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"Pelican's Perch" Index
A complete index to John Deakin's popular Pelican's Perch column on AVweb.
Pelican's Perch #80: Gear-Up Landing In A 747? - (Articles - Nov 21, 2004)
You know the cliche: There are two kinds of retractable-gear pilots in the world -- those who have landed gear-up, and those who will. AVweb's John Deakin is back with his Pelican's Perch column, and relates his own heavy-jet gear-up story.
Pelican Perch: A Little Break, If You Please - (Articles - Jun. 18, 2004)
AVweb's resident Pelican takes a much-deserved break from his monthly columns.
John Deakin's Old Books & Publications - (Articles - May 15
AVweb's John Deakin has acquired quite a few gems in his reference library, and he has made photocopies available to the public. This is a list of a half-dozen reprints and how you can acquire them.
Pelican's Perch #79: The Air America Years (Part II) - (Articles - Mar 28, 2004)
AVweb's John Deakin did spend time in Southeast Asia as part of Air America, one of the "airlines" run by the CIA in the 1960s. Upon arriving in Asia, there was time for using old Link trainers, relaxing in hot springs, avoiding alcohol-pushers, and learning the reputation of The Company as John continues his story.
Pelican's Perch #78: Props Driving Engines - (Articles - Feb 29, 2004)
If your CFI (or mechanic) instructed you never to let the propeller drive the engine, or never to run the engine "oversquare," it's time for a reality check. AVweb's John Deakin addresses a few more of these engine myths that started back in the days of radial-engines.
Pelican's Perch #77: Startups & Runups - (Articles - Feb 1, 2004)
Even the apparently simple tasks of starting and running up a piston aircraft engine before takeoff should be done with the same concerns for engine life, reliability and safety as any other part of flight. AVweb's John Deakin steps us through the process, dispelling myths as he goes.
Pelican's Perch #76: Those Dreadful POHs (Part 2) - (Articles - Dec 7, 2003)
Last month, AVweb's John Deakin described some strange events from his airline days that were caused by too-strict reliance on "The Book." This month, the pelican gets on his perch to tackle a few GA POHs and finds (gasp!) inconsistencies, errors, and just plain dangerous recommendations.
Pelican's Perch #75: Those Dreadful POHs (Part 1) - (Articles - Nov 9, 2003)
Everything your POH says is correct, and anything it doesn't say you can do, you can't, right? Did you really think John Deakin -- AVweb's favorite contrarian -- could let that kind of gross generality continue unquestioned?
Pelican's Perch #74: Hurricane (Part 2) - (Articles - Oct 12, 2003)
AVweb's John Deakin concludes his two-part series on the Hawker Hurricane with this report of his first time flying it. As you'll see, it takes a lot of time just to get ready to go, but once it does, it does it in a Hurry!
Pelican's Perch #73: Hurricane (Part 1) - (Articles - Sep 14, 2003)
It still gets less press than its more-famous compatriot, the Spitfire, but the Hawker Hurricane was the mainstay of the British fighter squadrons in the European theater of World War II. AVweb's John Deakin considers it one of his favorites, and his two-part pilot report begins this month.
Pelican's Perch #72: The Legendary Zero (Part 2) - (Articles - Aug 17, 2003)
In this continuation of his checkout in a Japanese Zero, John Deakin does his preflight in the cockpit, fires it up and takes to the air in one of the very few flying examples of this famous WWII fighter.
Pelican's Perch #71: The Legendary Zero (Part 1) - (Articles - July 20, 2003)
The Japanese Zero of World War II was so light it could out-turn just about any American fighter, but that meant it had very little armor, so one good shot would take it down. Nowadays, there are maybe two flying examples in the entire world -- and AVweb's John Deakin is now a qualified pilot in one of them.
Pelican's Perch #70: Gulfstream IV Part 2 - (Articles - June 22, 2003)
Last month, AVweb's John Deakin told us what it was like to live the life of an itinerant Gulfstream IV pilot. This month he digs into the actual operations in the cockpit and, guess what? It's a good thing he likes computers and can read computer screens.
Pelican's Perch #69: Gulfstream IV - (Articles - May 25 2003)
Two years ago, AVweb's John Deakin wrote about taking Gulfstream IV training and the start of his move from airlines to bizjets. This month, John chronicles the long and challenging process that still hasn't quite settled down.
Pelican's Perch #68: The Human Borescope - (Articles - April 27 2003)
AVweb's resident Pelican talks of a different kind of borescope -- one that may well save your life.
Pelican's Perch #67: Analysis of an In-Flight Engine Failure - (Articles - March 30 2003)
GA engine failure captured digitally in full color! AVweb's John Deakin shows us engine-monitor data from an aircraft that lost power on takeoff just after an annual inspection. As you might expect, John disagrees with the engine manufacturer's post-mortem.
Pelican's Perch #66: Where Should I Run My Engine? (Part 4 -- Descent) - (Articles - March 3 2003)
After a short discussion about whether running engines "the factory way" or "the skydiving way" will hurt or help engines, AVweb's John Deakin settles in for the descent. And, yes, there are more old wives tales to be debunked, and better control settings to use.
Pelican's Perch #65: Where Should I Run My Engine? (Part 3 -- Cruise) - (Articles - Feb 2 2003)
Cruise -- Time to sit back and enjoy the flight. But wait ... did you leave the mixture set where it was during the climb? Or do you just set it where it "feels" right? You know AVweb's John Deakin is going to have something to say about that.
Pelican's Perch #64: Where Should I Run My Engine? (Part 2 � The Climb) - (Articles - Jan 5 2003)
Last month, AVweb's John Deakin started a discussion of where to run an engine during a typical flight. With so much detail needed, he ended the column just as we took off! Now he's back to talk about the climb, and as usual he has real-world data to back up his explanation.
Pelican's Perch #63: Where Should I Run My Engine? (Part 1) - (Articles - Dec 13 2002)
In his many columns about how to lean, whether to use full power after takeoff, oversquare operation and so on, AVweb's John Deakin has left many of the details up to the pilot/owner. Yet many readers would just as soon have him tell them exactly how to set up and run an engine. In this month's column he does just that, with a step-by-step guide to smarter engine operation. Fair warning: His advice may not always agree with the POH.
Pelican's Perch #62: The Air America Years - (Articles - Nov 10 2002)
AVweb's John Deakin has told us a little (in "Pelican's Perch #14" and "PP #47") about his time with The Company. In this month's Pelican's Perch, he tells ALL the secrets � how he got in by the skin of his teeth, finally learned how to execute the "radius of action from a moving base" from an old Chinese ground instructor, and more � and he won't even have to kill you after he tells you!
Pelican's Perch #61: Test Pilot School - (Articles - Oct 13 2002)
After years of dreaming, AVweb's John Deakin became an instructor at the famous Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB. Well, for a short time, anyway! Only mildly intimidated by the idea of head-to-head "air combat," John's greatest challenge turned out to be teaching young, hotshot test pilots how to think and fly at the "slow" speed of a WWII trainer.
Pelican's Perch #61: Test Pilot School Supplemental Images - (Articles - Oct 13 2002)
A collection of images to accompany "Pelican's Perch #61: Test Pilot School."
Pelican's Perch #60: V-Tail at Flight Level 270 - (Articles - Sep 16 2002)
Practicing what he's been preaching, AVweb's John Deakin takes you along on an ambitious nonstop 1,100-nm flight in his turbocharged but non-tip-tanked Beech V35B. In the process, our favorite pelican nibbles at the very edges of the Bonanza's envelope � at one point climbing to FL270, and at another leaning to a remarkable 250�F lean-of-peak. Deakin was headed for Ada, Oklahoma ... and he almost made it!
Pelican's Perch #59: Fried Valves
- (Articles - Aug 18 2002)
A cylinder in your piston aircraft engine flunks its compression check, with lots of leakage past the exhaust valve. The mechanic says you probably fried the valve by leaning too aggressively. Wrong, says AVweb's John Deakin! Lean mixtures don't cause burned valves � lousy valve-to-seat geometry does. It's probably the fault of the factory or overhaul shop, not the pilot.
Pelican's Perch #58: FLYING's Report on Whyalla - (Articles - Jul 20 2002)
The Australian Transport Safety Board's investigative report on the May 2000 crash of a Whyalla Airlines Chieftain was bad enough. Then Flying magazine � in its July 2002 issue � ran a story based on the ATSB report that not only spread the report's mistaken conclusions and Old Wives Tales to a huge audience, but embroidered on them further. AVweb's John Deakin devotes this column to discussing and correcting the numerous errors in Flying's article.
Pelican's Perch #57: The Whyalla Report � Junk Science? - (Articles - Aug 17 2002)
On May 31, 2000, a Piper PA31-350 Chieftain operated by Whyalla Airlines crashed in South Australia after suffering catastrophic in-flight failure of both engines, killing the pilot and seven passengers. A year and a half later, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) issued their 150-page investigation report and blamed the accident on buildup of "lead oxybromide deposits" caused by Whyalla's aggressive leaning procedures. AVweb's John Deakin has dissected the ATSB report, and concludes that while improper leaning procedures may have been involved, the ATSB analysis is seriously flawed and their lead-oxybromide theory is pure poppycock.
Pelican's Perch #56: Superfortress! - (Articles - Jun 4 2002)
AVweb's John Deakin was recently invited to join a small group of CAF pilots who regularly fly the world's only remaining flyable B-29 "Superfortress." Deak talks about what it's like to fly (and taxi) this awesome aircraft (he claims it gives him goosebumps), reviews some of its quirkier systems, and serves up an assortment of colorful Superfort experiences.
Pelican's Perch #56 Supplement: Randy Sohn on the B-29 - (Articles - Dec 1 2000)
Read pilot Randy Sohn's first-person account of the B-29 recovery from China Lake described in "Pelican's Perch #56."
Pelican's Perch #55: Lead in the Hogwash - (Articles - Apr 27 2002)
Tetraethyl lead has been gone from automobile gasoline for two decades, and it's only a matter of time before leaded avgas goes away as well. Despite a huge amount of industry research, nobody yet has a suitable replacement fuel, and nobody's yet quite sure what will happen to today's piston-powered fleet when the supply of 100LL dries up. AVweb's John Deakin dispels a bunch of myths about TEL, explains what it does and why it's so indispensable in high-performance recips, and talks about one solution to the coming unleaded-avgas crisis that actually works.
Pelican's Perch #54: Pitch, Power, and Pink Elephants - (Articles - Mar 31 2002)
Every primary student is taught that power controls altitude and pitch controls airspeed � or was that power controls airspeed and pitch controls altitude? Truth is that pilots have been arguing about this since Orville and Wilbur debated the question over a couple of beers at Kitty Hawk. AVweb's John Deakin (who claims to have been there at the time) weighs in on this issue by offering some real-world scenarios and taking a look at how modern autopilots work.
Pelican's Perch #53: Well, SIAP on You, Too! - (Articles - Mar 2 2002)
There's a lot more to flying a Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) than meets the eye. AVweb's John Deakin discusses what goes into the design of an SIAP and how to shoot an approach legally and safety � and tosses in some tricks, some gotchas, and some interesting case studies.
Pelican's Perch #52: The C-131 Emergency Checklist - (Articles - Feb 3 2002)
John Deakin�s last column about the normal-procedures checklist he developed for the CAF�s C-131 (Convair 340) produced such an enthusiastic response � and so many good suggestions � that John decided to devote this month's column to the plane�s emergency checklist. If you�ve ever wondered about what goes on in a complex radial-engine transport aircraft cockpit when the kimshee hits the fan, wonder no longer.
Pelican's Perch #51: Our New C-131 Checklist - (Articles - Jan 27 2002)
For a transport-sized warbird with a host of complex and oddball systems, creating a good checklist is a daunting task � one that AVweb's resident pelican has been spending a lot of time on lately. John Deakin offers a guided tour of his new C-131 checklist, and explains some of the thinking and human-factors considerations that went into it.
Pelican's Perch #50: Our New C-131 - (Articles - Dec 16 2001)
AVweb's John Deakin devotes this month's column (and next) to his favorite charity, hobby, and passion: the just-renamed Commemorative Air Force. Deak tells of the organization's need for pilots, mechanics and volunteers, and discusses one of CAF's newest acquisitions, a beautifully restored C-131 (military version of the Convair 340 airliner).
Pelican's Perch #49: Starting an Airline - (Articles - Nov 12 2001)
