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Tournament report shows size and number of bass on the increase
Antlerless deer season dates set by the Wildlife Conservation Commission
Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma offers endless opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts
Antlerless deer season dates set by the Wildlife Conservation Commission
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission established the 2006-07 antlerless deer season dates for this fall's hunting seasons at their April meeting.
"Essentially the dates will remain the same as last year, with only minor calendar adjustments," said Alan Peoples, wildlife chief for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "However, we did make one small change. After hearing from hunters in southeast Oklahoma (zone 10) we have moved the antlerless deer day in the middle of the regular gun season to a Saturday, rather than Sunday."
The Commission also approved the dates and areas for the special antlerless deer seasons to be held the weekends before Christmas and New Year's Day.
In other business, the Commission accepted a $3,750 donation from Sam Barrick. He, along with several other businessmen and landowners in Carter and Love counties, made the donation to the Wildlife Department. The funds will be used to purchase a variety of law enforcement equipment.
Also at their April meeting, Travis Schnaithman, state FFA secretary, presented the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation a plaque of appreciation for the Department's contribution to the FFA sporting clays program. Ed Cunnius, Shotgun Training Education Program (STEP) coordinator, accepted the plaque on behalf of the Wildlife Department.
"There would be no FFA sporting clay events without Ed Cunnius and the STEP program," Schnaithman told the Commission.
More than 400 school districts and over 1,000 students are involved in this innovative FFA school participation program.
The Wildlife Department's STEP program offers seminars free of charge for groups of 25 or more people. Guns, ammunition and targets are provided through the program and there is a different seminar for every skill level. The STEP program has seven trailers located statewide fully equipped to conduct shooting seminars.
In other business, Assistant Director Richard Hatcher gave commissioners an update on bills in the Oklahoma state legislature, relating to fish and wildlife conservation. A daily update of the progress of those bills is available on the Department's Web site at http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/ The Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations sets policy for the Wildlife Department, and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
The next scheduled Commission meeting is May 1 at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters (auditorium), at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City at 9:00 a.m.
Okmulgee Archery Day marks nationwide-first event
More than 90 fifth graders gathered at the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge for the Okmulgee Archery Day March 28 – the first event of its kind ever held at a national wildlife refuge in the U.S.
The day-long event showcased an innovative archery education curriculum called the Archery in the Schools program. Offering a two-week long, archery curriculum, the program is designed to introduce Oklahoma students to archery. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation coordinates the ambitious program.
The Okmulgee Archery Day featured an Olympic archer, a wild game lunch, and various outdoor-related education stations. The event was capped off by an archery shoot-off between the three attending schools – Beggs, Morris and Wilson. The Wilson fifth graders took home the team trophy.
"I'm not sure who had more fun today, the adults or the kids. This event is a great testimony to what a community can accomplish when they rally around a worthwhile project – like the Archery in the Schools Program," said Colin Berg, education supervisor for the Wildlife Department. "Of course the kids love it, because shooting a bow and arrow is just plain fun. Educators are telling us that the program allows them to fulfill several state and national curriculum guidelines. And it is good for sportsmen because it shares the sport of archery with many people who otherwise wouldn't be exposed to it."
To date, Oklahoma is one of 36 states that have adopted the Archery in the Schools program. In 2005, about 500,000 students across the nation went through the Archery in the Schools curriculum. With more than 60 schools already involved in Oklahoma, the program is quickly gaining popularity among students and teachers alike.
To participate in the Archery in the Schools program, teachers must simply attend a free one-day training session conducted by certified instructors. Once a teacher has completed the training course, their school is eligible to purchase an equipment kit. To learn how to bring this exciting program to your school, contact:
Winners of the Okmulgee Archery Day tournament – girls category
1st Chloe Jorgensen from Wilson School
2nd Barbara Slone from Wilson School
3rd Ashleigh Flud from Wilson School
Winners of the Okmulgee Archery Day tournament – boys category
1st Dustin Crabtree from Wilson School
2nd Zach Medlock from Wilson School
3rd Derrick Bendes from Morris School
Department accepting applications for youth wildlife camp
Kids who love the outdoors will want to turn in their application to attend the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Wildlife Youth Camp. Youth interested in wildlife, fisheries and law enforcement can have fun and learn a thing or two at the weeklong camp, which is conducted each year by wildlife professionals including game wardens and biologists.
"It is one of my favorite events of the year. The camp is a great opportunity for kids to learn what wildlife professionals do on a day to day to basis. And the thing parents will like the most – it's absolutely free," said Jon Cunningham, camp coordinator and Oklahoma game warden stationed in Payne County.
Scheduled June 11-16 at Camp McFadden near Ponca City, the camp is open to Oklahoma youths ages 14 to 16. Applicants must turn 14 prior to June 11, 2006. Participants will attend courses in firearms handling, wildlife law enforcement, wildlife and fisheries biology, water safety, self-defense, rifle and shotgun training, waterfowl hunting and archery.
The camp is free of charge, but will be limited to 35 participants. Applicants should be interested in fish and wildlife management or law enforcement and must submit a 75-word essay explaining why they want to attend the camp, why they believe they should be selected and what they expect to learn while attending. They must also submit a letter of recommendation from a person of their choice other than a family member.
The application deadline is April 28. To obtain applications, contact the Wildlife Department's Law Enforcement Division at P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152, or call (405) 521-3719. Applications may also be available from local wardens or from the Wildlife Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com. Simply print off the application, fill it out and mail it in with the essay and letter of recommendation.
In addition to the Wildlife Youth Camp, there are a wide variety of outdoor-related camps listed on the Department's Web site at wildlifedepartment.com. Specifically, the 2006 Youth Forestry and Wildlife Camp, June 5-10, will be held at Beaver's Bend State Park. Wildlife Department personnel will be assisting with the camp and teaching youth about the area's unique wildlife and outdoor opportunities. For more information log on whatisforestry.org.
Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma offers endless opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts
Oklahoma's premiere wildlife trail is now ready for travelers! The Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma will be revealed at 4:30 p.m. on April 29, 2006 at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Jet. Join the kick off celebration, which is in conjunction with the refuge's two-day Crystal and Birding Festival.
The Great Plains Trail consists of 13 highway-based, driving loops that span the entire western portion of the state. Each loop guides travelers through areas with the best opportunities to view wildlife and includes designated stopping points on both public and private areas. The trail assists travelers in experiencing varied wildlife habitats in addition to the culture and hospitality of small towns in western Oklahoma.
A Great Plains Trail Scenic Drive Map was developed to outline each loop in detail, including terrain, types of wildlife in the area, and lodging. With stops along historical sites, the map showcases the state's rich Native American heritage and early settlements of the West. It includes opportunities to explore off-the-beaten-path travel routes and some of the most scenic and remote roads in Oklahoma.
Development of the 13 designated trails marks the combined effort of local citizens, landowners, non-profit organizations, conservation groups, government agencies, businesses and communities in western Oklahoma. The idea for the trail began five years ago during a meeting of the High Plains Resource, Conservation and Development (RC&D) group - a non-profit organized to revitalize rural Oklahoma.
