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VOC Handbook
Membership Handbook
- 1 Welcome to the Varsity Outdoor Club (VOC)
- 2 Useful VOC Jargon
- 3 Emergency Numbers
- 4 A Brief History of the Club
- 5 So, What Does Your Membership Give You?
- 6 How to Become a Full-Fledged Member
- 7 What is a Workhike?
- 8 VOC Trips
- 9 VOC Trip Guidelines
- 10 VOC Equipment
- 11 VOC Huts
- 12 Social Scene
- 13 The Climbing Wall
- 14 Publications
- 15 Awards and Competitions
- 16 Trip Rating System
- 17 The VOC List of All Time Classic Trips
Welcome to the Varsity Outdoor Club (VOC)
The Varsity Outdoor Club is open to anyone at UBC - students, faculty and staff. Our club is dedicated to those who want to explore the outdoors here around UBC and anywhere else in the world. Some of the many pursuits our members actively pursue include: hiking, rock-climbing, mountaineering, kayaking, ski touring, ice climbing and "socializing". The club is about meeting people, making friends, learning and teaching. If you have a skill to share, please do so. If you wish to learn, please ask!
Useful VOC Jargon
|VOC Jargon
|Alpine Club of Canada
|British Columbia Mountaineering Club
|Federation of Mountain Clubs of British Columbia
|Hustlers Handbook
|List of Members with Contact Information
|The VOC's weekly e-newsletter (also posted at the clubroom)
|VOC Journal
Emergency Numbers
|Phone Number
|Wilderness Search and Rescue
|1 800 567 5111
|Canadian Coast Guard
|1 800 567 5111
|Forest Fire Reporting
|1 800 663 5555
Other Potentially Useful Numbers
|Phone Number
|Weather/Marine Forecast - 24 hour
|604 664 9010
|Avalanche Bulletin (SW BC)
|Avalanche Bulletin (USA)
|206 526 6677
|Highway Conditions (Talking Yellow Pages)
|604 299 9000 x7623
|Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC
|604 878 7007
|Enquiry BC (Government Services Listing)
|604 660 2421
|Ferry Schedules
|1 888 223 3779
Also check out the web links setion of our webpage
A Brief History of the Club
The VOC had its start back in 1917, when the "Mountaineering Club" was formalized at UBC's original location (near present day VGH). In these days, potential club members were required to ascend a peak equal in height to Grouse Mountain to become members. It was rumored that women were often exempt from this qualification, being "weaker vessels"...
In 1920, the first club cabin was built on Grouse. In those early days, chaperones were present on mixed trips to "protect the honour of the fair sex". Alcohol was forbidden at all club activities well into the 70's.
By the 1930's, the club's expeditions had spread farther afield, including such exotic destinations as Golden Ears and the Lions (the latter accessed by boat). By the 1940's, there was exploration in the Garibaldi area. A VOC party made the first winter ascent of Mt Garibaldi in 1944.
The 50's arrived with an explosion of interest in skiing with the construction of a road up Seymour. As the number of capable skiers grew, a new tradition was born to the VOC. After spring exams, an annual pilgrimage would be made to the newly constructed Sphinx Hut, located on the terminal moraines of the Sphinx Glacier.
A desire to record the club's activities spawned the VOC Journal. First published in 1958, it was just in time for the numerous first ascents made by club members during the late 50's and 60's. Several major expeditions were undertaken, including Mt Logan ('59) and the Himalaya ('64).
In the mid sixties, the VOC constructed a large cabin in Whistler. It was intended to accommodate both downhill and cross country skiers. In time, the cabin grew too expensive to maintain, and the VOC turned over the rights to the cabin to the AMS. The money received (not without a fight!) from the handover was reinvested into new mountain huts, the first of which was constructed on Mt Brew across the valley from Whistler in 1982.
Most recently, the VOC has helped build and maintains a new hut in the mountains surrounding Birkenhead Lake. The Brian Waddington Memorial Hut is located at the headwaters of Phelix Creek and is used mainly in the winter as a ski touring base.
There are always more projects on the horizon, but these will have to take place before we can include them in the history section.
So, What Does Your Membership Give You?
Being a VOC member does not mean that you have to be a skilled outdoors person. The more experienced members offer introductory trips in rock climbing, glacier travel, ski touring, map use and navigation as well as many other topics. It is not even necessary to have all of your own technical equipment - as a member, you may borrow (with cash deposit) any of the gear from the clubs equipment lockers.
Other benefits of membership include: the VOC Journal - an annual publication containing accounts of many epic VOC trips from the past year as well as photos, poems, and the like (available free to all members in March); Access to the well stocked VOC library of guide books and maps; the Hustlers Handbook - a list of addresses and phone numbers for all VOC members.
Likewise, every week you will receive (via e-mail), the VOCene newsletter, which lets members know what trips are going out, what other members are up to and all sorts of other useful information. New for this year is the VOC website, where most of this information in posted. Check out www.ubc-voc.ca.
The club also gets great group deals on avalanche courses, first-aid courses and season pass lift tickets to our local mountains. Plus, of course, you get to meet all sorts of wild and interesting people.
How to Become a Full-Fledged Member
In order to become a full-fledged member, you must:
- Fill out an application form
- Pay the $35 membership fee
- Complete a "Work Hike" during the school year
What is a Workhike?
A workhike is where you help keep the club running smoothly by contributing a little of your time and energy. They usually don't involve a lot of time - anywhere from an hour or so to a day, depending on the task you land. At the same time they are a good way to get to know other club members and can even be kind of fun.
Some possible work hikes include:
- Lead a trip - This is an excellent way to complete your work hike and travel someplace interesting at the same time! Note that you don't have to be an expert paddler/climber/ wilderness guru to lead a trip. All you need are some organizational skills (come on, this is university) and some background research.
- Hut Maintenance/Construction - The VOC maintains several backcountry huts for the use of the outdoor community. There are always projects that need to be done, or supplies that need to be carried up.
- Equipment Maintenance - Wax our skiis! Sharpen our crampons!
- Trail Maintenance - we are responsible for maintaining the Brew Lake hiking trail, as well as a section of the Howe Sound Crest trail.
- Writing, Typing, Photocopying, etc. - Help with the production of the Hustlers Handbook, the VOC Handbook (too late this year) or the VOC Journal.
- Teach at our Schools - Sufficiently proficient members are always needed to help instruct at our various schools. If you can climb, ski, sleep in the snow or read a map, let an exec know. Student demand invariably overwhelms teacher supply at these events.
- Clean up after a party - We've got lots of gatherings going on throughout the year. We'll even let you attend the party first! Longhike and the annual VOC Banquet are the biggest social events of the year and they don't just happen on their own.
Don't wait for a work hike opportunity to be posted - talk to an exec member about things that need doing. The sooner you complete your work hike, the sooner you can use club gear.
VOC Trips
The VOC is extremely (watch out for that X-word) active during the school year with one or two trips going out most weekends. These typically cover the whole spectrum, from novice day hikes to month long mountaineering expeditions. Some of these weekends include instructional sessions on mountaineering, rock climbing, ski touring or telemarking. Trips are announced each week in the VOCene and the information is typically posted outside the clubroom.
Although the club is largely a climbing/skiing/mountaineering club, a number of other activities are also pursued, including hiking, cycling, canoeing and kayaking. The club is also active in the summer, when many extended trips take place, as well as weekend hikes and climbs.
Skiing is the main club activity during the winter, as most areas under 2000 feet are under substantial amounts of snow. Most trips go on skiis, although snowshoe-equipped knuckle-draggers are starting to make their presence felt. Both modes of transportation are well suited to the steep terrain of the West Coast, although some of the flatter traverses go a bit slower on snowshoes. The various huts the VOC maintains provide exceptional base camps to crank turns in virgin powder.
It should be noted that on all VOC trips, enthusiasm and determination will almost always make up for lack of technique. Beginners should not be deterred - most members of the club learned their outdoors finesse on this sort of trip.
There are usually ski trips to all of the easy objectives in the Squamish/Pemberton valley each year, as well as attempts on more advanced objectives. The Garibaldi Neve traverse, the Spearhead traverse, the Squamish-Cheakamus divide and the Pemberton Icecap feel the wrath of our flounderings annually. The VOC huts serve as exceptional bases for tracking out backcountry slopes in some prime ski terrain.