Nowadays, starting a new airline requires tens of millions of dollars in capital and nearly that many pages of FAA paperwork. But back in the 1950s, all it took was a $10,000 WWII-surplus transport, a few hungry time-building pilots, and a lot of chutzpah. AVweb's John Deakin was just starting his aviation career back then, and he tells a first-person tale of such a venture that actually got off the ground, albeit briefly.
Pelican's Perch #48: Safe ... or Free? - (Articles - Dec 6 2001)
We all remember where we were on September 11 as terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York. AVweb's John Deakin was in an FBO in Amsterdam when he saw the second impact on a TV set tuned to CNN. In this month's column, Deak offers his unique perspective on that awful day as both a pilot and an American.
Pelican's Perch #47: The Old Commando - (Articles - Sep 16 2001)
AVweb's John Deakin has logged PIC time in everything from Beech V35s to Boeing 747s and Grumman Bearcats to Gulfstream IVs. But the Pelican's favorite airplane of all time is the Curtiss-Wright C-46 "Commando" � a WWII-vintage twin-radial-engined taildragger that looks a lot like a DC-3 on steroids, but in truth is a different beast altogether. John's column this month discusses the idiosyncrasies of this unique airplane and his memories of flying it, first 40 years ago in Southeast Asia and more recently on the airshow circuit. Lots of lovely photos, too.
Pelican's Perch #46: "But My Mechanic Says ..." - (Articles - Aug 20 2001)
Ever notice that whenever a piston aircraft engine has low compression or some other cylinder problem, chances are the mechanic will blame it on "running too lean"? Regular readers of John Deakin's AVweb columns know better, of course: Lean-of-peak operation is cooler, cleaner, and kinder to the engine. If you wonder why most A&Ps are so ill informed about modern mixture management, just take a look at what the FAA requires them to be taught in AMT school!
Pelican's Perch #45: Modern Flight Training ... Isn't - (Articles - Jul 22 2001)
AVweb's John Deakin just received his Gulfstream IV type rating after three weeks of intensive ground school and sim training at Simuflite in Dallas. He'd long admired the G-IV and had looked forward to the training. Much to his shock, it turned out to be a miserable and frustrating experience � one that left him feeling far less than well-trained. John details what happened � and pulls no punches in assigning blame.
Pelican's Perch #44: Liberator! - (Articles - Jun 27 2001)
During WWII, the British RAF and the U.S. Eighth Air Force used the Consolidated B-24 "Liberator" to pound the heck out of the Germans. Ernest K. Gann flew a freighter version (the C-87) during the war, and hated it. The plane even saw some service as a corporate executive transport back when burning 200 GPH to go 200 knots was still affordable. Recently, AVweb's resident warbird maven John Deakin had an opportunity to check out in the Confederate Air Force's B-24, "Diamond 'Lil," and reports that the aircraft is both quirky and fun.
Pelican's Perch
#43: Detonation Myths - (Articles - May 27 2001)
We've all been taught about detonation in piston aircraft engines. It's what occurs when combustion pressure and temperature get so high that the fuel/air mixture to explodes violently instead of burning smoothly, and it can destroy an engine in a matter of seconds. Right? Well, not exactly. AVweb's John Deakin reviews the latest research, and demonstrates that detonation occurs in various degrees � much like icing and turbulence � with the milder forms not being particularly harmful. Heavy detonation is definitely destructive, and the Pelican offers some concrete data on how to avoid it.
Pelican's Perch
#41: Baby on the Runway! - (Articles - Apr 2 2001)
Coming from the mouth of your CFI, those words (or a close variant) let you know that the instructor wants you to execute a go-around. According to AVweb's John Deakin, this is a maneuver that is often botched by airline captains and light plane pilots alike � not because it's difficult, but because we don't practice it enough and are sometimes not mentally ready for it. Deak offers a thoughtful approach to go-arounds and missed approaches that works in anything from a J-3 to a 747.
Pelican's Perch
#40: Psssst! Wanna Trojan? - (Articles - Mar 4 2001)
We're talking of course, about the North American T-28 "Trojan." (Why, what were you thinking?) You'll recall that last month, John Deakin described his checkout in the Grumman F8F "Bearcat." This time, AVweb's resident warbird maven invites you along as he qualifies for his FAA Letter of Authorization in the T-28. Although the Trojan has only about half the horsepower of the Bearcat, it's a considerably more complex airplane. Why, even learning to operate the (hydraulically-actuated) canopy requires a groundschool session. Deak takes you through the highlights of his 14 ground and ten flight sessions with T-28 owner Mark Matye.
Pelican's Perch
#39: Bearcat! - (Articles - Feb 11 2001)
Regular readers know that AVweb's John Deakin is active in the warbird community � a master at flying big radial-engine transports like the Lockheed Constellation and C-46 Commando. Recently, however, John had the opportunity to fly a very different breed of warbird: the Grumman F8F Bearcat. Deak explains that when you take an 8,000-pound airframe and add a 2,200-hp radial engine, what you get is an elevated pulse rate.
Pelican's Perch
#38: AIRSHO 2000 The Agony and the Ecstasy - (Articles - Jan 13 2001)
What's it like to fly a 25-ton WWII-era round-engined twin to, from and in the Confederate Air Force's big annual warbird airshow? It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it. AVweb's John Deakin was elected to shepherd one of CAF's two flying C-46 "Commando" transports to the Midland show this year. Unseasonable weather and mechanical problems made the task both challenging and memorable, as John details in his latest column.
Pelican's Perch
#37: Angry Pilots Are Bad News - (Articles - Dec 11 2000)
Ever gotten steamed at ATC for delaying you, or angry at another pilot who cut you off in the pattern, or hosed at an FBO who forgot to fuel your airplane when you needed to make a quick turn? AVweb's John Deakin points out that you can't be "pilot in command" of an aircraft unless you can first control your own emotions, and that overtly angry behavior usually makes you come off looking like a jerk. Deak offers some thoughts on how to stay cool and act professional.
Pelican's Perch
#36: Those Fire-Breathing Turbos (Part 6 � and FINAL!) - (Articles - Nov 12
AVweb's John Deakin concludes his six-part powerplant management series with a discussion of the procedures he uses during descent, approach (including missed-approach), landing, and shutdown. In the process, he debunks some Old Wives' Tales about "shock cooling" and turbocharger cooldowns.
Pelican's Perch
#35: Those Fire-Breathing Turbos (Part 5) - (Articles - Oct 16 2000)
In his fifth column of this series, AVweb's John Deakin continues his detailed discussion of powerplant management technique. This installment is totally devoted to the all-important cruise phase of flight, and includes both theory and hard numbers from the JPI data-logging engine monitor in John's turbonormalized IO-550-powered V-35A Bonanza. (Descents, approaches, landings, and shutdowns next month.)
Pelican's Perch
#34: Those Fire-Breathing Turbos (Part 4) - (Articles - Sep 18 2000)
In his fourth column of this series, AVweb's John Deakin invites you along in the right seat of his turbonormalized IO-550-powered V35B Bonanza, explaining each step of his powerplant-management technique from engine start to taxi, runup, takeoff and climb. (The Pelican promises to cover cruise, descent, landing and shutdown next time.) To help illustrate why he does what he does, John presents detailed CHT and EGT data on some actual flights, taken from the Bonanza's JPI data-logging digital engine monitor, and explains exactly what each squiggle on the graph means.
Pelican's Perch
#33: Those Fire-Breathing Turbos (Part 3) - (Articles - Aug 28 2000)
In his third column about turbocharged piston engines, AVweb's John Deakin delves into some of the little-understood subtleties of managing these powerplants. Among other things, the Pelican explains how changing the MP and RPM affects mixture, how changing mixture affects horsepower and combustion timing, and why proper combustion timing is so darn important to the health and efficiency of your engine.
Pelican's Perch
#32: Those Fire-Breathing Turbos (Part 2) - (Articles - Jul 16 2000)
In this second in a series of columns on turbocharged piston engines, AVweb's John Deakin offers a detailed walk-through of a typical turbo system � from intercooler to wastegate and everything in between. He then explains how the various system components function during each phase of flight from engine start through runup, takeoff, climb, cruise, and shutdown.
Pelican's Perch
#31: Those Fire-Breathing Turbos (Part 1) - (Articles - Jul 18 2000)
By popular demand, AVweb's John Deakin kicks off a series of columns about the care and feeding of turbocharged piston aircraft engines. This month's article reviews the convoluted history of pumped-up engines from the earliest gear-driven supercharged radials to the latest turbocharged flat engines found in today's GA fleet.
Pelican's Perch
#30: The 45-Degree Zealots - (Articles - May 19 2000)
There's not a syllable in the FARs about 45-degree traffic pattern entries. Nor does the AIM require them. There exists, however, a small-but-vocal cadre of pilots � and even some FAA inspectors � who consider any other type of pattern entry (straight-in, crosswind, etc.) to be a felony. These "traffic pattern nazis" are sometimes heard chewing out fellow pilots on CTAF for their heinous transgressions. Rubbish, says AVweb's John Deakin, who explains that sometimes the 45-degree entry is best and sometimes it isn't. Deakin explains his approach to flying traffic patterns at non-towered airports, which involves hard-to-legislate concepts like common sense and courtesy.
Pelican's Perch
#29: They're Messing with Part 61 Again! - (Articles - Apr 25 2000)
Not quite three years ago, the FAA implemented a massive rewrite of the FARs that govern certification of pilots and instructors. The result was a great deal of confusion, a bunch of band-aid fixes, and issuance of an interpretive FAQ that has now grown to three times the size of Part 61 itself! Well, at least the dust is now settling, right? "Wrong," says AVweb's John Deakin, who recently learned that those hard-working folks at 800 Indy are now putting the finishing touches on yet another NPRM that would make a whole new round of changes to these regs. Deakin details the proposed tweaks, and lets us know precisely what he thinks of them.
Pelican's Perch
#28: Sometimes There's Bad Air Out There - (Articles - Mar 28 2000)
Crop dusters call it "bad air." The weather guessers call it "wind shear." But whatever you call it, abrupt changes in wind velocity and/or direction have been responsible for a bunch of jet transport crashes, and a bunch more non-crashes that must have caused the cockpit crew to take up another line of work. AVweb's John Deakin relates some personal wind shear experiences, dissects some wind shear-related jet crashes, and sheds light on the phenomenon by going back to basics.
Pelican's Perch #27: AS261, the Media, and Pitch Control - (Articles - Mar 8 2000) The recent crash of Alaska Flight 261 near Los Angeles triggered a torrent of TV and newspaper reports that displayed profound ignorance of pitch control systems � not only among reporters (where it might be expected) but also in the pilot community. After taking a few potshots at the media, AVweb's John Deakin describes the three basic types of pitch control systems plus a bunch of variations, and talks about what can go wrong and how pilots should react.
Pelican's Perch
#26: No Pisco Sours for Me, Thanks! - (Articles - Jan 31 2000)
There are two kinds of pilots: those who sheepishly admit to having done some incredibly dumb thing while flying, and those who are liars. AVweb's John Deakin, who is decidedly in the first category, recounts the closest he ever came to killing himself in an airplane (during a ferry flight in Peru nearly 40 years ago), and examines some of the lessons he learned the hard way from that experience.
Pelican's Perch
#25: How I Learned to Love CANPA - (Articles - Jan 2 2000)
John Deakin's prior column criticizing the use of VNAV during non-precision approaches provoked a torrent of dissenting reader responses, much of it from Airbus pilots and other glass-cockpit operators. Never one to take this sort of thing lying down, AVweb's resident iconoclast fires back at these pinball wizards and flying videogame players, then discusses the best way for real pilots to fly various kinds of approaches (LOC, straight-in VOR/NDB, offset VOR/NDB) in various kinds of airplanes (glass cockpit, steam gauge, flib).
Pelican's Perch
#24: Sloppy, Sorry VNAV - (Articles - Dec 10 1999)
Flying a non-precision approach has traditionally been a "Dive and Drive" affair in which the pilot descends rapidly to the MDA or step-down altitude and then levels off. Recently, however, pilots of aircraft equipped with glass cockpit FMS systems or VNAV-capable GPS receivers have been encouraged to fly such approaches using a constant descent path. There's even a buzzword for this: CANPA (constant-angle non-precision approach), and these calculated pseudo-glideslopes are now starting to show up on Jeppesen approach plates. AVweb's John Deakin thinks this is a bad idea, one that will result in a lot more missed approaches and perhaps even some accidents. Deakin explains why, and makes a compelling case for flying non-precision approaches the traditional, old-fashioned way that God and Cap'n Jepp intended.
