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1. The Constitution that is in force in Paraguay today was drafted on August 25, 1967 by a National Constitutional Assembly and was promulgated that same day by the Government presided over by General Alfredo Stroessner. The 1967 Constitution repealed the Constitution that had been in force since July 10, 1940[1]. It begins with a preamble, of which the following passage is worth quoting.
The Representatives of the Paraguayan Nation, meeting in a National Constitutional Assembly, endorsing the unalterable republican principles of representatives democracy,… aware of the duty to uphold Human Rights and to ensure freedom, equality, justice and order… as an intangible heritage guaranteeing the dignity and welfare of generations of Paraguayans and all men of the world who come to join them in their effort to carve out a greater destiny in the concert of free nations… do hereby ratify this Constitution for the Republic of Paraguay.
2. Chapter V of the new Constitution, entitled "Rights, Guarantees and Duties," recognizes the individual, social, economic, political and cultural rights of the individual established in the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, and includes provisions to ensure effective enjoyment and full exercise of those rights.
Article 50 declares that "each individual is entitled to protection by the State of his life, physical integrity, freedom, safety, property, honor and reputation."
Article 56 provides that "all inhabitants may move freely throughout the national territory, change domicile or residence, leave the Republic and return to t, and bring their goods into the country or remove them from it –the only restrictions on the latter being those provided for under the law."
Article 68 and 69 recognize the inviolability of the home, and of correspondence, respectively. The right to religious freedom and freedom of worship is upheld in Article 70, while Articles 71, 72 and 73 guarantee freedom of opinion, expression and dissemination of ideas. Article 76 recognizes the right of assembly, the right of association and the right of petition.
The legal remedies of habeas corpus and amparo are provided for under Articles 77 and 78.
The right to private and family life, the right to protection of motherhood and infancy and the right to social security are recognized in Articles 81 through 88. The rights to education, culture and health are upheld in Articles 89 through 93.
3. As can be seen by the examples cited, the Paraguayan Constitution is sufficiently categorical and comprehensive in terms of recognition of essential human rights, as well as safeguards for proper protection of those rights.
The author of that document demonstrated commendable foresight and concern for the protection of the individual in the face of possible misconduct on the authorities by providing that:
The enumeration of rights and guarantees contained in this Constitution shall not be construed as denying others, not specifically mentioned herein, that are inherent to the individual. (Article 80).
This provision concludes with another precautionary note also worthy of mention, that is, that "the lack of regulatory law shall not be invoked to deny nor to impair any right or guarantee."
4. In Paraguay, as in many other countries, the constitutional or legal norms that recognize and protect individual rights and guarantees are subject to certain restrictions or limitations when the system of special legal provisions commonly referred to as "state of siege" enters into force.
Chapter V of the Paraguayan Constitution, devoted almost in its entirety to recognition of the rights and guarantees of the citizen, as it happens, closes with the provision that establishes the "state of siege." That provision read as follows:
Article 79. In order to defend this Constitution and the authorities created in conformity therewith, the state of siege is hereby established, to be imposed only in cases of international conflict or war, foreign invasion, domestic disturbance, or serious threat of any one of the foregoing. A state of siege may be either total or partial, depending upon whether it affects all or only part of the territory of the republic, and while it is in effect persons suspected of participating in any of those events my be detained or they may be transferred from one point in the republic to another, and public meetings and demonstrations may be prohibited. Those detained by virtue of a state of siege shall be held in sanitary and clean quarters not intended for common criminals, and transfers shall always be made to localities that are populated and not detrimental to the health. The declaration of state of siege shall be for a limited time and shall in all cases serve the purpose for which it was established. The fact that a state of siege is in effect shall not interrupt the functioning of the powers of the state nor affect the exercise of its prerogatives. The exercise of the state of siege shall be regulated by law.[2]
5. The above provision is supplemented by that contained by Article 181, which provides the following:
Article 181. In the cases enumerated in Article 79 of this Constitution, the Executive Power may decree a state of siege, in which case it must set forth the reason therefor, the guarantees that are being suspended or restricted and whether it is in force for all or part of the national territory; and it may adopt the measures authorized under Article 79. The Executive Power shall inform the Congress of the corresponding decree within five days following its publications
6. Article 79, quoted above, provides that legislation shall regulate application of the state of siege. Knowledge of this legislation was indispensable to the Commission in order to be able to understand properly the scope and effects on human rights of the state of siege. Therefore, the Commission sent a special communication (March 29, 1977) to the Government of Paraguay, requesting that it kindly provide the text of the law in question. This request, together with many others, was never acknowledged. After consulting different sources on various occasions, the Commission has concluded that the regulatory law in question has never been enacted. Therefore, the Commission must base its interpretation of the institution of state of siege solely on the text of the two constitutional articles cited above, and the context in which they occur.
7. In accordance with those precepts, the state of siege is an exceptional measure, which is established for a LIMITED period of time, and only in four specifically defined cases, for the sole purpose of DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION and the authorities established in accordance with it. It is a measure that must strictly correspond to the purposes for which it was established.
8. In accordance with these precepts, a state of siege may be declared only in the four following cases: 1) international conflict or war; 2) foreign invasion; 3) domestic disturbance and 4) serious of one of the foregoing.
By Virtue of the state of siege and while it is in effect, individuals suspected of participating in any of the cases cited above may be detained and transferred from one point in the Republic to another, and public meetings and demonstrations may be prohibited. Individuals detained by virtue of the state of siege, the Constitutional norm specifies, will be housed in sanitary and clean quarters not used for common criminals, and those persons transferred are to be relocated in areas that are populated and not detrimental to the health.
9. In accordance with the terms of the constitutional provisions, the guarantees against arbitrary arrest and detention, the right of residence, movement or transit and the right of assembly can only be affected or limited by the existence of a state of siege under the terms and the conditions established by the same provisions. The decree that establishes the state of siege must list those guarantees that are suspended or limited as well as the grounds for the action, and must be brought to the attention of the Congress within five days of its publication.
10. These are the characteristics of the institution of special powers, which in Paraguay is called the "state of siege." Examining it in the light of the information available to the Commission, it becomes obvious that this institution has two basic gaps. One of the gaps is caused by the fact that although the Constitution provides that the state of siege must be limited in duration, it does not establish any guideline whatsoever as to the extent of that limitation. This makes it possible for such an emergency measure to be extended more or less indefinitely, even to the point of becoming permanent. The other gap is that the actions that the Executive may take under the special powers granted by the state of siege are not in any way subject to supervision by the other branches of the Government. It has already been pointed out that the decree establishing the state of siege must be brought to the attention of the Congress within a specific period of time. But the supervision does not give the Congress any authority whatsoever to oversee or in any way limit the manner in which the Executive exercises this measure. The Judiciary, for its part, not only does not enjoy any prerogative or authority to control such measures, but rather, as stated in another part of this report, has even declared itself incompetent to take up the petitions of habeas corpus that are presented while the state of siege is in force. Such circumstances have led to a continuous use of the extraordinary institution of sate of siege, thereby turning into a dead letter the other articles of the Constitution and those laws in which human rights are recognized and the means to guarantees them established.
11. The inescapable fact that the people of Paraguay live under a system of emergency powers, if such a label can be given to a situation wherein the rights of a citizen have no guarantee or protection other than that which an almost absolute authority may voluntarily wish to grant them.
12. The Commission does not possess exact information as to the date on which Paraguay first came under the state of siege. According to reliable information, that institution was in continual effect between 1929 and 1946. After an interruption of more or less six months in 1946, it was again put into effect in 1947 and has continued in force, without interruption, since that time. (It is known that the state of siege is lifted for national elections, but this occurs only on the day when the actual elections take place).
13. The terminology used in the decrees establishing this measure attest to the fact that their issuance has become a routine custom. Almost all of them invariably begin with the expression "Decree number… whereby the state of siege is EXTENTED." The justification also tends to be vague and routine, expressed in a style such as the following: "Whereas: The National Constitution provides for the state of siege as a security measure; international organizations exist whose principal objectives are subversion of the legal order as well as the use of violent means in order to destroy the basic foundations upon which our society rests; clandestine activities in our hemisphere by members of such organizations have been proven authoritatively by events that are public knowledge… etc. DECREES: that the period of effect of the state of siege is hereby extended..."
Some Decrees extending the state of siege
14. So that these characteristics of the decrees on the state of siege can be viewed and judged directly, the Commission felt it useful to present some of them below. We present, as example, the decrees bearing the numbers 8,318 and 10,579 of December 31, 1959, and May 27, 1960, respectively.[3]
Ministry of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior
DECREE Nº 8,318.- Whereby the period of effect of the state of siege is extended
for (60 days) sixty days throughout the territory of the Republic.
DECREE Nº 10.579.- Whereby the period of effect of the state of siege is extended for a period of (90) ninety days throughout the entire territory of the Republic.
Asunción, 31 December 1959
Asunción, 27 May 1960
HAVING SEEN: Decree Nº 7,491 of 31 October 1959 whereby the state of siege
is extended throughout the entire territory of the Republic until December 31,
1959 and
HAVING SEEN: Decree Nº 9,078 of 28 February 1960, whereby the state of siege is extended for a period of (90) ninety days throughout the entire territory of the Republic; and
CONSIDERING: That the National Constitution establishes the State of Siege as a preventive and restrictive measure to guarantee public peace;
That the public peace was altered during the early morning hours of the twelfth of this month by a invasion of armed groups from Argentine territory which attempted to take over a number of border settlements as part of a vast plan to overthrow the Government through the use of violence;
That the rebel transmitters operating from foreign territory, aided by extensive information from the Rioplatense press, continue to announce future aggressive actions within the national territory;
The President of the Republic of Paraguay
CONSIDERING: That factions opposing the Government of the Republic still persist in their efforts at subversion from abroad and that as a consequence the causes that prompted establishment of the State of Siege as a preventive measure to guarantee the welfare of the Nation still exist;
The President of the Republic of Paraguay
Article 1. That the period of effect of the State of Siege be extended for a period (90) ninety days throughout the entire territory of the Republic.
