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From Santa and his Elves….Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Cool Short Video of Bonefish Feeding
Tailing Bonefish Quickie VI from Chris Lewis on Vimeo.
This is a short, but very cool video. The video gives a good example of how a bonefish searches for food using his highly refined senses. The video also show how bonefish align themselves to feed into the tidal flow. Near the end of the video (approx. 2:08), watch as the bonefish literally finds pay dirt. The fish tips down and digs in the marl with his mouth. You can see how bonefish puffs are formed. If you watch closely, you an see the excavated mud flow out through his gills.
A few things struck me with this video:
#1. How important it is to have a fly heavy enough to both get down quickly AND overcome the tidal flow.
#2. How it's always much further than you think. By that I mean you must deliver your fly (depending on its weight) well ahead of the tail, when a bonefish is tipped down busy excavating a morsel. Hitting this fish on the head would not work. He would never see the fly or he would feel the line as the tide carried the fly over his head and blow up.
#3. How unimportant it is to move the fly with what has become the conventional strip (see this). Obviously, the fish in this video sees no motion. When a bonefish is feeding, all he needs is to spot your fly. Constant repetitive stripping is often both unnecessary AND unnatural. Most prey species don't move very much… they try to hide on the bottom and usually do not flee. Prey species very rarely "get away". Their best chance is to hide! Bonefish are too "fleet of fin" to run from.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Video by the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust on Their Funded Research with Spawning Bonefish
This interesting video Bonefish and Tarpon Trust shows some of their research trip on spawning bonefish in the Bahamas. Bonefish and Tarpon Trust is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to protecting and conserving bonefish, tarpon and permit and their habitats around the globe. Visit www.bonefishtarpontrust.org to learn more.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Why Bonefish Guides Ask for a LONNNG Strip...
The cast is a good one. Following his guide's instruction, the angler strips his line soon capturing the attention of the bonefish. The fish turns to follow the fly, then as the bone tips down, his broad tail breaks the surface. The angler holds his breath and listens intently for further instructions. Calmly his guide says "lonnnng strip"!
Have you ever wondered why experienced bonefish guides ask for that lonnnng strip... just at that moment when the bonefish tips down to eat?
So if you want to catch more bonefish, you must learn to properly strip strike. While the strip strike used for bonefish is a less violent strip strike than the more powerful method used on extremely hard mouthed and hard charging species like tarpon and GT's, the mechanics are the same. The bottom line is, if you learn to strip strike, you will hookup more often simply because YOU DIDN"T RAISE THE ROD TIP!
Here are the basics of a good strip strike for bonefish, redfish and other ocean fish with a relatively soft mouth:
So with that in mind, here is a bit more on the strip strike:
Learn the rod hand strike and you'll be successful with any saltwater species!
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Just a Damn Fun Photo!
Is there anything better than a pretty woman with a fly rod?
Yes, A pretty woman in a very pink skirt with a very big fish!
|Jennifer White in the Everglades with a BIG tripletail!
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Video from International Angler Trip to Water Cay Lodge
This makes me want to be in the Bahamas!
In this video the guys from The International Angler in Pittsburgh, Pa show us they had another great trip to Water Cay Lodge on Grand Bahama Island. See some nice bones, a bit of life at the lodge and as Mike Taylor lands a permit on their hosted trip last November. Join the International Angler next year in the Bahamas for a great time and some great fishing! See www.internationalangler.com for dates.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Pine Beetles and Our Cold Snap in Wyoming and Montana
After the temps reached a frigid -22 degrees F during the wee hours of the morning last night, it was a penetrating -12 degrees Farenheit when I took my dog for a walk this morning at 8:00 AM.
By 3:00 PM, it had warmed up to a balmy -11 F. Here in the northern Rockies, we all whine about our current weather, but this latest and very intense deep freeze seems to have a silver lining!!
This is good news indeed for those living in Wyoming and Montana… and for those that love to fish Wyoming and Montana!
Read this from letmitigatewyoming.com
"Cold outside?".
How cold is it?
Cold enough to kill a Pine Beetle!"
As the Montana temperatures dip down to the minus 10 to minus 20 degrees F this week with wind chills at -15 to -35 F we may look forward to Pine Beetle Mortality. Regniere and Bentz published a paper in 2007 that discusses cold tolerance in the Mountain Pine Beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae. In it they discuss how the Pine Beetle is freeze intolerant and must avoid freezing of body tissues. "The supercooling point (SCP) refers to the temperature at which spontaneous nucleation of body water occurs and lethal ice crystals form in the insect tissue." There is a lot of statistical data, charts and graphs including Lethal Temperature (LT) that will warm the cockles of a Science teachers heart in this paper.
Basically, increased time duration at subzero temperatures can kill our little Pine Beetle dead lumber salesmen. A quick review indicates that in most circumstances minus 20 degrees Centigrade (equal to -4 F) is the median of the SCP and more than likely peak of pine beetle mortality. With the -20 F we're seeing now this could be a sharp die off for the Pine Beetle in Montana, especially if this cold weather lasts.
And that of course is good for possibly reducing the number of dead standing trees and lessoning our catastrophic fire hazard.
So rejoice in this cold spell! We are mitigating those pesky pine beetles.
Kent Atwood
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
When Sidney Offers Bonefishing Advice, It's Good to Listen!
We bonefishermen often focus solely on what patterns to bring, but here is some uncomplicated and solid advice from one of the most experienced and knowledgeable guides in the Bahamas. Sid offers some good reminders for the experienced angler and a few important bits of advice for those just starting out. For me, sometimes it's good to go back to the basics!
|When Sidney offers advice, it's good to listen!
This morning I was talking with Sidney Thomas, the head guide at Water Cay Lodge. We started talking about flies and fly patterns.
I asked him what were the most productive bonefish flies this past season and he said "Orange and pink for cloudy days with a bit of gold flash and tan with gold flash for sunny days." (Sid obviously likes gold flash!)
Take away #1: Gold flash is good.
Take away #1: Gold flash is good.
Suddenly Sid stopped talking, thought for a second, then said "The truth is, any fly will work if the fisherman thinks it will work."
Sid went on, "It really doesn't matter that much. Guys fish differently with a fly they have confidence in. I've seen two guys switch to what their partner is fishing and they both still catch fish. They just switched flies with each other. Funny!"
Take away #2: Fish a fly you believe in.
Take away #2: Fish a fly you believe in.
I pressed on asking Sid what flies to bring and he said, "The important thing is to have an assortment from big flies like #1's to small flies like #6's. So have flies, big and small, with no eyes, bead chain eyes, heavier lead eyes. Big patterns, small patterns, heavy patterns, unweighted patterns.
Take away #3: Bring a variety of flies.
Take away #3: Bring a variety of flies.
"I see guys come with hundreds of great flies in many different colors and sizes, but they all have bead chain eyes. Man, that won't work. You got to have a variety of sizes and weights."
Then Sid said, "But no matter what you bring, make sure your flies are tied on high quality hooks. You wouldn't believe how many cheap hooks I see straightened out by big bonefish and permit. Guys spend all this time tying beautiful flies, but then they tie them on cheap hooks. NOT GOOD!"
Then Sid sighed and said, "They often pay for that."
He then added, "We had a 32 inch at the fork... 23" around bone caught this year. Thank God the guy's fly was tied on a good hook. A cheap hook would have straightened-out on the first run."
Take away #4: Tie with good hooks.
Take away #4: Tie with good hooks.
|Good hooks are important with these guys too!
Friday, November 29, 2013
Be Ready!
Some of us were sitting around the other day having a cold one when we started talking about an important, yet rarely discussed, time in our fishing days. We were discussing that time period between meeting your guide and when you make your first cast to a fish. As result of this conversation, we decided to offer some hints on how to approach and best be ready for this time period in your fishing day.
We all agreed there has been plenty written about fly rods, fly reels, terminal tackle, flies, casting styles, retrieval styles, places to go and when to go there, but the topic of being ready to fish for the day is not talked about very often... but being ready: ready to meet your guide, ready to load up, ready to launch, and ready to fish can make a big difference in your day.
Here are some suggestions that can make you more efficient in your preparation which will translate to a smoother pick-up, launch and first cast. A little forward thinking about how you pack, where you put things on the boat, and being ready to fish can give you an extra 30 minutes of fishing time, make your guide a happy person, and just maybe ensure you don't miss the first and only fish of the day.
Preparing for Pick-Up
Foremost, be on time. No one likes to be kept waiting and that applies to you as well as to your guide. Establish your pick-up time and make sure you meet it. That usually means doing some packing the night before. If you have not been to your location or fished with your guide before, you might ask your guide the night before how the morning will go. This will help you pack. Will you rig up your rods before or after you launch? What kind of fly line and leader is recommended? Should you plan to have multiple rods ready? Don't ask a million questions... just those crucial few that will help you prepare and be ready.
Try to minimize the amount of gear you have to schlep around. It's easier on you and you will make a better first impression with your guide if you don't show up bringing the equivalent of an entire fly shop. A rod tube/case and a boat bag is pretty optimum. Sometimes if you have lots of camera gear or are going to a location with a large variety of fish that requires more than average gear you might need two bags. If you are bringing two rods or less, you might leave the tube/case at home and simply bring the rods in their socks. Four piece rods are always best and will usually fit in at least one of the cargo compartments on the boat. If you only have two piece rods it might be best to bring the protective tube. Again, ask your guide what is best
Your boat bag should be water proof (or water repellent as a minimum) and should be able to fit in the cargo compartments of most boats or under the seat. Cluttering up deck space with gear often results in stumbling around, loud noises, tangled fly lines, and worse, broken gear. A boat bag with a wide opening mouth is better than a bag with a narrow opening that requires you to remove some gear in order to find stuff that is beneath it.
Since you are only bringing one boat bag, it pays to think about the order in which you might need the stuff you put in the bag. For instance, if you will be putting together your rod and reel before you launch, don't put your reels in the bottom of the bag. If it will be cool or rainy on the run out, keep your rain jacket near the top of the bag. If you wear gloves, protective stripping sleeves, a face buff, pliers, have extendable fighting butts for your rods, or anything else that you need or want to have on before you start fishing, make sure it is easy to find near the top of your boat bag. Zip lock bags are great for keeping small pieces of equipment together and easy to find. Put on sunscreen before you leave your room.
When your guide shows up, be ready. When you stow your gear in the boat make sure you and your guide know which gear you'll need to access during the day. Ask if you should put your rods together and put them in the protective sleeves in the boat. Do not string the line through the guides unless you will be tying on a fly.
Be Ready to Launch
Most guides have launched their boats so many times they have a well-established routine. Often trying to help launch only disrupts that routine with the end result being less efficient. Always ask if you can help before stepping in. Your time might be better used to put on a buff, gloves, stripping guide, pliers, etc.
Many guides prefer you not wear the shoes you wore on the gravel path onto their boat without rinsing the bottom off. And many guides do not want you wearing shoes with dark soles that can mark their deck. So be prepared with shoes that have non-marking soles and that you can rinse off. Or if you fish barefoot be ready to remove your shoes as you board.
Most flats skiffs have protective rod holders beneath the gunwales of the deck. If you are in a panga or other type of boat without protective rod holders, ask your guide where the best place is to secure your rod (if you haven't already stowed your rods).
When your guide starts motoring out, be ready with your jacket, buff, or other gear you need for the run. If you wear gloves, protective stripping guides, or other equipment, get ready as you motor away from the marina. Waiting until you get to the first flat wastes time. This may mean you need to keep your boat bag by your seat for a bit.