"We were talking about the wildlife birding trails in Texas, and we just started brainstorming about how we could do something similar in Oklahoma," explained Kenny Knowles, chairman of the Oklahoma Wildlife & Prairie Heritage Alliance. "It (the trail) had meager beginnings, but one thing led to another and now we have the designated trails and a map."
The Oklahoma Wildlife & Prairie Heritage Alliance was soon born thereafter to address the trail idea and other wildlife issues and concerns.
"People don't realize all the treasures we have in western Oklahoma," Knowles said. "To help sustain our way of life, we're hoping to increase tourism in the area. Any increase will be a boon to our communities."
The trail is a collaborative effort of the Oklahoma Wildlife & Prairie Heritage Alliance, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Playa Lakes Joint Venture, Oklahoma Economic Development Authority, High Plains RC&D, Great Plains RC&D, and the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department.
For more information on the Grand Opening Celebration, contact Trapper Heglin of the Oklahoma Wildlife & Prairie Heritage Alliance at (580) 735-2323 or visit www.wildlifedepartment.com. To request a copy of the trail map, visit the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department's Web site at www.TravelOK.com, or call 1-800-652-6552. The map is also available at any Oklahoma Welcome Center.
Tournament report shows size and number of bass on the increase
Bass fishing is good in Oklahoma and is getting better according to the 2005 Oklahoma Bass Tournaments Report recently released by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
"This is now the fourth year in a row we have seen an increase in the both the number and size of bass reported at tournaments," said Gene Gilliland, senior fisheries biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
According to Gilliland the upswing can be attributed to two factors.
"First, most of the lakes in the state are now on the rebound from the largemouth bass virus that came through several years ago," Gilliland said. "And second, many lakes had good reproduction years in 2001-2003. Those young fish are now showing up as keeper-sized bass at tournament weigh-ins."
With an estimated 1,200 tournaments held each year in the state, tournament anglers are an important part of the Department's fisheries management team. In the course of their pursuits, they provide biologists with hundreds of thousands of hours of fishing data every year.
"According to tournament reports, 38,623 bass were weighed in 2005. Those fish weighed 82,653 pounds – that's an impressive 18 percent increase over last years figures," Gilliland said.
The number of bass over five pounds was up 14 percent over last year. Even more impressive, the number of bass over eight pounds was up 33 percent over 2004.
Cooperating bass clubs submitted data from more than 723 tournaments from 60 lakes in 2005. Biologists analyzed the information and compiled an overall lake ranking based on five fishing quality factors. Ft. Gibson Lake can claim the title as the best bass tournament lake in the state for 2005 according to the annual survey. Lawtonka, Grand, Broken Bow and Greenleaf lakes rounded out the top five.
The 13-page 2005 Oklahoma Bass Tournaments Annual Report is available for viewing or downloading at www.wildlifedepartment.com/bassreports.htm
It's time to apply for controlled hunts
Hunters can now submit their applications for the "2006-07 Controlled Hunts" over the Internet by logging onto www.wildlifedepartment.com/controlhunt.htm. Not only can hunters save a stamp by applying online, they can also confirm that their application has been received as soon as they apply.
"When it comes right down to it, applying online is the way to go. It's fast, it's easy and the program will help ensure that you don't make any mistakes on your application," said Melinda Sturgess-Streich, chief of administration for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Controlled hunts booklets are now available at hunting and fishing license dealers located throughout the state, as well as is in PDF format that can be printed off the Department's Web site (wildlifedepartment.com). Applicants have until May 5, 2006, to turn in their applications.
Administered by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Controlled Hunts Program offers a wide variety of highly desirable hunts through a random drawing. Some hunts are held to provide high-quality hunting experiences on high-profile areas where it is necessary to regulate hunting pressure. Others are held to achieve management goals for certain species, and others are held to provide hunting experiences in areas where access is otherwise limited.
A $5 fee is required of all applicants including lifetime hunting or lifetime combination license holders. This fee is good for ALL 2006-07 controlled hunt applications submitted by each sportsman. Since the fee is per person and not per application, hunters should decide to apply for all their hunt categories either by mail or online, but not both. Hunters who choose to mail in their applications must complete the processing fee payment form on page 24 of the controlled hunts booklet. Payment can be made by the following methods: cashier's check, money order, Visa or MasterCard.
For complete application instructions, including tips on enhancing your chances of being selected, log on to www.wildlifedepartment.com/controlhunt.htm or consult the "2006-07 Oklahoma Controlled Hunts" booklet.
Fishing across the state is good and getting better
According to the weekly fishing report at wildlifedepartment.com, lakes all across the state are producing good stringers of fish.
According to the most recent report, crappie are moving into shallow water and are rated as excellent at Lake Keystone, on the southeast edge of the Tulsa metro area. At Robert S. Kerr Lake, in east central Oklahoma, fishermen are catching white bass as they move up the Illinois River. In southeast Oklahoma, anglers are catching largemouth using spinnerbaits in creek mouths at Broken Bow Lake. At Canton Lake, near Watonga, channel cat fishing is reported as good in the upper end of the lake using cut bait and minnows. That is just a few of the good reports pouring in from across the state
With so many outstanding reservoirs in Oklahoma it is tough to keep up with current fishing conditions, unless, that is, you go online to get up to the day fishing reports, at www.wildlifedepartment.com. Compiled by Wildlife Department personnel and independent reporters, the updated reports even include techniques and locations to increase angler success.
Broken into five state regions, the pages also include other valuable information for the informed angler. Water temperature, water conditions and lake levels can help fishermen get the most out of their outings.
Fishermen can even have the reports delivered right to their computer. To sign up for the weekly fishing report and other wildlife news go to http://www.wildlifedepartment.com
Free fishing classes offered across the state
More than 50 free fishing clinics are scheduled this summer at many different locations around the state. The fun, hands-on courses are all open to the public and are coordinated through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
"These clinics are really fun for everyone involved and one of the best things is that the courses are almost always held near a pond and kids get to go fishing as part of the clinics," said Damon Springer, aquatic resources education program coordinator for the Wildlife Department.
Springer said fish identification, angler ethics, water safety, casting and knot tying are a few topics covered in the clinics which typically last about two to four hours.
To view a list of free fishing clinics log on to www.wildlifedepartment.com/aquated2.htm. To find out more about fishing opportunities in Oklahoma, Oklahoma's free fishing days, or more information about fishing clinics and other events happening across the state, log on to the Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.
Individuals interested in becoming a certified aquatic resources education program volunteer can contact Damon Springer at (405) 521-4603.
Crappie moving to shallow water across the state
Forget the big fancy boat and huge tackle box – all you need to catch crappie this time of year is a rod and reel and a handful of jigs. Anglers are catching crappie across the state in shallow water, according to the weekly fishing report compiled by Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
From Canton, to Kaw, to Kerr, to Keystone lakes, anglers are catching crappie from the bank as the popular fish move into shallow water to spawn. Crappie fishing is one of the most popular fishing opportunities available due to their willingness to bite and their fine flavor at the dinner table.
"The best place to fish for crappie this time of year is around brush in shallow water," said Paul Mauck, southcentral region fisheries supervisor for the Wildlife Department. "Crappie can be found moving into shallow water to spawn once the water temperature reaches the upper 50s to lower 60s. Crappie spawning generally takes place in water only two to three feet deep."
Catching crappie is a great opportunity to introduce a youngster to fishing. No fancy gear is required. A small jig or minnow is often very effective.
For a complete list of regulations, anglers should pick up a copy of the "2006 Oklahoma Fishing Guide" before heading out on any fishing adventure and check out specific lake conditions and fishing action by logging on to the Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.
Brochure offers tips for attracting purple martins