Article 2. That it so be communicated published and placed in the Official Record.
Signed: A. STROESSNER
Edgar L. Ynsfran
Article 1. That the period of effect of the State of Siege be extended for a period of (60) sixty days throughout the entire territory of the Republic.
Article 2. That is so be communicated, published and placed in the Official Record.
Signed: A. STROESSNER
Edgar L. Ynsfran
15. Under the 1967 Constitution the state of siege has been continued by virtue of the powers established in the previously cited Articles 79 and 181. Decrees 30, 177 and 13, 177 and 13, 408, of January 3, 1973, and March 13, 1975, respectively, provide the following:
Ministry of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior
DECREE Nº 30, 177.- Whereby the state of siege is extended in the Capital City and in Central, Itapúa and Alto Paraná Departments, for a period of (90) ninety days.
Asunción, 3 January 1973
DECREE Nº 13,408.- Whereby the state if siege is extended in the Capital and Central City, Itapúa and Alto Paraná Departments for a period of (90) days.
Asunción, 13 March 1975
Whereas: The National Constitution provides for the state of siege as security measure,
International organizations exist whose principal objectives are subversion of the legal order and the use of violent means in order to destroy the basic foundations upon which our society rests,
Clandestine activities in our hemisphere conducted by members of such organizations have been proven authoritatively through events that are public knowledge and in our country there is clear evidence of the activities of these individuals, bent upon destroying institutions established by the general election held in February 1968 and aimed solely at seizing power by force,
It is the duty of the National Government to continue the measures necessary to guarantee order and peace, invaluable conquests that have made the well-being and progress of the Nation possible,
In accordance with the provisions of Articles 89 and 181 of the National Constitution.
The President of the Republic of Paraguay
Whereas: The National Constitution provides for the state of siege as a security measure,
International organizations exist whose principal objectives are subversion of the legal order and the use of violent means in order to destroy the basic foundations upon which our society rests,
Clandestine activities in our hemisphere conducted by members of such organizations have been proven authoritatively through events that are public knowledge, an in our country is clear evidence of the activities of these individuals, bent upon destroying institutions established by the general elections held in February 1973 and aimed solely at seizing power by force,
It is the duty of the National Government to continue the measures necessary to guarantee order and peace, invaluable conquest that have made the well-being and progress of the Nation possible,
In accordance with the provisions of Articles 89 and 181 of the National Constitution,
The President of the Republic of Paraguay
Article 1. That the period of effect of the state be extended in the Capital
City and in Central, Itapúa and Alto Paraná Departments, for a period of (90)
ninety days.
Article 1. That the period of effect of the state of siege be extended in the Capital City and Central, Itapúa and Alto Paraná Departments, for a period of (90) days.
Article 2. That the guarantees of personal freedom of individuals suspected
of the events described in this Decree be suspended while the state of siege
is in effect.
Article 2. That the guarantee of personal freedom of individuals suspected of the events described in this Decree be suspended while the state of siege is in effect.
Article 3. That the national Congress be informed.
Article 3. That the National Congress be informed.
Article 4. That it so be communicated published and placed in the Official
Article 4. That it so be communicated, published and placed in the Official Record.
Signed: A. STROESSNER
Sabino A. Montanaro
Signed: A. STROESSNER
Sabino A. Montanaro
16. It is worthwhile pointing out that the Government of Paraguay extended the state of siege in December 1959, claiming an invasion of Paraguayan territory. A few months later, the Decree issued in May 1960 was based solely on the threat of subversion posed by "factions opposing the Government," which at that time were outside Paraguayan territory.
Comparing Decrees 30,177 and 13,408, of January 1973 and March 1975, we note that, except for the dates, the texts are, word by word, identical. The most recent decree extending the state of siege is number 36,982, issued on February 2, 1978.
17. Having set forth in the preceding paragraphs the specific situation of human rights vis-a-vis the constitutional and legal institutions of Paraguay—a situation where recognition of proclamation of these rights is broad and conclusive in principles and precept, but where their legal effect is somewhat precarious and in the final analysis is dependent upon the goodwill of the authorities—the Commission feels compelled to restate the criterion that has guided it almost since the outset of its work with regard to this delicate question involving the undeniable legitimacy of the institution of special powers on the one had, and the necessary permanent legal protection of basic human rights, on the other.
18. It is common for constitutions, especially in the countries of Latin America, to establish or authorize special powers in the event of serious danger or an irregular political or economic situation. Such institution, which is essentially transitory in nature, is called in some countries "state of siege" and in others "state of emergency" or "disturbance of public order", or "prompt security measures," (medidas prontas de seguridad). This extraordinary measure stems fundamentally from the need to endow the government with all the special faculties and powers it needs to confront and overcome, effectively and swiftly, situations involving danger or irregularity.
19. It goes without saying that the institution in itself is perfectly legitimate, and it continues to exist in spite of the fact that it has been the object of severe criticism due to its deficiencies, anomalies or structural defects; and in spite of the fact that it has lent itself to abuses which have deformed and discredited it.
20. In any event, what the Commission contends is that it cannot be admitted, for any reason, that during disturbances of the public order while one of those exceptional measures is in effect, the rights of the individual can be left without legal protection, in the face of the omnipotence of the authorities. On the contrary, it believes that under properly structured institution of state of siege –one that does not alter to any appreciable degree the independence of the various branches of Government, human rights can remain basically preserved, at least insofar as those regarded as fundamental are concerned. In other words, while according full recognition to precautionary and security measures imposed for the sake of defense or public welfare, any measures that involve abuses or neglect and that can justly be characterized as excessive continue to be inadmissible.
21. Thus, in its Annual Report for 1974, the Commission took the following stand on the matter:[4]
The Commission is not unaware of the reasons in favor of the attribution of special powers to the Executive Branch in exceptional situations, such as those which arise from internal commotion or external attack, but it takes into consideration fact that the most admitted doctrine internationally, because it is that which inspires the American Convention of San José de Costa Rica (Article 27) as well as the United Nations International Treaty on Civil and Political Rights (Article 4) and the European Convention on the Protection of Human Rights (Article 15), places precise limits on the use of those special powers for the purpose of protecting human rights; and considers it necessary to harmonize the needs of a defense of a regularly established institutional order with the protection of the fundamental attributes of man.
22. In that same report, the Commission formulated one of its first recommendations to the governments of the member state of the OAS, as follows:
That all the States issue precise rules –in accordance with the constitutional provisions in force –aimed at preventing the deprivations of liberty ordered in the exercise of the powers that the Constitutions usually grant for exceptional cases from being extended beyond what is absolutely necessary for the maintenance of the regularly established institutional order.
23. Article 27 of the American Convention on Human Rights, to which the Commission makes reference in the above-cited passage from its report, is conclusive in this regard. Despite the fact that the Convention has not yet entered into force, Article 27 is quoted below because its content is a reflection of convictions and beliefs that are firmly rooted in the minds of our peoples:
Article 27. Suspension of Guarantees
1. In time of war, public danger, or other emergency that threatens the independence or security of a State Party, it may take measures derogation from its obligations under the present Convention to the extent and for the period of time strictly required by the exigencies of the situation, provided that such measures are not inconsistent with its other obligations under international law and do not involve discrimination on the ground of race, color, sex, language, religion or social origin.
2. The foregoing provision does not authorize any suspension of the following articles: Article 3 (Right to Juridical Personality), Article 4 (Right to Life), Article 5 (Right to Humane Treatment), Article 6 (Freedom from Slavery), Article 9 (Freedom from Ex Post Facto Laws), Article 12 (Freedom of Conscience and Religion), Article 17 (Rights of the Family), Article 18 (Right to a Name), Article 19 (Rights of the Child), Article 20 Right to Nationality), and Article 23 (Right to Participate in Government), or of the judicial guarantees essential for the protection of such rights.
Law Nº 294, of October 17, 1955, and Law Nº 209, of September 18, 1970
24. In a note dated March 29, 1977, we requested that the Government provide us the following laws:
1. Law 294 of 1955, on Defense of Democracy;
2. Law 209 of 1970, on Defense of the Public Peace and the Physical Liberty of the Individual.
Here, again, we received no response to our request.
Fortunately, we have obtained copies of these important legal provisions.