New members and beginners are encouraged to coordinate their own novice trips as soon as possible. You will learn a lot from making your own decisions, and you will add to the range of available trips for less confident new members. If you need ideas, there are many guidebooks in the clubroom library, and the executive is always eager to suggest ideas.
Traditional Trips
There are quite a few traditional trips and schools that have become established over the years. The exact dates are rarely carved in stone - keep and eye on the VOCene or the trips board outside the clubroom.
- Longhike (September) - Rock climbing instruction or hiking on Saturday, huge party Saturday night followed by more climbing or hiking on Sunday. This is traditionally a huge event with 100+ participants.
- Glacier School (September) - Learn the basics of glacier travel with our crack team of snow fanatics. Crevasse rescue and snow climbing techniques are just some of the skills you'll be introduced to.
- Leavenworth (Thanksgiving Weekend) - This faux Bavarian town is surrounded by some of the best (and driest) rock climbing in the state of Washington. It's been conclusively proven that a healthy dose of dry rock improves midterm performance!
- Skaha-ha-ha (Hallowe'en Weekend) - Visit the sunny (spooky) Okanagan for BC sport climbing at it's best. Costumes are definitely encouraged.
- Smith Rock (Remembrance Day) - Head down to Oregon to climb in the sun. This trip has been going on for ages, and we've yet to get rained on!
- Christmas Trips - Lots of extended ski tours happen during the holidays. There's also the funny habit some people have of driving 1400 miles to the desert (Red Rocks, Joshua Tree, Zion) to find dry rock. Some of us are a little obsessive.
- Tele School (January) - Learn how to genufluct with the best of them. We also offer refresher courses in snowball fights and snow angels.
- Winter Longhike (February) - Ever wanted to sleep in a snow bank? We'll show you this, and more, all in a healthy, non-judgmental atmosphere.
- Sphinx Camp (April) - Although attendance has been dropping as of late, we're still keeping the spirit alive. Come April, the snow is still great for skiing up in the mountains. Corn snow is easily as good for final exams as dry rock is for midterms.
VOC Trip Guidelines
Before leaving on a trip
Talk to the trip leader about the physical demands of the trip and decide whether or not you are fit enough to go. Don't be afraid to push yourself, but if you suspect the trip will be too long or too hard, go for something easier until you are in better shape (physically, mentally, emotionally).
Always check the trip rating (A1, B3, etc.) and realize that there is a lot of leeway in each category. An easy weekend for some people is cruel and unusual punishment for others...
Pack the essentials. Don't sacrifice safety for a light pack. If you aren't sure what to take, ASK! We are each responsible for ourselves out there.
Tell someone at home of your intended destination and what time you expect to return. Include a bit of leeway into your estimate - see the heading "Broken Board" under VOC awards. Leave the phone numbers of the trip organizers and your driver.
Extended medical insurance is reccommended if you are travelling out of the country; try Travel Cuts in the SUB or any other insurance outlet. Consider whether you just want coverage for common accidents (ie for motor vehicle accidents). Covering rock climbing and other "hazardous" activities will increase the cost - if it's allowed at all. Ask, as some policies exclude "mountaineering" in the fine print.
VOC trips are typically posted on the message board outside of the clubroom as well as being included in the weekly VOCene. Make sure you attend the pre-trip meeting, as important information is distributed here and rides/food groups are often arranged. If you absolutely cannot make the meeting, contact the leader BEFORE the meeting and work something out.
Notes for Trip Coordinators
West Coast conditions - thick bush, short winter days, poor weather, etc. - when combined with the uncertainty of having persons of unknown capabilities along on a trip, can quickly turn the easiest trip into an epic of unimaginable proportions. The following suggestions are intended to help the prospective trip coordinator avoid embarrassing or even tragic incidents on their trip.
Pre-Trip Preparation
Consult guidebooks, maps, air photos, club members, etc. Obtain as much information on the route as possible. Bruce Fairley's "A Guide to Climbing and Hiking in Southwestern BC" is and excellent reference and includes a comprehensive list of other books and sources of information. For ski trips, John Baldwin's "Exploring the Coast Mountain on Skis" can be consulted.
Obtain a map of the area and know how to use it! Topographic maps may be photocopied at the UBC map library and are available for sale at the Geological Survey of Canada (100 W Pender). Check weather forecasts, snow reports, tide tables and/or road conditions, as applicable.
Advertise the trip. All the planning in the world won't be worth much if no one comes along! Mention difficulty, length, equipment needed and any limits you intend to impose on group size. Arrange a time for a pre-trip meeting.
After the pre-trip meeting, leave a complete set of trip details (date, names and addresses of participants, proposed route, date and time of return, equipment carried by the group as well as location and license number of vehicles) with a reliable person who is remaining in town. Make sure the to contact this person upon the safe completion of the trip to prevent a rather embarrassing situation.
Pre-Trip Meeting
Inform people of difficulties, strenuousness and dangers to be expected on the trip. Persons who are probably not up to the rigors of the trip should tactfully be referred to an easier one.
Show people the intended route on the map. They may wish to pick up their own copy.
Ensure that all participants have the necessary personal footwear, clothing and equipment.
Arrange for appropriate amounts of group gear to be brought along (tents, stoves, fuel, ropes, etc).
If safety equipment is being brought along, make sure that all participants are sufficiently skilled in its use.
Arrange rides. Do this in such a way that people are not left standing around on rainy street corners when someone's vehicle won't start. Have all vehicles meet at the trailhead or, preferably, in Vancouver to drive up to the trail head together.
State the conditions, if any, in the event of trip cancellation.
The Trip
Each trip should be equipped with all necessary gear including map, compass, first aid kit, flashlights or headlamps, extra clothing and food, repair kit, etc.
Distribute group gear equitably, taking into account a persons size, fitness and experience. Some redistribution of weight from time to time may be a relief for those lagging behind. Be tactful - egos have been bruised in the past.
Keep the group together if practical, but have pre-determined lunch stops and campsites in case of separation. Be sure everyone knows where these stops will be.
Any group or individual splitting off from the main party should be prepared to function as an independent unit for the trips duration; as often as not, plans to meet later go astray.
At the start of the trip you may wish to initiate a "buddy" system of travel, in which each person stays with one other person for the whole day.
Appoint yourself, or some other reliable, experienced person to bring up the rear and watch for stragglers.
Suggest rest stops when someone appears to be getting tired or is lagging behind.
During cold or wet weather, make sure everyone is staying warm - if necessary find some spare clothing for them.
Keep an eye on the time and know when it will be getting dark. Head for home before darkness sets in, even if it means not attaining the original trip objective.
Novices may have no idea prior to the trip what they can or cannot do. Thus, it is not their fault if they are slow, and the pace of the trip should be adjusted to suit their capabilities. NO NOVICE SHOULD EVER BE LEFT BEHIND!
If Someone Gets Lost
Determine as best as possible the time and location they were last seen.
If time and conditions permit, search for them; however, do not split up the group and risk having someone else get lost.
Return to base camp or the trailhead by dark.
Notify the RCMP. Have complete details available - person's description, clothing, last location seen, vehicle and license number at the trailhead, etc.
At the End of the Trip
See that all persons are back to the vehicles, and that all vehicles start, before anyone drives away.
Let the designated contact person know that you have returned safely.
Contribute to the VOC's knowledge of local areas and conditions by submitting a trip report.
VOC Equipment
The selection of equipment available through the club allows all members, novice and experienced alike, to safely try the sport of mountaineering without the financial commitment of purchasing their own technical gear. The equipment is available to members throughout the year on a first come, first served basis. There is no fee for this service - all we require is a refundable cash deposit. No Exceptions! All equipment is located in the clubroom in the basement of the Student Union Building. In September, the quartermaster posts the times at which equipment may be borrowed and returned. These are typically during lunch hour, although different times can usually be arranged by contacting the QM's.
Although the club has an extensive equipment inventory, there are certain time periods during the year when all requests cannot be fulfilled. In these circumstances it is club policy to give priority to participants in club-organized activities.