Time is running short to make your feathered neighbors welcome. Purple martins have begun arriving in Oklahoma and are looking for homes to raise their young. With cheerful, chattering calls, graceful flight and an appetite for insects, purple martins are welcome neighbors.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation offers a free brochure on how to attract purple martins. To request a copy, call the Wildlife Diversity Program at (405) 521-4616 or write to P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. You may also print a brochure from the Department's Web site www.wildlifedepartment.com
Purple martins once nested in rock crevices and hollow trees, but for the past 400 years they have been nesting in man-made structures. Native Americans and early settlers provided hollow gourds for martins to nest in. Today, purple martins in the eastern U.S. nest almost exclusively in manmade houses. To assist the modern-day purple martin landlord, houses are available commercially. These apartment style houses are made of aluminum, plastic and wood.
Purple martins are among the first songbirds to return to Oklahoma. They spend the winter months in Brazil. The largest member of the swallow family, these dark, purplish birds measure up to eight inches long and have long, pointed wings, forked tails and broad beaks.
Purple martins prefer to nest near broad, open fields and meadows within one-half mile of ponds, marshes, streams or other wetlands. They dine on insects and can catch up to several hundred per hour. They eat insect pests such as beetles, moths, wasps, flies and mosquitoes.
Weather may alter trout stocking schedule
The recent storm fronts, although welcome, may not be enough to provide cool water for trout in Oklahoma this summer, according to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. A combination of warm temperatures and lack of rainfall in recent months may force the Wildlife Department to alter its trout stocking schedule on the lower Illinois and the Lower Mountain Fork rivers.
"Low water levels accompanied by unseasonably warm weather is creating a situation where trout kills can become likely if steps aren't taken to minimize the risks," Gary Peterson, northeast region fisheries biologist. "Our goal is to continue providing quality fishing opportunities for anglers on these areas while minimizing the potential for a fish kill."
Tenkiller Lake, located immediately above the Lower Illinois River, is approximately 10 feet below normal. Water used for electric hydropower generation is released from the lake which provides cool enough water to support the downstream trout fishery. Low lake levels have slowed generation and therefore decreased water releases. The lack of regular flows and the increase in daily air temperatures have increased water temperatures to levels that may become lethal for trout.
Last August, hot, dry weather forced Wildlife Department officials to suspend trout stocking on the Lower Mountain Fork River. Rains in early April raised Broken Bow Lake nearly 10 feet allowing a greater reservoir of cool water to be released into the Lower Mountain Fork River in the early summer months. However, the reservoir is already at a lower elevation than this time last year. Wildlife Department officials are monitoring the water levels and temperatures at both locations very closely to determine if trout stocking schedule alterations will become necessary. As temperatures increase, trout may have to be stocked upstream (closer to the dam) where cooler water temperatures exist, or if conditions warrant, not stocked at all. Wildlife Department officials are working with other agencies to investigate solutions for current and future water needs.
Anglers who want to monitor the status of trout stocking should check the trout stocking schedule on the Wildlife Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com
Last chance to apply for controlled hunts
Hunters have until May 5 to submit their applications for the "2006-07 Controlled Hunts" over the Internet by logging onto www.wildlifedepartment.com/controlhunt.htm. Not only can hunters save a stamp by applying online, they can also confirm that their application has been received as soon as they apply.
"When it comes right down to it, applying online is the way to go. It's fast, it's easy and the program will help ensure that you don't make any mistakes on your application," said Melinda Sturgess-Streich, chief of administration for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Controlled hunts booklets are now available at hunting and fishing license dealers located throughout the state. However, this will be the final year that hunters can apply via the mailed-in application. Beginning next year (2007), the only method of applying for the controlled hunts will be via the Internet.
Administered by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Controlled Hunts Program offers a wide variety of highly desirable hunts through a random drawing. Some hunts are held to provide high-quality hunting experiences on high-profile areas where it is necessary to regulate hunting pressure. Others are held to achieve management goals for certain species, and others are held to provide hunting experiences in areas where access is otherwise limited.
A $5 fee is required of all applicants including lifetime hunting or lifetime combination license holders. This fee is good for ALL 2006-07 controlled hunt applications submitted by each sportsman. Since the fee is per person and not per application, hunters should decide to apply for all their hunt categories either by mail or online, but not both. Hunters who choose to mail in their applications must complete the processing fee payment form on page 24 of the controlled hunts booklet. Payment can be made by the following methods: cashier's check, money order, Visa or MasterCard.
For complete application instructions, including tips on enhancing your chances of being selected, log on to www.wildlifedepartment.com/controlhunt.htm or consult the "2006-07 Oklahoma Controlled Hunts" booklet.
Fish with your family today – make memories for a lifetime
There is no better way to make family memories this spring than an afternoon of fishing. Oklahoma is blessed with a tremendous number of lakes, ponds and creeks that can provide some great family fishing.
"Fishing is a great way to spend time with your family and friends. When you go fishing as a family you can make memories that you just can't make with video games or a trip to the movies," said Gene Gilliland, senior fisheries biologist at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Gilliland added that you can just about drive any direction and find good fishing in Oklahoma.
"The fishing is really picking up right now all across the state," Gilliland said. "But you don't have to travel to one the big reservoirs to find fish, often some of the best fishing can be found on smaller bodies of water such as municipal lakes or Wildlife Department lakes."
Those looking for more family fishing fun may want to wet a line in one of the following lakes.
· Hunter Park Lake, located in Tulsa at 5804 East 91st Street between Yale and Sheridan, is an ideal place for the family to spend an entire day. This city park pond not only has three fishing docks on it, but the park also features a water playground where kids can cool off after a morning of fishing. The Wildlife Department offers several fishing clinics at the park each year - for more information go to www.wildlifedepartment.com.
· Pretty Water Lake in Sapulpa offers year-round fishing fun. The 20-acre spring fed lake has several additional amenities including three fishing piers, picnic tables and a recreation trail. In addition to a state fishing license, a $7.50 Sapulpa summer fishing license is needed. For more information, contact the Sapulpa Parks and Recreation Department at (918) 227-1534.
· Dolese Youth Park Lake located at NW 50th and Meridian in Oklahoma City is a great Close to Home fishing spot and is the site of many kid's fishing clinics each year. Children can learn how to identify certain fish species, how to cast a fishing line before then getting an opportunity to catch a fish. For more information about Dolese Lake fishing regulations or other Oklahoma City fishing opportunities call the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department at (405) 755-4014.
· Lake Scott King, operated by the city of Ardmore, is snuggled up against the scenic Arbuckle mountains. The lake has an excellent population of crappie and catfish and offers picnic areas and a fishing dock. Children under the age of 16 are not required to purchase the $12.50 city fishing license. For more information concerning Lake Scott King or other Ardmore City lakes contact the Ardmore Parks and Recreation Department at (580) 223-4844.
· American Horse Lake, located in Blaine County 10 miles west of Geary, has long been known for its outstanding panfish population. The 100-acre Wildlife Department owned lake also has a nice population of largemouth bass. With picnic tables, grills and a boat ramp, the lake is the perfect spot for a family to spend the day.
No matter where you choose to go, fishing with family and friends can be a great way to spend an evening or weekend. It is fun and relaxing and allows everyone the opportunity to connect with each other. Many lakes are located in the most scenic areas the state has to offer.
If you are planning a trip, be sure to get a copy of the "2006 Oklahoma Fishing Guide." The regulations, as well as additional fishing information, are also available on the Department's Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.