Obviously, take care not to have your gear blow overboard. Also, make sure your hat is secured so it doesn't blow off and you have to waste valuable time going back to retrieve it. Pull you buff over your hat or use clips to attach your shirt or jacket to your hat.
If you didn't do it before you launched, you might try to string your rods while you motor out, but ask your guide first. There is often a "no wake" zone that requires slow going and that's a perfect time to get ready. Ask about terminal tackle and flies and get ready (this is a good question to ask the night before or when you are stringing your rod at the dock or beach). If you don't your guide will often have to stop some distance from your first flat to allow you time to rig up.
Being ready helps the launch go smoothly and quickly. And it is definitely bush league to plug up the launch ramp or slow your party's progress because you left something in the truck or in your room!
Be Ready to Fish
As you near your first flat or fishing spot, your guide will usually slow down and often stop the motor to avoid spooking fish. We cannot count the number of times we have pulled up next to a flat only to bump up a tarpon or bonefish. Not being ready would have meant missing a chance at those fish.
Remember you have entered the quiet zone. No dropping hatch covers, slamming cooler lids, tossing gear bags, and no stomping noisily around on the deck. Be efficient, but be quiet.
Have your buff, your protective stripping guides, your pliers, hat, sunglasses on and ready as you pull up. Follow the guide's advice, but usually one must be ready to step up onto the casting deck and start scanning the water immediately. Strip off at least 50 to 60 feet of line (more if you can accurately cast more) and stretch it between your hands to remove any memory coils. This is especially true if it is cool in the morning. Tropical lines stiffen when the temperature drops and retain memory coils from the reel. If you try to cast the line without stretching out those coils, you risk a massive knot and another blown opportunity.
Once you've scanned the water and made sure there isn't a fish in the area, pick a target and cast your fly. This serves several purposes. First you reverse the way the line is coiled on the deck – so the part that will fly out when you cast will be the top most part of the line. Second, you give your guide an indication of your casting ability. If you make a cast that approaches your maximum accurate range, you can tell your guide. This helps your guide know where to position the boat and coach you when to cast. You and your guide can also agree on the distance of that cast. Sometimes guides and clients depth perception differs and it helps to get agreement on what is 60 feet before you actually cast at a fish. By actually picking a target rather than just randomly casting, you give yourself some target practice. You also avoid casting into an oyster bed or coral head that can snag your fly and cause more delays and commotion to retrieve your fly.
Strip your fly back making sure to carefully coil your line without snags. Leave your leader and about 10 to 15 feet of fly line outside the tip top. Hold the fly in your non-rod hand, pinching the bend of the hook between your fingers. Holding the leader or the head of the fly make it possible to hook your finger when you start to make a cast, something that is both painful and causes delays.
One last recommendation – pick your stance, plant your feet and don't move them. Anglers afflicted with "happy feet" eventually step on their line at a crucial moment, get tangled up or make lots of noise. Having "happy feet" can also rock the boat and this sends out little waves that put fish on the alert. Yes, the creak of a hatch cover can spook fish, but the thump of a foot on the deck resonates through the water like an explosion. Fish may not spook, but they will know something else is in the area and that makes them very nervous and on guard. And never, ever scrape your foot along the deck in an attempt to reposition your fly line. This is absolutely the worst thing you can do to your fly line. It can put a permanent twist in your line that you will fight for as long as you keep that line.
We hope you like these suggestions. If you have more suggestions or any comments, we would like to hear them. We'll try to keep these thoughts on Being Ready a work in progress, so please chime in with your suggestions!
We hope you like these suggestions. If you have more suggestions or any comments, we would like to hear them. We'll try to keep these thoughts on Being Ready a work in progress, so please chime in with your suggestions!
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Bonefish, Humility and a Dark Closet
Sometimes the events of a day leave an angler with a strong sense of personal expertise and accomplishment. While on other days, repeated episodes of failure batter an angler's ego until it is a bloody and bruised mess. In my experience, humility is generally forced upon us rather than it being a chosen path...
On a recent trip to South Andros Island, humble pie was on the menu one day. It all began when we saw a few big mangrove bushes off the main channel. Knowing these big bushes needed a good tide flow, we hoped to find the creek system that was feeding them. Searching carefully, we hugged the shore until we saw a sliver of green water bending southwest. Upon reaching this channel, a huge 'cuda, his head as wide as a battering ram, silently slid in behind us. He followed us up what was now becoming a narrow, but deep creek. The channel soon gave way to shallow water and that was when the 'cuda's curiosity waned and he returned to his ambush spot in the channel. With each step, the creek opened up more, eventually revealing a huge flat that was shaped like a four-leaf clover. Each lobe had a big mangrove bush that stood alone and served as the focal point for that particular bay.
These were the man-o-war bushes we had seen from outside the creek. I waded one shoreline, while my partner waded the other. We chugged ahead through soft marl that was just beginning to get tiring when the muck suddenly changed to packed sand. The bug dope and sunscreen flavored sweat that had just begun to leak into the corners of my mouth stopped as the wading got progressively easier and, as an added bonus, a soft breeze picked up.
I caught a few schoolies that were milling about near a rocky bar, then crossed the mouth of a small bay that seemed to have a slightly deeper channel on the far side. When I got to the channel, I saw that some of the charcoal grey innards of the flat had just been sucked up and spewed out onto the dazzling white sand of the bay.
"That was done by a bonefish..." I said to myself, "... and not too long ago."
This I deduced because the morning tide was now falling and all the sucked-out debris was deposited on the down-tide side of the holes that I was now slowly wading past. Feeling a bit like a coon dog on a hot scent, I mentally connected the dots of each root hole as I muttered to myself, "There are fish here somewhere. Maybe they are still up in the bay and haven't yet been spooked by the dropping water."
I then glanced toward shore and saw a root hole that was smoking like a small volcano.
"That couldn't have been there for more than a minute." I thought as I searched the pocket, but saw no fish.
The light was perfect. If a fish was mining the marl in front of me, I should have been able to see it. But I saw nothing. Maybe, I had spooked the fish. If so, I suck! I should have been able to see any fish on this white sand long before I might spook them.
Just then a tail popped up. It waved happily in the air. I watched as a new smoking hole appeared complete with charcoal grey debris scattered on the down-tide side. When the fish was done rooting, he tilted back to horizontal and completely disappeared in the stirred-up and slightly muddy marl. Again, I could see no fish. He just vanished in water so shallow it barely covered my ankles.
I flipped my fly forward like a discarded cigarette, then threw it behind me into a backcast. Just as I planned to drop my fly in the mud, the leading edge of a huge cloud, one of the few we had seen this week, covered the sun. I decided to wait. After only a few minutes, a tail appeared on the side opposite side me.
"Two fish or just one fish that has moved?" I wondered.
Now, perhaps I was caught between two tailing fish - in impossibly shallow water - with a cloud covering the sun - on a white sand flat that even with no sun, I should be able to see everything... but, I could see no fish.
I was once described in a book about flat's fishing as, and I quote, "Heywood is seemingly able to see bonefish in a dark closet." My friends like to kid me about this, but at this moment, apparently I needed a dark closet. I was glad no one was watching my inept stalk. As my frustration mounted, the sun slowly reappeared. My mood immediately improved until the whole scene replayed itself in maddening detail. There was a tail followed by a puff of mud, the fish tipped down and again vanished, I started to cast, a cloud covered the sun, I stopped casting etc, etc.
Good God almighty! I was getting downright apoplectic so I decided to make a cast anyway. My thought was I would be proactive and try to retrieve something from this slowly deteriorating situation. This is probably never a very good strategy when bonefishing. Of course, my cast netted nothing... no hookup, no excited fluttering tail, hell, I didn't even spook anything! Eventually I just stood there waiting for the sun, or a break... or perhaps some help from the fish gods!
When the sun finally came out, I watched the root carefully. I could see no fish, but that obviously meant nothing. Eventually, impatience got the better of me and I waded slowly over to the root hole. My intention was to congratulate this bonefish on his total victory and perhaps turn around so he could kick me in the ass just for good measure. But he wasn't there! Where in God's name did he go? Just then two tails popped up on the other side of me and not very far away. Now they were just screwing with me!
Soon the whole scene repeated itself yet again. You know it well by now: tail appears, tail disappears... I get nothing. No hook-up, no follow, not even a slam-the-door-in-your-face exit... at least that would have brought a conclusion to this sordid affair. Eventually, the sun goes behind yet another cloud and I'm left at the doorstep again. Muttering to myself, I am now extremely worked-up and frustrated... none of the Zen, in-the-groove, patience of Job, process-oriented approach I often preach to others. Hell no, now I'm in full blown, type-A, yell at your kids, punch the dog, I-want-the-product-now behavior. Hell, I'm getting worked-up all over again just writing about this day. In fact, I can't wait to conclude this paragraph and get on with my life. I'll be right back...
...OK, I'm better. Amazing what a slug of Jameson and a handful of Oreos does for the nervous system.
Anyway, the net result of all this folderol was zip... absolutely nothing! For a moment, I thought I might find myself running through the bonefish roots screaming, "OK, screw you all. You win! I'm leaving! I don't need you and your stinking tails."
Obviously, I was reaching the far side of emotional control and had donated my mental health to a couple of 22" bonefish. Maybe all the freeze-dried meals, tepid drinking water and incandescent sunshine we had experienced in the last ten days had poached my brain and turned me in to a simpering idiot. Must be, because at this moment I was contemplating yelling at an animal that probably didn't even know I was there. I like to think so... to do otherwise means that these two bonefish were just playing with me.
Maybe they had told each other, "Watch this... if you do it just right, you can make creatures crazy. Eventually, they'll stomp their feet, pout and leave. Then we can get back to our meal."
Eventually, I did leave. I took my one-millibar-short-of-a-stroke blood pressure to visit the next bay where I wailed on 17" schoolies until I was once again convinced I was a superior animal... then I went looking for a dark closet.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Another Permit Caught with The International Angler Group at Water Cay Lodge
As I said in my last post, Water Cay Lodge is quickly becoming one of the best spots in the Bahamas to catch a permit. We are consistently seeing permit and we've had quite a few caught this year. Enough that anglers should be "rigged and ready" for permit when they visit. The Water Cay Lodge guides are becoming more and more experienced with permit and definitely have been a big asset to those angers who have been lucky enough to get "hooked-up".
|Greg Rolle and angler Mike Taylor celebrate!
In early November, a group from the International Angler in Pittsburgh, PA led by Franklyn Gorrell also had an angler lucky enough to catch a permit at Water Cay Lodge. Franklyn told me the anglers name is Mike Taylor and he is also from Pittsburgh. This was his first permit. The fish was about 25 - 30 lbs.!
|Craven's Bonefish Junk
Mike's permit took a Craven's " Bonefish Junk " on the first cast with NO hesitation! Franklyn and Mike were guided by Water Cay Lodge guide Greg Rolle. Franklyn said Greg was very good with boat position and helped a great deal by talking Mike through the presentation. Greg also did a good job of keeping the boat close to the fish as it ran thus keeping most of the line out of the water.
|Franklyn Gorrell congratulates Mike Taylor!
The International Angler is a great source for gear and if you're looking for my Top 5 bonefsh flies, these guys stock Umpqua Flies and my Top 5. The staff has a great deal of experience in the Bahamas so they are a good source for info on flies, lines, leaders etc. Besides, they usuallly give Angling Desination clients a bit of a break! Try them, you'll like them:
The International Angler is at 412-788-8088 or www.internationalangler.com
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Dental Education Adventures Water Cay Permit and Trip Report
Water Cay Lodge is quickly becoming one of the best spots in the Bahamas to catch a big permit. Visiting anglers are consistently seeing permit and we've had enough of these elusive beasts caught this year that visiting anglers should be "rigged and ready" for permit. The Water Cay Lodge guides have often been the difference between a catch and coming back with a big zero.
All three guides (Sidney Thomas, Ezra Thomas and Greg Rolle) have great eyes and find permit that few other guides would see. Water Cay Lodge guides are amazingly skillful and quiet polers and help anglers with a bad case of "permit fever" to deliver the fly at the proper time. The guides keep everyone calm when approaching one of these fish of a lifetime and do everything they can to avoid the "wrecks" that so often happen when going after permit. Once hooked, their excellent boat handling skills give anglers the best chance of actually putting a hooked permit in the boat. To put it bluntly, these guides are damn good and I'm proud as hell of them!
But back to this trip... Here is the trip report from late October with the Dental Education Adventures group, led by my old friends Drs. Brian Crock and Larry Towning. In Brian's words:
"The guides worked tirelessly to put us on fish, as an impending cold front likely pushed fish off the flats into deeper water. With that being said, we still saw plenty of fish. The fact that impressed all us was the size of the fish we caught. On any other trip, bonefish of this size would have been noteworthy. At Water Cay, these bruisers were the average, and we boated many of them. More remarkable was when you boated a small fish, as they were very few in number.
We have had many legitimate shots at permit in our fishing travels. Almost every day on this trip, a boat would return to the dock and tell stories of seeing and casting to permit. Inevitably, the heat of the moment leads to a fly in your shirt or the line tangled around your legs. The possibilities of screwing up a permit presentation are endless. Sidney's (head guide Sidney Thomas) calm manner made catching this permit possible. Dan (Dr. Dan Merker) was calm throughout, as he didn't see the sickle tail go down on the fly and wasn't sure what we were fighting 'til Sidney lifted the fish from the water. Nonetheless, the two of them worked as one for over an hour until the 25 lb permit finally tired."
|Dr. Merker and head guide Sidney Thomas with their catch.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
My Top 5 Bonefish Flies: Summarized for Quick Reference
|Tan Crab
|Mini-Puff properly dubbed
|Peterson's Spawning Shrimp
Friday, November 15, 2013
My Top 5 Bonefish Flies: #1 Bob Veverka's Mantis Shrimp
|The real critter that inspired the fly... a Mantis Shrimp
After much consideration, my top choice... my go-to bonefish fly is Bob Veverka's Mantis Shrimp (available commercially from Umpqua Flies).
I've known Bob for many years having been asked by him to write a chapter on bonefish flies for his great book Innovative Saltwater Flies published in 1999 by Stackpole Press. I was honored to be included alongside such excellent fly tiers as Tim Borski, Dick Brown, Jack Gartside and Trey Combs. Knowing the company he kept, I knew Bob understood fly design and what it takes to make a fly work well, so I confidently tried his mantis shrimp pattern in a number of different bonefish destinations. It worked like a charm and it's been one of my default options ever since!
This fly is great on most terrain, but especially mixed bottoms such as turtle grass and white sand, dark or light or deep runnels running thru shallow undulating mounds. The mantis shrimp covers all my prerequisites: it is tan (as they say in the Bahamas, "Any color will work, as long as it is tan!") and it blends in like the real critter (see photo above), yet can be seen. In addition, the fly has rubber legs, big eyes and spikey dubbing. Bob's fly has all the qualities I like in a bonefish fly. It is also easily modifiable via different color/diameter rubber legs, dubbings (try coyote or fox) and weight or color of the eyes. I fish mostly #4′s, but do use size #2 and #6 at times.
|Veverka's Mantis Shrimp
|Bob Veverka
Several years ago while sitting at my tying desk contemplating an upcoming trip to the Bahamas, I looked over my fly box filled with all the standard Bonefish patterns. I felt something was missing, something different, a fly of my own design. I thought about all the stories I heard about these elusive, fly-pattern-wary bonefish. They eat shrimp so my idea was to tie a shrimp pattern that would entice the smartest ghost on the flat.
While tying the first Mantis Shrimp I thought back to a TV program I saw that included a clip on the behavior of Mantis shrimp. Most noticeable to me was the movement of their many appendages and their eyes. I feel that movement incorporated in your flies displays life, and to a hungry bonefish, dinner.
When designing flies for predator fish I feel it's best to match the prey they are feeding on. Most important are the size, shape and color. Size can easily be changed or matched by the size of the hook you tie on. Shape or silhouette must be built into a pattern so it resembles the prey you wish to represent. It should be a fly that's easy to tie with basic materials, lands lightly, sinks fast and most important, catches fish. The bulky body on my Mantis pattern makes it land softly, and the bead chain eyes bring it to the critical zone.
To simulate a few key elements, small accents are added to our flies that make them look more realistic and lifelike. These features include translucent materials that reflect light, flash materials for attraction, legs that move and emulate life and the addition of eyes that are a predominant feature on all shrimp.
For the color of my mantis shrimp, I felt you can't go wrong with a light tan or sandy color to match the environment. While tying up some false albacore flies with Craft-fur for the wings I noticed that the material contained shorter fibers that were pulled out and discarded. At the time I thought this would make a beautiful translucent dubbing material. With this thought it was only natural that I used tan Craft-fur for the tail and dubbed body on my Mantis shrimp pattern.
One notable feature on all shrimp are their eyes. Eyes on real shrimp move and make them look like a creature from another planet. I have not figured out how to incorporate this component into a fly pattern so I used the standard burnt mono eyes.
For the carapace I tied in a tuft of tan rabbit fur. This material looks bulky in the water and displays the most enticing movement. Even at rest this material quivers with life. A slight current or a strip on the line will make this material pulse like no other.
Perhaps the most important feature on my Mantis Shrimp pattern are the legs and the way they are tied on. Most bonefish flies that include legs have them tied in all together in one area on the fly. To me this looks like a clump of legs or a dead shrimp. I wanted my pattern to simulate life so each leg had to be separate and act like a natural shrimp with lots of movement. It takes a little extra time to tie a fly in this manner but I feel this is what makes this fly so distinctive and deadly on wary bonefish. Over the years it has become one of the go to patterns used in the Bahamas and a standard in every fly box that travels to this area.
Recipe for Bob Veverka's Mantis Shrimp
- Hook – Size #2-6
- Weight – Bead chain or small dumb-bell eyes
- Tail – Tan Craft-fur, same length as body. 2 strands of flash material can be added. One set of rubber legs are added at this point,
- Burnt mono eyes and a tuff of tan rabbit fur
- Body – One turn of tan Craft-fur dubbing then another set of rubber legs, followed by another turn of tan dubbing and another set of rubber legs, 3 sets in all.
|Bob also has some new variations on his classic mantis shrimp pattern that will soon be available from Umpqua Flies. They are:
|Veverka's Spawning Mantis Shrimp
|Veverka's Ghost Mantis Shrimp
|Veverka's Ghost Mantis Shrimp
S.S. Flies also has a version that works great too.
If you are interested in buying this fly, give me a call (800-211-8530) or e-mail me at email@example.com
I'll give you a code for a discount and make appropriate color and size suggestions depending on the island you are fishing.
|S. S. Flies Mantis Shrimp
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Events links
There are many events going on throughout the area – many can be pre-booked by larger groups so have a look at the page of events within Badenoch and Strathspey.
If you want some ideas further afield in the Highland area you'll find some ideas here but do remember to check out the distance and time of journey on a Google map. Some places may be in the Highlands but they might be further than you want to travel!
Local Events & Highland Games
Of course we do have events in Nethy Bridge too!
You can click through to the full calendar of Highland Games.
Here are some ideas that take place each year and some include suggestions for making a full day out of it.
Husky Racing takes place at this time of year whether or not there is snow on the ground. The strath is full of cars with weird sleds on their cars and you know the Huskies are here!
Last weekend in April
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival at the foot of Speyside we are ideally placed for you to do a circular tour of Whisky distilleries and events during this festival.
Early May
Strathspey in May This Festival is a celebration of the culture of the town and area – something for everyone to enjoy
Mid May
Aviemore and the Cairngorms Walking and Mountain Festival The programme offers plenty for everyone – short leisurely strolls through forests and along river and loch banks to more strenuous hill walks to the remaining snowfields at over 4,000 feet high. These include Ben Macdui, Braeriach and also many of the local munros
Last Saturday in July
Grantown Farmers' Market & Figgat Fair starts at 10am and you could grab an early burger lunch from one of the BBQs at the Fair/Market and then go on to Dufftown Highland Games giving you plenty of time to do both.
First Saturday in August
Newtonmore Highland Games offer an opportunity to travel South and make a day of it by visiting something else on the way. Maybe a visit to the Highland Wildlife Park?
2nd Thursday in August
The Annual Strathspey Farmers Club, Grantown Show is held at Heathfield Park, Grantown-On-Spey.
As well as all the livestock competitions, in the afternoon there is the Grand Parade of Livestock Winners, pipe band and Highland dancing. A Pageant of Decorated Vehicles (see below), Children's Races and Pets parade also add to the fun. The Cairngorms Farmers Market also attends selling fresh local produce.
There is also the usual varied trade stands, kiddies side shows, Punch and Judy performance and much much more – indeed something for everyone!
Second Saturday in August
Abernethy Highland Games bring friends and family from all over the world and so many residents are involved in their organisation that I am sure that no family is untouched by them and the Massed Pipe Bands can be heard for miles! Visitors are welcome to take part for a small entry fee. The children's races in the morning and moving onto the heavy events in the afternoon. Piping and Highland Dancing takes place throughout the day.
A dance is often held in the Community Centre in the evening.
Second & Fourth Wednesday in August & one more!
We hold three family evenings in the Nethy Bridge Community Centre. The first one is on the Wednesday in July that falls two weeks before these! A live band with dancing, piping, refreshments and a bar all contribute to the fun of these evenings which have been running for nearly 20 years!
Third Saturday in August
Grantown Highland Games – 23rd August
Traditional Highland Games held at Heathfield Park, Grantown-on-Spey
Last Weekend in August
Thunder in the Glen is the annual Harley Davidson owners' gathering. Get a good look at some of the best custom cruisers from across the world and even support local charities by going for a ride on a bike! Gatherings take place in Aviemore and Grantown and spectacular rides cruise along many of the roads – hence the name!
First Sunday in September
Motor Mania is now well established as a major date in the calendar of attractions across Strathspey. Established in 1995, this popular annual festival brings together vintage and veteran cars and vehicles of all types and from all over the UK beyond into Grantown's beautiful Georgian Square. On display in the town square will be all kinds of amusements for adults and children alike from a full-scale replica Spitfire to a Farmers Market offering local produce. Music, stalls, food, gifts and dancing can all be found in a wonderful buzzing atmosphere. Admission for spectators is free
The Grantown try Tri also takes place on that day, ending in The Square, and this only adds to the special atmosphere.
The annual World Porridge Making Championship is followed with interest by connoisseurs of the traditional national dish across the globe. This celebration of Scottish culture includes a pipe band parade of judges and competitors, the official Toast to the Porridge, local craft and produce stalls, cookery demonstrations, a vegetable art competition, live music and street entertainment as well as the Carrbridge Challenge 5km & 3km Forest Run and minis fun run.
23rd December
Reindeer Torchlight Procession in Grantown-on-Spey
Hogmanay – 31st December
Bring in the New Year in great style with one of the largest Hogmanay crowds in the Highlands. From 11pm until 1am enjoy music, dancing, the haggis and mulled wine, watch the Millennium Beacon and the midnight flares. Each year now they make an attempt at Strip the Willow World Record. As many dancers as possible are needed to join in the post midnight fun.