Some of the equipment available:
Basic rock climbing, mountaineering and glacier travel: Assortment of ropes, harnesses, rock shoes, ice axes, crampons, climbing helmets, pickets, carabiners and heavy (old) leather boots.
Skiing and winter travel: Avalanche transceivers, telemark skiis and leather boots, probes, snow shovels and snowshoes.
As a policy, the club doesn't provide ropes or rock protection for lead climbing. However, all our gear is readily available for top-roping.
To borrow any of the gear, meet the quartermaster in the clubroom during gear hours. Present your membership card, supply the necessary cash deposit and estimate your time of return. It's that easy. Failure to return the gear on time will result in the forfeit of the deposit, and quartermasters are carefully selected to be heartless and insensitive. You've been warned...
VOC Huts
The club currently has in its charge four huts scattered around the local Coast Mountains. These are: The Sphinx (Burton) Hut, located on the SE end of Garibaldi Lake; The Brew Hut, located near Brew Mountain, across the valley from Whistler; the Harrison Hut, located near Meager Hot Springs, some 50 km NW of Pemberton; and the Brian Waddington Memorial Hut, located at the headwaters of Phelix creek, in the mountains surrounding Birkenhead Lake.
All these huts were built and are currently maintained by the VOC. All are open to the public free of charge, although we do request donations to the club to aid in the maintenance of the buildings. There are many trips throughout the year to the various huts, both for maintenance and more conventional uses. The relatively young Brian Waddington Hut is fast becoming the traditional locale of the VOC New Years Party. Information on locating the huts is readily available in the clubroom.
Social Scene
Over the years many traditional social events have been started and are still as popular today as when they began. Below is a list of some VOC social events. Many of the annual trips are also largely social events.
- Summer Reunion Party (September) - Slide show and potluck
- Hallowe'en Costume Party (October) - Complete with prizes, pumpkins and spooky creatures
- Slide Shows, Movie Nights, Disco Night, Swing Dancing, etc.
- Intramurals sports teams throughout the year, especially our dreaded Storm the Wall team
- Christmas Party (December)
- Christmas Trips Slide Show/Reunion (January)
- VOC Climbing Festival (February)
- VOC Banquet (March) - The VOC Banquet is a semi-formal affair to wind up the year. It is usually well attended by both current and old members and is a good opportunity to meet many of the people you've heard of or read about in old journals. There's a guest speaker, slide show, photo contest and the presentation of awards, both humorous and serious.
- Summer meetings and monthly barbecues - First Wednesday of every month at Spanish Banks, at the foot of Tolmie St.
- Thursday night climbing at Lighthouse Park (Summer)
- Weekday nights climbing at Cliffhanger (Year round) - Check the Cliffhanger Mass email thread on the board.
If you'd like to see any other social events arranged, please talk to the Vice-President, or go ahead and post your own trip sheet. Stay tuned for more details on all events via the VOCene and clubroom notices.
The weekly Wednesday meeting (12:30) is an important school year occurrence and is often overlooked as a social event. These meetings start the first week of classes and are run on the following format: As everyone settles into munching lunches, the President announces the weekends trips, introduces trip leaders to the general membership, makes special announcements and discusses general club business. After this there is a slide show, guest speaker or film. Any club members with suggestions for speakers, films or are interested in giving a slide show are encouraged to get in touch with the Public Relations Rep. The value of the meetings should not be overlooked as the place to meet active club members and find out about upcoming trips.
Equally important as a social centre is the clubroom (in the basement of the SUB). Crowds of members can be found there most lunch hours, but particularly Fridays when final plans for the weekend and impromptu trips are arranged. Remember: 80% of trips are arranged at the last minute - Friday at lunch. Feel free to come in to the clubroom and hang out.
When school's out, what do you do? Keep in touch with the VOC, of course! We're as active in the summer as we are in the winter, perhaps even more so. Let's face it, the weather during the summer is much nicer for many of our regular pursuits - hiking, climbing, mountaineering, cycling, canoeing and kayaking. In early May, a barbecue is held and is officially known as the first summer meeting. Thereafter, the VOC meets once a month at the Spanish Banks barbecue, 7pm at the foot of Tolmie. There is weekly rock climbing on Thursday evenings at Lighthouse Park. Access to equipment and books is maintained by electing a summer Quartermaster and Archivist, if necessary. Before you know it it's September (and time to redo the Handbook yet again).
The Climbing Wall
Members of the VOC lobbied for a wall on campus (following a long and glorious, if covert, history of "buildering" on structures all over campus) and were able to build a 22-foot high surface behind the SUB auditorium screen film screen. VOC members can buy a wall membership, good for a year, for five dollars, and after being checked out for safety, can enter during posted hours. In March of 1992, the first "annual" VOC Climbing Competition was held and was very popular. The climbing competition (Festival, of late, as it's rather non-competitive) continues to be held each spring and is open to members of all abilities. The focus is on having fun and cheering on your friends. Our thanks to Mike Spagnut and others for their hard work on this project and the AMS for facilitating the construction.
Other indoor climbing facilities around Vancouver include
- The Edge - 2-1485 Welch Street, North Vancouver, 604 984 9080
- Cliffhanger - 106 West 1st Avenue, 604 874 2400
- The Rock House - 520-3771 Jacombs, Richmond, 604 276 0012
- Vertical Reality - Surrey
The club has published a number of books over the years which include: The annual "VOC Journal" (since 1958), "A Climbers Guide to the Stawamus Chief" (1967), "A Guide to Ski Touring in the Whistler, Garibaldi Park, Squamish and Pemberton Areas" (1983), and a number of songbooks (most recently in 1999).
The VOC Journal
The VOC Journal is our yearly record of the clubs' activities and our legacy to the record of outdoor adventures here and abroad. First printed in 1958, it records many first ascents and is an important historical record of the exploration of Garibaldi Park during the 1960's and 70's.
The old journals are a good source of information for planning trips and are very entertaining to read. They can be signed out from the VOC library or found in the UBC Main Library (GV 561 B7) and at several of our backcountry huts. The archivist has a limited number of recent journal back issues available for sale.
The VOC Journal goes to press in March and is distributed free to members at the VOC Banquet. To ensure receiving a copy, members should pick theirs up at the clubroom before the end of term. Photos must be submitted to the Journal Editor by the end of January and articles by the end of February (dates vary year to year). Photos can be submitted as either slides or prints, and will be returned after scanning. Articles should be submitted on disk along with a hard copy. The programs used for compiling the Journal vary from year to year, but plain text files of Microsoft Rich Text Format are generally preferred. If you have any questions or would like to help out, contact the Journal Editor.
The Library
Besides old VOC Journals, the VOC library contains Canadian Alpine Journals, books on hiking areas, climbing techniques, avalanche safety, geology, wildflowers, skiing and even a bike on bicycle repairs. The library is available any time there is an exec member in the clubroom. The Archivist also sells VOC T-shirts, old Journals decals, songbooks and the like.
Awards and Competitions
At the banquet, various awards are given out. They are divided into two categories, serious and humorous and are described below.
Awards - Serious
- Bronze Pin - Given to a member who has made a significant contribution to the club over the previous year. The first pin was awarded in 1995 - prior to that pins could be purchased. One is not necessarily given out each year.
- Silver Pin - Given to a member who has made a significant contribution to the club over a period of several years. The first pin was awarded in 1953. One is not necessarily given out each year.
- Gold Pin - Awarded to a member who has made an exceptional contribution to the club. Endorsement by 2/3 of the membership at a general meeting is necessary to approve this award. To date only five gold pins have been awarded:
- Ron Leslie, Club Treasurer (1950) - Building the Seymour Cabin.
- Karl Ricker (1966) - Planning, designing and building the Whistler cabin.
- Byron Olson (1966) - Planning, designing and building the Whistler cabin.
- Roland Burton (1970) - Planning and building the Burton Hut.
- Andre Zimmerman (1995) - Construction of the Brian Waddington Memorial Hut.
- Most Active New Member(s) - Usually this is a book prize given to the new member who has developed their outdoor skills the most during the previous year (not necessarily given to novices).
- Journal Awards - There are several awards given to contributors to the VOC Journal at the discretion of the Journal Editor.