Pelican's Perch
#23: Age Sixty And That Moron Quesada - (Articles - Nov 8 1999)
AVweb's John Deakin takes a whimsical look at his recent compulsory retirement after 25 years in the left seat of a Boeing 747. But, his whimsy turns to anger as he looks at the origin of the unfair, arbitrary, and illogical rule that has clipped the wings of thousands of fine young 60-year-old airline pilots at the peak of their game. Deakin has reserved a special place in hell for the first FAA Administrator who enacted the mandatory retirement age, and offers a couple of suggestions that might help get rid of this insane rule. If you're a Deakin fan (and who isn't?), this is one of his best.
Pelican's Perch
#22: Short- and Soft-Field Takeoffs FAA vs. Reality - (Articles - Oct 10
What's the best technique for taking off from a short or soft field? According to John Deakin, there's the FAA way (as documented in the POH and the FAA's Flight Training Handbook), and then there's the right way. The problem with the FAA way, says Deakin, is that it's predicated on certification requirements which are totally unrealistic. As usual, AVweb's resident pelican shreds the conventional wisdom, then explains how it's really done.
Pelican's Perch
#21: Connie, My Connie - (Articles - Sep 12 1999)
In aviation, as in life, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Want proof? While most pilots would gladly give up a major body part for a single flight in the left seat of a Boeing 747, AVweb's John Deakin � for whom flying the "seven four" is (yawn) just another day at the office � has always lusted in his heart for the chance to fly the king of recips and prince of props: the Lockheed Constellation. Recently, Deak had the chance to do precisely that � as PIC, no less � and devotes his entire column to bragging shamelessly about it.
Pelican's Perch
#20: Ground All Bonanzas? - (Articles - Aug 15 1999)
[The raging controversy over the T-34 structural issues and the FAA's heavy-handed approach induced John Deakin to update this 1999 column in May 2005.] The crash of a Beech T-34A in simulated air combat at Sky Warriors near Atlanta triggered an investigation involving the NTSB, the FAA, and Raytheon Aircraft Company. AVweb's resident pelican, John Deakin � who is current in T-34s himself � has been looking closely at this investigation, and believes that it is taking a wrong and dangerous direction that could wind up putting a lot of perfectly good airplanes on the ground ... not just T-34s, but also Aerobatic Bonanzas, early-model Bonanzas that use the same wing spar design as the T-34, and might ultimately have implications for all Bonanzas and perhaps even other models as well. John explains why he thinks the NTSB may be on the wrong track in looking for a probable cause, and why other participants in the investigation may have ulterior motives.
Pelican's Perch
#19: Putting It All Together - (Articles - Jun 30 1999)
In recent columns, John Deakin has explained all you need to know � and more than some of you wanted to know � about the three engine controls: throttle (MP), prop (RPM), and mixture. Now, AVweb's resident pelican puts all that theory into practical perspective by taking you through each phase of a flight � start, taxi, runup, takeoff, climb, cruise, descent and landing � and offering specific tips for getting the most from your piston powerplant.
Pelican's Perch
#18: Mixture Magic - (Articles - Jun 14 1999)
If you fly recips, what leaning procedure do you use? Chances are that almost everything your CFI told you about using the red knob � and most of what you've read and heard since then � is just plain hogwash! We suggest you forget everything you thought you knew about the subject, and let AVweb's John Deakin show you how to optimize engine efficiency and longevity through enlightened mixture management.
Pelican's Perch
#17: Strange Critters Pilots, Captains, and Chief Pilots - (Articles - May 17
AVweb columnist John Deakin � whose commits his day job in the left front seat of a Boeing 747 � offers a riotous insider's look at the professional pilot pecking order, and explains why he'd much rather be called "John" than "Captain." If you enjoy Deakin's brand of wry, this one is sure to have you ROFL.
Pelican's Perch
#16: Those Marvelous Props - (Articles - Apr 19 1999)
In this month's column AVweb's John Deakin moves from the black knobs (MP) to the blue ones (RPM). He starts with a history lesson about how we got from windmills to fixed-pitch propellers, adjustable and controllable ones, and ultimately to constant-speed props. John then explains how they work, why they work the way they do, and how you can tell if they're working the way they're supposed to. He even answers that age-old conundrum: how many times should you cycle the prop at runup?
Pelican's Perch
#15: Manifold Pressure Sucks! - (Articles - Mar 21 1999)
If you fly behind a piston engine with a controllable-pitch propeller, the manifold pressure gauge plays an important part in the power settings you use. Few pilots, however, have any real understanding of what the instrument actually measures or what its readings truly signify. Pelican to the rescue! Read this column by AVweb's John Deakin and you'll be able to teach your CFI and A&P a thing or three about MP.
Pelican's Perch
#14: Pigs Flew at Air America! - (Articles - Feb 21 1999)
For over 30 years, AVweb's John Deakin has been flying big iron for Japan Airlines. But in a previous lifetime (mid-60s), John flew for Air America in Southeast Asia. (Yes, THAT Air America.) As you might imagine, he's got a zillion fabulous and funny flying stories from those days. This true tale of livestock running amok aboard a C-46 is one of John's most entertaining. Besides, aren't you just dying to see what Deakin looked like in 1965?
Pelican's Perch
#13: Getting High on Welder's Oxygen - (Articles - Jan 24 1999)
Having problems finding Aviator's Breathing Oxygen to refill your bottle? Upset about the rip-off prices some FBOs charge for an O2 fill? Don't put up with it, says AVweb's John Deakin, who explains why it's perfectly safe � and perfectly legal � to use cheap welder's oxygen, and tells you exactly what you need to know to buy it in bulk and do your own refills.
Pelican's Perch
#12: Warbird Crews Wanted! - (Articles - Dec 27 1998)
The last time you were at an airshow, did you wonder what it takes to keep all those warbirds up and running? Ever wanted to get "up close and personal" with the people and the machines themselves? So have we. In response, AVweb's John Deakin takes readers on a mini-tour of what a "warbird" is, discusses some of the considerations in getting involved with a warbird group and even offers some suggestions on whom to contact to learn more. Be sure to bring your ear plugs � and your wallet!
Pelican's Perch
#11: Using a Handheld GPS IFR! - (Articles - Nov 29 1998)
Never one to let a good idea, or safer method of flying, wither away for lack of action or misunderstanding, AVweb's John Deakin takes on the subject of flying IFR with your GPS handheld. "Not legal," you say? "Not so," says John. Flying IFR with your handheld GPS is not only legal, it's a godsend he says, and explains just how to get the most out of that handful of navigation wizardry.
Pelican's Perch
#10: A Pox on Stabilized Approaches! - (Articles - Oct 31 1998)
But isn't a stabilized approach a "good thing"? AVweb's John Deakin points out that a necessity in the jet transport world is a detriment to those of us flying piston-engined props. Even the FAA distinguishes between the two, though many CFIs and others are too busy trying to imitate the big boys to realize the danger they place themselves in by doing so. A stabilized approach in our GA aircraft is a far different animal than that flown by an airline captain in his jet and you'd best recognize the difference before it bites.
Pelican's Perch
#9: The Type Rating Checkride - (Articles - Oct 4 1998)
Anyone who likes checkrides has to be nuts, says AVweb's John Deakin. We don't expect to find many who disagree. As an FAA Designated Examiner who must also take checkrides himself, John gives pointers from both sides of the cockpit. Join John as he wends his way through one of his C-46 checkrides, explaining the ins and outs, and offering some relatively unknown, but important information that could make your next checkride a lot easier.
Pelican's Perch #8: Go Ahead, Abuse Your Engine! - (Articles - Sep 11 1998) AVweb's John Deakin is asking you to abuse your engine, or so it might seem to many until he sweeps a whole slew of old wives' tales (OWTs) off the cliff. Using digital technology for data collection and simple graphs, John supports his unorthodox engine operating suggestions with data that proves the old ways may actually be worse for your engine. Wrong may well be right! If you've been taught that you must always reduce MP before reducing RPM, you're going to be forced to rethink that notion. If you think you're helping your engine live longer by reducing MP to 25 inches after takeoff, boy are you going to be amazed at how badly you've been abusing your engine. And, that's only for starters.
Pelican's Perch
#7: Run That Fuel Tank Dry! - (Articles - Aug 9 1998)
AVweb's John Deakin takes aim at yet another OWT (Old Wive's Tale). While running a fuel tank dry in your recip powered plane may serve to increase your heart rate, John explains why it's not such a bad thing at all, and it is probably a really good idea for most of us. In fact, John explains why it's one of the first things you ought to do with a new plane and how it could save your life someday.
Pelican's Perch
#6: There's a Good Side to the FAA! - (Articles - Jul 12 1998)
AVweb Columnist John Deakin writes his most shocking column yet. He's saying good things about the FAA! Well, not the whole FAA, but still, it's quite a shock to hear anyone, let alone John, compliment even a small part of the FAA. Even he admits it does "feel very strange." What's he saying that's so nice? Well, it has to do with flying some warbirds, but for the rest of the story you'll have to read John's column. Just make sure you're sitting down first.
Pelican's Perch
#5: Don't Time That ILS Approach! - (Articles - Jun 14 1998)
Don't you just love it when a FSDO starts making up its own rules, contrary to the FARs? AVweb columnist John Deakin doesn't much like it at all and calls the FAA down to the chief pilot's office for a rug dance. Seems there's a FSDO out there busting IFR checkrides for not timing a full ILS. However, there's nothing in the PTS that says you should, and AVweb's resident Pelican doesn't think much of the idea in any case.
Pelican's Perch
#4: Engine Failure! - (Articles - May 18 1998)
It ain't easy being contrary, but AVweb's John Deakin makes the effort worthwhile. Engine failure in a piston twin is no time to be messing with complicated procedures that some seem to favor. John lays out his straightforward ideas on how to react to this critical emergency � and explains why in detail. There's more to it than just "identify, verify, feather" or "dead foot, dead engine." Once again, the real world requirements that could save your life may not be well served by some of "the old ways."
Pelican's Perch #4: Engine Failure! Linked References - (Articles - May 18 1998)
This article is a companion to "Pelican's Perch #4: Engine Failure!" by John Deakin. It contains additional notes, references, and comments.
Pelican's Perch
#3: What Really Counts - (Articles - Apr 24 1998)
John Deakin tears apart his own impressive flying bio (32,000 hours, 747 captain, designated pilot examiner, yadda yadda yadda) to make the point that tens of thousands of hours, gray hair, advanced ratings and the rest don't necessarily mean a pilot is worth listening to. He encourages pilots to think about the advice they are given � is it sage advice that could save you from a lot of trouble some day, or just a bunch of nonsense from the local ABM (airport big mouth)? Along the way, Deakin skewers a few OWT�s (old wives' tales) � flying myths that just never seem to die.
Pelican's Perch
#2: Checklists Redux - (Articles - Apr 4 1998)
John Deakin's first "Pelican's Perch" column, "Throw Away That Stupid Checklist," generated considerable controversy. (There's nothing wrong with that, it's why we asked John to write: to make us all think about what we are doing.) Unfortunately, a good deal of that controversy appears to stem from misunderstandings about what he wrote, generating more heat than light on the subject. Others apparently agree with John's points, but for some reason think he shouldn't say what he said. In this column, John clarifies some of the points that appear to have been misunderstood by some readers and he then goes on to expand upon the subject of checklist use.
Pelican's Perch
#1: Throw Away That Stupid Checklist! - (Articles - Mar 3 1998)
Say again? You heard correct, just toss it. "Heresy!" some will cry, but AVweb columnist John Deakin � who's not only a 32,000-hour 747 captain, but also a Bonanza owner and FAA-designated pilot examiner � explains why written checklists are neither necessary or appropriate to single-pilot operations. Deakin offers a viable alternative that could save your life.