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I'm actually writing the first paragraph last this time around. What follows is a discussion of J!nx clothing and a big thumbs-up to its ever-evolving lines of licensed Blizzard goods, as well as a bit of a manifesto on geeky nerd shirts, clothing and audience. From here on out, J!nx is Jinx, not out of disrespect for the brand, but because that many exclamation points within the article would probably give my editor a heart attack, and I'm usually liberal with the exclamation points.
Jinx has, over the past few years, become ubiquitous in the geek community as purveyors of fun clothing and merchandise, licensed and original. It was only a matter of time, really, until a company founded on geeky wear had to make strides into broader clothing lines. If there's one thing that Jinx showed at BlizzCon this year, it was that it is growing.
Sponsored Links
I'm actually writing the first paragraph last this time around. What follows is a discussion of J!nx clothing and a big thumbs-up to its ever-evolving lines of licensed Blizzard goods, as well as a bit of a manifesto on geeky nerd shirts, clothing and audience. From here on out, J!nx is Jinx, not out of disrespect for the brand, but because that many exclamation points within the article would probably give my editor a heart attack, and I'm usually liberal with the exclamation points.
I had a wonderful conversation with Kyle McCarthy from Jinx's networking department about the company and the new directions some of the clothing lines were taking. The way Kyle described the company was encouraging -- a whole bunch of geeks who happen to like making clothing and cool designs. One of the more pressing questions I had for Kyle was what goes into developing a licensed product for such a valuable property. Jinx actually pitches Blizzard ideas for licensed clothing and goods, as well as Blizzard putting its own ideas on the table, so that the designers at Jinx can let their creativity roam. Rather than make a shirt about World of Warcraft, the philosophy is to take game elements and fashion something wearable.
The tao of geek shirts
I'm extremely critical of nerd shirts. It's not that I'm embarrassed to wear a geeky shirt or obscure reference design, believe me -- there are plenty of those in my wardrobe. They don't get worn outside nerd gatherings, however, because they just aren't that cool-looking for normal wear. Having the Zelda heart life bar on your shirt is cool and all, but it feels limited.
Sure, the first time you see it, a shirt that has a picture on it and the word "mage" is a fun reference -- gimmicky, but otherwise a one-trick pony. Maybe I'm put off by words -- show, not tell, and all that. It's not about making funny or geeky shirts, but about making good clothing with fun designs that are subtle and tactful. Jinx is entering a stage of growth where both types of clothing can co-exist. Taste is subjective, and they understand that.
There are three examples that jumped out at me perusing the new catalog -- legendary tees, the StarCraft jacket and the incredibly popular murloc hoodie. Each represents a move in a separate direction that allows the company to meet each customer's subjective needs. I'm far past the product review stage and into the fascination of message stage.
T-shirts and beyond
The new legendary T-shirts are cool designs, even if you have never touched World of Warcraft. Universality makes for compelling design, to me. I don't want a World of Warcraft T-shirt, but rather, a piece of clothing inspired by it. I also want some World of Warcraft T-shirts. Does that make sense? I just want choice.
The StarCraft jacket that was on sale during BlizzCon was a sturdy, well-made and tough jacket like the kind you'd find at any good clothing store. To me, it represented the casual consumer, the guy who wanted a new jacket and happened to also love the Terrans. There was a sense of parallel development of a well-made jacket that also happened to have a nice throwback to StarCraft 2. Best of both words, right? The reference didn't consume the clothing, and the clothing was free to accept the reference into its utilitarian function. The StarCraft Terran jacket is coming some time next month, and it seemed to be doing well at the convention. It was a surprising piece -- not something you would expect from the Jinx of a few years ago.
More than anything, I think I'm writing this article because I was surprised and impressed with the philosophy over at the Jinx booth. Jinx, the people who design the clothing, and everyone in between give off this accommodating vibe, straddling a delicate line and striving to achieve an almost impossible balance between "gamer" wear and "real" clothing. Frankly, I think it's wrong to even have those two things separated. If the trendiest clothing store on the planet sold a Master Chief shirt or a druid bear form buttondown, would we cry out for validation? It's less about audience and more about respecting the audience, and I think that's what the future of Jinx is about: respecting its audience.
Taste is subjective. Fashion is subjective. I'm happy that I can now buy a pretty cool-looking jacket to go with my mage T-shirt. Also, I totally forgot to pick up one of those new Horde hoodies.