Awards - Humorous
- The Broken Board - Originated in 1970 when a load of lumber destined for the Neve Hilton (a hut build on Mt Garibaldi, later demolished by snow creep) was destroyed after falling from a helicopter onto the only rock in a snowfield for miles around. It is awarded to a member who has broken something in an equally silly manner, or who has performed what is deemed to be the most spectacularly stupid act of the year. The Broken Helmet has joined this award lately, for those times when the stupidity required a team effort.
- The Loving Cup - An award cup designed to embarrass couples whose romance has blossomed during the past year OR to an individual who has tried repeatedly to engage other club members in relationships and failed.
- Goon Awards - A public warning about the stupidity of certain members, usually including a prop to help them extract themselves from embarrassing situations in the future.
Photography Competition
The VOC holds a photography competition each year. Slides can be entered in one of the following categories: Landscape, flora and fauna, portrait, humorous and VOC activities. Prizes are presented at the banquet. Complete details are announced early in the second term.
Trip Rating System
To help people decide whether a trip is suitable for them, each trip is usually given a two-part code. The system used was invented to apply to mountaineering activities, but it applicable to ski trips as well. A brief written description accompanying the trip outline is always helpful.
The two-part code consists of a letter followed by a number. The letter indicates the expected strenuousness (strenuosity? Level of strenuization? Degree of stress?) of the trip. A rough guide is as follows.
- Difficultly rating:
|An easy day (less than eight hours)
|A long day or easy overnight (greater than eight hours)
|A strenuous weekend OR a three day trip
|The Angel of Death shall reap a harvest of the weak
The number refers to the degree of technical difficulty and applies to the most difficult part of the trip.
- For Mountaineering:
|Hiking only
|Easy scrambling, sometimes off trails
|Easy climbing (rope may be needed), includes glacier travel
|Easy roped climbing, with belays but protection not necessarily required
|Technical rock climbing, graded on a (quasi) decimal scale (ie 5.7 or 5.10b)
- For Skiing:
|Easy ski terrain, marked routes or roads
|Moderate ski terrain, some hills, some route finding
|Advanced ski terrain, steep slopes, difficult route finding
|Difficult and dangerous terrain, good skill needed
|Slopes of 45 degrees and up
- Hike up Mt Seymour A1
- Ascent of Black Tusk B3
- Spearheads Ski Traverse C3
- Slipstream (Ski Descent) D5
The VOC List of All Time Classic Trips
Recommended weekend outings (1 or 2 days), easily accessible and delightful places!
Hikes (A1 - B2)
- The Lions
- Diamond Head Trail
- Garibaldi Lake Trail
- Singing Pass / Russet Lake Trail
- Needle Peak
Rock Routes (B3 - B5)
- Mt Habrich
- Smoke Bluffs
- Angel's Crest
- Mt Slesse
- Vienesse Peak
- Blanshard's Needle
Alpine (ice/rock/snow, B4 - D5)
- Mt Redoubt - NE Face
- Castle Towers - NE Face
- Wedge Mountain - North Arête
- Mt Shuksan - Price Glacier or N Face
- Mt Atwell - S Ridge (winter only!)
- Tantalus - Standard Route
Mountain Rambles/Scrambles (B2 - C3)
- Mt Saxifrage
- Anenome Peak
- Tricouni and Cypress Peaks
- Helm Creek - Gentian Pass
- Mt Aspen (C4)
- Tenquille Lake and area
Ski Ascents (B2 - C3)
- Mt Ipsoot
- Mamquam Mountain
- Cayoosh Peak
- Mt Jimmy Jimmy
- Mt Callaghan / Powder Cap
- Mt Laughington


text:
Mieczyslaw Finster, Margaret Wood; The Apgar Score Has Survived the Test of Time. Anesthesiology 2005;102(4):855-857.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
A Reward From Heaven
"Did you hear where Shimon is making his daughter's wedding? It's going to be in the most expensive hall in town!" This was the outraged reaction of a neighbor of Shimon upon reading the invitation he received. He shared his shock with another neighbor who had been his partner in collecting money from their fellow congregants in a Bnei Brak synagogue to provide Shimon, an indigent Torah scholar, with the minimum funds required to make a simple wedding. Realizing that more and more people would be surprised at his choice of a hall, Shimon rushed to the rabbi of the congregation to explain what had happened.
Shimon had already contacted the cheapest hall in town and made an appointment to discuss arrangements. Before he left the meeting there was a knock on his door. There stood a stranger who asked to speak to him for a few minutes. He told Shimon that he just got up from the shiva mourning period for his father, the owner of a large wedding hall in town. Just before passing away he told his son that during the Holocaust there was a Jew who had saved his life at the risk of his own. Upon arriving in Israel he was anxious to locate this Jew and somehow show his gratitude. All he knew of him, however, was his first name and the town he came from, and his search proved unsuccessful. Now that he was leaving this world he charged his son with the responsibility of locating that Jew or any heir of his and to repay him the favor he owned him.
During the shiva period one of the comforters mentioned the heroism of the mourner's father and another Jew in surviving the Holocaust. In the ensuing conversation, it suddenly became clear that the mysterious benefactor was the father of Shimon. As soon as the shiva period was over he rushed to Shimon's home and when he verified that he was indeed the son of the man who saved his father's life, he burst into tears. Upon hearing that Shimon was about to make a wedding he insisted that it be done in the hall he inherited from his father at no expense and would not take no for an answer.
Thus was the mystery solved and Shimon's reputation reestablished in his community.


text:
This past week's rains equals more bad news for the Caloosahatchee, our marine environment, Cape Coral and the surrounding communities.
Gov. Scott has sent a plea to Wash-ington for relief, but money probably will remain scarce for this project. Not too many years ago Florida was to buy large parcels of land and construct a flow south which would spare the two river systems that are being sacrificed to keep the "big sugar" industry happy. Land is available again. Let's see what happens this time around.
Make no mistake this is the root cause (sugar) of the ongoing destruction. The sugar industry needs to keep water levels in the Everglades Agriculture Area at certain levels to be able to grow cane. Florida Sportsman Magazine says, "The lowering of the South Florida water table ranks as an environmental crime of the past century, and yet it is a crime that can be undone."
Article Photos
Capt. George Tunison
FSM also referenced the Plan 6 Concept Proposal which can be accessed at www.riverscoalition.org. This will explain the proposed flow way south giving relief to our communities and environment.
Two things for sure; a politician's dream is an uninformed person that doesn't care to get informed or involved. Anymore, it seems that's about 60 percent or more of the country. Squeaking wheels get the grease. It takes but a few minutes to fire off an email or to pick up your Obama Phone and call and make your voice heard. Doing nothing got us here, doing nothing will keep us here.
The rain has been tough on many folks' fishing plans, but I'm taking full advantage of the time off and the high water to get back to one of my favorite fishing adventures - high flying baby tarpon on ultra light rods. Burnt Store Road was filled with anglers this past week trying to cash in on the sometimes surprising fishing available at the mini-dams separating the fresh from the saltwater of the Spreader Canal.
Too crowded during the day? Dress appropriately, bring your bug juice and try them at night. For the past couple of weeks I've had the opportunity to experiment with lures and flies and have found some winners that consistently stick these sometimes extremely finicky baby poons. The common thread is that the lure must be very small, the fluorocarbon leader long (at least 36 inches) and the lure action not too erratic.
Remember when they jump to bow to these mini kings just like you bow to the big guys. That is, shove the rod as far forward toward the leaping fish as you can, creating slack line. When the tarpon shakes his head from side to side many times a taunt line will cause a broken leader or the hook to pop free. These fighters get big air on wild and powerful leaps into space and sometimes even off into the mangroves. We fish a light 6-foot rod with 10-pound braid uni-knotted to a 36-inch, 20-pound test good quality fluorocarbon leader.
Most babies you will encounter are in the three- to 10-pound class. Full sized specimens and adult snook frequent these same waters so if you look down to see the line on your spool going, going, gone, you know what happened.
Gag grouper are in close and trolling with deep diving plugs like a Mann's 25 will trip their triggers on a near shore rock pile or secret GPS number this weekend.
Redfish anglers will be out in droves along with early morning trout specialists looking for a wall hanger on a big surface plug or twitch bait.