subset: commoncrawl


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Tough Times Ahead
for Democrats
By Dennis Howard © Copyright 2018
The current desperation of the Democrats reminds me of the guy falling past the 50th floor of the Empire State Building while reassuring himself, "So far, so good."
The only thing saving them from awareness of their own imminent disaster is their failure to recognize the disproportionate impact of abortion on vital Democrat voting blocks.
That's why they keep yelling and screaming and bumping their heads. They don't yet understand what has hit them as a result of their pro-abortion policies.
However, as a market researcher and a former Democrat, I have been tracking the abortion numbers since 1992, and my latest findings are bad news indeed for the Democrats.
For the first time in 26 years, I can confidently predict, based on abortion trends, that the Democrats are just about finished as a national party for the next 30 to 40 years.
To continue, click here
Copies of our special 14-page Report, "The 2016 Election: What Really Happened," are available from Movement for a Better America. To receive your copy, send $10 to: Movement for a Better America, PO Box 472, Mt. Freedom, NJ 07970-0472.
To receive a copy via email, use the Paypal Link below.
Either way, you will find this an amazing report!
After 48 years of abortion on demand and over 50 years of America on the Pill, is the United States on the verge of an inevitable population death spiral similar to that facing Europe, China, and the former Soviet Union?
From the latest trends in births, it certainly seems that way. Since 2007, births have been declining by 1.1% a year while abortions have been dropping by 3% a year. The 1.9% difference between the two trends reflects the success of the pro-life movement in saving lives and discouraging abortion. That is certainly good news.
The bad news, however, is that both trends reflect a decline in the number of young women in their child-bearing years. That's a direct consequence of 59.3 million abortions since 1967 plus 50 years of America on the Pill.
It's called "the echo effect." Babies aborted and births prevented 20 to 40 years ago are simply not around to give birth to a new generation. And that means a steady decline in new births that could last for years based on a detailed analysis of trends by our researchers at Movement for a Better America.


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How to Block And Mute Users On Twitter
Twitter has a new function to mute users on twitter, in other meaning, it's like to block other users tweets from showing in your news feed. You have full freedom to follow anyone, but you have the right to mute any user on twitter for many reasons, maybe someone of your contact pollutes your news feed with spam twitter or you just don't like what their tweets for some reasons. We will see in this small tutorial how to mute users on twitter.
How to mute users on twitter
There are two methods to make mute on twitter, you can mute account from your feed news, or by visiting the target account, and mute theme from their profile page. We will see how to do it with this methods.
Method 1:
to mute an account from your news feed, you simply select tweet of the target account, then, click on the more button at the bottom right of a tweet.
Click on mute to mute the target account.
Method 2 :
On the second method, you need to select the target account which you want to mute their tweets, then click on their account to visit their profile page, Click on more user action button next to Following button.
Then click on mute, like the first method, and you will mute the target account. I hope you find this tutorial useful for you, thanks for reading.


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You will find that image rollovers are by far the most commonly used JavaScript implemented on Web sites today. Almost every site you go to these days makes use of them in one way or another, so a good knowledge of how they work and what their limitations are can be a great asset to a programmer. Once you have the basics down, use that knowledge to experiment with different rollover techniques. You will be surprised at some of the creative and exciting rollovers you can devise.
No credit card required


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There are many ways you can reduce your "environmental footprint", while still maintaining the highest standards.
It is not print but waste that is bad for the environment.
Lane Print & Post is committed to Corporate Social Responsibility; the care and protection of the environment through the responsible use of community resources including water, energy and materials. Lanes support Carbon Neutral benchmarking and aim for a carbon neutral status without reducing the quality or performance of our products.
We have a clear objective when it comes to Environmental Commitment.
Sustainable Green Print (SGP)
Lanes are accredited to the equivalent of the international standard ISO 14001 through Sustainable Green Print (SGP) level 3, endorsed by the Printing Industries Association of Australia and independently audited.
Sustainable Offset Paper Products
No industry has moved faster or worked harder to become sustainable than the paper milling industry, both in Australia and internationally.
Lanes support and applaud these efforts, and encourage our clients to 'choose and use' sustainable papers wherever possible.
Sustainable Pre-Press Services
Lanes were one of the first companies in South Australia to embrace Computer-To-Plate (CTP) technology and installed these systems to eliminate volatile chemical film to plate processing.
Sustainable Printing
Lanes were the first company in South Australian to recognise the energy and environmental savings to be made through the use of perfecting presses (which allow for both sides of the sheet to be printed in a single pass) and were first to install an 8 colour perfecting press.
Perfecting presses provide for energy savings of up to 55% compared to standard, non-perfecting presses, greatly reducing energy use at the heart of the printing process.
Environmental Inks
Lanes have used soy-based vegetable inks continuously since 2002; soon after these were first developed in Europe to replace petroleum based inks.
Totally Degradable Bagging
Lanes enforce the use of food grade, TDPATM plastics when undertaking mailing for magazine publishers and the like. TDPA films are food contact compliant, can be recycled along with other plastics and are totally degradable, becoming environmentally benign when discarded.