subset: commoncrawl


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A Florida State football player, who was the victim of a burglary, helped capture two suspects.
Noles cornerback Nick Waisome walked in on two men in his apartment.
With his help, Tallahassee Police have arrested both men.
According to Waisome and police, the football player tried to stop 23 year old Mario Crawford.
But Crawford managed to get away.
Undeterred, chased after 34 year old Tavares Rumph and called police.
Police arrested Rumph.
"I figured they didn't have a gun because if they did they would've shot me," said Waisome. "But when they started running than I just decided I wanted to get one person at least," he said.
Nearly three weeks later, Waisome spotted Crawford at a gas station wearing his camouflage shorts and called police.
Using surveillance video, police were able to find Crawford at his home and arrest him.
After getting a search warrant, they found thousands of dollars of what they believe is stolen merchandise from multiple burglaries.
"We had all these computers not in use piled up in the corner, leads you to believe to the person who has them," said Tallahassee Police Officer Dave Northway.
Police also tell us Crawford was on probation for burglary at the time of his arrest.
Of special concern to police, two rifles and a bow and arrow stolen from Waisome's roommate haven't been recovered.
"They're probably being used illegally to commit other crimes," said Northway.
As for Waisome, he hasn't recovered his stolen property yet, but is taking the incident in stride.
"It's often you're going to get robberies, so I mean you just have to live and learn," he said.
Crawford is currently being held in the Leon County Jail on multiple felony charges.
Rumph is currently free on Bond.
If any of the property we showed you on our video belongs to you, you're asked to call TPD's burglary unit to get it returned.


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Dr. Pedro Ponce
Associate Professor of English
Richardson 203 - Director of Spain Program - firstname.lastname@example.com | (315) 229-5150
Pedro Ponce is the author of Stories After Goya (Tree Light Books) and Superstitions of Apartment Life (Burnside Review Press). His fiction has appeared in Ploughshares, Alaska Quarterly Review, Gigantic, PANK, Copper Nickel and other journals; his work has also been featured in the anthologies The Beacon Best of 2001 (edited by Junot Diaz) and Sudden Fiction Latino. His book reviews appear regularly in the Review of Contemporary Fiction and The Los Angeles Review. A 2012 National Endowment for the Arts fellow in creative writing, Pedro teaches courses in fiction writing, literary research, and conspiracy theory.
University of Denver
Denver, CO
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI
The Johns Hopkins University Writing Seminars
Baltimore, MA
Research Interests:
- Narrative theory, conspiracy theory, dystopian literature
Presentations, Exhibitions, Performances and Published Work:
- Stories After Goya (Tree Light Books)
- Superstitions of Apartment Life (Burnside Review Books)
- "In the Empire of Cetaceans" (2011): http://www.reduxlitjournal.com/2013/08/101-in-empire-of-cetaceans-by-pedro_12.html
- "The Well at Founders Grove" (2009): http://www.conjunctions.com/webcon/ponce09.htm
- "Fortune Fish" (2006): http://issuu.com/caketrain/docs/caketrain_issue_04/43
- "The Museum of Dead Genres" (2005): http://cooprenner.com/fiction/Ponce/Genres.html
Regularly Taught Courses:
- Techniques of Fiction
- Methods of Critical Analysis
- Advanced Fiction Writing