Always use a loop knot for these twitch (MirrOdine's, Rapala's) baits. These lures are to be fished rather slowly with subtle rod tip movements. Don't hurry these lures. Slow down and make them dart and flash like an injured or dying baitfish and hang on.
Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. Contact him at 239-282-9434 or email@example.com, or www.flyingfinssportfishing.com.


text:
Larry W. Foster
Bioethics and biomedical ethics are defined. Common bioethical concepts, exemplary moral values, fundamental ethical principles, general ethical theories, and approaches to moral reasoning are reviewed. The scope of topics and issues, the nature of practice situations in bioethics, and social work roles on organizational bodies that monitor and respond to bioethical issues are summarized, as are trends in bioethics. Practice contexts, from beginning to end of life, are highlighted with biopsychosocial facts, ethical questions and issues, and implications for social work—a profession uniquely positioned in giving bioethics a social context.
Confidentiality and Privileged Communication
Carolyn I. Polowy, Sherri Morgan, W. Dwight Bailey, and Carol Gorenberg
Confidentiality of client communications is one of the ethical foundations of the social work profession and has become a legal obligation in most states. Many problems arise in the application of the principles of confidentiality and privilege to the professional services provided by social workers. This entry discusses the concepts of client confidentiality and privileged communications and outlines some of the applicable exceptions. While the general concept of confidentiality applies in many interactions between social workers and clients, the application of confidentiality and privilege laws are particularly key to the practice of clinical social workers in various practice settings.
Disability: Psychiatric Disabilities
W. Patrick Sullivan
The psychosocial catastrophe that accompanies serious mental illness negatively impacts individual performance and success in all key life domains. A person-in-environment perspective, and with a traditional and inherent interest in consumer and community strengths, is well positioned to address psychiatric disabilities. This entry describes a select set of habilitation and rehabilitation services that are ideally designed to address the challenges faced by persons with mental illness. In addition, it is argued that emphasis on a recovery model serves as an important framework for developing effective interventions.
Impaired Social Workers/Professionals
Frederic G. Reamer
The possibility of practitioner impairment exists in every profession. Stress related to employment, illness or death of family members, marital or relationship problems, financial problems, midlife crises, personal physical or mental illness, legal problems, substance abuse, and professional education can lead to impairment. This article provides an overview of the nature and extent of impairment in social work, practitioners' coping strategies, responses to impairment, and rehabilitation options and protocols. Particular attention is paid to the problem of sexual misconduct in social workers' relationships with clients. The author reviews relevant ethical standards and presents a model assessment and action plan for social workers who encounter an impaired colleague.
Professional Impairment
Wilma Peebles-Wilkins
Practitioners who were presumed to be competent may develop difficulties that interfere with job performance. Such professionals are considered impaired and may suffer from compassion fatigue, substance abuse, mental disorders, and other forms of distress associated with daily living. Practicing while impaired is unethical and can potentially be harmful to clients. Colleague Assistance Programs from professional associations or diversion systems and legal sanctions imposed by state regulatory boards are forms of intervention strategies that are employed. Self-care strategies and consciousness-raising among professionals are the best forms of prevention.
Quality of Care
Enola Proctor and J. Curtis McMillen
Assessing and improving the quality of social services is one of the most pressing concerns for social work practice and research. Practice in nearly every setting is affected by stakeholder expectations that agencies monitor and improve quality. This entry addresses the meaning of the phrase "quality of care" with respect to social work services, considers this topic in relation to quality improvement, quality assurance, and evaluation of services, and points to the research that is needed in order to assess and improve quality.
Social Work and Coercion
Tomi Gomory and Daniel Dunleavy
Social work is perhaps most distinctive for its clear and outspoken commitment toward improving the well-being of society's vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, while still emphasizing the importance of respecting and defending personal rights and freedoms. Though there is a fundamental necessity for coercion, or its threat, for eliciting civil social behavior in a well-functioning society, it is professionally and ethically imperative that social workers make explicit our rationales for, justifications of, and the evidence used to support or reject coercive practices in our work. Social work's engagement with coercion inevitably entails the ethical and social policy arguments for and against its use, as shown in a review of the empirical evidence regarding its impact on the professions' clients, exemplified by three domains: (1) child welfare, (2) mental health, and (3) addictions. Recommendations for future improvements involve balancing the potential for harm against the benefits of coercive actions.


text:
Brig (r) A R Siddiqi
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Sardar Sherbaz Khan Mazari, one of Pakistan's most respected and seasoned statesmen, once asked me: "What sort of president do we have? Last evening at a reception he came up to me and said, 'look Sardar Sahib I am a commando and I shall fight'..."
What can one say about such impulsive behaviour by a head of state and chief of the county's armed forces?
Commandos are good soldiers – known more for raw courage and less for mature and sober judgement. Musharraf, too, was noted more for his blunt attitude than for a calm and calculated response to a given situation. Furthermore, his unfortunate penchant for depending too much on his handpicked cronies – yes-men all – proved to be his undoing.
In April 1999, about six months before his coup, he addressed a meeting of the English Speaking Union at the Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi. There he spoke at length about the efficiency of the army's command-and-control systems and the unfailing alacrity by which a command is carried out by various field formations and establishments around the country.
"It would take no more than a few minutes to alert my units deployed at the farthest post and get them cracking at once..." The general went on – lauding the role of the army down to the battalion level as an unfailingly quick responsive force.
Responding to a question about the army's nexus with the Afghan Taliban, he was overly eloquent about their role as a standby volunteer body for the army when required. "The Taliban are a success story", he said and, "we should soon bring them around to our way of thinking and action when necessary".
The same evening, Musharraf and I happened to be sitting next to each other at small private dinner. His observation about the Taliban fresh in my mind, I asked him, "Do you, Sir, really believe in what you said about the Taliban during your talk?" "Don't you?", he countered.
"Not quite after the damage they did to Afghanistan. Having made a mess of their country, far worse than what it had been under the Soviet invasion and subsequent occupation for nearly a whole decade".
He smiled and with an unmistakable touch of irony said, "Sir the Taliban are my strategic reserve and I can unleash them in tens of thousands against India when I want..."
After such a definitive statement I chose to hold my horses. After all he was the army chief and I just a retired brigadier out of touch and unaware of the army's operational planning.
Musharraf's commando complex and deep contempt for civilian authority led him up the garden path to stray into the tangled woods of reckless adventurism.
Much like the mock guerrilla Operation Gibraltar launched in August 1965 and manned by our hastily-trained young regulars – officers and jawans – Musharraf used the jawans of the NLI (Northern Light Infantry) in Kargil for over three months (March-June 1999). The NLI – essentially a regular infantry outfit – fell back helter-skelter from the commanding heights it had occupied in the initial thrust, catching the enemy sleeping at his post.
Kargil was to prove a double disaster, both politically and militarily. It sabotaged the budding peace process between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
Prime Minister Vajpayee's bus yatra to Lahore on the invitation of Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif was a diplomatic tour de' force. Vajpayee's pilgrimage to the Minar-e-Pakistan reaffirmed yet again India's recognition of Pakistan as a living, dynamic entity that was there to stay.
Here too Musharraf's commando mindset led him astray from the only way he should have responded to the prime minster's directive to receive Vajpayee at the Wahgah border. Not only did he not join the welcome ceremony at Wahgah himself he also went on to advise the naval and air chiefs to follow suit and boycott the ceremony. The trio joined the Lahore show the next day at the Lahore Fort for lunch.
Almost simultaneously, Musharraf launched his 'top secret' Operation Badar – which ended in a sorry stalemate after some initial successes.
His alter ego, the commando in him, was at its aggressive worst when he got the 111 Brigade to surround the PM's House and scale the walls of the PTV to occupy its studios and offices on October 12, 1999.TV clips of the jawans doing this were hardly befitting the stature of the commandos, who are known for their role behind enemy lines.
The writer is a former head of ISPR


text:
The Land of Oz
A monthly editorial piece of masterful opinionated writing (insert joke here) regarding life and times in the big town of Tuscaloosa coupled with the musings of a guy nicknamed "Oz."
If you are anything like me (and bless your soul if you are), you might have looked at the calendar recently and asked yourself, "Hey… where in the heck did summer go?"
Technically, it's still here. But for all intents and purposes, it begins when school lets out and ends when school resumes. Or does it?