25. Law 294 is officially entitled "Defense of Democracy.[5]"
i. Article 1 provides that "those who make an armed attempt against the established powers in order to replace either totally or partially the republican democratic structure of the Nation with a Communist system or any other totalitarian regime shall be punished by five to ten years imprisonment." It also adds that "intent, conspiracy and formal instigation to commit this crime shall be punishable by half that period of imprisonment, when accompanied by preparatory activities."
ii. For its part, Article 2 provides for a penalty of six months to five years imprisonment for the following:
a. Individuals who spread "the Communist doctrine or any doctrine or system whose purpose is to destroy or alter through acts of violence the republican democratic structure of the Nation;" and
b. Individuals who "organize, form or lead associations or entities whose visible or concealed purpose is to commit the crime described in the preceding paragraph."
iii. Article 3 establishes a penalty of three months to two years for the following:
a. Association or affiliation, with any of the entities proscribed in the preceding article;
b. Providing pecuniary or material aid to carry out the activities provided for under Article 2;
c. Leasing or providing, with knowledge of the facts, "premises to be used to hold meetings and conduct activities referred to in said article;"
d. Having relations with or receiving instructions, gifts or assistance from foreign governments, organizations of foreign individuals, or from persons residing outside the country, as well as delivering, distributing or circulating these instructions or assistance, and
e. Introducing, printing, storing, distributing, selling or circulating pamphlets, magazine, illustrations, newspaper, films, or any other printed matter or propaganda "of the doctrines or systems referred to in Article 2."
iv. The most salient aspects of the remaining articles of Law 294 are the following:
a. Article 4 establishes a penalty of two months to one year imprisonment for those attending political rallies or secret meetings of the entities mentioned under Article 2;
b. A penalty of one to six months imprisonment is established for those who subscribe to the publications prohibited under Article 3, paragraph 5 (Article 5);
c. Imprisonment of one to six months, in accordance with Article 6, for those individuals who display emblems, banners or symbols of the proscribed organizations;
d. Suspension of one to six months, and closing in the event or repeated offense or reoccurrence, of the publication, radio station or news or information agency that commits any of the offenses provided for under this law (Article 8);
e. Article 10 prohibits public institutions, state or municipal services, or companies that provide public services, from employing individuals "who are openly or secretly affiliates with the Communist Party or the other organizations referred to in this law, or who have committed any of the crimes named herein;"
f. Article 11 authorizes the Executive Power to close "any private teaching establishment that does not bar from its directing, teaching or administrative staff those who are openly or secretly affiliated with the illegal organizations referred to in this law or who have committed any of the offenses punishable by it;"
g. Article 12 provides that the penalty be as much as doubled when the crimes punishable this law is committed "in time of war or domestic disturbance or, in a period when there is imminent danger of any one of these;"
h. Public officials – according to Article 14 –who commit "any of these offenses shall be dismissed and, in addition to the corresponding penalties shall be totally deprived of their right to hold public positions for a period that is double the duration of the sentence;"
i. Article 16 provides that for the crimes punishable under this law there shall be no provisional release under bond nor commutation of the penalty, except by means of deportation ordered by the Executive Power.
26. Law 294 made mere dissemination of a particular political ideology a criminal offense. With regard to this type of crime, the Commission stated the following in its Annual Report for 1973:
In fact, some legal provisions have been issued establishing 'crimes of opinion', that is, crimes stemming from a person's beliefs, without those beliefs necessarily taking the form of overt harmful acts. We consider that such forms of persecution for ideological reasons not only stand in the way of achieving the goals of political and social stability being sought, but are entirely incompatible with the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man and with the democratic-representative system of government supported by the Charter of the Organization.
Such measures are usually followed by others and eventually become a tacit, veiled form of censorship of the communication media, which out of fear or harsh punishment, feel compelled to stop serving as vehicles of political thought.[6]
27. Law 209, entitled "Defense of the Public Peace and Physical Liberty of the Individual," derogated, or noted above, Article 2 and 3 of Law 294.
Article 4 of Law 209 established a penalty of from one to six years imprisonment for those who "by any means publicly preach hatred among Paraguayans or the destruction of social classes."
For its part, Article 5 sanctions "those who are members of an illegal association, composed of three or more individuals, the purpose of which is to commit criminal offenses… solely by virtue of their being members of the same, with three to six years imprisonment."
Article 8, which has incorporated the second and third Articles of Law 294, which had been derogated, provides for penalties of from one to five years imprisonment for individuals who:
i. Are "associated or affiliated with any Communist party or an organization the purpose of which is to use violent means to destroy the republic democratic system of the Nation;"
ii. Provide "economic or material assistance to conduct the activities mentioned in the first paragraph of this article;"
iii. Lease or provide "premises to be used to hold meetings and conduct activities referred to in the first paragraph;"
iv. For the same purpose have relations or receive "instructions, gifts or assistance of any kind from foreign governments, organizations or foreign individuals," and deliver or distribute instructions through any means;
v. "For the same purpose introduce, print, store, distribute or sell pamphlets, magazines, illustrations, newspapers, cinematographic or television films of the doctrine or system referred to in paragraph one of this article."
The remaining articles of the law establish penalties for the following: slanderous or defamatory remarks against the President or other high public officials; kidnapping and extortion; inciting disturbances; deprivation of freedom without a legitimate order, and others.
[1] Except for Articles 234, 235 and 236 thereof, which were in effect provisionally.
[2] The 1940 Constitution made provision for emergency powers in Article 52, which provided the following:
Article 52. If any serious threat of domestic disturbance or external conflict occurs that may jeopardize the exercise of this Constitution and the authorities created by it, the President of the Republic shall declare a part or all of the territory of the Republic to be in a state of siege, for which he is accountable to the House of Representatives. During the state of siege, the President of the Republic may order the detentions of suspicious individuals. He may also transfer them from one point in the Republic to another, except when they prefer to leave the country. A law shall regulate application of the state for the protection of the order and safety of the Republic"
[3] These decrees were enacted by the authority conferred under Article 52 of the Constitution of 1940, in force at that time.
[4] Annual Report for 1974 of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to the General Assembly. OEA/Ser.P/AG/doc.520/75, 31 March 1975, p. 36.
[5] Articles 2 and 3 this law were derogated by Law 209, which we discuss further on. However, we considered it appropriate to quote these two Articles since they were in force for 15 years (from 1955 to 1970) and in order to facilitate understanding of the remaining articles of the Law that continues to be in force.
[6] Annual Report for 1973 of the IACHR, OEA/Ser.P/AG/doc.409/74, 5 March 1974, pp.34/35.


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August 3, 2013
Will Apple Sell Millions Of Cheap iPhones To China Mobile Customers?
Those who consider themselves "in the know" claim Apple "needs to" or "will begin to" sell a cheap iPhone because some parts of the world simply don't want to pay full price for a beautifully designed product.
They're not entirely wrong; but it may be hard for your typical American to understand just how much a regular iPhone costs elsewhere.
So, if the point of making a cheap plastic iPhone is to sell it to as many people as possible, wouldn't it make sense to offer it to a mobile carrier with, say, 715 million subscribers?
Apparently, Tim Cook is already on it and, according to Reuters, he's been talking with the head of China Mobile Ltd., the world's largest mobile carrier.
Just like poor ol' T-Mobile before they were finally given the privilege to sell the iPhone, China Mobile already has some 15 million unofficial unlocked iPhones running on their network.
This could be a huge boon for both companies, especially if pure, unadulterated numbers will be the name of the game for Apple's alleged "iPhone 5C."
(Apparently it stands for iPhone 5 Color and not iPhone 5 Cheap, but I'll never see it that way.)
The two have reportedly been in talks for quite some time. They were rumored to be cranking out a deal last May and once again last January.
Also like T-Mobile, China Mobile has been working to build out a proper 4G network that will support the iPhone.
Apple's been working with them, as well, and rumors have it that the new LTE chips in the iPhone 5S could be truly global and work on a number of networks.
Yes, it seems the two are really trying to make this thing work.
You know, for the kids.
And it's hard to say which company needs the other the most. Apple sure would like to sell to an additional 715 million customers and China Mobile wants to make sure these customers don't leave them for some other, prettier company.
Last year, when rumors were flying that the two could finally be approaching a deal, I said it would be the biggest announcement Apple would make during the iPhone 5 debut event.
If they do decide to come down from their perch and offer the rest of the world a cheap, plasticky version of the phone they've sold millions of, a partnership with China Mobile could be even more important.
Because it's not as if China Mobile customers don't want to spend money on an iPhone (15 million already have), but a good percentage of those people might be looking for an entry-level phone, something cheap that works and will get them by.
I've never been a huge fan of the idea of a cheap iPhone, but when thinking about it in this way…an additional 10-20 million people (assumedly) who might get to pick up their first iPhone; this has to be particularly exciting for Apple developers and investors alike.
Image Credit: leungchopan / Shutterstock


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Matchmaking Introductions Hawaii is a matchmaking consulting firm for busy single professionals. We minimize dating stress and maximize efficiency by arranging our clients on pre-qualified dates over coffee / tea, drinks, brunch, lunch or dinner. Dating is an environment that we create for each of our clients to meet the opposite sex on a one-on-one basis. MIH feels that there has to be a civilized, convenient and discreet way to meet potential partners, and we have the capability to do so. All of our members are thoroughly pre-screened and then go through an extensive initial interview process to find their criteria for a perfect match.
We will customize introductions according to clients' preferences; therefore, we work with each client on an individual basis. We will take responsibly on scheduling all initial dates according to our client's available schedule. We provide individual attention to each client so we can confidently state that we personally know our clients very well.
Matchmaking Introductions Hawaii sets a new standard in matchmaking industry because we are not a mass production agency, we are not a franchise company, nor are we an online dating service provider.


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May 30, 2016
DETROIT (AP) -- The Detroit Lions own a dubious piece of NFL history -- with perhaps more on the way.
Detroit became the first 0-15 team ever when it was routed 42-7 by the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. The Lions will try to avoid an perfectly awful season in the finale at Green Bay, where they haven't won since 1991.
Drew Brees threw for 351 yards and two touchdowns after four Saints ran for scores in the first half. Brees stayed in the game with a 35-point lead late in the fourth quarter to move closer to Dan Marino's single-season record for yards passing. He needs 402 at home against Carolina to break Marino's record of 5,084 set in 1984.