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Amagansett Notes
Tuesday is the day when the Amagansett satellite of the East Hampton Food Pantry opens at 3 p.m. for pickups. Originally located at Scoville Hall, its temporary home now is St. Michael's Lutheran Church, at least until the hall is repaired after a fall fire that destroyed a good part of it.
A blood drive will be held on Monday from noon to 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, which is at the corner of Montauk Highway and Abraham's Path. Anyone needing information can call 324-3842.
Alexandra Strada, a daughter of Michelle Murphy and Robert Strada, has been named associate photography editor of Time Out New York.
Ms. Strada is a 2006 graduate of the Ross School and a 2010 graduate of Bates College.
New books to borrow from the Amagansett Library this week are "Love in a Nutshell" by Janet Evanovich, "Innocent" by Taylor Stevens, "Animal Tool Behavior: The Use and Manufacture of Tools by Animals" by Robert W. Shumaker, "Private: #1 Suspect" by James Patterson, and "Van Gogh: The Life" by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith.
Michael Fitzgerald of this hamlet was named to the dean's list for his fall 2011 term at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., The Star has just learned. A mathematics major, Mr. Fitzgerald is a junior.
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When Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Nicki Minaj are all walking a red carpet, you're guaranteed the fashion will be totally over the top...and the ladies didn't disappoint at last night's Grammy Awards. Check out the evening's most buzzed-about looks, after the jump.
Nicki Minaj in Givenchy couture: Can you say diva?! We've got to hand it to Nicki--she absolutely killed it in head-to-toe leopard, and the Grammys were the perfect occasion for this look. The hairdo, the pink lips, heck the whole wild ensemble, is killer chic.
Nicole Kidman in Jean Paul Gaultier: This just may be our favorite red carpet comeback in ages. After a few snoozy frocks at recent awards ceremonies, Mrs. Keith Urban went all-out glam and looked like the movie star she is.
Lady Gaga in...an egg?!: Some celebs accessorize with handbags or hot shoes, but Gaga is anything but average, and she accompanied her look with an egg and a team of handlers to carry it. Her yellow latex look may not have reinvented the wheel, but we have to give it to her for making a grand entrance!
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Jennifer Hudson in Versace: Helllllo, hotness! January Jones may be the official face of Versace, but after seeing this photo, we think J-Hud should be the official bod. She's never looked better.
Rihanna in Jean Paul Gaultier couture: Could wedding bells be in the air soon for the R&B songstress? Her dress was shown as a bridal look at Gaultier's recent couture collection!
Heidi Klum in Julien MacDonald: After what many deemed a disaster at the Golden Globes, it's good to see one of our favorite supermodels get her groove back on the red carpet. This is glamour at its best!
Ciara in Emilio Pucci: This woman has found almost as many ways as Blake Lively to show off her hot bod--and that's saying something!
Let's hear it, ladies...which were your favorite looks from the Grammy Awards? Your least favorite? Do you think music's biggest envelope-pushers wowed last night? Discuss!
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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says a Bain Capital partner told him Mitt Romney won't show his tax returns because he paid no taxes for ten years.
Romney offers a nonsense response – essentially challenging REID to show us Romney's tax returns, to prove it.
Romney to Reid: 'Put up or shut up' on source of 'untrue' tax claims,
Mitt Romney lashed back at Harry Reid on Thursday in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity, saying the Senate majority leader needs to "put up or shut up" after airing allegations about Romney's taxes.
Reid, a Nevada Democrat, first raised eyebrows Tuesday by saying in a news interview that someone had told him Romney went 10 years without paying taxes. He would only identify his source as an investor in Romney's former venture capital firm, Bain Capital, and he acknowledged, "I'm not certain" it's true.
Look Over There!
Romney's "look over there!" defense makes absolutely no sense. Reid can't "prove a negative" but Romney can clear it all up in an instant by showing us his tax returns. This "nonsense" defense reminded me of the famous "Chewbacca Defense:"


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I don't normally blog about political issues as I have a strong dislike for the uninformed, misinformed or half-informed, holier-than-thou, preachy types, and never want to be one myself.
And while I know I risk becoming one of these people by writing this blog post, I think it's worth the risk. I learned something last night that I found so absolutely abhorrent I couldn't get it out of my head. It rattled me and I felt the need to share it with others.
Last night, my girlfriendBrittany and I went to a talk about food justice by Raj Patel, author of the book Stuffed and Starved, The Hidden Battle for the World Food System. He spoke for over an hour on various subjects like food deserts, climate change, and locally sourced foods, but what struck me the most was something he said in passing about fair trade coffee. Although he didn't go into any detail about the labor practices of the coffee industry, he referred to non-fair trade coffee as 'blood beans'. It seemed a bit hyperbolic to me but the phrase stuck in my head.
In an odd coincidence, yesterday I also happened to buy Brittany her favorite treat – dark chocolate. She has a big presenation at work today and I figured she could use a stress relief in the form of delicious chocolatey goodness. Now mind you, Brittany is the ultimate dogooder and doesn't eat chocolate unless it is clearly labeled FAIR TRADE. I had never really dug into why she does this and I didn't really care. To each their own, I thought.
When we got home from the talk, I gave her the bar, but unfortunately it was not labeled FAIR TRADE so she politely declined the gift. It kind of bothered me. I thought she was being stubborn. But having just heard the term 'blood beans' a half hour earlier I decided to at least find out what FAIR TRADE actually meant. So I googled Lindt (the brand of chocolate bar) + FAIR TRADE to see if perhaps the bar was actually FAIR TRADE chocolate, so she could nibble on a bite or two.
What I discovered was frightening. I learned the actual meaning of FAIR TRADE chocolate.
FAIR TRADE chocolate means the cocoa beans were not picked using child slaves.
What the FUCK?!?! Child Slaves?????????????!!!!!!!!!
The truth is that 40% of the world's cocoa, including nearly 100% of the cocoa that goes into Nestle, Mars, and Hershey products comes from the Ivory Coast where they literally enslave stolen children from other countries (Mali and Burkina Faso) and force them to pick cocoa beans for little or no wage in dangerous and unhealthy, pesticide laden conditions. The US government estimates that there are up to 100,000 children in the Ivory Coast forced to work under these conditions.
"Holy Shit!!," I yelled out. "Non-FAIR TRADE chocolate is grown by slaves??"
"Yeah, of course. What'd you think it meant?" she responded.
"I don't know. I thought it meant, you know, like that shade grown, organic coffee stuff."
"Nope, it means it's not grown using child slaves."
"Uggghhhhh." I winced
Now, here's what really blew my mind. I had NO IDEA that slavery still existed in 2012 and that huge companies like Nestle and Hershey were complicit in this horrendous practice. Had it not been for a weird coincidence of seeing that talk yesterday and then accidentally purchasing the wrong type of dark chocolate for my girlfriend, I would have continued eating mass produced chocolate in ignorant bliss. But now that I know the facts, it's going to be impossible for me to ever eat another candy bar or other mass-produced chocolate product in good conscience.
This whole experience has served as a bit of wake up call for me. From here on out, no more chocolate, and I am at least going to make a effort to better understand where my food comes from. It's just a tiny step but I think this change is necessary. I know I'm never going to be perfect, but I can at least ask questions and become more inquisitive about the world around me.
I'm not going to ask everyone to stop eating chocolate. That's a personal choice. But I will encourage others to start thinking a little bit more about where their food actually comes from. Ask questions. Learn facts. Start make food decisions based on knowledge and not just what advertisers tell us. And if you think this is important, share it with someone else who probably has no idea that slavery still exists in 2012.
*Stepping off my soapbox now*
For some further info on the cocoa trade, here's a short film from CNN called the Human Cost of Chocolate.


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By ,
Published January 13, 2015
Police say a man standing near a fire pit at a North Carolina home has died after an explosion.
A news release from Fayetteville police says the explosion occurred Saturday night in the front yard of a home where several people were standing around a fire pit. Police weren't immediately able to elaborate on what kind of explosion happened.
They say that the man person was pronounced dead at the scene, and several other people had injuries that didn't appear life-threatening.
The others injured included two men, a woman and a girl. They were taken to an area hospital.
Further details weren't immediately available.
A phone number listed for the home rang unanswered Saturday night.