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This is an activity about scale. Participants will arrange imagery of Earth and many other space objects in order of their size from smallest to largest, their distance from Earth's surface, their temperature from coolest to hottest, and/or their... (View More) age from youngest to oldest. By manipulating these images and discussing their ideas, children and adults represent and confront their own mental models of space and time. (View Less)
Materials Cost: $1 - $5 per group of students
This is an online set of information about astronomical alignments of ancient structures and buildings. Learners will read background information about the alignments to the Sun in such structures as the Great Pyramid, Chichen Itza, and others.... (View More) Next, the site contains 10 short problem sets that involve a variety of math skills, including determining the scale of a photo, measuring and drawing angles, plotting data on a graph, and creating an equation to match a set of data. Each set of problems is contained on one page and all of the sets utilize real-world problems relating to astronomical alignments of ancient structures. Each problem set is flexible and can be used on its own, together with other sets, or together with related lessons and materials selected by the educator. This was originally included as a folder insert for the 2010 Sun-Earth Day. (View Less)
Materials Cost: Free

subset: commoncrawl


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As some of you know my internet has been pretty much dead all week and all I have had a few stolen moments so I haven't been able to do our weekly giveaway!
Anyway for the Kohls last week the winners are:
Please email me with your addresses and your prizes will be in the post! [email protected]
This weeks giveaway:
Soap & Glory Soap, Body Cream and a Shower Gel.
Giveaway Question:
You can invent one beauty related item. What would it be? Can be anything.
I'd event a sheet of paper that has the whole face of make up on it, eyeshadow, concealer, lipstick, blush and I could just press my face on it in the morning and it'd be done.
Tell me what you would invent!