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Kang is ready to learn, but for one day he needs no teacher
Home is an island formed from volcanic eruptions and favored by honeymooners anxious to achieve intimacy in arranged marriages.
Have a question for Tim?Tim Sullivan Mailbag
Jeju Island sits off the southern tip of South Korea, more temperate than the mainland, and certainly steamier. This is a place where hotels employ professional "ice breakers" to help couples get better acquainted. This is the site of Love Land, an adult-oriented theme park with an X-rated sculpture garden the size of two soccer fields.
This is the birthplace of Sunghoon Kang, the first-round leader in the Farmers Insurance Open, and a fellow who conveys all of the fire of two sticks rubbed underwater.
Kang has not come to Torrey Pines to conquer, but to confer, converse and otherwise hobnob with his brother golfers. He is a PGA Tour rookie who retains the awe of a star-struck kid behind the gallery ropes. If he should somehow win the tournament, it's even money that he will apologize.
"There's Tiger (Woods), Phil (Mickelson) and they are all really my goals," Kang said after an eight-under par 64 on Torrey Pines' North Course. "I always was trying to be like them. I'm really just happy with playing with them. I don't really try to beat them or something. I'm trying to learn from them all the time."
This was not some statement mangled in translation, but Kang communicating in the King's English. Barely a month removed from earning his tour card, Kang is already so personally and professionally polished that his presence on the leaderboard may be more of a foreshadowing than a fluke.
Kang is 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds of coiled spring, a player whose measured drives Thursday averaged 320 yards and whose round included six birdies, a chip-in eagle on No. 14 and zero bogeys.
Because of the differing degrees of difficulty between Torrey's two courses, evaluating the Farmers' first-round results requires a sliding scale and a seasoned perspective. Kang, Rickie Fowler (7-under), Alex Prugh (7-under) and Chris Kirk (6-under) — the top four names on the board — all played the North Course on Thursday. Among the top 14 scores, only the five-unders of John Daly and Phil Mickelson were shot on the sterner South.
Yet even after you adjust for the comparative challenges of the two courses, the scores were still striking. Kang (24), Fowler (22), Prugh (26) and Kirk (25) were all preteens when Woods won his first professional tournament in 1996. They represent the crest of a new wave of players Fowler characterized as "not scared to go out and play and definitely to be in contention."
If Sunghoon Kang conveys a more timid temperament through his soft-spoken and deferential demeanor, some of this is cultural and all of it might be deceiving.
The surge in South Korean golf, particularly visible on the LPGA Tour, is the product of intense competition for limited and expensive opportunities. A player must be fairly strong to survive and semi-fanatical to flourish.
Y.E. Yang, another native of Jeju Island who beat Woods for the 2009 PGA Championship, did not seriously pursue golf until he was 19 years old. More typically, though, elite Korean golfers are developed through thousands of hours at double-decked driving ranges.
If you're built like Kang, you don't just wake up one morning and begin hitting the ball over the horizon. You practice until your blisters have blisters. Then you practice some more.
"I still really like to work hard because I want to get better every week," Kang said. "I had missed the cut in Sony (two weeks ago). I was kind of disappointed, really. After that, I really tried to work (on) my game really, really hard."


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"This is another anti-Cuban gesture and a demonstration by U.S. authorities of their extreme hostility to their island neighbor, the victim of almost 50 years of unjust trade sanctions," said Karen Khachaturov, the head of the Russian Committee for Cooperation with Latin America.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last week announced the creation of a position for a "Cuba Transition Coordinator". Caleb McCarry, a member of the U.S. House Committee on International Relations for the past eight years, was appointed to the post.
"The public declaration of preparations for a change of power in Cuba is a display of open interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state and a resurgence of imperialist big-stick policy and gunboat diplomacy," Khachaturov said in a statement.


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Animal events
Adopt a pet
FRI-TUE Adoption fees waived through December on all cats and rabbits a year old and older; $50 off adoption fees for all dogs over a year old, Seattle Humane Society, 13212 S.E. Eastgate Way, Bellevue; (425-649-7563 or seattlehumane.org).
Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center
- Students seeking sugar daddies for tuition, rent
- Purple Heart plant bed vandalized days before Memorial Day
- Refusal in Bernie Sandersland to accept reality is really unreal
- Central District's shrinking black community wonders what's next
- All's still not smooth for Uber after its bumpy ride to Sea-Tac Airport
Most Read Stories
FRI-JAN. 5 Information on bald eagles' winter migration to the Upper Skagit, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily through Jan. 5, then Saturdays-Sundays through January, Howard Miller Steelhead County Park, Rockport (skagiteagle.org).
Eagle-watcher stations
SAT-SUN U.S. Forest Service hosts volunteers with spotting scopes and binoculars for views of bald eagles, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Jan. 26, Howard Miller Steelhead Park, Rockport; Sutter Creek Rest Area, milepost 100, Highway 20; and Mablemount Fish Hatchery (360-856-5700, ext. 515 or www.fs.usda.gov/).
Candy Cane Horseback Rides
Guided 20- or 40-minute ride to collect treats along trail from horseback, daily through January, Echo River Ranch, 37901 304th Ave. S.E., Enumclaw; $35-$45, reservations required (360-367-1201 or www.EchoRiverRanch.com
Shine: Zenyu New Year's Party
TUE All ages celebration of community and social justice with music and dance performances, community fashion show, food; proceeds benefit Zenyu Healing supporting LGBTQ people of color, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Artspace Hiawatha Lofts, 843 Hiawatha Place S., Seattle; $20-$75 (www.zenyuhealing.org).
New Year Kick Off Ride
WED Cascade Bicycle Club, 28 mile, moderate-pace ride with some hills, steady rain cancels, 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Marina Park, 25 Lake Shore Plaza, Kirkland (www.meetup.com/cascaderides/events/144497172
Emerald City Contra Dance
FRI Beginners' workshop, 7 p.m., dance with live music and caller, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; $5-$8 (206-440-9839 or seattledance.org/contra/emerald.city.html
Country dance
FRI Dance lesson, 7 and 8:15 p.m.; dance to country music for all ages, 9 p.m. Friday, Hayloft Dance Hall, 15320 35th Ave. W., Lynnwood; $10 (425-743-6180 or www.hayloftdance.com).
Night Without Words
SAT DJ all-instrumental music for dancing, dessert buffet, bring treats to share, 7 p.m. Saturday, The Hayloft Dance Hall, 15320 35th Ave. W., Lynnwood; $12 (425-743-6180 or www.hayloftdance.com).
Sno-King International Folk Dance Club
SAT Dance lesson, folk dancing; 7 p.m. Saturday, Cedar Valley Grange, 20526 52nd Ave. W., Lynnwood; $5-$7 (425-385-2088 or sno-king.org
New Year's Eve Tango Ball
TUE Great Gatsby theme, dance lesson 9 p.m., performance 11 p.m., dancing until 2 a.m., light buffet, Champagne toast at midnight, 9 p.m. Tuesday, Ballard Odd Fellows Hall, 1706 N.W. Market St., Seattle; $35-$45 (206-781-9553 or www.seattletango.com/event/event.htm).
Swedish Club New Years Eve Ball
TUE Smorgasbord buffet, dance to live music on three floors, Swedish pancake breakfast at 12:15 a.m., 8 p.m. Tuesday, Swedish Club, 1920 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle; $25 (206-283-1090 or www.pepproductions.net).
Radical Women New Year's Eve Party
TUE Greek buffet, dancing, satirical year in review, no-host bar, 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle; $5 door donation, $15 dinner donation (206-722-6057 or www.radicalwomen.org/seattle).
Spectra New Year's Eve Under the Arches
TUE Outdoor metal/fire sculptures, science stage shows, four dance spaces with bars, laser and planetarium shows, 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m., Champagne toast and close-up view of Space Needle fireworks at midnight, 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Ave. N., Seattle; $100 (www.pacificsciencecenter.org).
Rockin' New Year's Eve
TUE Jitterbug dance lesson, 7:30 p.m.; dance to rock, pop, swing, ballroom, country and Latin music with DJ, for ages 18 and older, 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Rockin' Horse Dance Barn, 11820 150th Ave. S.E., Renton; $25-$35 (www.learn2dance4fun.com/Dances/New+Years+Eve/default.aspx).
Wondering About Wildlife
FRI Activities for all ages, meet Karelian bear dogs, make a pine-cone bird feeder and other wildlife arts and crafts inside and outdoors, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Cedar River Watershed Education Center, 19901 Cedar Falls Road S.E., North Bend; free (206-733-9421 or www.seattle.gov/util/crwec
Family Day: The Give Effect
SAT Interactive event to show families simple, inspiring, fun activities to give to their communities, with storytelling, films, photo booth, make a 2014 calendar, organize baby items for families in need, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center, 440 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle; free (206-709-3100 or gates.ly/giveeffect).
East Shore Singles Ravenna Park Walk
SAT Singles over 45, walk the trails between Ravenna and Cowen parks on trails and sidewalks, 11 a.m. Saturday, Ravenna Park, Northeast 62nd Street and 15th Avenue Northeast, Seattle; free (www.meetup.com/Eastshore-Singles/).