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The Beer Institute's professional staff and leadership are committed to keeping our members informed and engaged on issues that impact our industry, as well as maintaining active outreach to Capitol Hill, the Administration and regulating agencies.
Our key staff members have expertise in government and industry affairs, economics, communications and administrative support.
Jim McGreevy
President and Chief Executive Officer
A 25-year veteran of policy and political work, Jim McGreevy serves as president and chief executive officer of the Beer Institute, the national trade association that represents America's brewers, beer importers and supply-chain partners – a $328 billion industry that supports more than 2.1 million American jobs.
As the national voice for the industry, Jim advocates on policy matters involving Congress, state legislatures, courts and regulatory agencies. He also serves as the official spokesman to the media and elsewhere on matters affecting the beer industry.
Before joining the Beer Institute, Jim served as senior vice president for government affairs at the American Beverage Association (ABA). Jim joined ABA in November 2005 as its vice president for state and local affairs. Prior to ABA, Jim was a senior associate at the Larkin Hoffman Law Firm in Bloomington, Minnesota, where he represented client interests before the Minnesota Legislature and administrative agencies. Jim was honored by CEO Update as a 2014 Top Association Lobbyist.
Jim received a B.A. from Seton Hall University and a J.D. from the University of Bridgeport School of Law, and he currently serves as a member of the Board of Overseers for the Seton Hall University School of Diplomacy and International Relations. He was also a Policy Fellow at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs from 2003-2004.
Jim lives in the District of Columbia with his wife, Rachel, and daughter, Lizzy.
Sandra Castro
Senior Manager, Administration
Sandra Castro is the senior manager of administration for the Beer Institute. She has been a member of the Beer Institute team since 2013 where she manages our day-to-day financials and accounting needs, IT and human resources functions. Sandra also assists in event planning, logistics and management. Prior to joining the Beer Institute, she worked as an office manager in Washington, DC. Originally from Peru, Sandra is fluent in both Spanish and English.
Alex Davidson
Director, Media Relations
Alex Davidson is the director of media relations at the Beer Institute, joining in December 2019. Before
starting at the Beer Institute, Alex served as communications director for Congressman Paul Mitchell (R-
MI) and has many years of experience both on Capitol Hill and working on congressional campaigns.
Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Alex has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Susan Haney
Vice President, Operations
Susan Haney is vice president of operations for the Beer Institute. She develops strategy and oversees organizational operations, industry affairs and government affairs. Haney is a veteran of the beer industry, having held numerous roles in 14 years with the Institute, including senior director, industry affairs, director, operations and executive assistant to the president. Prior to joining the Beer Institute, Haney worked for Security Mutual Life, a leading life insurance company based in Binghamton, New York.
Joe Heaton
Senior Director, Federal Affairs
Joe Heaton is the senior director of federal affairs at the Beer Institute. Joe has over 10 years of experience on Capitol Hill, as Legislative Director and Counsel to Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10), and Deputy Chief of Staff to former Congressman Jon Runyan (NJ-03). His experience has given him a wealth of skills as an advocate for the beer industry. Hailing from Centerville, OH, Joe has a Bachelor's Degree from Miami University, and his Juris Doctor from Penn State University, Dickinson School of Law.
Dani Murray
Executive Assistant
Dani Murray is the executive assistant for the Beer Institute's President & CEO as well as for the organization's Vice President & General Counsel. She manages their schedules and calendars, coordinates meetings, and assists in preparation and logistics for their presentations and events. Prior to joining the Beer Institute in 2018, she worked as a senior administrative assistant for a non-profit in Virginia. Dani is a graduate of Juniata College where she earned a degree in Social Development and Learning.
Dan Roth
Senior Director, Public Affairs
Dan Roth is the senior director of public affairs at the Beer Institute. Dan joined the Beer Institute in May 2016 where he served as the Beer Institute's communications director before beginning his current role in January 2018. A California native, Dan worked for Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA) as her communications director before joining the Beer Institute and has more than a decade of service in government at the federal, state, and local levels. Originally from Placerville, California, Dan has a Bachelor's Degree from Linfield College, located in McMinnville, Oregon.
Mary Jane Saunders
Vice President and General Counsel
Mary Jane Saunders is vice president, general counsel and secretary for the Beer Institute. She joined the Beer Institute in 2011 after serving as general counsel for Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust, the marketing and advertising arm of Subway restaurants. Prior to that, she was a partner at two national law firms. Mary Jane graduated with a B.A. from Virginia Tech and earned a J.D. from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. She is admitted to practice in Connecticut, D.C., and Virginia.
Michael Uhrich
Chief Economist
Michael Uhrich is the Beer Institute's Chief Economist. Michael supports the BI's members and their interests by providing analytical and economic research on the alcohol industry. A beer industry veteran, he worked for several years at MillerCoors, most recently leading the Insights Department's Marketplace Intelligence team. Michael holds a Master of Science in Applied Economics from Marquette University. He is also a Certified Cicerone through the Cicerone Certification Program and an avid home brewer.
Jordan Zuccarelli
Staff Assistant
Jordan Zuccarelli is the staff assistant for the Beer Institute. She assists with administration, operations, and event planning. Jordan recently moved to Washington, D.C., after graduating from Louisiana State University with a degree in Sociology. Before joining the Beer Institute in 2018, Jordan was an intern for Congressman Steve Scalise (R-LA).
Next Up:
The Beer Institute
440 First Street NW
Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
© 2019 Beer Institute :: Legal


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The Nature's Co December Beauty Wish Box Review – #BeYourOwnSanta
Hope you doing well! If you live in north India, I know how winters must be treating you. If you follow me on social media, you must be knowing that I am in Mumbai these days. Climate here is really pleasant and I am totally loving it. As always, my birthday month ended on a very happy note (touch wood)! I received so many birthday gifts and surprises. I upgraded from iPhone 5s to iPhone 6 splus too! This was really an amazing year. And when we talk about 'amazing!', I've got to mention the #BeYourOwnSanta December Beauty Wish Box by The Nature's Co.!
This month, it was not just a normal box or bag, but it was a red Christmas stocking full of surprises (beauty products, of course). See!
This month's beauty wish box had:
1) Sweet almond foot & toe cream
2) Raspberry face wash
3) Lychee sugar lip scrub
4) Irish moss mint bath oil
5) Mixed berry body butter
6) Cranberry exfoliating body wash
So far, I have tried raspberry face wash, lychee sugar lip scrub and sweet almond foot and toe cream. I liked all these products. I am yet to try other products. Individual review of all the products coming your way very soon!
All in all, this month's The Nature's Co. beauty wish box was really nice.
My ratings: 4/5


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DAEJEON, KOREA — The WACS 2012 Daejeon Congress Organizing Committee (Chairman: Mayor Yum Hong-chul of Daejeon Metropolitan City) announced today that the WACS 2012 Daejeon Congress will be held from May 1 through May 12, 2012 at Daejeon Convention Center, KOTREX and Expo Citizens Plaza in Daejeon.
Under the theme of 'Hand Taste of Korean People!, Appetite of World Citizens!,' the large scale food-related Congress will be held for 12 days, attended by more than 30,000 prominent chefs, sommeliers and cooks from over 97 countries including Korea.
Through the Congress, Korea will publicize attraction of traditional Korean foods and beverages to the world by introducing Korean foods and traditional rice wine, 'maggoli.'
Major event of the Congress is the 35th biennial general assembly the World Association of Chefs Societies, the organization of chefs around the world. As the third congress to be held in Asia following those in Singapore and Kyoto, the general assembly in Daejeon is expected to be the largest event in its history. The general assembly will be held under a united theme, 'How to Feed the Planet in the Future,' and it will adopt the 'Daejeon Declaration.'
Along with the WACS general assembly, major programs of the Congress will include the 'Global Chef Challenge,' one of food contests organized by the WACS for senior chefs, and the 'Hans Bueschkens Young Chef Challenge' for junior chefs with ages younger than 25 years. As the first contest, 'Hans Bueschkens Young Chef Challenge' will be the final match among representatives of 7 countries who are selected through preliminaries. These two contests will be held on May 3 and 4 on the first floor of the Daejeon Convention Center, respectively.
Between May 6 and 9, the Association of Sommelier International (ASI) will hold its general assembly and the Second Competition of Sommeliers in Asia and Oceania. It will be the 'Sommelier Olympics' in its real sense with attendance of more than 500 wine specialists and sommeliers from 45 countries.
In particular, the Second Competition of Sommeliers in Asia and Oceania set to be held in Daejeon is significant as the city was selected as the venue after heated competition with Hong Kong and Singapore following the first competition held in Osaka, Japan in 2009. At the competition, 23 representative sommeliers who are selected in 12 Asian and Oceania countries through fierce competition in their respective countries are expected to boast their talent and skills.
In addition, the 2012 International Food Fair-Korea (IFK), the first international-level food contest in Korea accredited by the WACS, will be held between May 1 and 5 at the Daejeon Convention Center. A total of 909 teams in 39 fields will vie with a large variety of foods.
At the same time, the Daejeon International Food Industry Exhibition will also be held at the same venue to provide chances of exchanging knowledge on foods and cooking of countries around the world, and introducing Korean foods through the Korean Food Pavilion.
The WACS 2012 Daejeon Congress is not a festival limited to chefs but also an arena of diversified and complex cultures that unites world's citizens into one with foods by providing them chances of enjoying best foods cooked by contest participants, performances of culture and arts of many countries, including Korea, and various experiencing activities.
The Congress will be hosted by the Daejeon Metropolitan City and Korea Cooks Association and organized by the WACS 2012 Daejeon Congress Organizing Committee, and its admission is free.
Videos related to the Congress are available on YouTube (http://youtu.be/O0vdcrVb8o8), and more detailed information on the Congress is available in the Website (http://www.wacs2012.org/).