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*** (out of four)
Anything's better than another "Saw" movie. And now that its franchise's formula isn't just nothing-nothing-nothing-door-slams-nothing-nothing-big-jolt-movie-over, the much-improved "Paranormal Activity 3" earns compliments other than, "At least no one gets their guts ripped out by an elaborate piece of sadistic engineering."
Taking it back to 1988—and popping in Teddy Ruxpin, Spud Webb and MacGyver references to make sure we don't forget this is a prequel to a prequel—directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman ("Catfish") deliver more variety than their predecessors in pursuit of suspense. That generates less predictability and a giddier sense of nervous anticipation, even though we know young Katie (played as a child by Chloe Csengery) has a nasty future ahead of her, documented in the boring parts 1 and 2.
Clearly these characters should realize capturing suspected demons on tape does nothing to send the evil packing, and all the handheld cameras in "PA3" mean an equal dose of tension and motion sickness. The best addition is evidence that when life gets freaky (and imaginary friends might not be so imaginary), adults can be at least as scared as kids, if not more.
Watch Matt on "You & Me This Morning," Fridays at 7:30 a.m. on WCIU, the U
email@example.com. @mattpais


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wayfinder needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 94 designs submitted by 24 freelance designers.
Chroma Room
We are Chroma Room, a new photo and film studio studio based in Miami, Florida - one of the most beautiful and fashionable cities in the United States. Our goal is to provide local, regional, national and international photographers, film makers and creative people with an affordable, well designed and flexible studio space. Our 2,200 sq ft converted warehouse includes a workshop for custom props, a 24' x 16' white cyc (a.k.a infinity wall), dressing rooms, a production/post-production studio and a client waiting area.
We are a young, energetic and customer oriented studio looking for a minimal, clean, and contemporary image that is attractive and approachable. We seek inspiration from all corners of the world, all media, and all truly respect all things creative.
Our space is outfitted with contemporary furniture from Herman Miller, DWR, Crate and Barrel, and IKEA alike. The overarching color scheme within our studio includes white (dominant color), grays (light and dark), black and silver/chrome, with a hint of color here and there provided by the plants, products, and people that populate the space.
Our goal is to develop an identity that reflects who we are, creates an emotional connection with what we do, and attracts current and potential clients.
Local, regional, national and international photographers, film makers, production companies and creative people in need of space for casting calls, rehearsals, photo shoots, film shoots and events.
Our clients range from up and coming photographers and film makers, to established and respected fashion photographers, photo journalists, film directors, film crews, videographers, documentary/independent film makers, musicians, and artists.
Our audience is very creative, fun, quirky yet professional.
A clean, contemporary and timeless identity.
Must be equally successful in black/white, gray scale, and color against a white, black or color background as needed.
Must be equally effective on the web (studio website, banner ads, email marketing) and across print media (magazines, exterior banners, signage, etc.).
We envision either a minimal, hard lined, sans serif font, or a contemporary handwritten/script font, but we are open to your suggestions.
Considering the name of the studio (Chroma Room - Chroma means "color" in greek and our clients also shoot against chroma green or blue backgrounds), we would like to see creative options that use color within the context of the identity and color as an accent. Feel free to take inspiration from anything from a color wheel/color chart to the reflections in a camera lens.
Identities We Identify With
Unfortunately, we haven't come across any examples in our industry - we hope to be the one that others follow and imitate. Here are a few inspirational images: http://chromaroom.com/identity/.
Copyright & Artwork
All design submissions must be the original work of the originating designer and must not violate any existing copyrights, trademarks, patents, or service marks. The winning design must be delivered as vector artwork in a common format (Adobe Illustrator).
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Winner of $400M Powerball may remain anonymous
We may never know who won the fourth-largest Powerball jackpot.
Powerball's fourth-biggest jackpot winner hasn't stepped forward after hitting the winning numbers Wednesday night and may not ever be known to the general public.
The $399.4 million winning quick-pick ticket was sold at a Murphy Express gas station in Lexington, S.C., just hours before Wednesday's lottery drawing. But the winner could choose to remain anonymous because South Carolina, unlike some other states, does not require public identification of winners.
Whoever won will be about $223.3 million richer if they choose a lump sum payout. As an annuity, the jackpot would be worth about $13 million annually over 29 years.
Store manager Keith Wedmore tells USA TODAY that video camera security may have captured the nation's latest freshly-minted multi-millionaire, but he won't review tapes to see if they'll help reveal a winner.
"We're curious, but to me, they have a right to remain private. We just want to be decent about it,'' he says.
Wedmore, who was rousted at home by a 1:15 a.m. phone call from lottery officials, quickly showered, then returned to work, where he placed a sign urging ticket holders to check their numbers.
Just to be sure: they're 7-10-22-32-35 with the Powerball number 19. The store will receive $50,000 from the lottery and South Carolina will get up to $15 million in taxes. Wedmore says corporate officials will decide how the store's $50,000 will be allocated.
The ticket was one of 356 sold at the outlet, just outside Columbia, in the hours leading up to the Powerball's 11 p.m. drawing.
"I hope its someone local and a regular, but we have a lot of people who come in passing through on Interstate 20," says Wedmore.
The jackpot had rolled 11 times since Aug. 10 and had surged to $399.4 million when no one won Saturday's $317 million prize.
Odds of winning: 1 in 175.2 million.
Officials with the South Carolina state lottery say they don't know who won the $400 million jackpot, but they do have some words of advice for whoever it is. VPC
While massive, the jackpot is nearly $200 million less than the all-time record $590 million Powerball jackpot won in May by 84-year-old Florida widow Gloria MacKenzie.
The previous record holder for a South Carolina Powerball jackpot, Solomon Jackson Jr., of Columbia, won $259 million in 2009.
"This is a life changing event for the winner - or winners - state lottery director Paula Harper Bethea says.
"There are a lot of zeroes in the amount of money this person or persons are going to get, and we want them to come at the right time after they have had what they need to make sure that this is a good situation for them,'' Bethea says.
Officials with the South Carolina Education Lottery say a $400 million winning ticket in the latest Powerball drawing was sold in Lexington in central South Carolina. VPC
Follow Strauss on twitter @gbstrauss


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Towry chief Andrew Fisher is to leave the firm, with Prudential UK head Rob Devey taking over his role.
Devey has been appointed chief executive, subject to regulatory approval, with Fisher stepping down with immediate effect. He leaves after an 8-year stint at the helm of the firm.
The news comes as Towry reported a 14.4% rise in assets to £5.6 billion in 2013. Operating profit was flat on 2012 at £11.8 million. Earnings before interest taxes depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) rose to £24.8 million, up slightly from £23.5 million in 2012. Over the course of the year Towry completed five acquisitions, including Bluefin Personal Consulting.Fisher reflected: 'Having led the growth of the company from a small local firm to a highly profitable national business which today employs 750 people, managing in excess of £5.5 billion in assets under management, I am confident that the company is well positioned to continue its leadership of the sector.
'I will be leaving Towry with a strong management team and in excellent financial and operational shape for further success in 2014 and beyond. I look forward to continuing my career in the wealth management sector.'Devey added he was looking forward to overseeing the next stage of Towry's development.


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EcommerceCompany needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
10 winners were selected from 1073 designs submitted by 183 freelance designers.
We sell ecommerce/shopping cart software to Small to Medium Businesses. Our software comes in many languages and we have clients in about 70 countries.
We're guaranteeing 10 winning designs and possibly selecting another 10 on top of that.
Small business who wants to start selling stuff online. Almost any industry you can think of (apparel/clothing, auto parts, computers, music, etc) Here are the top industries that we service:
Interior & Furniture
Art & Photography
**UPDATED: We are currently looking for designs for BOOK stores & WATCH stores.**
- Design must be done in English.
- Keep all Photoshop "layers" neat, organized and labeled appropriately.
- Your store theme can be based on any genre of product, NO ADULT RELATED MATERIALS.
- Fixed width design, no greater than 960px.
- Your header, main navigation, and footer will need to be exactly the same in your homepage design and product list design. In the right portion of the header, include the following header links: Login, My Account, View Cart, Checkout.
- All of the text on the site will be dynamic text and not images, besides things like a search buttons, add to cart buttons, details buttons etc.
- Logo in the header that is just text, no graphics, symbols, icons etc. Also, please include the font (the actual font file) used.
- Also in the upper right portion of the design, include a search field & search "icon/button".
- Include a main navigation with no more than 7 text links. These must be text that will be dynamic, not images. These links should be Home, New Products, Specials, My Account, About Us, Blog, Contact Us.
- In the footer, you can simply include basic copyright information.
Final Format
Fixed width design, no greater than 960px.
Homepage: PSD
Product List: PSD
Please include any non-standard fonts (the actual font files) that you used in the design and/or logo area.
Homepage Requirements
- Need to include a Wow/Hero area in the middle with nice imagery and text. (See attachment for an example).
- Include a featured products section that has a similar layout used in your product list design.
Product Page Requirements
- Two column layout
- Left column no greater than 230px wide.
- Left column will need to include the following widgets: Categories, More Information, Featured Products.
- Right column will be the main content area.
-The right column area will need to have a white background.
- Display 12 products in three rows, four products across on each row in the content area.
Each product needs to have these items starting from the top and working down: Product Image, Product Name, Product Price. Also include a "details" or "add to cart" button.
Not applicable. Please see attachments for examples.
Our list of pre-designed themes that we've created (in-house) are here:


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New Challenge over at Kenny K's Krafty Krew!
Challenge #121 ~ Traditional Christmas Colours
I thought I would have fun and create this bottle tag with this super sexy image for gifting a tequila bottle. I think my husband and any man would love it;) What do you think?
Bow (adult); she has been colored with Copic Markers.
This weeks first sponsor are Kenny K's Downloads
and Leo at Flonz
I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - #100 For Someone Special
Crazy 4 Challenges - #C4C164 Put a bow on it
Hiding in my Craft Room - NSD1 #73 Christmas
Anything But A Card Challenge - Always anything but a card
The Stamp Spot - Tags!
Thanks for visiting and don't forget to enter my CANDY HERE!