New Year's Eve/New Years Day Celebration Walks
TUE Emerald City Wanderers Volkssport club 10K (6.2 miles) along the Alki waterfront and 6K walk in the Admiral District, flashlight recommended, start anytime 4-7 p.m., finish by 10 p.m. Tuesday; 5K (3.1) miles to the Alaska Junction, 10K (6.2) mile walks along the Puget Sound shoreline and through parks; start anytime 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Ave. S.W., Seattle; free, register on-site, no preregistration (www.walkingwithecw.org
First Day Hikes
WED Hikes in Washington state parks Wednesday, most suitable for all ages; Western Washington park event locations include 1.5-mile hike, meet 1 p.m. at Welcome Center, Cama Beach State Park, Camano Island; 2-mile trek, 1 p.m., Lowell Point kitchen shelter, Camano Island State Park; two hikes, 10 a.m., Cornet Bay Retreat Center, Deception Pass State Park, Oak Harbor; 10 a.m., Ebey's Landing State Park, Whidbey Island; 2 mile or half-mile, 1 p.m. from park museum, Fort Flagler State Park, Marrowstone Island; 1.5 miles for adults and families with children ages 10 and older, 12:30 p.m., meet at Memories Vault, Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend; walk or run 3.8-mile fitness trail, no pets, 9 a.m. from picnic shelter, Millersylvania State Park, Olympia; 1.25-mile loop around Deep Lake, 11 a.m., Nolte State Park, Enumclaw; 2.25-mile hike, may be muddy, 9:30 a.m., park office, Twanoh State Park, Hood Canal; 2.3 miles to waterfall viewpoints, 11 a.m., Wallace Falls Trailhead, Wallace Falls State Park, Goldbar; free, Discover Pass required for parking (www.parks.wa.gov/events).
East Shore Singles New Year's Day Walk
WED Singles over 45, 3-mile walk along the Kirkland waterfront, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Big Fish Grill, 10426 N.E. Northup Way, Kirkland; free (www.meetup.com/Eastshore-Singles/
Holiday events
Lights of Christmas
FRI-SUN Light displays, five entertainment stages, children's activities, vendors, 5-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Warm Beach Christian Camps & Conference Center, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood; $10-$15 (800-228-6724 or www.warmbeachlights.com).
Issaquah Reindeer Festival
FRI-MON Reindeer, story times, holiday decorations, animal feeding, gift store, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday-Monday, Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 S.E. 54th St., Issaquah; $10.50-$12.50, ages 2 and younger free (www.cougarmountainzoo.org
Seattle Center Winterfest/New Years at the Space Needle
FRI-TUE Winter train and village, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday through Tuesday, performances by Hot Club Sandwich, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Massive Monkeys, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Sunday, Seattle Center Armory, free; Winterfest Ice Rink, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday-Monday, 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Fisher Pavilion, $2-$7 includes skate rental, cash only; all ages dance with music by The Nines, 8-11:45 p.m. Tuesday; free, Seattle Center Armory; Space Needle fireworks show at midnight Tuesday, Seattle Center, Seattle (206-684-7200 or www.seattlecenter.com/winterfest).
Celebration Lane
FRI-TUE Music, light show, drummers, live toy soldiers, magical snowstorm; 7 p.m. Friday through Tuesday, Bellevue Way and Northeast Eighth Street, Bellevue (www.magicseason.com/events/snowflake.html).
Holiday with Lights at Wild Waves Theme Park
FRI-TUE Rides, light displays, entertainment, 5-10 p.m. Friday through Tuesday, Wild Waves Theme Park, 36201 Enchanted Parkway S., Federal Way; $9.99-$12.99 (206-388-1452 or www.wildwaves.com/).
Holiday Carousel
FRI-WED Ride the carousel, benefits Treehouse for foster kids, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Westlake Park, 401 Pine St., Seattle; $3 suggested donation (holidaysinseattle.com).
Clam Lights
FRI-WED Light-sculpture dancing clams and decorated park, 5-9 p.m. nightly through Wednesday, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd., Renton (www.ivars.com).
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium ZooLights
FRI-WEDWinter, holiday and animal themed light displays, camel rides, aquarium, 5-9 p.m. Friday-Wednesday, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma; $4.25-$8.75 (www.pdza.org/zoolights
Maker's Masquerade
SAT All-ages party with materials and instruction for light-up mask making, music to support community-art installation, 6 p.m. Saturday, The Satori Labe@Inscape, 815 Seattle Blvd. S., Seattle; $8-$10 minimum donation (www.brownpapertickets.com/event/531948).
New Year's Eve Party
MON Treats, crafts, games, countdown to noon for all ages, family program for kids of all ages with adult, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Burien Library, 400 S.W. 152nd St., Burien (206-243-3490 or www.kcls.org).
Happy Noon Year
TUE Kid-friendly, all-ages magic show followed by New Year celebration at noon, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Covington Library, 21700 164th Ave. S.E., Covington (253-630-8761 or www.kcls.org).
Woodland Park Zoo WildLights
THRU JAN. 4 Winter holiday-lights festival with wild animals and wild places light displays, reindeer, carousel, ZooStore, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday through Jan. 4, Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; $6.50-$9.50 ages 2 and younger free (206-548-2500 or www.zoo.org/wildlights).
Garden d' Lights Construction Edition
THRU JAN. 4 Winter wonderland of light sculptures, shorter route this year since the garden is undergoing major construction of new facilities, 5-10 p.m. daily through Jan. 4, including holidays; last entry 9:30 p.m., Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St., Bellevue; $5, ages 10 and younger free (425-452-6844 or www.gardendlights.org).
Gingerbread Village
THRU JAN. 5 Gingerbread displays created by top architecture firms with "Nursery Rhymes" theme, daily through Jan. 5, All day Friday-Sunday, Sheraton Seattle Hotel, 1400 Sixth Ave., Seattle; free, donations to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) suggested (gingerbreadvillage.myevent.com).
Bellevue Magic Season Ice Arena
THRU JAN. 12 Open-air ice skating rink, food concessions, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday through Jan. 4; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 5; 3-9 p.m. Jan. 6-7; 1-9 p.m. Jan. 8; 3-9 p.m. Jan. 9; 3-11 p.m. Jan. 10; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Jan. 11; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 12, Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 N.E. Fourth St., Bellevue; $12 or $8/ages 6 and younger, includes skate rental; $9 if you bring your own skates (www.magicseason.com).
Polar Plaza, Tacoma
THRU JAN. 12 Ice skating, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m.-12:30 a.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Jan. 1-4, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Jan. 5, 4-9 p.m. Jan. 6-9, 4-10 p.m. Jan. 10, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Jan. 11, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Jan. 12, Tollefson Plaza, South 17th Street and Pacific Avenue, Tacoma; $4-$8, skate rental $2 (www.polarplaza.com).
Museum events
FRI-SUN Exhibit of sketches by Seattle Times "Seattle Sketcher" Gabriel Campanario; other exhibits include "Civil Engineers that Built Seattle," "True Northwest: The Seattle Journey," "Bezos Center for Innovation," "Maritime Seattle;" atrium tours, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays; Living Voices performances, the story of a Swedish family immigrating to the Pacific Northwest, 3 p.m. Sunday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, closing 2 p.m. Tuesday, Museum of History & Industry, 860 Terry Ave N., Seattle; $12-$14, ages 14 and younger free (206-324-1126 or www.mohai.org).
EMP Museum holiday hours
FRI-MON Extended holiday hours through Monday; exhibits include "Fantasy: World of Myth and Magic (ends Jan. 5)," "Martin Schoeller Close Up" photo exhibit of famous people; "Hear My Train a Comin': Hendrix Hits London," "Icons of Science Fiction," "Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses," and "Can't Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film," 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday through Monday, EMP Museum, 325 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle; $14-$20 (206-770-2700 or www.empmuseum.org
Museum of Flight Winter Family Fun
FRI-TUE Winter themed aerospace and aviation activities, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday through Tuesday, Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle; $10-$18 (206-764-5720 or www.museumofflight.org).
Model Train Festival
FRI-WED A variety of model train displays, kids' activities, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday through Wednesday, Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma; $7-$9.50 ages 5 and younger free (253-272-9747 or www.washingtonhistory.org).
"Race: Are We So Different?"
FRI-JAN. 5 Exhibit through Jan. 5 on everyday experience of living with race, its history as an idea, and the findings of contemporary science with historical artifacts, photographs, multimedia presentations; other exhibits include "Spy: The Secret World of Espionage" and "The Photography of Modernist Cuisine;" permanent exhibits "The Lab," "Dinosaurs: Journey Through Time," Professor Wellbody's Academy of Health and Wellness," "Tropical Butterfly House" and "Insect Village;' extended holiday hours, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Jan. 6, Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Ave. N., Seattle; $10-$18 (206-443-2001 or www.pacificsciencecenter.org/Exhibits/race).
Seattle Art Museum
FRI-JAN. 5 "Peru: Kingdoms of the Sun and Moon" closes Jan. 5; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays including Jan. 1, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays, Seattle Art Museum, 1300 First Ave., Seattle; $12.50-$19.50, ages 12 and younger free; free First Thursday admission with discounted $6-$9 for special exhibit (206-654-3100 or www.seattleartmuseum.org).
Festivals of Light
FRI-JAN. 5 Exploration of winter-celebration traditions; Kwanzaa through Tuesday; Lunar New Year, Jan. 2-5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, Seattle Children's Museum, Seattle Center Armory, Seattle; $7.25-$8.25 (206-441-1768 or www.thechildrensmuseum.org/fol).
Winter Fishtival
FRI-JAN. 5 Activities and talks highlighting a different marine animals each day, 10 a.m. daily through Jan. 5, The Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59, Seattle; $14.95-$21.95 (206-386-4300 or www.seattleaquarium.org).
Weekend Activities @ The Burke: Fish and Shells
SAT-SUN Special display of fish and some of the 100,000 shells recently donated to the Burke, craft activity, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle; $7.50-$10 (206-543-5590 or www.burkemuseum.org/events/browse/weekend_activities_Dec13).