Whether you have kids or not, there is a direct correlation (especially in the thriving metropolis of Tuscaloosa) as it relates to our living conditions. This includes, but is not limited to: much lighter traffic conditions, no lines, no wait at local eateries, and no dreading the approach to the unavoidable intersection at 15th and McFarland (hurry up with that Krispy Kreme turn lane, will ya?). No matter where you live, you've no doubt dealt with this issue.
Seasons seem to get shorter every year and unscientifically speaking, maybe it's because that for a couple of brief months, life gets a little easier to navigate. Literally. Getting from point A to point B is a lot less hectic.
But it also may be because of timing. Let's face it: The last week of May and the first week of August are a wash. If you're not decompressing from the hustle of spring, you're prepping for the upcoming hustle in the fall. Some of us never come out of the hustle to begin with, but at least the commute is a little less painful.
Eliminate those two weeks, and you have exactly two months remaining. After various sporting camps, and vacation bible school, and finishing baseball, and dodging bacteria in the neighborhood pool, and swim lessons, and reapplying sunscreen, and potentially squeezing in a vacation from which you return and need a vacation… it's over.
In a puff of smoke, the school supply list is staring you in the face and we're all mulling over preseason football polls.
Other school systems perform their summer break dance a little differently simply by altering dates while maintaining the allotment of off time.
As an example, certain systems in other necks of other woods shift the grand finale of the academic year until the end of June and then recommence after Labor Day. I'm not sure which is worse. The only sure positive is that statistically, July and August are the hottest months, and at least the kids would return as the weather is beginning to somewhat cool down.
Regardless, the summers seemingly continue to get shorter. And if the powers that be eventually shorten the actual break, then by the measurement of the title of this article, enjoy your one week of summer. Time flies when you're reapplying sunscreen.
I tweet insignificant things @ozborn34.
Derek Osborn is the Executive Director of PRIDE of Tuscaloosa by trade and writer by hobby. He lives in Tuscaloosa with his wife, Lynn, and daughters Savannah and Anica.
Fantastic, Fresh, and Colorful Tomato Recipes17 Aug 2015
By Amy Poore
Now that many of us have a bounty of fresh, juicy tomatoes, I thought it would be an excellent time to highlight a couple of wonderful recipes so we can serve them up! Nothing beats a tomato sandwich, of course, but these are excellent dinner options. The tomato pie is perfect for the peak of the tomato season, and the caprese salad skewers make an excellent (and quick to make) appetizer for pre-dinners or for backyard patio parties this summer.
Bon appétit!
Old Fashioned Tomato Pie
1 cup grated mozzarella
1 cup grated cheddar
9-inch prebaked deep dish pie shell
1/4 cup green onion (chopped)
10 fresh basil leaves (chopped)
4 tomatoes, sliced and drained of excess water (a strainer works well for this), divided
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste
Pinch of dry basil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt and pepper in a medium bowl
Layer half of the sliced tomatoes over the pie shell (reserving a few slices for top of pie). Next, spread half of the mayonnaise mixture on top of tomatoes. Finally, layer all of the chopped basil and onions.
Repeat with remaining tomato slices and cheese layer.
Place the reserved slices on top and sprinkle with dried basil.
Bake for 30 minutes or until top is golden brown.
Serve hot or at room temperature.
Caprese Salad Skewers
Cherry tomatoes, whole or halved for size and arrangement
Fresh Basil Leaves
Fresh mini mozzarella balls
Good quality extra virgin olive oil
Good quality balsamic vinegar
Toothpicks or small bamboo skewers
On each skewer, slide on mozzarella ball(s), a folded basil leaf, followed by the tomato.
Arrange on serving platter and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, to taste.
Amy Poore is a new mom, a wife and a foodie. To see more of Amy's delicious recipes, visit her blog, Poore Amy, at www.pooreamy.com
Photos: Amy Poore
Finding the Right Convertible09 Aug 2015
By Tori Linville
So you want a convertible? Before you imagine the whole wind in your hair thing, you have to get the wheels first. We've listed a few options for you to consider, along with some tips to matching you with your ideal vehicle.
Obviously, a budget needs to be decided before moving ahead with the purchase. So imagining the perfect convertible for you involves some visualization and creativity. Another helpful way to determine what you're willing to invest your money in would be to make a list of what you want in a convertible.
Here are a few things to consider, according to Consumer Reports:
· The biggest priority – the price
The lowest price for convertibles sits at $20,000. If your budget is limited, the best advice would be to save until it isn't, unless you plan to purchase a used convertible.
While a new car offers the latest technology, the used car market can be a more sensible option for many. Testing the reliability is the obvious action when looking at used convertibles.
· Safety
This concern pretty much explains itself, but we'll still make a few points. You'll of course want to ensure antilock brakes, electronic stability control, standard dual front air bags and three-point safety belts just to start.
· Fuel Economy
Convertibles are known to be zippy little suckers, so vehicles can range in size. Some models might require premium fuel, adding to operation costs.
· Hard Top vs. Soft Top and Manual vs. Auto Top
Soft tops are known for allowing things to slip by it, so a multi-layered headliner will help where the soft top doesn't. Hard tops obviously protect the car better but are pricier.
A manual top has a downside of needing to be stored after being removed, while an auto top is quick and efficient, but needs a big trunk to collapse into.
Consumer Reports' favorites included Lexus, Mazda, Toyota, Audi and Subaru for 2015. Check out the pricings for the latest models of some of the mentioned manufacturers.
· 2015 Lexus IS
Up to 30 miles per gallon (highway)
Starting at $43,000
· 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Up to 28 miles per gallon (highway
Starting at $23,000
· 2015 Audi A5
Up to 29 miles per gallon (highway)
Starting at $47,000
Of course, factors will all depend on what you plan to use the convertible for. To see more info. and selection, check out this article to guide you to your perfect fit.
Article sponsored by Townsend Auto.
Find them on the web at: http://www.townsendautofamily.com
Top Outdoor Entertaining Trends04 Aug 2015
By Tori Linville
If your deck or patio has seen more dried up leaves, stray grass and weeds this summer than actual activity, you might be in need of an outdoor living space overhaul. Or maybe you just don't feel like you're getting enough out of your outdoor space. Well, we've gathered three of outdoor entertainment's go-to and top trends to help you fix your outdoor woes in order to reach your seasonal escape.
First things first – start with an ideal outdoor room.
The classic outdoor room not only establishes an outdoor area, but also makes for a welcoming environment that guests will enjoy. The experts at bobvila.com have some great tips and tricks that make this seemingly overwhelming task a pretty easy fix.
· Start with a roof that frames your outdoor area – a pergola with some vine potential or even an awning are some options to check out. After dealing with the roof, go to the ground: lay out an outdoor rug that compliments your color scheme and/or outdoor furniture.
· Speaking of color schemes and what not, go for bulky(ish) furniture and earth tones that will obviously compliment the surroundings. Furniture pieces that allow for a guest to kick back and relax are almost always preferred over a dainty lawn chair (if those even exist). Easy care fabrics are an obvious choice for weather-wear.
· Lastly, add some lighting. String lights here are a popular craze, but anything you prefer will do. Just as long as you have some to illuminate the area when it's dark out.
Check out more info. here on how to get the perfect backyard escape.
Next up: an unforgettable grill
If there's one trend that will never go out of style, it's the outdoor stovetop otherwise known as a grill.
High-tech grills with tons of features can be found virtually everywhere. For example, the Saber Smart Edge Grill was Consumer Reports' favored grill with infrared top and optional ceramic glass lid. If watching the food slowly cook wasn't enough, the grill hooks up to WiFi so a phone can keep track of when to cook, when to clean and when to fuel up.
If you're looking for a more straightforward number, other Consumer Reports grills included the Weber Spirit E-220, the Weber Spirit SP-320 and a Kenmore grill. See them (and other cooking gadgets) here.
Lastly, throw in a fire pit for a multipurpose focal point
Don't actually throw one, but you get the point. Fire pits have been all the rage for a while and for good reason. As a center point for décor arrangements, the fire pit isn't just for show. It's also warmth, light and even serves as a Smores maker.
Also, it's probably one of the biggest draws for winter outdoor entertainment (if you're brave enough). That being said, a fire pit practically pays for itself.