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Broadcaster puts career on hold to write memoir
Eric Slocum spent much of his broadcast career on TV, although he was a radio guy at heart, and he spent 32 years in broadcasting despite being a writer at heart.
Just as he got the chance six years ago to get back to the radio part of his heritage, now he's embarking on a major career shift in which writing will become the focus of his time and attention.
Slocum, the co-host of KOMO-AM/1000's afternoon news, is leaving the station at the end of September to work full time on a memoir. The station hasn't named a replacement yet.
Although Slocum was introduced to Seattle as a television anchor -- he worked for KOMO/4 from 1990 to 2001 -- he bookended his years on TV with radio.
He got his start in 1976 at a tiny radio station in a small town near Lubbock, Texas, where he was going to college. "I was the turn-on-the-transmitter guy," he remembers.
But that first break launched a career. That same year he moved to a TV station in Lubbock, then on to Wichita, Kan., and Oklahoma City, before landing in Seattle. (He'd worked in other cities as Dan Slocum, but KOMO already had a Dan -- anchorman Dan Lewis. He volunteered to use his middle name, Bruce. But that didn't work either, since KOMO had sportscaster Bruce King. So he became Eric.)
After taking a buyout from the TV station, he soon wound up back at KOMO, this time on the radio side, when the station landed the Mariners contract and switched to a news format.
Moving back to radio was tough at first, Slocum says, because the technology had changed so much in the intervening years. "I had to learn digital everything," he says, crediting the mentoring of Manda Factor, with whom he was initially paired, and the help of afternoon co-host Lisa Brooks and market veteran Bill Yeend for getting him through. "They taught me to do radio again."
For all those years in broadcasting, Slocum maintained a desire to write.
Growing up in Dallas, he worked on the high school newspaper and the yearbook. He has written short stories and poems over the years, having a collection of the latter, "New Words," printed in 1996 as a fundraiser for Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center to support pediatric AIDS research.
The memoir, however, is a much more intense project. Slocum says "In Danger" (the working title) will chronicle how he has dealt with alcoholism (sobering up in 1993 with a rehab stint), obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and the decision to come out of the closet as a gay man.
"Acceptance of myself was really a struggle," he says.
Slocum believes readers don't have to have dealt with any of those issues personally "to relate to the human ramifications of those challenges."
To write that book "the right way" means devoting full attention to it, rather than trying to squeeze it in during off hours. While he imagines the finished work -- written under the name Dan Eric Slocum -- will be cathartic for him, he's also hoping someone will want to buy and read it. He's giving himself a year to write it (he has three chapters done so far and 27 more outlined), find a literary agent and get it sold.
Slocum, 50, emphasizes he is "certainly not retiring from journalism." The plan is to eventually return to KOMO as a fill-in.
As a kid, he listened to a station out of Chicago at nights and fantasized about being on radio. That came true. Now the idea of writing full time is "a fantasy come true." But it's also, he adds, "an experiment in a way."
In other radio notes:


text: Noblesse and the Japanese car tuner has made Honda CR-Z Hybrid much more interesting by releasing some aftermarket bits and pieces that will change the look of the car completely. Program upgrades for Honda's hybrid sports hatch includes a new aero kit with an aggressive front and rear apron, side skirts, rear diffuser and large roof wing. In addition, body kit that makes the sporty CR-Z is more than usual, the people of Noblesse also offers a carbon fiber hood, underbody some aero, sports exhaust system and also a new set of bigger wheels that will complete the new look the car's exterior. The tuner can also be completed wheel cars or car bodies in several colors and they also can improve the car's interior upon request.


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So this was supposed to be the best thing that was ever invented, oil bath, weirdo cutting of the cogs inside and so on.
I would like to know if its actually a better hub than the 8, if you buy a new one that was made yesterday, alfine 8 also made yesterday to keep things even.
What can I expect from the 11 vs the 8?
Function in rain, snow, whatever you have
Ease of setup and maintainence
Bang for buck
It has been available now for over a year and I know they have changed some parts in it so there must be a somewhat clear picture of how it performs by now.


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CSS Introduction
The following is a brief introduction to CSS. If you're new to HTML & CSS, please visit our recommended links in the next section for more information.
Recommended Links
- HTML and CSS Basics - http://training.ithemes.com/free/htmlcss
- CSS Dojo - http://training.ithemes.com/preview/webinar1
- Using Stylesheets - http://www.brainjar.com/css/using/
- CSS Video Crash Course - http://www.sitepoint.com/videos/videocss1/
- 3Schools.com - http://www.w3schools.com/css/
- Selectors - http://en.support.wordpress.com/custom-design/css-basics/
Recommended Links
- Site Architecture v1.2 - http://codex.wordpress.org/Site_Architecture_v1.2
- Default WordPress CSS Styles -http://digwp.com/2010/05/default-wordpress-css-styles-hooks/
- WordPress Generated Classes -http://codex.wordpress.org/CSS#WordPress_Generated_Classes
Selectors are used to target which HTML element to style. Properties and values are used to set the style rules.
There are three kinds of selectors:
|An HTML tag such as h1 or p.
|A class attribute of one or more elements, such as
Sample text
. Referenced in CSS with a "." before it.
|An id attribute of a unique element; should only be used once, such as
Sample header
. Referenced in CSS with a "#" before it.
Order of Importance
ID selectors are more important than class selectors, and class selectors are more important than HTML tag selectors. More specific selectors get applied before less specific ones. HTML elements that are the innermost ones are the most specific.
CSS& Ordering of Styles
The baseline for ordering CSS style:
- Display
- Positioning
- Box model
- Colors and Typography
- Other
See also
- CSS Introduction
- Tutorial Videos
- Basic Structure
- Viewing Page Source
- Classes & IDs: Overview
- Theme CSS Outline


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Duke's sarcoma specialists are nationally recognized for their diagnosis and treatment of sarcomas, rare cancers that occur in bones and soft tissues. Our experts offer the latest treatment options available today, preserve healthy tissue and bone, and perform comprehensive limb-sparing surgeries to avoid the need for amputation. We help you improve your chances for a positive outcome.
Expert Care for Bone Cancer and All Forms of Sarcoma
There are two main types of sarcoma. Malignant tumors that occur in the bones are called osteosarcomas, bone sarcomas or bone cancers. Malignant tumors that occur in soft tissue — including fat, muscle, nerves, blood vessels, joints and other tissue — have many different names but are generally known as soft tissue sarcomas. Receiving your care at a medical center with the level of expertise we offer is crucial because sarcomas are rare cancers, representing only one percent of all adult cancer cases. And, because there are more than 50 types of sarcoma, it can be difficult to identify the type and appropriate treatment.
We have the expertise to identify the type of sarcoma you are experiencing. We offer you the latest treatments available today for these rare cancers, including high-dose radiation that specifically targets your soft tissue sarcoma or bone cancer, limb-sparing surgeries and advanced imaging technology that pinpoints the location of your tumor and helps us distinguish it from healthy tissue. We give you access to every possibility and minimize your chances of undergoing an amputation.
Chose Duke for your sarcoma treatment because we offer:
- National reputation. We are one of the top cancer programs in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report, and one of the largest referral centers in the Southeast. We are a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and are part of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation's leading cancer centers dedicated to improving care for our patients. We are also part of the Sarcoma Alliance for Research through Collaboration, a group of leading sarcoma centers in the U.S. dedicated to improving the care of sarcoma patients through research and clinical trials.
- Fast access to our treatment experts. You meet with a radiation oncologist, medical oncologist and orthopaedic surgeon, all in the same day. You leave your visit with a thorough understanding of your treatment options, and with a comprehensive treatment plan in place. In addition, our specialists in soft tissue and bone sarcoma meet regularly to discuss your care, and to make sure your treatment plan is the best it can be.
- Comprehensive sarcoma team. Your medical team specializes in diagnosing and treating soft tissue sarcoma and bone cancer. Patients who undergo rotationplasty, which removes diseased knee joints but preserves healthy ankle joints or, in rare instances, amputation also have access to our team of prosthetists and physical therapists.
- Limb-sparing approach. We are known for our expertise in treatments that preserve limbs threatened by cancer. Only a few decades ago, most patients with a soft tissue or bone sarcoma in their arms and legs had to face amputation. Today, our surgical team specializes in many alternatives to amputation.
- Computer-navigated cancer surgery. Our operating rooms are equipped with intraoperative CT and MRI imaging technology that helps us carefully plan for surgery and precisely remove your tumor. Deeply rooted soft tissue and bone sarcomas can be challenging to remove completely, especially while trying to separate these tumors from important nerves and blood vessels that must remain unharmed. This technology allows our surgeons to identify your cancer and operate under the guidance of high-resolution, 3-D images.
- Clinical trial access. You may be eligible to participate in clinical trials for sarcoma, which gives you access to new therapies before they are available elsewhere. One of our ongoing trials is testing a novel technique, developed in part by a Duke researcher. This approach uses fluorescent probes to light up a tumor so surgeons can find and remove your cancer, helping preserve more healthy muscle, bone, nerves and blood vessels than ever before.
- Comparative oncology program. Our doctors and researchers believe that we may never fully understand rare cancers like sarcoma if we only study humans. That's why we have a team researching how sarcoma behaves in animals. Our research team includes Dr. William Eward, who is both an orthopaedic oncologist and a small animal veterinarian.
- Support to you and your family. Our comprehensive support services range from helping patients minimize the side effects of cancer treatment to coping with the emotional and psychological effects of diagnosis and treatment. View all of our cancer support groups in our event calendar.
Medication that kills cancer cells or stops them from growing and is used to treat many types of sarcoma. We consider factors such as your specific diagnosis and anticipated risks versus benefits before recommending chemotherapy as part of your personalized treatment plan.
High energy radiation beams target tumors to kill or halt the growth of cancer cells. May be recommended before surgery or after to reduce the chances of cancer returning. Whether we use radiation depends on the type of sarcoma you have, its location and size. We use the following types of radiation to effectively target these rare cancers and spare as much healthy tissue as possible:
- Highly focused radiation therapy. Advanced imaging technology is used to focus radiation beams directly onto your tumor. May include 3-D conformal radiation therapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).
- Intraoperative radiotherapy. A computer-controlled robot delivers rice grain-sized bits of radioactive material to a tumor site during surgery to reduce damage to normal tissue and organs. Duke is one of only a handful of cancer centers nationwide with this technology.
- Brachytherapy. Delivers high doses of radiation to targeted areas from inside your body using a long, thin, flexible tube called a catheter. This form of radiation can prevent tumors from recurring after surgical removal.
Our goal is to preserve as much function possible. We excel at limb- and organ-sparing procedures, including:
- Wide local excision removes your tumor and a section of normal tissue around it to make sure we don't leave any cancer cells behind.
- Advanced bone and joint reconstruction replaces bones damaged by cancer with a customized artificial joint for the hip, knee, shoulder or elbow.
- Vascularized bone grafting, pioneered by Duke surgeons, replaces a diseased bone with a healthy bone and blood vessels from your own body – typically your fibula. We perform more of these procedures than most hospitals around the world, giving us exceptional experience and precise results.
- Rotationplasty is limb-sparing surgery that removes diseased knee joints but preserves healthy ankle joints. Our surgeons avoid amputation above the knee by re-attaching your ankle and foot to your thigh. That way, you can be fitted with a custom prosthesis that allows your ankle to function as if it were your new knee joint. You retain a wide range of movement and control. Many patients come to Duke specifically for this procedure.
- Amputation removes all or part of an arm or leg is a last resort for our surgical team. We explore all other treatment options before recommending amputation.
An MRI or CT scan — which produce high-resolution, detailed images — help us pinpoint the location of your tumor. A chest X-ray can help us determine if your cancer has spread to your lungs.
Takes a tissue sample to evaluate for cancer using a small incision. We use ultrasound- or CT scan-guided biopsy to guide us to the right location in your body.
A radioactive tracer injected into your bloodstream collects in your bones and helps a camera detect areas affected by cancer.