Seattle Children's Museum New Year Celebration
TUE Fruit juice toast to the new year around the world with craft activity representing each country; India, 11 a.m.; Russia, noon; Ethiopia, 1 p.m.; Romania, 2 p.m.; France, 3 p.m.; Morocco, 4 p.m. Tuesday, The Children's Museum, Seattle Center Armory, Seattle; $7-$8.25 (206-441-1768 or thechildrensmuseum.org).
New Years at Noon
TUE New Year bubble-wrap stomp, noon Tuesday, KidsQuest Children's Museum, 4089 Factoria Blvd. S.E., Bellevue; $8-$9 (425-637-8100 or kidsquestmuseum.org/).
New Year's Eve Nighttime Party
TUE Entertainment includes Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth, Magician Master Payne and Zero & Somebuddy, scavenger hunt, ball drop, food available, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Imagine Children's Museum, 1502 Wall St., Everett; $10-$15, preregistration required (www.imaginecm.org/newyearsparty.html
First Thursday, MOHAI
JAN. 2 Free admission, activities for all ages including docent-led Atrium Tours and evening performances by musicians from Cornish College of the Arts, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Jan. 2, MOHAI, 860 Terry Ave. N., Seattle (206-324-1126 or mohai.org).
First Thursday, the Burke
JAN. 2 Free admission, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Jan. 2, Burke Museum, 17th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 45th Street, UW Campus, Seattle (206-543-7907 or www.burkemuseum.org ).
First Thursday, the Wing
JAN. 2 Free admission, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Jan. 2, Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, 719 S. King St., Seattle (206-623-5124 or www.wingluke.org).
First Thursday, NAAM
JAN. 2 Free admission, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 2, Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S. Massachusetts St., Seattle (206-518-6000 or naamnw.org/index.html
Park events
Wild Tracks Children's Activity
SAT Walk with a park ranger looking for signs of wildlife, kids make and take home plaster track, for ages 6 and older; 1 p.m. Saturday, Lewis Creek Park and Visitor Center, 5808 Lakemont Blvd. S.E., Bellevue; $2-$3, preregistration required (425-452-4195/information or register 425-452-6885, course # 75886 or www.bellevuewa.gov/lewis_creek_park.htm).
Evening beach walk
SUN Seattle Aquarium naturalist walk to see sea life; bring a flashlight, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Alki Constellation Park, 63rd Avenue Southwest and Beach Drive Southwest, Seattle; free, reservations encouraged, not required (www.seattleaquarium.org/night-beach-walk).
Seattle Parks Polar Plunge
WED Official Badge of Courage awarded to all who immerse themselves neck-deep, costumes encouraged, noon Wednesday, registration 11 a.m.; Polar Cub Club for kids or anyone who needs more room immediately precedes main plunge; Matthews Beach Park, 9300 51st Ave. N.E., Seattle; free (www.facebook.com/polarbearplungeseattle).
Bald Eagle Raft Adventure
PLAN AHEAD Float trip down the Skagit River in a raft with a guide to see bald eagles, hosted by Edmonds Parks & Recreation, 10 a.m. Jan. 4, Howard Miller Steelhead Park, Rockport; $58 by reservation (425-771-0230 or www.reczone.org).
Children's Films from Around the World
FRI-SAT Short films from around the world, animated films for ages 5 and older 1-2:10 p.m., live-action films for ages 7 and older, 2:30-3:40 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle; free (206-386-4675 or www.spl.org
Performances at Third Place Commons
FRI-SAT Market Street Dixieland Jazz Band, 7:30 p.m. Friday; 85th Street Big Band swing, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Third Place Commons, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., Lake Forest Park; free (206-366-3302 or www.thirdplacecommons.org).
Magic Show and Holiday Open House
MON Magic show for ages 5 and older, 2 p.m.; open house to celebrate newly remodeled library, 2-8 p.m. Monday, Richmond Beach Library, 19601 21st Ave., Shoreline (206-546-3522 or www.kcls.org).
Resolution Run Series
WED Ft. Steilacoom Running Club hosts 5K and 5 miles, 9 a.m. Wednesday; also Jan. 25, Feb. 22, March 22, Steilacoom High School, 54 Sentinel St., Steilacoom; $65-$85/series; $25-$30/race (www.databarevents.com
Women's Active Event
SAT Zumba class, gear, smoothie samples, music with DJ, noon Saturday, Macy's Alderwood, 18700 Alderwood mall Blvd., Lynnwood; free, by reservation (www.macyswowalderwood.eventbrite.com
Snow sports
Mount Rainier Snowshoe Walks
ONGOING Guided 1.5-mile, 2-hour walk to learn the art of snowshoeing and discover how plants, animals and people adapt to winter conditions, for ages 8 and older, snowshoes provided or bring your own, 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 1, then Saturdays-Sundays, Mount Rainier National Park; $4, sign up at Jackson Visitor Center starting an hour before each walk; reservations available for groups of 10-25 people only (360-569-6575 or www.nps.gov/mora/).
Snoqualmie Pass snowshoe walks
PLAN AHEAD Reservations available for guided snowshoe walks starting Jan. 3; learn about the winter ecosystem, wildlife and safety on 90-minute, one-mile walk through old-growth forest, 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays; extended hikes, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays; winter photography outings for photographers for all abilities on 4-5 hour hike, 9:30 a.m. Jan. 4, 18, Feb. 1, 15, March 1, 15, 29; Kids in the Snow, 90 minute walk to learn about plants and animals in winter, 1 p.m. Saturdays starting Jan. 18; Avalanche Awareness Walks, Jan. 11, 25, Feb. 8, 22, March 8, 22, Snoqualmie Pass Visitor Information Center, Snoqualmie Pass; reservations required; suggested donation $15/adults, $10/ages 16 and younger; $25/half-day and photo hikes (425-434-6111).
Stevens Pass snowshoe walks
PLAN AHEAD Reservations available for guided snowshoe walks starting Jan. 4; Junior Snow Ranger, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays; 90-minute guided nature walk to learn about the winter ecosystem, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays, Skykomish Ranger District Forest Service Guard Station; suggested donation $15/adults, $10/ages 16 and younger, by reservation (360-677-2414


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Will Ivy Stark Return to B.R. Guest?

 We hear from an impeccable source deep inside B.R. Guest that Ivy Stark is returning to Steve Hanson's corporate embrace, to cook at Dos Caminos. Stark, for her part, only denies half of it. "First of all, I've been made an offer but haven't accepted it," the Amalia chef says. "It's not Dos Caminos. It might be some projects with B.R. Guest, but I wouldn't necessarily be leaving Amalia."
We hope not, as we like her work there, but on the other hand, the restaurant hasn't exactly taken the city by fire and we would be saddened but not surprised if it changed course. B.R. Guest, meanwhile, is busy: Besides these Ivy Stark projects, the group will open Primehouse on October 1 and Wildwood Barbecue in December. It looks like that Starwood deal is working out for Steve Hanson.


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The Dead Cell Review
Travel into the minds of mentally deranged patients kept alive despite having no real functionality in the new graphic novel from Arcana Studio, The Dead Cell.
The Dead Cell
Meet Dr. Monica McCoy. She's a new doctor at Breckinridge State Hospital. McCoy is part of a super secret Dream Research Program, a program that studies what comatose mentally handicapped patients are thinking and seeing. It's a sad place and somewhere any halfway decent doctor would question as being ethical. Dr. McCoy has four specific patients she's working with and each have a very different perception of the world they have created for themselves. Thomas is a patient who is hindered by fear. Frankie is given a phenomenal talent that he uses to imprison himself. Paul is willing to accept the darkest parts of his own psyche in order to have a greater understanding. Frankie uses a greater power and ideal to defeat the fear that has infected him and everyone around him. However, does Monica have a secret of her own? How does power and fear affect her?
This is a very heady story. John Barker explores power and fear in an interesting way. In many ways, while reading this, I felt like I was watching a Stanley Kubrick film. You can feel elements of each of the patients' stories. You are just as confused and scared as they are. You constantly question yourself about the reality of what you are seeing. Is this part of their story or is this part of the world they've built for themselves? The story also ends with a really nice twist that I don't want to give away. I will say that just when things almost seem to make no sense, it all comes back to making perfect sense on the last page.
Simmons' art is pretty good for the story. There is a dream like quality to it. You easily move from situations that look normal and happy before descending into a nightmare. Visually, you get the sense that either the patients' real worlds were actually very good before their minds break and they descend into madness and what you see at the end of each of their stories is how they perceive the world around them. Even if everything does exist in the dream world, you can easily believe that the illness each of these patients suffer from will not allow them to be happy.
Ultimately, if I had one critique, it would be the length of the graphic novel. Overall, this is an easy read, but just as I wanted to know more about these patients and how they got to what we see their fates are, their story ends and a new patient gets the focus. I would love to see more of each patient's world and get an opportunity to see their dream worlds degrade more slowly. It would keep us as readers more on edge and it would have given us an opportunity to learn even more about Monica. Admittedly, this critique comes from how much of a stickler I can be with characterization. These are solid characters, but I look at it thinking that more could have really put this book over the top. I don't think we needed more characters, just more time with the ones we did see.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book. There are dark and light elements that are not only interesting, but entertaining. The overall idea and plot is genuinely unique. I know I could never have come up with this story (at least on purpose). Art and story work together to give the reader some very cool concepts.
|Despite the themes explored this is an easy read. Art and story go hand in hand.
|A bit short. I would have liked a few more pages for each character involved.