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Louis Vuitton
Our cash offer is based on handbag being in "Very Good" condition. The offer on a "Good" condition bag will be less than shown cash offer, depending on the amount of wear. See condition scale below. To redeem your offer, click the print icon and bring in your bag(s) and quote(s) to your nearest Keeks location. OR you can initiate the selling process online HERE.
Excellent: Item appears unused. May contain faint signs of wear due to storage conditions.
Very Good: Item is clean and contains very little wear. Item may show minor visible wear to corners, hardware, and leather.
Good: Item does show moderate signs of prior use. Item will have noticeable signs of wear such as well scuffed edges or significant scratches. Surface scratches, darkening in handles, and other indications of wear may be visible. "Good" condition items often present our customers with the greatest opportunity to save significantly on authentic luxury bags.


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Happy Strachan in heaven
Southampton 3 Portsmouth 0
IN ITS PREMIERSHIP CONTEXT, this was an excellent result for Southampton, taking them up to fourth place in the table, and a disappointing one for Portsmouth, keeping them firmly in the relegation zone. But add in that it was the first league game between the South Coast rivals for almost 16 years and the elation of the winners and the despair of the losers were magnified.
Among the supporters, that is. Gordon Strachan, the Southampton manager, was more satisfied with the points than local bragging rights. "It's manna from heaven for a middle-of-the-league club to pick up nine points from three games," he said. "It's not the derby, it's three points."
Hang on — what did he mean, "middle-of-the-league club"? What about being in a Champions…


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Posted on: December 16, 2014
Posted on: December 17, 2014 Posted in: postcards & letters, universal truths and cycles
Here are my latest postcard creations, commercially printed and dispursed throughout the international feather2pixel diaspora. I permitted myself the extravagance …
Posted on: December 2, 2014 Posted in: shows
Thanks to everyone who showed up to the November 2014 show at City Art Gallery in San Francisco. In approaching …
Posted on: November 6, 2014 Posted in: shows
What is it about my November 2014 City Art wall that has this vagrant gentleman I met on the street …
Posted on: November 1, 2014 Posted in: postcards & letters, shows
Things are starting to come together up for my stupendous November City Art show. I'm giving away so much legacy …
Posted on: October 30, 2014 Posted in: over-matched by woodworking, shows
homemade postcard holders–made in the USA from 100% scrap material– Things in the studio are heating up in preparation for …
Posted on: February 19, 2019 Posted in: gratuitous video
"Song of the Humpback Whale:" Nov 2018 Multimedia Installation at Pacific Felt Factory in San Francisco CA featuring hand made record. A collaboration between Danny Clay and Jon Fischer, supported by the San Francisco Arts Commission.
More Videos
Quick Portfolio
Jon Fischer San Francisco, CA moc tod slexip2rehtaef ta noj


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From Smashy Events comes the following article published June 16, 2011, " Belgian police probe murders of ten internet daters who died after emptying bank accounts and flying to Africa to marry." The article begins "Ten men who emptied their bank accounts and flew to Africa hoping to marry women they had met on the internet have died suddenly"
Even though these are not Americans and the "women" each man went to meet lived in Cameroon instead of Ghana or Nigeria, this story should bring home the dangers of continued contact with any scammer.
From Canada comes the following article which I am reproducing in full here since the newspaper which published the article no longer has it available for reading:
Saskatchewan woman dies in Nigeria, family anxiously waits for body to be returned home
By Sean Trembath, The StarPhoenix March 30, 2011
The family of a Saskatchewan woman who died in Nigeria earlier this month is stuck in limbo waiting for her body to come back to Canada.
"It's just a waiting game. All we can do is sit and wait," said Marcia Seeseequasis, an adopted sister of Debra Pine.
Pine lived on the Beardy's First Nation, located 85 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon. On Feb. 9, she travelled to Nigeria to marry a man who Seeseequasis knows as Martin. A little over one month later, Pine died.
Pine had met Martin several years ago over the Internet and got married on Feb. 14. A few weeks later, Pine fell ill. She complained of a headache and vomiting, but didn't want to see a doctor as she didn't think the illness was serious, said Seeseequasis.
"She felt that it was just a flu," she said.
On March 23, Sheryl Horse, Pine's oldest daughter, was the last family member to speak to her mother. Pine complained of being very tired.
Pine died in hospital the next day, said Seeseequasis, who spoke to Martin that day.
"All Martin said was she's dead," said Seeseequasis, who has been the family's main representative in attempts to get more information about her sister's death and arrange for Pine's body to be returned.
"It's very difficult to communicate with a different country," she said.
Seeseequasis tried calling the local police station in Nigeria and the hospital where Pine died, but neither would answer the phone.
"We haven't been able to speak to a doctor. We haven't been able to speak to anyone else," she said.
An autopsy was performed to determine the cause of death, but the results are still pending, said Seeseequasis. Both she and Horse said the family does not suspect foul play.
"My sister trusted (Martin)," said Seeseequasis, adding that she trusted her sister's judgment.
This was Pine's second trip to Nigeria. In 2009, she went to meet Martin and his family for the first time.
"She said that he treated her well. She said she felt like a queen. I was happy for her that she found someone," said Seeseequasis.
Since Pine was married before her death, Martin is the next of kin and any attempts to move the body have to go through him. According to Seeseequasis, he has been quite cooperative.
"He's making all the arrangements over there. Thus far everything has gone well," she said. Even so, they have yet to receive any confirmation that Pine's body will be returned. Seeseequasis said that Martin wants to accompany the body to Canada, and this may be holding up the process.
"On behalf of the family, we've written a letter inviting him to the funeral," she said. They hope it will help him get whatever visa is needed to allow him into the country.
Meanwhile, the community of Beardy's First Nation have rallied behind Pine's family.
"We've been getting so much support. People have been bringing food and money," said Horse, who lives next door to Pine's house.
Pine left nine children ranging in age from 11 to 33. The five who are still of dependent age are now living with Pine's first husband, who also lives on the reserve.
Horse said that Pine was very well liked in the community.
"I never heard anything bad about her, ever. She always had a smile for everybody," she said.
The most important thing now is getting Pine's body back, said Horse.
"It's really difficult," she said.
"We want to have that chance to say goodbye to her. It doesn't feel like we can."© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix


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BLH Technologies' employees like to "get in deep" with their Federal clients—I mean, really deep. How deep—deep enough that, if you didn't know better, you'd think our employees actually held positions with our Federal clients.
That's right—our people are often mistaken for Feds; I mean this in the best possible way. In some instances our employees work on site with their Federal counterparts, present at conferences on behalf of our clients, and answer questions from the public at large as if they were Feds. Our unofficial motto is "we, not they" when talking about our clients.
I encourage this idea. We aren't staff-extenders, but we're positioned deeply with our clients to offer them good, reasonable counsel and service.
I tell every new hire at BLH that "client service" is a bare minimum. By itself, client service is insufficient. If all we're doing is client service, we aren't distinguishing ourselves. I don't want us just to be a service provider for our clients; I want us to be a trusted advisor for them. I don't want us simply to respond to a client's needs; I want us to anticipate those needs. I want us to know what the client wants before he or she knows it.
That's why our "we, not they" approach is so important. We've got to get in deep with our clients.
Here's a true story of something that happened recently. One of our employees was at a conference with a client. He was working a booth on an exhibit floor, answering questions about the client's work. A third party visiting the booth asked our employee for his card. Because he's a BLH employee, he didn't have a business card from the client, but he noted, "I'm not a Federal employee; I'm a contractor." He then told her, "Here's how to reach me," and he gave her his BLH contact information. However, the woman asking him questions was shocked: "You're not a Fed?" But you know so much about [the agency]." "No," our employee replied, "I'm a contractor; I just know what I'm doing." The woman making the inquiries was impressed. So was the Federal employee with whom our employee was working.
That's how we handle things. We're honest and transparent, of course; we'd never pass ourselves off as Federal employees because we're not. When we're with our clients, though, we think like they think; their concerns become our concerns. We're not just giving them a product; we're serving as a trusted advisor. I'll take that tradeoff every time.


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Introducing the Kushiro Area
The Repository of Diverse Forms of Life.
The Kushiro area stands out as a special place even in Hokkaido, which is said to be the richest in nature in Japan.
It has deep rich forests, vast wetlands, beautiful lakes and rivers as well as the ocean that delivers various blessings.
Each of them is a repository of diverse forms of life.
Attractions in the Kushiro Area
Fully enjoying the natural beauty of Hokkaido
Akan-Mashu National Park attracts visitors with its pristine landscape and rich natural environment created by forests, lakes and volcanoes featuring the three caldera lakes of Akan, Mashu and Kussharo, which were formed by the activities of the Chishima volcanic belt.Read more
Travel Destinations
For tourists in the Kushiro Area,
we have picked the information we would like to recommend for each municipality in the area.
Please check the list when creating your travel plans.
About the four seasons
The four seasons, filled with distinctive beauty.
Lovely forests and lakes. Pure rivers.
The bountiful earth and sea, painted in the vivid colors of the four seasons.


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Orthotics & Prosthetics Insurance in Decherd TN & Winchester TN
Protection Built for your Highly Specialized Industry
Hill Insurance provides insurance to orthotics & prosthetics industry businesses in Decherd, Winchester, Estill Springs, Cowan, Huntland, Tullahoma, and surrounding areas.
Practitioners, manufacturers, fabricators, and distributors within the orthotics and prosthetics industry require highly specialized coverage options for their businesses. At Hill Insurance, we understand that when it comes to your business, nothing short of a comprehensive protection plan will do.
Our team of qualified insurance specialists is here to help you create a quality business insurance package to match your industry needs. Contact a representative at Hill Insurance today to find out more about our offerings for the orthotics and prosthetics industry.