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University degrees will cost up to three times as much under a deregulated fee system, leaving graduates with $120,000-plus debts, according to the architect of the HECS student loan scheme.
Bruce Chapman, regarded as one of Australia's leading education economists, also warned that increasing the interest rate for student debts would hit poor graduates and women the hardest.
The federal government announced in the budget on Tuesday that universities will be able to set their own course fees from 2016 and real interest will be applied to student debts for the first time.
''Fees will go up and they will go up quite significantly,'' Professor Chapman, director of policy impact at the Australian National University, said.
''I expect most universities will increase tuition fees to international student fee levels, which are currently about three times higher. The Group of Eight universities will do that pretty quickly.
''Past changes to HECS didn't deter students from entering university, but now that there will be a real rate of interest on the debt we are in uncharted waters.''
Professor Chapman said it was plausible the cost of a bachelor of medical science would rise from $24,000 to $120,000 – the fee for international students at the University of Sydney.
''The idea fees will go down anywhere is frankly fantasy land,'' he said.
Professor Chapman said the government's plan for students to pay interest on loans up to 6 per cent - depending on the government bond rate - was unfair. Students who drop out of university and start out in low-paying jobs would be the hardest hit, he said. So would women who delay paying back their debts when they take time off work after having children.
Interest on student debt has been pegged to inflation – now 2.9 per cent – since the introduction of HECS.
A $40,000 debt unpaid for 10 years would grow to $58,933 at an interest rate of 4.4 per cent.
Universities Australia chief executive Belinda Robinson said: ''We will definitely see a major shake-up of the sector with some universities charging substantially higher degrees for some courses.''
Ms Robinson said she was concerned dramatic increases in fees could deter students from entering university, throwing the viability of some universities into doubt.
Fee deregulation has split the university sector, with sandstone universities strongly in favour while many technical and suburban universities are opposed to the policy.
University of Western Sydney vice-chancellor Barney Glover said he was concerned fee deregulation would hurt the economic development of western Sydney.
''UWS is particularly concerned that this will place additional financial burdens on students, and it will be important to determine if this acts as a deterrent to university study,'' he said.
''This could have further implications for national productivity and regional development at a time when Australia and western Sydney face considerable economic and labour market challenges.''
Chairman of the Group of Eight universities Ian Young said the government's other major higher education initiative – the extension of Commonwealth support to TAFEs and private colleges – will place downward pressure on fees.
''If universities want to charge a premium, they will have to convince students there is a real benefit to what they offer,'' he said. "This will keep us on our toes and force us to innovate."
The requirement for universities to spend 20 per cent of extra fee revenue on scholarships for low-income students addresses equity concerns, he said.
Education Minister Christopher Pyne said increased fees are justified by the higher salaries university graduates earn.
''The prices might go up or they might go down through competition,'' he told Sky News on Wednesday.
''People might be surprised how much effect competition has on reducing prices. Let's see how the market reacts from 2016 onwards.''
University of NSW acting vice-chancellor Iain Martin said fee deregulation was essential and the alternative would have led to an ''inevitable decline in the international reputation of our universities''.
Grattan Institute higher education program director Andrew Norton said fees will increase but claims of $30,000 annual fees becoming the norm were overblown.


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You can find Truffle Butter and Oil at Whole Foods, or any higher end markets. You can also buy very good Truffle Oil at William-Sonoma.
Many people think that Mashed Potatoes have to be made just before serving, but they actually are great to make in advance. I put mine in a pie dish, then reheat in the oven or microwave.
For really smooth mashed potatoes, I always use a potatoes ricer - it makes them very smooth without over processing, which can make them gummy.
Mashed Potatoes
2 pounds of Yukon Gold potatoes
1/4 cup of Milk
1/4 cup of Sour Cream
4 ounces of Truffle Butter or 2 tablespoons of Truffle Oil
Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper
Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Place them pot filled with water, seasoned with salt. Bring the water to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork tender - about 7-10 minutes. Drain the potatoes from the water. Using the potato ricer, mash potatoes back into the sauce pan. Return the potatoes to the stove. On low heat, stir in milk, Truffle Butter or Oil, salt and pepper. Do not leave the potatoes on the stove for longer than 5 minutes, or they will burn. Transfer to an oven-safe dish - I use a pie dish.
To reheat, microwave them in a glass bowl, or reheat in low oven (275-300 degrees) for 20-30 minutes.
For the entire Holiday Dinner Party Menu and detailed cooking schedule worksheet, click here.


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Mayor's Office
Mayor Chris Beutler today kicked off the Lincoln Energy Challenge, a campaign to encourage Lincoln residents to reduce energy use at home and save money. The campaign, which continues through August, is organized by the Mayor's Cleaner Greener Lincoln initiative in collaboration with the Lincoln Electric System, Black Hills Energy, AmeriCorps, Community Action Partnership, Midtown Village and Stronger, Safer Neighborhoods.
"The Lincoln Energy Challenge encourages residents to 'get comfortable saving money' and shows them how easy it is to reduce energy consumption," said Mayor Beutler. "This free program will give residents the tools they need to improve energy efficiency in their homes, and the result will be greater comfort and long-term energy savings."
Beutler said even small improvements can make a big difference, and those who pledge to join the Challenge also will be eligible for prizes, incentives, rebates and rewards worth thousands of dollars. Residents have several options for pledging:
Everyone who pledges will receive a free "Powerkit!" full of information, ideas and resources. The website also lists easy and cost-effective improvements and will have information on upcoming workshops and programs. Those who share their progress with the campaign are eligible to enter weekly drawings and win prizes donated by local businesses.
Participants also may request two kinds of energy checkups:
A limited number of free professional energy checkups will be available to residents of qualified homes through the campaign. In addition, those receiving professional energy checkups through August 2011 will be eligible for a rebate check of up to $250 for certain recommended upgrades. This spring, schools, businesses, neighborhood associations and faith-based groups will have the opportunity to win energy saving, environmentally friendly prizes.
The City's Cleaner Greener Lincoln initiative was launched in partnership with the Nebraska Attorney General's office, which provided $50,000 from a lawsuit settlement. The $2.4 million in stimulus funds to support the effort are available through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.


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EARS Login
Other Resources
The Early Alert Referral System (EARS) is part of a student success initiative to assist students in their educational pursuits at MCC.
Faculty! New notification statement to add to your course syllabus:
MCC is committed to the success of all of our students. Numerous campus support services are available throughout your academic journey to assist you in achieving your educational goals. MCC has adopted an Early Alert Referral System (EARS) as part of a student success initiative to aid students in their educational pursuits. Faculty and Staff participate by alerting and referring students to campus services for added support. Students may receive a follow-up call from various campus services as a result of being referred to EARS. Students are encouraged to participate, but these services are optional. Additional EARS information and Campus Resources can be located at: http://www.mesacc.edu/students/ears/students
See the Campus resources here. Login to the production EARS system to begin a referral or to check on an open referral. Need help in getting started? Go to the Faculty/Employee FAQs.
Need technical assistance with EARS? Contact the MCC Help Center for assistance by phone: 480-461-7217. Location: AS 4 - Breezeway