Consumer Reports likes the Alfresco Fire N Table, Forshaw and Waterstone for a variety of reliable and quality fire pits.
Honorable Mention: outdoor movies, anyone?
A new, refreshing entertainment piece is the re-emergence of the outdoor screen for at-home enjoyment (in place of drive-thru movies, of course).
While a projector would be necessary, a screen could just as easily be made with some bed sheets and nails. If you're feeling the outdoor movie vibe like we were, all you need is a blank wall (or screen) to get started!
Full outdoor entertainment systems are available on sites like Amazon but first, check out this article to see what it takes to blow away your guests with your outdoor film.
Photo Credit: HGTV.com
Article sponsored by Bama Exterminating and the Geoffrey Shook Agency of State Farm.
Find Bama Exterminating on the web at: http://bamaexterminating.com
Find the Shook Agency of State Farm on the web at: http://insurewithshook.com
By Allison Adams
Congratulations! You have made it to summer! School is out and hopefully things are slowing down a bit in your routine.
After such a cold winter and a rainy spring, I'm eager to see if I even mind the scorching heat of southern summer this year. If so, I may just bear it and think of places such as Iceland, where June weather ranges between 47 and 53 degrees. Their official "summer" began on April 23.
Summer is a season, but for our kids, it is an extended holiday. All of our responsibilities we juggled with ease during the school year must now be combined with shuttling to and fro for pool dates, summer camps and other activities. Hopefully, we can also coordinate a bit of wandering for our young explorers.
A recent broadcast of a couple investigated for allowing their children, ages 10 and six, to roam the streets made national news. The story opened my eyes to terms such as "helicopter parents" (a.k.a. busy bodies) and "free-range parents" (the ones at home wondering why they haven't seen the kids in a while).
I was surrounded by both of these as a child growing up in Livingston. My best friend's grandmother had ways of knowing when we'd ventured too far. My mom would send us out the door saying, "Go play, check in for lunch and don't be later than dark." It was the way we rolled in a small town. Tuscaloosa neighborhoods are no different.
Many of us remember timeless, "last a decade-like" afternoons roaming the sidewalks, walking or on bikes, lunches at the Dairy Queen where we snacked on a swirly cone, traversing creeks, culverts, pastures, and flag football games we just happened upon. There were no cell phones. Okay, maybe there was a pay phone - but who could keep a quarter in their hand while riding a bike?! We were adventurers! We didn't carry purses! The end of the day was signaled by the subtle neon blinking of lightening bugs, as we'd say goodbye to our friends and peddle quickly home to see what was for dinner.
Being on the lake, it is hard to focus on work, I admit. The boat dock is usually dripping with kids, dogs and life jackets. This past month, my oldest graduated from college at Alabama. He's headed to set the world on fire with his music. I just hope he remembers to take some time to savor the little things, to remember the mud pies, the ice cream truck and his little red plastic jeep.
While he is on the road chasing his dream, I'll be reminding myself to snuggle with his little sister (who just turned 10) and really immerse myself in her summer, while staying out of her way so she can explore, learn about the world and be completely carefree and creative the way we used to.
Before too long, the days of summer will lead us into fall.
Icelandic summers include a full 20 hours of daylight each day in June. Here in the south, we're given fewer hours of daylight – but many more hours of sunlight (Iceland's summer includes, more often than not, lots of cloud cover).
So embrace the Southern Summertime! We can dream of summers elsewhere, but then we would miss out on all this sunshine, humidity (and sweat), and especially the adventures that are going on in our own back yards.
Blessings for a memorable summer.
Allison Adams
Photo: Allison Adams
Article sponsored by Med Center.
Find them on the web: https://www.medcenterurgentcare.com
Summer Treats to Beat the Heat17 Jul 2015
By Tori Linville
So the new of summer has just about worn off and the local fro-yo store has been visited so many times, they know your name. Sound familiar? Don't panic! We have some game changers for you. All of these easy-to-make summer treats can be made in the comfort of your judgment-free home. Sure enough, these will become your summertime staples in no time.
Homemade Slurpee
Though this recipe takes some time, it's only in the beginning and then you have your slurpee in minutes. The best part is that it can be made with different sodas, but the freezing times might change.
What you'll need:
500 mL of your favorite soda
What you'll make:
Shake the bottle heavily for five to 10 seconds to increase pressure. Then, put it in the freezer for about three and a half to four hours. Here's where you get experimental. This recipe says for three hours and 50 minutes is the ideal slurpee time – as in to where it's almost frozen, but not really.
Remove the bottle from the freezer and in one continuous movement, unscrew the cap and quickly tighten it back up. Turn the bottle upside down and return it upright. Ice crystals should immediately start forming. Pour into a glass and enjoy.
For more explanation into the recipe, find it here.
Homemade Slushee
The difference from the slurpee? Many things. Mainly texture. Which is why by the end of creating this sweet treat, you'll be a slushee-slurpee expert. You're welcome.
What you'll need:
4 cups of ice
1 cup of sugar
1 1/2 tsp. of raspberry extract (or any other flavor you're feeling
4-6 drops of food coloring (any color, really)
What you'll make:
Mix water and sugar. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Then add in the extract, stirring well. Add in the food coloring until you get the color you want.
Pour into a blender until roughly blended for perfect slushee texture.
We changed things around a little bit, so check out the original recipe here to get an idea of what's really going on.
Fruity Flops
From Betty Crocker herself, these cute little treats will have you looking at your summer shoes in a whole new light. Rice Krispy bars in the shape of flip flops? Definitely.
What you'll need:
1 crispy marshmallow bar – homemade or store bought should be fine needs to be at least four by two inches colored candy sprinkles
1 roll of Fruit Roll Ups (one roll up per flop)
2 Fruit Gushers (one gusher per flop)
What you'll make:
First, cut the marshmallow into the shape of a flip flop, then press candy sprinkles onto the sides of the flip flop shapes.
Then unroll Fruit Roll-Up and remove the paper. Cut two strips to form a V-shape to create the flip flop straps. Place Fruit Gusher a the tip of the V.
See the recipe here.
Banana Split Bites
These don't actually have ice cream in them, making them healthier but just as sweet. This recipe takes a little bit more TLC, but what results will be appreciated by your taste buds.
What you'll need:
1 inch pieces of pineapple (one per bite)
bite-sized un-ripe pieces of banana (one per bite)
medium sized strawberry pieces (one per bite)
2.5 oz. dark chocolate
1 tsp. coconut oil
chopped nuts/coconut (if you feel like it)
What you'll make:
First cut the fruit and assemble so that each bite has a piece of each fruit. Skewer with a popsicle stick and freeze. Melt chocolate with coconut oil and stir frequently so it doesn't burn. Once melted, dip the fruit in the chocolate and sprinkle with optional nuts/coconut then place on baking sheet to harden. Freeze again until ready to serve.
We simplified the recipe slightly, so look here for reference if needed.
Article sponsored by Lakeside Dental.
Find them on the web: http://www.lakesidedentalsmiles.com
Doggie Summer Treats16 Jul 2015
By Tori Linville
It's hard work keeping up with a human. And in the summer? A pup needs a break every once in a while. There's only so much man's best friend can do without opposable thumbs! What's a person to do? Start with frozen dog treats specially made with summer in mind and never look back. May you be the god you dog thinks you are.
DIY Ice Lick
Fill a bucket with water or chicken or beef broth. Fill it with the normal dog treats your sidekick usually likes or any dog toys laying around. Freeze and present to your four legged friend. The treats and toys will create a happy reward for persistence and you'll be able to relax with a happy pup.
PB and Fruit Ice Circle
Blend a half cup of peanut butter and water in a blender and pour into a bundt cake pan. Add one cup of chopped fruit* and two tablespoons of flax seeds. Freeze for about four to six hours.
*Fruits that are dog friendly include apples (no seeds), bananas, blueberries, kiwis, lemon, watermelon (without the rind), oranges, peaches (no pit), pineapples and strawberries.
Blend ripe bananas, some plain yogurt, peanut butter, honey and water until you have a consistent texture. Pour into ice cube trays, and stick a dog bone in the middle for a fun (and useless) popsicle handle. Freeze overnight.