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What to Expect When Visiting the Emergency Department
Life is unpredictable. That's why the Emergency department at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center is here to help you handle life's unforeseen events.
The Emergency department staff is dedicated to the promise to care for its patients, keep them comfortable and maintain communication.
Banner Del E. Webb's Emergency department has:
- 22 acute (severe) care beds
- 31 non-acute treatment rooms
- Digital radiology system and electronic medical records
Adults and children are cared for by experienced physicians and registered nurses certified in both Adult and Pediatric Life Support.
Emergency technicians and members of other specialty areas are also a part of the Emergency department.
The walk-in entrance to the Emergency department is located on the west side of the campus, next to the Main Lobby. The department also features a helipad for emergency air transport. Trauma Flight, an emergency air transport service, has a base of operations on the Banner Del E. Webb campus, allowing for fast response to critical emergency situations.


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|Moving Beyond Easy Wins: Colombia's Borders
|International Crisis Group (ICG)
|Publication Date
|31 October 2011
|Armed groups / Militias / Paramilitary forces / Resistance movements | Border conflict | Conflict situation | Internally displaced persons (IDPs) | Refugees
|Citation / Document Symbol
|Latin America Report N°40
|Cite as
|International Crisis Group (ICG), Moving Beyond Easy Wins: Colombia's Borders , 31 October 2011, Latin America Report N°40, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4eb24f9b2.html [accessed 1 June 2016]
|This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.


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Lumière au Chocolate: A Delectable LED Lamp Made From Chocolate!
Swedish designer Alexander Lervik has created Lumière au Chocolate – a delectable LED lamp made of chocolate that slowly melts to let light filter through. Lervik worked with the Scandinavian LED specialists at SAAS Instruments to create the deceivingly simple
Read more >


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Paso Fino Horse Association
PFHA Recreational Riding Program
RO Ranch Equestrian Park in Mayo, FL (Note: location of 2012 spring campout June 2-3). Every aspect of the park caters to horses and their owners.
Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation Ranch (Triple RRR)
Georgia Paso Fino Horse Association
Greener Pastures Paso Fino Ranch
7 Bar L Ranch (location of the 2011 Spring Campout)
3Y Ranch (many horsemanship and cow working clinics are available - many Pasos have attended and had a blast!)
Equine Rescues
Dancing Cloud Farm Horse Rescue, close to Thomasville, GA rescued 100 starving horses on 5 acres in Feb 2012.
Beauty's Haven Equine Rescue, close to Ocala, rescued 37 Paso locked up for 2 years.
Paso Fino Urgent Rescue -- on Facebook. Everything is done by volunteers; PFUR is headed up by a member of the Virginia Presidential PFHA region.
These 3 guys all have nice hay and will deliver.
ED - Tallahassee - 850-491-1576
JIM - Monticello - 850-528-3643
ROBERT - Quincy - 850-528-0343


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Brandi Glanville Predicts Divorce For LeAnn Rimes
December 03, 2012 09:00 AM by Martha Zaborowski
Brandi Glanville of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is fighting mad on Twitter against her ex-husband's wife LeAnn Rimes. LeAnn tweeted something about LeAnn and Eddie's sons that got Brandi pretty upset, perhaps inadvertently revealing Brandi's true thoughts about LeAnn and Eddie's marriage. What did she say?
LeAnn often takes to Twitter to post pictures of her husband and stepsons and takes delight in calling her stepsons her "bonus boys." However, @leannrimes recently tweeted: "Flying out with my boys in a few hrs. Love that it's a family tour weekend. It's always more fun when they are with me." It looks like Brandi is not a fan of LeAnn calling Brandi's sons "her boys" because @brandiglanville tweeted, "Someone is trying to get under my skin by calling MY children 'her boys.' Sooo transparent! They are MY boys, Eddie's boys and your stepsons…for now."
"For now" is pretty much the opposite of "forever," so that is a very telling remark from Brandi. LeAnn then assured her Twitter audience that all is well for Mrs. Cibrian by tweeting, "I'm going to bed as one of the most blessed girls in the world. I am so grateful for all the love I have in my heart and in my life."
Brandi was also upset about seeing a video of her son riding on his bicycle on a street without a helmet or training wheels while the 5-year-old was in care of Eddie and LeAnn. Brandi then wrote, "I could give a rats ass about her [LeAnn] but she has put both of my boys in danger now and its time to do something." LeAnn responded to Brandi: "Really, he's not in a street. It's in our neighborhood, and you know it. It's on the dirt."
Whose side are you on: Brandi or LeAnn? Do you agree with Brandi's prediction?
Want more? Follow our tweets on Twitter and like us on Facebook! Click here for more information about The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills. For other great reality TV news, please feel free to check outSirLinksALot: The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.
Photo credit: Bravo
Topics: Bravo Reality TV Shows, The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills |
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One Response to "Brandi Glanville Predicts Divorce For LeAnn Rimes"
Holly Says:
December 4th, 2012 at 11:38 am
Jake and Mason's mother should just be glad that her boys are not treated like trash the way that they very well could have been! I have an aunt who was put through a living Hell thanks to her step mother and what made things worse for my aunt is that her step mom was the ONLY mother that my aunt ever knew!!!
God bless you and my aunt and Jake and Mason always!!!
Holly in East Tennessee
P.S. Maybe its a good thing that my aunt now has Alzheimer's Disease because now she can't remember how much abuse she had to endure before getting married at the young age of 14. (trying not to cry)


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02/19/2012, San Blas
Jaime and Mike came to join the ship on the 18th of February after a few days exploring Panama. We took them for a short tour through the Island of Carti and then sailed to the West Limon Islands. There were many boats and we had a challenge finding a spot but the good Captain found us a safe anchoring spot near the entrance. Another boat went aground here at Christmas coming in from the west, a route we have done before. It is humbling how a simple miscalculation can put you in harm's way. We talked with the boat coming in just a head of this boat and they said it was heartbreaking to watch, every sailors nightmare. They had their dingy on their boat and couldn't help the solo sailor. There is a big current there so they may not have been able to help any way. A little scary for Jaime and Mike to see on their first hours on the boat, a boat shipwrecked! We took a swim, met some Cubans and then off to shore to the local hut / bar for you guessed it - Happy Hour!!! Off to Cambombia the next day and Jaime and Mike had their first snorkel swim of many. The day after we joined Better Days, friends from last year at Waisaldup. Just when you think it can't get any better, WOW. A beautiful small island, with starfish all around! Jaime and Mike were brave and even swam to shore! Had a great snorkel ending with a shark siting! Jaime wanted to go back for pics but I talked her out of it. I know nurse sharks don't hurt you, but he was in a corner having a nap, and I just didn't want to tempt fate! All fun and games until someone gets eaten by a shark eh Jen! Spent a few days there then off to my favorite East Cocao Banderos Islands. Wind generator has been not doing well for a while and finally died so after advertising it on the 0830 radio net it was decided we would leave it for Panda (the boat) to try and play with. Jaime and Mike worked on the stainless steel, as the rust grows overnight in the salty air. Had a few great days anchored behind Bug Island. Jaime had an exciting thing happen. She picked up a sea shell on the beach. A very cool octopus crawled out and headed for the sea. Mike got a video of it and if I ever learn how to download it to the blog I will, it was amazing!!! Toured a plantation that the Kunas' tend to and saw some very large avacadoes and very small bananas. Of this life, I love the snorkeling best of all. So many beautiful creatures of the sea to watch. The last dive of the holiday was fabulous. Clear water, many fish out showing their colours, it was so fine, I didn't want to get out! Mike has a cool video cam and took lots of wonderful shots to help us get through the next while home! The good Captain Randy is getting ready for projects next year! Jaime and I are to leave the guys on March 2, through the Panama jungle to Panama and then home on March 3rd. 5 weeks not enough holidays now for me. I have been spoiled with the year off! Time to revisit our financial plan and sail away for longer!!!
02/11/2012, San Blas
Our friends Pat and Brad came to visit us in the San Blas . After their early morning flight into the island of Nargana we motored up the Rio Diablo in the dingy for a ways. There were dugout canoes along the shore, coconut palms and native cemeteries we could see tucked into clearings in the jungle. It felt like we were in a river scene from African Queen with Humphrey Bogart. Back at Nargana we searched the little tiendas for vegetables but didn't find any, just the usual canned good selection of sardines, soup mixes and ketchup, so we had to be creative with our menus. The local trader boats hadn't been able bring anything from Panama City for a week due to protests in the city by natives over mining explorations on their lands. After a gentle sail five miles to the East Cayo Coco Banderos the anchor was set in sand in the lee of a palm covered tropical island group surrounded by coral reefs. That night while lying on the deck watching the stars the ocean came alive with phosphorescence glow as tiny microbes drifted by. We spent our time swimming over the coral reefs for hours, and walking the beaches. As the Kuna paddled by in their ulus ( dugouts ) in the afternoon we waved them over and bought lobster and fish. After a couple days Brad and Pat were as endeared to the Cocos as we are.
A morning sail took us to the East Cayo Holendes. We worked our way through the reefs into the center of the island group with Dawn spotting from the spreader at the top of the ladder. When the anchor was down Pat looked around at the sand beach, palm covered islands and clear water surrounding us and asked if they would ever have to leave here.
After filling the days with spear fishing, beaches, happy hours and suppers with our boating friends anchored by sandy palm covered islands surrounded by coral reefs, same old same old, you know how it is, it was time to get to the Carti Island Group for Brad and Pats' connection to Panama City. Arrangement had been make for a launch to take them to shore and a two hour 4X4 taxi ride along a mountain jungle road to the luxury resort on the Pacific coast where their daughter was getting married the next week. It was the same ride Arlen took a few weeks earlier. Brad's version was our driver raced along rough mountain roads talking on his cell phone while adjusting the radio station while shifting gears. A real talented man. Must have been a different driver.