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Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wild Rose Studio New Release ,, are ewe ready !! :-)
I followed Arlana's lovely sketch on the Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge :-)
I coloured the image with Prisma pencils ,, I thought I should get these out and use them more ,, I do like the more textured effect you can get on furry animals ,,, tho I do need more practise with them ,,,,, :-)
The papers are also from the Wild Rose Studio range ,, the Polka Dot is a new paper stack and the flowery swirl is digi paper from the Spring Papers CD :-) I love how the colours match perfectly ! :-) mix n match !! :-)
The flower is prima sprayed with pearl glimmer mist and the leaves are a Martha Stewart punch, these are from the Simon Says Stamp Store. The brad in the center of the flower is a polka dot one also from the same new Wild Rose Studio range :-)
Dulcie ,,the owner of the Wild Rose Studio will be having a stand at the NEC fair ,, so if you are going please pop by and see her lovely stamps and crafty bits and say hello :-) She is also looking for shops to stock her goodies ,,, so if you have a store ,, pop by her site for a closer peek :-)
I have a GORGEOUS blog candy sponsored by Heidi at Simon Says Stamp if you would like to take a peek it is at the top of my blog :-)
18 comments:
- France said...
I Love your work...
And you blog is the most GORGEOUS that I,ve seen... I have to say, that I'm jeleous...hihi ! It,s in all my favorite colors and I love the style. Great choice.. it's refreshing.
- February 11, 2010 at 2:15 PM
- mulberry station said...
What a sweet Ewe image. Your paper is so yummy with your iamge. I love the flower embellisment. Thanks for joining us at SSW.
- February 11, 2010 at 2:30 PM
- joey said...
awwwww Lorraine this is so sweet, a great image and I love the softness of your card. Joey.x
- February 11, 2010 at 2:55 PM
- Stef H (Glitterbabe) said...
super cute card!
- February 11, 2010 at 4:56 PM
- Arlana said...
What a sweet Image. Love the colors you used and the fun embellishments. Thanks for playing along with my sketch @SSW!!!
- February 11, 2010 at 6:47 PM
- Kim Piggott said...
Oh Lols this is so sweet!
Such a cute card!
kim x
- February 11, 2010 at 8:29 PM
- Rose said...
Adorable card! Love all the sweet details! Thanks for joining us at SSW this week!
- February 11, 2010 at 10:10 PM
- Riet said...
What a gorgeous card Lorraine.
Hugs Riet..xx
- February 11, 2010 at 10:35 PM
- Stacy said...
Wonderful spring card! I love the flower, leaves and brad! Super cute! Thanks for joining us at SSW.
Have a great day!
- February 11, 2010 at 11:19 PM
That is soooooo c_ewe_t I love it love her images soooo sweet!
love the papers too! :0)
- February 12, 2010 at 12:15 AM
- sweetbloominscraps said...
That is such a cute Ewe Image. Your paper is adorble. Thanks for playing at SSW!
- February 12, 2010 at 2:17 AM
- Lynne in NI said...
Awww, how sweet is this!
(Love your colouring ... Think I might have to add Prisma pencils to my crafty wish list!)
- February 12, 2010 at 12:47 PM
- Sheri (a.k.a PaperCrafty) said...
Darling card!! I love the soft colors and sweet image!! Thanks so much for playing along with us at SSW this week!!
Sheri-SSW DT
- February 12, 2010 at 6:24 PM
- KymKreates said...
what a cute spring time card!
Thank you for joining us at SSW and hope to see you again.
- February 12, 2010 at 10:30 PM
- Emma said...
Aw how adorable...so cute!!
Hugs Emma x
- February 12, 2010 at 11:21 PM
- Jeannie said...
This is just too cute!
Thanks for joining us at SSW.
Peace & Luv,
- February 13, 2010 at 1:46 AM
- Terry Oulboub said...
Your card is darling. I love how you put your papers together with the flower; so well coordinated. Thanks for playing along with us at SSW.
- February 16, 2010 at 3:41 AM
- Donna said...
Super sweet card using this weeks sketch Lorraine I love the sweet little lamb, beautifully done! Thanks for joining in the fun at SSW :) Donna x
- February 16, 2010 at 5:03 PM


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Elise Marie Myrvang Eikeland via Crowdrise
March 06, 2011
ORGANIZER: Ti
Emily Deschanel wrote -
Women for Women International believes that when women are well, sustain an income, are decision-makers, and have strong social networks and safety-nets, they are in a much stronger position to advocate for their rights. This philosophy and our commitment to local leadership builds change and capacity at the grassroots level.
I know the organization does what it says it is doing. Lisa Shannon who introduced me to Women for Women has been to Congo and has met the women she has sponsored. These women are getting education, job training and money to use how they wish. Most importantly they are getting their dignity back after war and violence has taken it away. The countries that Women for Women works in are some of the worst places to live, especially for women. I want to let these women know that we are aware of their struggles and that we want to help them get their lives back.
Your donation will help provide:
- Food, clean water and clothing for women and their children
- School for children
- Job skills training to start a business and empower a woman to change her community
Donate today and change a woman's life forever.
Thank you,


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The Food Riots is a generic plot for use in the Cosmic Era
'The city had a name, we know it, but it is being withheld to protect the secrets it holds as well as to protect the interests of the Pellucid Foundation and the associated expeditions.'
Commander Edgar Barber Burroughs
In many cases, the local people will not co-operate in providing information about criminals or those who are on the run. Here are seven reasons why they either won't or can't help track a wanted person or group down.
Also known as EDS, a pervasive disorder where patients suffer from emotional instability, marked by self destructive behavior, violent outbursts, and other emotional disturbances.
Also a completely made up disorder.
(from 1983)
resurrected plot for gonzo freetext challenge, prob the most gonzo I've got!
The interplanetary cruiser ISS Livingstone was launched on a grandiose mission to tour every planet in the solar system, a technological tour de force of Technodyne Heavy Industries and SmartTek Technologies. It was an over-hyped media sensation that, predictably, failed to live up to expectations.
Even evil gets lonely.
Goblins descended on civilised land from the east nearly one thousand years ago. Now, it's time to descend upon them with all the fury they have shown us they are capable of.
People live inside a series of walls. Outside the walls, there are Titans (giants, unless you actually want to use the Titan, which are fetching powerful). There's a spell that needs breaking to return everything to normal size. That can only be done by collecting the elemental devil arms. Hot dang.
Or why you should always look women in the eye
"What do you mean the vault is empty?!"
"Just that, sir. It's empty."
"There was a half tonne of gold coins in there! Did you see a cart? Any orcs or ogres? A dragon?! It's not like it just got up and walked away!"
"Actually, sir..."
The Odaneimo Mountains aren't exactly the sort the bards talk about, they dont tear at the sky or trip the gods. They are still tall enough that you just can't go hiking over them. There are just two passes through them, Oshen Pass down in the south, and Zoran pass, in the north. It would be worth a pretty penny if someone could find a middle pass through.
Diad, Teamsters Guild-boss
A man approaches you with a proposition; a cult that seeks to only protect the weak; plots mingling and causing destruction.
Death, it seems, shall stalk the land of Merthia tonight- unless, of course, the PCs can stop it.
UAC Scientists have discovered a strange artifact on the surface of Phobos. They wish to transport it to an 'off-the-radar' base above Saturn's moon, Titan, but fear that space pirates may have gained intel on the artifact. Additional protection is needed; this is where you come in!
A Cosmic Era, Event Horizon/Doom-influenced Plot, for the optional Occult Brotherhood quest.
The lost story of the pommel stones.
When a wizard named Mendalus develops a spell that summons an obedient woman named Catherine--exactly like any other summoning spell--it creates chaos in the wizard-metropolis of Meltheria, as many interested parties struggle to understand the nature (and legality) of the Catherine spell, while vast fortunes hang in the balance.
"Many hungry people in these parts and the roads are dangerous. So you have a choice, you can give us most of your provisions to feed the starving, or all your silver to pass safely. The choice is yours, wanderer."
For those who enjoy comfort and discretion, and don't mind paying a few extra coins
during their stay in Ak-Var.
This great square lies a few feet below the level of the surrounding streets. A place of where emotions run high; a place of both awe, and despair.
They were made as a promise of everlasting peace and unity. One has been opened to prevent a war. A second sits on display in a Dwarven hold. The last has vanished, and to this day, has never been found.
During big fights in the arena or gladitorial ring between two well known or important warriors. When one looses and dies, the crowd throws copper coins into the arena for the slain warrior to take with them on their passage of death. This is to make their passage and afterlife richer and less troubled. It is a sign of respect.


