's more money in conventional crowns."
The 60-year-old Doyle was the son of an Oak Park, Ill. dentist. After graduating from Loyola University in Chicago, he entered the Navy Dental School in Bethesda, Md. He practiced on ships and naval bases for a dozen years, rising to the rank of commander before going into private practice in 1958.
Doyle lives in Malibu with his second wife, Maria, an amateur artist. He first heard about veneer caps while attending a 1977 seminar and began applying them in 1978. He has advanced the technique so that it now can be used for 20 of the 32 teeth in the mouth.
Doyle's approach to his craft, which he calls "humanistic" dentistry, has made an impression on his patients. Says actress DeWitt, "I was in my late 20s before I could get rid of the terror I felt toward dentists. Mardy's made that possible." Doyle has often heard such sentiments. "Too many dentists are trained to deal with the tooth rather than the patient," he says. "I believe in beautifying without terrifying."
In Dentistry 'Veneer Caps' Bring Brighter Smiles at Half the Cost
updated 11/10/1980 AT 01:00 AM EST
•originally published 11/10/1980 AT 01:00 AM EST


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Welcome, Google Summer of Code 2014 Students!
As we previously announced, the Battle for Wesnoth Project was once again accepted into the Google Summer of Code program as a mentoring organization. This Monday, April 21st, Google published the final list of accepted student proposals.
We are now excited to announce the students who will be working with us during the following months:
They will commence work on their projects soon, and the results are expected to become part of future releases of the 1.13.x development series.
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The Evolution of Cats
Peter Gerstenzang, CatChannel?s humor columnist, clarifies the mystery of cat history.
Missing Feces Raises Concern
Mother cat may be reverting to her wild instincts when it comes to her kittens' feces.
Where the Wild Cats Are
Hear legendary movie star and animal advocate Tippi Hedren in her own words as she talks about her work to rescue exotic cats.
CatChannel Exclusive - A Walk on the Wild Side
Cloned African wildcats are getting a little help from some friends.
Legislation to Protect Big Cats Advances
The Great Cats and Rare Canids Act gets overwhelming approval in House of Representatives.
Report Details Declining Population of Wild Cats
Study calls for preservation of the Great Cats and Rare Canids Conservation Act, set to expire this year.
Wildcats on Agenda at International Trade Talks
Some countries seek to relax rules protecting big cats, including tigers and leopards.
Protecting the Jaguars
The trip of a lifetime results in discovery and sightings of elusive wild cats who need our help.
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