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Sioux Falls Power Restored
A Sioux Falls man was arrested early Thursday after his SUV struck a power pole near the intersection of 57th Street and Western Avenue.
Police Officer Sam Clemens says 45-year-old Daniel Ray Brison Junior was southbound on Western when his 2002 Ford Escape left the roadway and struck the wooden utility pole around 2:05 a.m.
Brison was charged with first-offense DWI and having no insurance.
Clemens says damage to the pole was estimated at $10,000 and damage to Brison's vehicle was estimated at $6.000.
Joe Anderson with Excel Energy in Sioux Falls said 1,588 customers were without power as a result of the incident. All the power was restored by 4:18 a.m.
Jerry Dahmen Contributed to This Report.


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TNA Impact! returns for another round of bone-crunching action.
This game was announced as a project in development, but with publisher Midway Games suffering financial difficulties that required it to sell off its properties in bankruptcy, this work-in-progress videogame is no longer expected for release.
Also known as: TNA Wrestling 2, NWA-TNA Wrestling 2, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling 2
Release Region: United States
Release Date: Canceled
Publisher: Midway Games


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Views: 216
Replies to This Discussion
Mendez middle school... Escuelita drive 78744... are public and free and also are very good.
Well i can all the afternoons except fridays, and mondays and tuesdays all day
6 is good for me. Need to reserve the court though. Im going to be over there tonight anyway so I will get a reservation for 6, if I cant get 6 ill try to get something else and let you know.
sounds great... but do u prefer later ?? i mean i can be there 4:30 until midnight hahah
let me send u my phone number
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A long while ago, I ran across a rather insane tartan sport coat at the thrift store. I simply couldn't resist it, and stashed it away amongst some other clothes, only to forget it about it last fall in the midst of trying to pack up all our belongings prior to a house purchase (which subsequently fell through).
This summer, though, I took a couple pieces to my tailor and re-discovered the tartan jacket, so I took it in as well and had the requisite work done. It again got stashed for the proper time, which happened to arrive this week.
Work holiday parties are as good of a time as any to kick out the jams, and while this particular piece got me some snarky remarks, I felt like it also worked pretty well (and I received some compliments as well).
Of course, the trick with a jacket like this is to not go too crazy and look like a clown (although some would argue it's bad enough by itself). It's loud enough that there's really nothing more needed, so I tried to limit my color palette to ones already in the jacket. A simple white OCBD and navy wool trousers were the base, then I tried to pop the gold with a vintage gold grenadine and a black and gold pocket square. A black belt and captoe oxfords rounded it out (I'm wearing house slippers in the pictures because it's been mucky around here).
As I mentioned in the original post, it's likely not something I'll wear more than a couple times a year, but that's part of the joy of thrifting, knowing I only have $25 dollars invested in it, and it will easily provide me with many, many times that amount in terms of sheer enjoyment.
Happy Holidays to you and yours. I hope that 2013 treated you well and 2014 is even better.


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The New York Federal Reserve Bank slammed on Friday a window into the 2007-2008 financial crisis when it released minutes of its board of directors meetings from those two years that remove all meaningful discussions.
As the subprime mortgage crisis moved in early 2007 like a slow trail of lit gunpowder that lasted for months and months to eventually to explode in the fall of 2008 into a global economic crisis, many of the leading players in the crisis, including, on occasion, Richard Fuld, former Lehman Brothers CEO, Jeffrey Immelt, the CEO of General Electric , Jamie Dimon, the CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase and then-New York Fed President and now-Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, met to discuss conditions.
During this time, the New York Fed engineered the rescue of Bear Stearns by J.P. Morgan Chase in March 2008, and played a starring role in allowing Lehman Brothers to collapse, and helped rescue the troubled global insurance company AIG in the fall of 2008.
In a move only a central banker could love, the New York Fed trumpeted the release of the scrubbed minutes as greater transparency. That's because the regional Fed bank is going to release the minutes going forward with a six-month lag.
But this will offer little solace to historians. With most of the key discussions redacted, the only thing left for them are discussions of such relative minutia as the closing of the New York Fed's branch in Buffalo and renovation of the kitchen at New York Fed headquarters.
-- Greg Robb
Follow Greg @grobb2000
Follow The Tell on Twitter @thetellblog


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Military Spending Cuts Will Probably Affect Mental Health Programs
The House Armed Services Committee Military Personnel Subcommittee met in Washington, D.C. Wednesday March 20th. The purpose was to discuss the current Dept. of Defense budget situation on soldiers and family-related programs.
Forty-one Billion Dollars in cuts will be implemented. According to a news release from the Military Officers Association of America, witnesses were in agreement on negative impacts on morale, readiness, recruitment, military healthcare delivery, and family support programs.
Government witnesses testified that 52 percent of the military's mental health care providers are civilian and will be subject to furlough. Obviously a decrease in mental health services is a decrease to healthcare.
Rep. Susan Davis, a democrat from California, expressed frustration about the continual focus on the impacts and not enough on finding solutions. "The only people who can solve these dilemmas is the Congress," she concluded.
At a time when mental health for all of us is a national topic of conversation, and military statistics report an increasing number of military suicides, in my opinion it makes no sense to curtail in any way, mental health services to those currrently serving our country.


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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) released a report on September 14 that compiles data on renewable energy developments, resource potentials, and financial, market, and policy information on a state-by-state basis.
The report is intended to be an executive summary of the renewable energy sector in each state. The state summaries show the wide range of renewable energy development in the United States, ranging from Louisiana, with only 200 kilowatts of grid-connected solar power and production capabilities for 1.5 million gallons of biofuels per year, to California, with 2.7 gigawatts of wind power, 2.6 gigawatts of geothermal power, 1.1 gigawatts of grid-connected solar power, 705 megawatts of biomass power, and production capabilities for nearly 200 million gallons of biofuels per year.
The report also notes the state policies that helped to accomplish that scale of deployment. In California, such policies include a renewable energy requirement; a mandate for utilities to provide grid connections and net metering for solar and wind energy systems; a program to invest $2.17 billion in grid-connected solar power over 10 years; a feed-in tariff for renewable energy systems; and a number of other rebates, tax incentives, and financing programs for renewable energy. ACORE will provide quarterly updates for the online, interactive report, titled "Renewable Energy in America," which is available on the ACORE Web site.