Have to go and get the boat ready. Dawn's newlywed daughter and her husband are coming out on the taxi taking Brad and Pat away.
So finally got to join the good ship Nirvana Now. Left home with 8 inches of new snow, shoveled tire pathways and hired a guy down the street to do the rest of the drive way and I left! Drove to Detroit to see my son Adam and his new home and work place at Revolutionary Engineering and had a great night catching up with him! Caught the plane the next am for Panama, and travels went well. Spent the night in the Costa Hotel but it was not as fun without Randy and the cats! Next day took a 4x4 Kuna driven cab ride through the jungles of Panama! Arlen -crew for the first leg of the journey described it best! "The road to here is through the jungle mountains.. wicked road and worth the ride. Up down.. switch backs ... armed guards.. sawed off shot guns.. the works.."
Jaime and Mike will be doing this adventure on the 18th to join us and Brad and Pat Sutherland, who are coming by plane, with be taking the trip out! I feel quite the seasoned traveler now doing this trip by my lonesome!
Having had a great time getting together with friends made last year - Respite, Better Days and many more and making new friends! Swimming and fish hunting and happy hours with friends are the joys of the days! 28 - 38 degrees most days! More windy and cloudy than last time but it is not snowing!!! Have a new pet on the boat! A little creature that hangs out in the nav station and visits with Randy. Must of moved in when the boat was on the hard! Very cute. Also one day one of the Kuna men had his sails burnt so there was a call out for replacment a replacement donation. Randy gave him our 150 jib as soon we will not need it. He should be able to make 10 sails out of it! We have a new roller furler so no more hanked on sails! Yipee!!!Internet challenges so will update blog with pics soon! Life is fine in the San Blas!
01/28/2012, San Blas
I'm back in the San Blas, or as the native Kuna call it Kuna Yala. The first week is gone and so is my crew Arlen. I'm alone for the next two days doing boat work and eagerly waiting for my playmate and love Dawn to arrive.
To go from Colon to the San Blas in the windy season against the trades is a challenging seventy five miles. First to decide how bad a weather window you are willing to accept and then to endure your decision. We motor sailed to windward in eighteen kts and through two - three meter seas the first day leaving Colon. Laying over in Puerto Bello a day we saw the old forts built by my Spanish ancestors to guard the amassing fleets of Galleons and took in a Conga festival in the evening, the drummers and dancers lasted a lot longer than I could. The next day was our only rough day as we made three long tacks motor sailing into twenty five knots of wind pushing three and four meter seas across the full sweep of the Caribbean. Ten miles up the shore we tucked in for the night. Getting an early start we got out around some outlaying islands and tacked for the forty five miles to the San Blas. We were able to keep ten degrees off our highest pointing angle in fifteen kts, and with the seas diminishing we had a great day. Just after noon I threw out a line and caught a three foot long Barracuda. The weather was the best for the trip we have seen in our weeks here. We picked it just right.
While I cleared in at El Porvenir Arlen watched as a three masted square rig puled a Tyana 37 of a rock shoal. The yacht had been there a month, and while we were laying over in Puorto Bello we met the agent for the Argentinian owner making arrangements with the square rig. With the excitement over we wandered ashore for supplies.
Sailing within the San Blas island group rivals the Exuma chain of the Bahamas. Seas protected by barrier islands and fresh trade winds make for great sailing days. A short day sail put us in the Pool, a popular anchorage over sand surrounded by low palm covered islands and coral reefs. The afternoon swim over a small reef off the stern completed a perfect day in our idea of paradise.
With spear pole and Hawaiian sling we set out for and early afternoon swim over another reef the next day and speared the biggest lobster I had ever seen. Then it was back to the boat to finish the water maker installation project we had on the go. Feasting on fresh lobster ended another perfect day.
Checking into the Panama Connection net several days later I had to apologize to our boating friends we had agreed to meet the day before. My explanation that we were sailing over to see them and got mixed up on which day it was. We tacked and ended up in Carti to drop Arlen off a day early. The explanation received as normal here would have people back home questioning our sanity. You gotta love it. Have to go. Someone in a dugout canoe is knocking on my hull. Randy
Enjoy and keepem commin, Dean
01/18/2012, Panama
We are in the water! Arlen who is coming to help me as crew, and I, were able to get a nonstop flight to Panama. Really nice not having to run around airports looking for departure gates while checking your watch wondering if your luggage made it too.
We spent a day in Panama City taking taxis picking up my shipment of supplies which included a new water maker. Something you don't need in the USA, Bahamas or here in Panama in the rainy season. In the dry season the only option is to go to shore and buy river water. Bought a phone plan and an internet stick for my lap top at half the price of the set up in Canada. The e mail via SSB works great but for us to keep up the blogs, with friends, and family coming and going, we thought it was a bargain. The biggest challenge is understanding the Spanish terms on the menus. "Call not permitted" displays if it fails from no signal. Made me wonder why the call wasn't permitted for half a day until I figured it out. every time you gain signal it chimes and a mesage tells you to check operator messages. Theyn never come.
We took a taxi with our gear across Panama to Shelter Bay Marina in Colon where we left the boat for six months during the rainy season. It faired very well on the inside. We rented a dehumidifier from the yard and drained it out the galley sink. No mold anywhere! Dawn had laundered all things before we left and packed them in "oh my god" size zip lock bags from the hardware store. Everything was just as fresh as when she packed it. The cockpit didn't fare so well. The wood lifted off the cockpit seats so bad that it jammed the wheel in places and pinched you in others. I had to take it all off and start again. We scraped the bottom and painted two coats on the afternoon we arrived and launched the boat the next noon.
The weather looks like it will moderate enough to get east to the San Blas Thursday. Still looks like a slug 75 miles to weather in 15kt winds and 2m seas on the bow. After we get out into it we will have to decide if we should break it into two days or keep on going overnight.
We had planned from home to fly our crew, friends and family in and out of the San Blas (Kuna Yala). Here I have found one of the two small airports is closed causing all flights to be booked up. The air carrier not responding to on line bookings didn't help things. The Kuna Indians have closed the roads in their territory to everyone but Kuna. I was able to get a phone number for the Kuna District office from Gord on Island Dreaming, from Vancouver Island. A Kuna taxi can be arranged through them to get to and from Panama City. Their first language is Kuna, their second is Spanish. I talked to someone in English and got them to agree to a ride for Arlen. On second thought I got one of the marina office personnel to confirm Arlen's booking and to book Dawn for the next day. After listening to him for ten minutes explain the travel arrangements in fluent Spanish he confirmed Arlen's ride. When I asked him about Dawn's he handed back the phone and said the Hotel can arrange it and ran off. That took half a day. Tomorrows plan is to find another unsuspecting translator while Arlen makes a grocery run. Then it's fill the fuel and water, check the weather and cast off the lines. I'll watch for you from the anchorages of the San Blas. Randy
fair winds
Thinking of you both and wishing we could just get away. Enjoy your time back on the boat. it will seem very short after last years adventure. Have a great time.
We are in Turks & Caicos, jsut had family visit for ten days and now waiting on weather window for DR, still thinking on heading to San Blas from Puerto Rico. All is Good. Enjoy it all! Just heard last night that La Vita bought a home in Luperon. Wind Swept Dreams are in Luperon now.
What have we done? Why did we ever come back? Those are the questions Dawn asked repeatedly after our return to a life seemingly over run by work. At first I laughed at her particular way of asking, but after a few weeks of work I seriously started to wonder as well. Dawn prompted me to wright a closing blog but I was just too far from where we were to get to that place. It has been harder than I expected returning and "fitting in", not that I ever really fit in. Maybe it's because I never fully came back. There is a part of me is still solidly anchored out there watching me go through the actions life here. At work it feels like I'm like a dog chasing his tail. I am running in circles trying to catch up while my brain is spinning between focusing on work and getting back to Nirvana Now where my sole is. Talking with Dawn on the cell phone daily we cheer each other on. Her prospective of life has changed too.
It's Christmas day and the last day of the shipping season for the ship I am working on. We are tying up in Hamilton as I write. My Bags are packed and I'm more than ready to go! Drifting through my mind are lists of projects, of people to invite, and of dates we hope to have them join us. I really should write it all down. I've maxed out my baggage allotment with boat stuff, and the only items in my carry on are shorts and bathing suits. I fly out on the 11th of January to get the boat back in the water, cleaned up and over to the San Blas for Dawn's arrival on the 30th. We will spend five weeks together sharing our joys. We have friends to see and friends coming to visit. There will be familiar reefs to swim over and new places to explore, people to meet, and always molas to buy. I then stay on a couple of weeks to lay up the boat again. I'm not thinking of what has to be done then until the time comes. Meanwhile I'm on my way. I'll watch for you out there. Hasta la vista. Randy
We have gone through the same feelings EXACTLY since we got back to Petoskey in June, the garden, the lawn mower, the weedy, the van the car all the "bullshit" seemed like "why did we ever come back" thanks Dawn, now I know we are not alone here on the hard. I didn't turn on my camera for 7 months, I couldn't find anything worthy of pics or vids. Then I browsed around on E bay and bought that old beast of a power boat. Not giving up on sailing in any way though.
I will keep blogging as I hope you do to.
Happy New Year ,, from the crew of the good ship Rubaiyat, Chrissy, Dean and Stelly