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Belgrade is a hidden gem full of history. Stretched out along the banks of the Danube and the Sava river. Ottoman and Austrian influences make the city unique according to an enthusiastic local who shares her Belgrade tips with us.
Belgrade tips by…
Belgrade is a secret gem. Many people still associate Serbia with its difficult history and don't think of it as a popular travel destination. However, Belgrade is quickly making its rise on travel lists. The city is always alive and is known for its nightlife, especially in summer when the clubs move outdoors to "splavs" along the Sava River.
It is difficult to share only five tips for Belgrade; there is so much to see! After 5 months of living here I have yet to eat at a bad restaurant or experience a bad encounter. However, here are my Belgrade tips not be missed.
1. Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan
At one time this mighty fortress was the first thing people saw upon arriving in Belgrade along the convergence of the Danube and Sava rivers. In fact, Belgrade (Beograd) means "white city" due to the white bricks the fortress is made from. There is so much history in this one location, I've done 3 different tours and I learn something new every time.
This fortress was on the border between the Ottoman and Austrian Empires and switched hands several times. This is evident throughout the whole city as you can see the Turkish and Austrian influence everywhere. On your visit to Kalemegdan, I suggest a guided tour such as the Belgrade Underground Tour, which shows you the Roman ruins under the city, Tito's hidden bunker, and several other historically relevant spaces.
2. Nikola Tesla Museum
Arguably one of the most famous Serbs, Nikola Tesla is most known for his work on alternating current. I put off visiting this museum because I personally had no interest in engineering or electrical systems. However, this museum is much more than that. It is interactive and let's you learn in a fun way.
Tesla was a contemporary of Edison, but in America we only learn about Edison. I had never heard of Nikola Tesla until I moved to Serbia. After visiting this museum, I was shocked to learn how much Tesla contributed to modern technology.
There is a reason Belgrade named their airport after him.
3. Zemun
This municipality of Belgrade is like a little village. Historically, Zemun was a border town that belonged to the Austrian empire. Today, it is connected to the old city by New Belgrade (Novi Beograd).Located on the banks of the Danube River, this is a great place to find some excellent fish restaurants. With a nice promenade that follows the river, you can walk or even bike from old town to Zemun.
In the center of the old fortress of Zemun is Gardoš Tower. The top of the tower offers the best view of Belgrade. From here you can see the entire city, including Kalemegdan and the rivers.
4. Ada Ciganlija
Lake Ada is a man-made lake along the banks of the Sava River. During the summer, this is where you will find most Belgradians on the weekends. I recommend renting a bike and riding around the lake, stopping at the cafes and beach to enjoy the sun.
Even in winter these cafés bring out the heaters and blankets and encourage people to enjoy the little bit of nature that can be found within a city. You can find outdoor yoga classes and sports clubs during the summer. They even have outdoor festivals and concerts throughout the year.
As you can see, Belgrade is full of history and Serbians are full of life. Every night seems like a Friday night and there is always a party going on. So if you are coming to Belgrade, make sure you are ready for a good time!
5. Kafanas
While in Serbia, it is important to see where the locals go. Any day of the week, Kafanas are busy with locals and tourists alike. Traditionally, these cafes were a place where men could gather to talk and drink coffee or rakija. This is a remnant of the Ottoman rule and remains a large part of Serbian culture.
Many of the kafanas today offer a full menu as well as drinks. The oldest kafana in Belgrade is "?" located across from the Saborna Church in the center of the old city. Here, and at other kafanas, you can enjoy live music and traditional food any day of the week.
Image: Shutterstock


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The Magnetic Ring Mount is a stylish way of adding grip and security to your phone. With the highest grade N52 magnets, it attaches powerfully to your iDeal case and makes sure your cell phone stays safely in your hand, but is still extremely easy to remove. The Ring Mount eases tension in your hand while scrolling through feeds, serves as a stand while watching videos, and makes sure you don't drop your phone when taking a killer selfie.
Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to hear about exclusive offers and product releases.
You can unsubscribe at any time, and we always keep your information safe and secure.


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Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Immanuel Ness – Episode 41
This week Eric chats with political scientist Immanuel Ness about his new book Southern Insurgency: The Coming of the Global Working Class, and the implications of the shift in industrial production to the Global South. Eric and Immanuel explore the themes of the book which include the changing nature of labor struggle, in depth analyses of working class resistance in the "Third World," and how these struggles must shape and inform the discussion of solidarity on the Left, particulalry in the developed world. The conversation also touches on the nature of contemporary imperialism, the evolution of non-western capital as a quasi-alternative to western capital's hegemony, the role of organized labor, and much much more.
Musical Interlude: Billy Bragg – "There Is Power in a Union"


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Faronics Winselect Enterprise v8.10.2100.819 Multilingual
Faronics Winselect Enterprise v8.10.2100.819 Multilingual | 131 MB
Ensuring computers are dedicated to their intended use has never been easier than with Faronics WINSelect. Whether you want to lockdown a public access kiosk or lock down workstations across your entire network, we've got you covered. Now you can limit everything from applications to printing, while eliminating IT support tickets on everything from one machine to thousands.
Kiosk options help you control public access machines with just one click. WINSelect allows you to automatically launch specified applications right at the start-up. You can also block access to specific menu items, as well as access to specific applications that you don't want people using. And it's all done with the click of a mouse. How's that for simple?
Restrict settings for opening, saving, printing, and even timers. In public access environments, you can easily keep machines free of personal data, while controlling what information comes in or out by disabling USB and disk drives. And built-in session timers help you ensure that everyone gets a turn.
Browser restrictions allow you to control what users can do on the Web. You can disable features within Internet Explore and Mozilla Firefox. You can also freeze the homepage and prevent changes. Or you can create a list of allowed or restricted websites to ensure end users are using the computers for the intended purpose.
Enterprise-level control is easy using the built-in Faronics Core Console. It makes it easy to deploy, configure and manage WINSelect across your network. You can schedule and execute tasks using groups and even apply configuration changes when workstations are powered off. You can even schedule WINSelect restriction times and levels to meet the demands of your unique environment.
Whats New :
Updates: official site does not provide any info about changes in this version.
For other news, visit my profile every day!
To Unzip the files use 7zip or WinRar.
I recommend to download as fast as you can or you will lose file you need ( Links dead because of Copyright Infringement )


text: Why is the photo not showing up when I open it? When I try to open ANY of my photos in Adobe Photoshop Elements 12, they will not open/show up. It's not that my computer is slow, I run ... Connor M., 6 years ago Last reply: Chris Cox, 6 years ago 1 1 me too 3 3 replies Question


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Start the Year Off Right!
Most Kindergarten students have a very limited understanding of the word "math" or "mathematics" and how it relates to their own life. Help them understand why math is important by showing them that numbers and math surround us with these number activities to include with your Kindergarten math lessons!
Together, brainstorm an extensive list of where numbers can be found. For example, your list might include words like calendar, number line, ruler, grocery store, telephone, price tag, sports jersey or scores.
Next, give each student (or pairs of students) a pencil and paper. Ask them to go on a numbers hunt around the classroom or even around the school. Students should record the number they find and how it is being used. Any non-writers can use pictures to illustrate what they have found. Their data might look something like this:
- 7 – a page number
- 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 & 12 – the numbers on a the clock
- 117 – the room number for music class
Come back together as a class and allow time for students to share the numbers they have discovered around the classroom.
Then, spend some time discussing various situations when it is necessary to use math skills like counting, adding and subtracting. As part of your Kindergarten math lessons, you might also discuss times when understanding how to use math and number sense has been beneficial…like when they are trying to share cookies with a friend, count the number of pennies in their piggy bank, or keep track of the score in a playground game.
Read Aloud
When you are finished brainstorming the list, spend some time reading Math Curse, by John Scieszka. In this humorous book, the narrator is afflicted with a "math curse," and suddenly recognizes how every situation can be thought of as a math problem.
Your students will have everyday situations where math is important, and by incorporating this awareness into your number activities for Kindergarten math lessons, your students are certain to see math in a different light.


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A Danish city has ordered pork to be mandatory on municipal menus, including schools and daycare centers. The move is necessary for preserving the country's food traditions, according to the politicians. They insist that is not an attack on Muslims.
The Associated Press reported that Frank Noergaard, a member of the council in Randers, says that the proposal was made to ensure that pork remains a central part of Denmark's food culture. It says,
"Danish food culture must be a central part of the offering — including serving pork on an equal footing with other foods."
The proposal also adds that its intention was not to force anyone to eat something that "goes against one's belief or religion." Pork is forbidden under religious dietary laws for both Muslims and Jews.
Martin Henriksen, a spokesman for the Danish People's Party, a far-right anti-immigrant party that backed the measure, wrote on his Facebook page that the move was necessary to uphold Danish culture in the face of potential threats from Islam.
"It is unacceptable to ban Danish food culture, including dishes with pork, in Danish child care institutions. What will be next?! The Danish People's Party is working nationally and locally for Danish culture, including Danish food culture, and that means we are also fighting against Islamic rules and misguided considerations dictating what Danish children should eat."
In 2014, crispy pork with parsley sauce was named Denmark's national dish. The Danish Agriculture and Food Council states that the consumption and export of pork are crucial to Denmark's economy. There are about 5,000 pig farms in the country, with several million animals. The council wrote on it website,
"Exports of pig meat account for almost half of all agricultural exports."
It was not surprising that the ubiquitous pig had become a point of contention. Ayse Dudu Tepe, an archaeologist and radio host, born in Denmark to Turkish parents, noted, with more than a hint of wryness, that she could understand those agitating on behalf of pigs.
"In a country with more pigs than humans," she wrote on her Facebook page, "it makes perfect sense to have a political party talking on behalf of the pigs."
Charlotte Molbaek, a member of the Socialist People's Party on the Randers Town Council, accused that the proposal was politically motivated. The Danish People's Party has become a potent political force, in part by railing against immigration and fashioning itself as the protector of traditional Danish values. She was quoted by Politiken, a daily newspaper, saying the following during a debate on the measure.
"What do children need? Do they need pork? Actually not. But the Danish People's Party does. Children need grown-ups."
The decision is likely to please anti-Islamic lobby groups. Although the council stressed that it did not want to force Muslims or Jews to eat food that contradicts with their religious beliefs, some considered the decision a message to refugees and other migrants that Denmark was unwilling to give up parts of its culture to accommodate others.
This "meatball war" draws its roots from an event in 2013, when the then prime minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, criticized nurseries that had stopped serving pork because Muslim children refused to eat it.
Tabloid Ekstra Bladet followed up with a survey that found out that only 30 out of the country's 1,719 daycare institutions had either stopped serving pork completely, or switched to halal meat, prepared following Muslim rules.
Denmark has become one of Europe's most restrictive countries in terms of dealing with the influx of refugees. Last week, the Danish government secured a parliamentary majority for an immigration bill that would also allow police officers to seize cash and valuables from refugees according to a report in the Washington Post. The proposal has provoked outrage internationally. Switzerland passed a similar law years ago.
[Photo by: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Images]