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(Release: May 16, 2012) - Hagerstown Community College held its 65th annual commencement on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. in the Athletic, Recreation, and Community Center. HCC President Dr. Guy Altieri and members of the board of trustees presented 644 degrees and certificates to HCC's largest graduating class ever, before a crowd of more than 2,000 people.
Donna Rudy, HCC dean of student affairs, reports that 431 students received associate degrees in the transfer curricula, designed for students planning to continue their education at a four-year institution. The top choices of colleges for HCC graduates in the transfer program are Shepherd University, Frostburg State University, Shippensburg University, and University of Maryland.
Business administration was the most popular curricula for the two-year, career-oriented students, followed by nursing and general studies.
Awards for academic achievement were presented at the Honors Convocation, held on May 10.


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Sarah Sobon
Hall Of Fame Citation
The first All-American in Washington College field hockey history, Sarah Sobon helped lead the Shorewomen to their first-ever conference championship and their first two NCAA Division III Tournament appearances.
A midfielder, Sarah earned All-Centennial Conference second-team honors as a freshman in 1994 after scoring two goals and recording four assists. The following season, she netted four goals and two assists and was named to the All-Centennial Conference first team.
1996 was a breakout year for the Washington College field hockey team. The Shorewomen went 13-5, were nationally-ranked, and reached the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time ever. Sarah was a big reason for the Shorewomen's success, scoring eight goals and recording a school-record 12 assists—a record which stands to this day. She repeated as an All-Centennial first-team selection and was recognized as a first-team Regional All-American.
As a senior in 1997, Sarah led the Shorewomen to a 16-3 record, a share of the Centennial Conference Championship, a national ranking, and a second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament. Sarah scored a career-high nine goals and added eight assists as a senior, earning All-Centennial first-team honors for the third year in a row and Regional All-American first-team honors. She was also named a second-team All-American, becoming the first player in program history to be recognized on the national level.
Sarah was the female recipient of Washington College's 1998 Eldridge Eliason Award and was chosen to play in the North-South Senior All-Star game. She finished her career with 23 goals, 26 assists, and 72 points. She currently ranks second all-time in school history in assists, fifth in points, and tied for sixth in goals.
An outstanding overall athlete, Sarah also played softball as a freshman and lacrosse as a sophomore.
Sarah has been coaching field hockey since graduating from Washington College. She began her coaching career as a two-year graduate assistant coach at her alma mater, earning her Master's degree from WC in 2000. She was formerly the head coach at Randolph-Macon College and is currently a junior varsity assistant coach at St. Catherine's School in Richmond.
Washington College considers it an honor and privilege to induct Sarah Sobon into its Athletic Hall of Fame on this 30th day of October, 2010.


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To accompany our May/June 2012 issue's feature "Winners on Winning," part of our special section on writing contests, we'll be posting a selection of mini-interviews with prize recipients on the benefits of their awards and what they learned from winning.
First up, we speak with poet and creative nonfiction writer Danielle Cadena Deulen, whose essay collection, The Riots, was published in 2011 by University of Georgia Press as part of the AWP Award Series in Creative Nonfiction. The book went on to win another award, the Great Lakes Colleges Association New Writers Award, which offers winners a paid reading tour of several colleges. Her debut on the literary scene, the poetry collection Lovely Asunder, which she'd shopped for five years, was also released in 2011 as part of a prize—the Miller Williams Arkansas Poetry Prize from University of Arkansas Press. Deulen discusses how her two awards in different genres gave her an edge in the job market and offers strategies for polishing a contest manuscript.
How did winning your latest honor, the AWP Award Series in Creative Nonfiction, change your career?
I believe The Riots was pivotal in helping me to gain my position as an assistant professor in the doctoral creative writing program at the University of Cincinnati. Obviously, publications enable one to establish themselves in tenure track positions in academia—there's nothing unusual about that. However, I applied and was hired as a poet. My first book, Lovely Asunder, was published in the same year just a few months earlier, and landed me an interview for the position. During the interview process, The Riots was published, and as it turns out, the faculty member that had taught creative nonfiction in the program at UC had recently left for a position elsewhere, so they needed someone who might be able to teach creative nonfiction as well. This meant I had something extra to offer the department—important in such a tough job market! A more subtle benefit of winning the prize is that my work seems to have caught the attention of a few agents and editors at literary magazines I admire who've queried me for new essays.
Did the award have an effect on any decisions you made as a writer, on the path you chose to take in life or in your work?
Both prizes are recent, so it is still unforeseen how they might affect my future writing. However, in the responses I've received about The Riots, specifically, I have come to realize that there is a desire for innovative creative nonfiction. When I wrote The Riots I wasn't thinking much about the audience for such a book and structured it in a way I found interesting—that is, I was working in forms that, at times, thwarted traditional ideas of prose, though were very familiar to me as a poet. As it turns out, other people found this interesting as well. As I move forward into new projects, in poetry as well as creative nonfiction, I will be thinking more actively about innovation: how structure might augment or illuminate my subjects.
What advice do you have for writers looking to contests as a way to get their work into the world?
This only applies to a manuscript that can be arranged in a variety of ways (poetry, essay, short fiction), but when submitting to contests, I believe it's important to arrange your manuscript for a contest, not necessarily for the most artful arrangement. You have to keep two people in mind when arranging a manuscript for a contest: the contest judge and the contest screener. Be sure to research who the judge is for the contest you're sending and read some of her work to determine if she might be aligned with what you're attempting in your manuscript. If you decide that the judge might be a good reader for your work, go on to worry about the screener. The screener, who is likely a writer herself, will probably be reading your manuscript on a day that otherwise would have been a vacation from work and has a huge box of manuscripts beside her which she must get through relatively quickly in order to send something to the judge. This means your poor screener probably doesn't have the time or energy to pour over your work; you must impress her immediately with something stylish and interesting. For this reason, you should place your best piece first, offer her variety (in tone, form, or subject matter) throughout the manuscript to keep her reading, and be sure to end the manuscript with a strong piece as well. Then, cross your fingers, hold your breath, and keep in mind that dumb luck also plays a large part in this process. Be patient with yourself.
In the video below, Deulen discusses the variations in her approach to writing poems and prose.