Basically, just mix a healthy dog-friendly bunch of ingredients into different shapes, freeze and watch an excited tail wag!
Article sponsored by Holy Spirit.
Find them on the web at: http://www.hschurch.com
Movies Opening in July27 Jun 2015
By Tori Linville
The temperature for July easily stretches toward the hundreds and sometimes, outdoor fun just isn't worth the sweat stains. To save you some body stress and worry, we've listed July's top movies to watch for. Instead of applying the sticky sunblock, apply to some butter to your popcorn, sit back and relax.
Magic Mike XXL (R) – July 1
Creating a different kind of heat is the sequel to Magic Mike, "Magic Mike XXL." The second installment of the Magic Mike line sees Mike three years after he left his stripper job while he was in serious demand. "Magic Mike XXL" follows Mike and the Kings of Tampa as they visit Myrtle Beach for a last hurrah. In other words, hunky Channing Tatum and other hunks with abs go to beach and look even hunkier than thought possible. Hunks all around, people.
Minions (PG) – July 10
Despicable Me's minions have finally received their own movie, and we hope it to be everything you wished for. More specifically, minions Stuart, Kevin and Bob are taken up by Scarlet Overkill (voiced by Sandra Bullock). She and her husband, an inventor named Herb (voiced by Jon Hamm), have the age-old plot to take over the world. Maybe Stuart, Kevin and Bob will stop them?
The Gallows (R) – July 10
A small town tries to honor the anniversary of a tragedy that occurred during a school play 20 years before. Years ago the lead actor, a boy named Charlie, died on stage due to a prop malfunction. The resurrection of the play turns out to be a really bad idea – go figure. Creepy and dark, the movie utilizes the horror home-video aspect that adds suspense. Go watch if you dare.
Trainwreck (R) – July 17
Growing up, Amy's father chanted to her that "monogamy isn't realistic. Years later, Amy is doing what she likes, when she likes it, while working at a men's magazine. Then she meets Aaron, who actually wants a relationship – which isn't in Amy's playbook. Amy Schumer and Bill Hader star in what the movie's trailer dubs the film "not your mother's romantic comedy." Which is enough reason in itself to go see.
Ant-Man (PG-13) – July 17
Marvel is back in action after the second Avengers with "Ant-Man." Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is a con-man. After being watched closely by Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), Scott is sprung from prison in order to become the ultimate soldier (well, kinda). Armed with a suit that can shrink to the size of an ant, but has unmeasured strength, Ant-Man comes alive. Then he has to fight this guy named Yellowjacket (Corey Stoll). Fun stuff.
Paper Towns (PG-13) – July 24
Margo Roth Spiegelman is not your average girl next door. But ever since Quentin saw her, he's been hooked. One night, Margo needs a get-away driver and Q's hand-me-down minivan is the vehicle that will get the job done. The two avenge Margo's cheating boyfriend in a memory-filled night, and then Margo goes missing. Q and his friends set out for the road trip of a lifetime to find Margo and learn about themselves along the way. Based on John Green's novel "Paper Towns," the movie stars Cara Delevingne and Nat Wolff.
Article sponsored by DCH.
Find them on the web: https://www.dchsystem.com
Independence Day Barbecue Burgers24 Jun 2015
Independence Day Barbecue Burgers
Serves: 4
· 2 pounds ground beef
· Dash salt and black pepper
· 4 slices bacon
· 1 onion, cut into 1/4 –inch thick rings
· 4 hamburger buns
· 4 slices cheddar cheese
· ½ cup barbecue sauce of choice
Create 4 evenly shaped burger patties. Light grill and set on high heat.
Place burgers on grill and cook until well charred (about 2 minutes). Flip patties and brush with bbq sauce. Then cook for another 2 minutes and occasionally brushing on sauce.
Brush bacon with bbq sauce and place directly over hot grill, sauce side down. Brush top with bbq sauce. Cook until well charred (about 1 minute). And repeat after flipping.
Place onions on grill for 20 seconds, then flip and repeat.
If you prefer the buns to be toasted, place them on the hot grill until browned.
Assemble burger.
Article sponsored by Belle Chambre of Tuscaloosa and Lakeside Dental.
Find Belle Chambre of Tuscaloosa on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BelleChambreTuscaloosa/
Find Lakeside Dental on the web: http://www.lakesidedentalsmiles.com
Spray Tan Tips08 Jun 2015
By Tori Linville
One of the best accessories of summer is a great tan, but frying skin in ultraviolet rays is not the way to go. Tanning beds are also out, as the health risks have been under the microscope for a while. The newest way to achieve glowing skin without the threat of skin cancer? Spray tans. Don't worry about researching what to do and how to get one, because we've done it for you. See how you can maintain a glistening complexion that takes no time at all.
Before You Go
Spray tans aren't your normal everyday situations. They vary, but usually last five to seven days, with careful maintenance before and after to achieve the best results. One of the best things you can do to minimize spray tan muck ups has to do with your prep before you even step into a booth.
· Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate: This helps skin maintain a more even tan, because your skin will be refreshed, and pores will be minimized.
· Get rid of unwanted hair: Shave and/or wax before your spray tan. This doesn't necessarily mean go crazy and shave arm hair (unless that's your regular routine). It just means be sure to nix any stubble that will have the potential to cause funky tan lines later. As the tanning solution sticks to leg hair, it's best to take care of it before the tan.
· Get nails done first: Most spray tan services provide some type of barrier cream to apply to the nails so they won't end up with a wonky tan color that looks unnatural on anything but skin. Even so, getting a manicure after a spray tan can result in paler hands from all the friction and lotions applied during a mani.
· Wardrobe choices are vital: You'll want to pick some loose clothing that doesn't cause much friction against the skin, so this is one outfit that deserves some forethought. As the spray tan settles, residue will rub against clothing, so something you're not afraid to stain is ideal. Outfits like maxi dresses or big t-shirts are the best choices. Some choose to wear undies; others don't.
· Bring something for hair: A ponytail holder will do just fine here. The main point is that your hair will need to be up and away from the skin for the rest of the day.
· Get comfortable with a color: This is the time to play it safe with tones. Opt for less bronze sprays if you're more fair skinned. Olive toned skins can get away with more, but it's always best to consult your spray tanner for advice. Basically, avoid looking like a Dorito at all costs.
Tan Time
With all these rules, it's easy to be overwhelmed. What can you actually have on your skin as your getting your tan? Do you have to be in a bubble after the tan? Well, no. But there are a few activities all spray tan services wish you wouldn't do while you're waiting for the tan to set.
During the tan, certain things are allowed, such as lip balms, deodorants and mascaras as these areas are as effected by the spray tan.
After the tan, avoiding moisture is key.
· While washing hands is unavoidable, most services recommend restricting the washing to the palms only.
· Sweating, rain and swimming are total no-nos after a spray tan for the first day, as you're basically washing your money down the drain. Make up shouldn't be applied either.
· If you've received an original formula spray tan, it's recommended that you don't shower anywhere from 10 to 12 hours. For express spray tans, the time is reduced to four to six hours.
Last but not least, spray tans smell. Not in a bad way, but just a special spray tan way. This usually goes away quickly, but it can be startling for first time spray tanners. A small price to pay for healthy skin!


text:
High Density Polyethylene for Improved Head Protection.
Complies with OSHA Requirements ANSI Z89.1-1986 Class A & B.
Available in Four Colors.
These CRL Safety Caps are made from an improved, injection-molded, high density polyethylene that offers superior protection against impact, penetration, and shock.
It has good resistance to chemicals and voltage, yet it weighs less than 12 ounces, making it comfortable to wear.
The four point integral suspension has head gripping, extra contoured nape strap for better fits for sizes from 6-1/2 to eight.
Popular rain trough design prevents water from running down neck.
Color: White


text:
Calendar landscape mode
In landscape mode
• The calendar is displayed on the left and agenda is displayed on the right.
• When you select the date with saved events they are displayed on the right in the agenda view.
• The floating Back button is displayed. You can also swipe up on the button to go to select the floating Home button. (Note: To move the button, drag it left or right.)
• The Home touch buttons are not displayed. Swipe from the right side of the screen to the left to temporarily display the home touch buttons. [image 3]