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Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Dove Promises (Caramel & Almonds)
Dove has been adding to their line of Promises, the little chocolate nuggets they sell. It's nice they have such a diversified line and I do enjoy a little foil wrapped treat. Lately they've been stuffing caramel see review) inside those little nuggets of milk or dark chocolate. Now they've added a few more versions of those to the line by flavoring the caramel:
Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Flavored Caramel - this was less caramel and more like a hazelnut creme. It had a nice nutty flavor to it, though I didn't quite identify it as hazelnut. A little salty hit cut through the sticky sweetness of the milk chocolate.
Most of my little pieces were dented. I don't know if that was a function of the travel or if they're particularly delicate. (5 out of 10)
The Mint Caramel Dark Chocolate terrible, terrible pieces of confectionery nonsense. Gobbledygook, I tell ya! Gibberish! There's nothing wrong with caramel, nothing wrong with dark chocolate, nothing wrong with mint. But put them all together and you get this humongo double take of "what the heck were they thinking?"
The caramel is just weird - it's like it's over emulsified, if there is such a thing. It's gooey, but has no buttery element, no burnt sugary elements ... it's become its own strange, pudding-like product. That's it! It's like peppermint-butterscotch pudding ... with dark chocolate. It's just all kinds of wrong when I think too hard. (4 out of 10)
The strangeness continued with the Dark Chocolate Raspberry Caramel.
Luckily I didn't have a whole bag of each of those, just a little handful ... and now they're on their way to Kimberly, who won the drawing! (I should have had her sign some sort of a waiver.) Again, it's like raspberry flavored butterscotch pudding. I just didn't like all the flavors together and the salty hit of the caramel with the raspberry was just over the top. (4 out of 10)
The happy news is that the rest of this is all good. The more traditional new offerings to the Dove Promises line are just the regular milk and dark chocolate with some crushed almonds added in.
Almonds are a personal favorite of mine, I practically live on them (really, I eat them just about every day as a snack). What's always bothered me about Dove chocolate is its foolish consistency ... it feels too perfect, too manufactured and lacking any personality. The crushed almonds in the Dove Dark Chocolate with Almonds fix that.
They add some texture, they add some extra flavor, a little crunch ... they just complete the Dove Dark Chocolate. Any trepidation I had about their chocolate has disappeared with the added element. (8 out of 10)
The Dove Milk Chocolate with Almonds benefits similiarly from the crushed almonds. It makes the milk chocolate, which was always a little sticky sweet to me, more malty and rich. The milky flavors now take on a toasted, darker tone.
They please me. (7 out of 10)
A single Milk Chocolate with Almonds has about 45 calories in it.
I don't have the nutritional info on the Caramel line or the Dark Chocolate with Almonds, just the Milk Chocolate with Almonds, as that's the only one I have the complete packaging for. I'm not sure when these are showing up in stores, they're not on the Dove website yet. Anyone see them in stores yet?
Related Candies
POSTED BY Cybele AT 11:38 am
Next entry: Daffin's Candies Factory & World's Largest Candy Store
Previous entry: Oak Leaf Candies
Meticulously photographed and documented reviews of candy from around the world. And the occasional other sweet adventures. Open your mouth, expand your mind.


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2070. Our world has changed. The sea's rising level has harmed the coastal cities and climate change has made large stretches of land inhospitable.
The latest in the award-winning strategy series, Anno 2070 offers a new world full of challenges, where you will need to master resources, diplomacy and trade in the most comprehensive economic management system seen yet in the Anno series.
Build your society of the future, colonize islands and create sprawling megacities with multitudes of buildings, vehicles and resources to manage. Engineer new production chains such as Robot Factories, Oil Refineries and Diamond Mines and trade with a variety of goods and commodities.
Pro Price


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The 25 Best Movies To See At The 2014 New York Film Festival
09.20.2014 | By Jack Rico | No Comments">No Comments
The New York Film Festival, North America's second oldest film festival is once again upon us. This is the 52nd edition, from Sept. 26 to Oct. 12, that brings some of the movies from around the world and some world premieres that have never been seen before. Read More


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- I arrived at work to find that we are short three nurses, leaving me two nurses to cover an 18-bed ED.
- We are out of patient chart templates and nobody knows how to order them, so I have to take notes on blank paper.
- Despite being short-staffed, a steady stream of ambulance traffic arrives. (Didn't they get the memo?)
- The computers are on the fritz.
- I got chewed out by an irascible consultant.


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Follow Douglas Lima and the entire ATL fight crew as he trains for his Bellator welterweight tournament finals fight vs Ben Saunders. You will get to know great characters such as his Muay Thai coach Manu Ntoh, his MMA coach Roan "Jucao" Carneiro, his training partner George Hickman and also appearances from Raphael Assuncao, Kendrick Miree, Brian Stann and Diego Sarivia.
Check out the Photo Gallery:


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As we prepare to enjoy the upcoming holiday, we must remember it is a time to give thanks. We are so thankful to each of you for all that you have done for Soldiers' Angels this year. For anyone who has donated, given their time, shared our messages, or helped our cause in any way, we are thankful and so are our veterans, military families, and wounded heroes who have been touched by your generosity. Your support of Soldiers' Angels has allowed thousands of families to receive services in 2016. Read some of their stories here.
February 20, 2019
Sherryn, a single mother from Denver, Colorado is a 5x survivor of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD). Sherryn's battle with heart problems is actually what led her to Soldiers' Angels— the therapy of writing letters to deployed service members has given her an outlet to overcome the fears and manager the stress related to her medical condition. Meet Sherryn in our latest blog and learn how volunteering with Soldiers' Angels has become one of her most useful tools in coping with the effects of her Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection symptoms.
Believe it or not, one of the items that is most requested from service members and veterans is socks! Just think how nice a brand new pair of socks feel when you slip your feet in... Soldiers' Angels wants to help keep the toes of our troops and veterans feeling toasty, and you can help! Start a sock collection drive & send us NEW socks in all colors and sizes in their original packaging. We will distribute the socks to veterans in VA Hospitals and include in our care packages to deployed. The collection dates will run from February 15 - May 31st.
Send your socks to:
Soldiers' Angels
2700 NE Loop 410, Suite 310
San Antonio, Texas 78217
Learn more about Soldiers' Angels Warm Feet for Warriors here.
One man has made it his personal quest to get The Rock to join him in the well-known intense CrossFit workout, The Murph-- and he's doing it all just to give back to service members and veterans while raising awareness about the work Soldiers' Angels is doing to support them. Learn more about this man's fitness challenge and how you can help us get The Rock to join him!
Thanks to the generosity of so many people, Soldiers' Angels was able to serve 1,007 families over the holidays through the Soldiers' Angels Adopt-A-Family program. Out of that, 675 families were new and had never received Adopt-A-Family support from Soldiers' Angels in the past. In our recent blog, we interview one family supported through the Soldiers' Angels Adopt-A-Family program and how their adopter made their holiday special... even though their deployed service member couldn't be there to celebrate with them.
Huge Thank You to The Florida Panthers for their incredible support! From January 15th through their Military Appreciation Game Night on Friday, January 18th, The Florida Panthers hosted and participated in several activities to give back to the military and veteran community. On Tuesday, Panthers employees participated in a packing event with Soldiers' Angels making 20 Blankets, packing 200 Hygiene Kits and packing 200 Box Lunches. Wednesday and Thursday the Florida Panthers President and CEO, Matthew Caldwell, along with their mascot, Stanley, and Roar Core cheerleaders spent the day visiting the West Palm Beach VA and Miami VA. The group visited with veteran patients and handed out the blankets, hygiene kits, and box lunches from Tuesday. On game night, Friday, Florida Panthers fans had the opportunity to say "Thank You for Your Service" by filling out Thank You cards during the game. It was an incredible week with the Panthers and we are so grateful for their support of Soldiers' Angels and our troops and veterans. Take a look at all of the photos from the Florida Panthers week with Soldiers' Angels.
Serving in the military comes with an array of benefits for you, your spouse, and your family, some of which you may not even be aware. Once you have left military service, the Veterans benefits available are meant to provide financial assistance for a variety of reasons. From affordable home loans and healthcare to disability and pension payments for your lifetime, having an understanding of the benefits you may be entitled to is an important part of your discharge. However, knowing what you may have access to and the process of getting the benefits you deserve can be daunting tasks. This guest blog is a guide to help navigate what Veterans benefits you are eligible for and how to go about receiving it.
Every year we receive thousands of Valentine's Day cards addressed to service members and veterans. Sadly, since the cost to distribute these cards is so high, we are not able to provide enough funding to get these cards to our military and veteran heroes so they can feel the love. But this year you can help us spread the love! All you need to do is include $1 per Valentine you send! This will help us cover the cost of packing & mailing boxes of Valentine's Day cards to deployed troops overseas & to VA Hospitals! Mail your cards & $1 per card to: Soldiers' Angels 2700 NE Loop 410, Suite 310, San Antonio, Texas 78217. Learn more about Soldiers' Angels Valentines for Veterans.
2018 was such a wonderful year! Because of all that we do, we know there were stories and experiences we just didn't share with you this year. So, we asked our team to share their favorite moment of 2018. Here's what they had to say.
We are often blown away by the generosity and engagement of our corporate partners. It's thanks to them that we are able to do so much for service members and veterans. One example of that is Home Depot. They have pledged stockings for our Holiday Community Partner Program for three years in a row. Each year, they increase the number of stockings donated. Read Volume 3 of our annual series here.
Every year, our Chaplain Support Team sends stockings overseas to hand out to the units they support. This year, we got the opportunity to interview one of the Chaplains we serve, who was kind enough to take pictures of the service members receiving their stockings. Read the full story and check out the photos here.
If you are a veteran that has attended one of our Mobile Food Distributions events across the country, then you have received a text message from Soldiers' Angels. Text messages serve as one of our main methods of communication to alert veterans when registration for a food distribution is open and also to alert those veterans on the wait list that there is space for them to come to the event and receive food. We have received several calls from veterans who were once receiving text notifications and then suddenly stopped receiving them. If this is happening for you, please review our recent blog to help troubleshoot your issues.
The 2019 Valero Texas Open is right around the corner-- which means there is a great matching donation opportunity happening now-- Birdies for Charity! This amazing program was created in 1997 as a way to give participating charities and schools the opportunity to generate contributions through the Valero Texas Open. 100% of the funds raised go back to participating organizations PLUS Valero matches 7%. Don't miss this opportunity to make your gift of supporting service members, military families, wounded heroes, and veterans of all eras go even further. Donate now or learn more about this fantastic opportunity here.