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The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins
Book Description:
"Aerity…" Her father paused as if the words he was forming pained him. "I must ask you to sacrifice the promise of love for the sake of our kingdom."
She could only stare back, frozen.
When a strange beast terrorizes the kingdom of Lochlanach, fear stirs revolt. In an act of desperation, a proclamation is sent to all of Eurona—kill the creature and win the ultimate prize: the daughter of King Lochson's hand in marriage.
Princess Aerity knows her duty to the kingdom but cannot bear the idea of marrying a stranger…until a brooding local hunter, Paxton Seabolt, catches her attention. There's no denying the unspoken lure between them…or his mysterious resentment.
Paxton is not the marrying type. Nor does he care much for spoiled royals and their arcane laws. He's determined to keep his focus on the task at hand—ridding the kingdom of the beast—but the princess continues to surprise him, and the perilous secrets he's buried begin to surface.
Inspired by the Grimm Brothers' tale "The Singing Bone," New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins delivers a dark fantasy filled with rugged hunters, romantic tension, and a princess willing to risk all to save her kingdom.
My Rating: 4.5/5
**I would like to start off by saying that I received The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins for free via Epic Reads in exchange for a review. Although I am super grateful and excited for any opportunity at receiving a book for free, I am also very strict with being honest. That being said, giveaways do not impact my reviews.**
THIS BOOK! I LOVE the old century fantasy kingdom theme going on here! These are my type of books!
Now, I am reviewing this as a person who has NOT read The Singing Bone by The Grimm Brothers for which this story is based off of, so I have nothing to compare (although I think I'd like to read it now eventually…)
I only have one bad thing to say about this book. I really disliked the "flirting" scenes between Princess Aerity and Paxton. It was not only painfully awkward, but besides his good looks, I have no idea what Aerity sees in him. Every other part of this book was written well but it seems when it comes to romance, this is not this author's calling. I had high hopes that Paxton was going to be a new fictional boyfriend for me but between his horrible flirting and his cold demeanor, I was left with nothing to desire.
Other than that, there's action, there's adventure and there's lots to be questioned!
Beside the actual story, I love that this author lives on the eastern shore of VA – cause that's exactly where I live! Maybe she even stops by my book store… if not she should, I'll buy her a coffee for writing such a good book ^_^
If you're into basic fairy tale/old century type stories, you need to grab this one! I am SO stoked that I unexpectedly won this book and very happy with my decision to drop everything and read it. I can NOT wait for book 2!
Happy Reading! xo
2015 November Bookhaul
I literally bought 0 books this month and somehow I still acquired a decent amount. Unfortunately, most of them were ebooks which sucks because I really dislike reading ebooks (although I'm still grateful) so it's gonna be hard getting through some of them and I might end up pushing them to the side for a bit for that reason alone 😦
On to the books! I'll have a list below of each book pictured, where I got them, paperback or hardcover, special editions and how much my total purchase at each place was! If you have any more questions – or comments – about this months haul, please feel free to leave/ask them below 😀 Happy reading!
Total Books: 10
Total Spent: $0
Thanks to LibraryThing & The People Hosting The Giveaways – FREE
1.) The Witch's Kiss Ep. 1 & 2 by Antara Mann; ebook
2.) The Brazen Blade by Billy Wong; ebook
3.) Flames of Auriel (Not Shown) by Erin Bedford; ebook
4.) World of Shawn by Jordan M Ehrlich; ebook
5.) The Wish Thief by CD Verhoff; ebook
Thanks to the author – FREE
1.) Mystical by Michael Weekly; ebook
Physical Books – FREE
1.) Ashley Bell by Dean Koontz; paperback; thanks to Random House
2.) After Alice by Gregory Maguire; signed hardcover; thanks to Shelf Awareness
3.) Happy Cooking by Giada De Laurentiis; hardcover; thanks to Crown Publishing
4.) The Truth by Jeffery W. Johnston; paperback; thanks to Sourcebooks
+5 Romance Novels – these won't be included in the total. I get these from work but I do not keep them, instead, I pass them on to my momma to read because she loves romance novels – and I do not… *shudder*
2015 November Wrap Up
Total Books = 4
Average Rating = 4
Uuuuuberrrrr slow month for reading. Between the holidays and work and other lifey things there just wasn't as much time as I normally have to devote to this wonderful world *le sigh*
With that being said, here's my sad, little finished reads for the month of November:
1.) Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – 5/5
2.) Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – 4/5
3.) The Witch's Kiss Ep. 1 by Antara Mann – 5/5
4.) The Witch's Kiss Ep. 2 by Antara Mann – 3/5
Hope you guys who celebrate had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl **WARNING: One or Two Slight Spoilers Ahead**
Book Description:
Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home from the Great Barrier, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected — and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What — or who — will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?
For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it's not Lena — and the mysterious figure is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself — forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and he's afraid to ask.
Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.
My Rating: 5/5
I love these books so much *sobs* THAT ENDING HURT MY HEART SO BAD! Especially because I wasn't prepared for the book to end – MEANING – there was so much additional content in the back that I forgot about, I assumed all of that was still bewk. It wasn't. So when it ended in the fashion that it did, I was completely and totally in utter shock. I threw my book down and yelled toward my unsuspecting husby, "THAT'S HOW IT ENDS?! THAT'S IT?!" ..I probably looked like a maniac because I was also crying. I immediately grabbed the final book, I have to know what happens next, how it all ends. At the same time, I don't want this to end. This is hands down a top favorite of mine, I'm adoring this series with everything I have! My ARCs and Giveaways are just gonna have to wait.
Now the reason I'm not giving this book a 5/5 is because once again, it started slow (if you're confused – see the bottom of the post). And WHERE WAS MY LENA?! She was practically non existent for awhile and I need Lena.. I love Ethan but I kind of love Lena more. And Lena WITH Ethan is just, agh, perfection ❤ So I really wouldn't give this a 4.5, more so a 4.8 but that's just getting a little too technical..
But one thing in the beginning that made me LAWL – "Linkubus" oh my goodness bahaha so seely!
I love Ridley, I can't wait to grab Dangerous Creatures!!
I will forewarn: This book in particular brings a lot of heartbreak with it.
For example, Pg.140 – the library has burnt down. Nuuuuu! I felt as attached to this place as Ethan had. Ugh, WHY?!
But I loved getting to get a glimpsed into Seraphine's life prior to becoming Seraphine. How hard this has to be on Lena to see that there once was good in Seraphine's heart that seemed to have never existed. I couldn't imagine what that would be like after your mother has already tried to kill you…
But things do lighten up. It's not all sorrow. On pg. 198 where everyone's gathered at the table in Ravenwood and Liv comes in to play and Lena and Ethan are Kelting and Ethan gets confused between Kelting and real talking and blurts out loud, hahaha totally something I would do, how awkward XD
They finally discuss "The Caster Chronicles" – we get the reference and learn what this is all about! Yahoo!
We also find out what's going on with Ethan because he definitely hasn't been all 'there.' YUS! I love how it's tied in to the first book (his soul split in half when he died on the Sixteenth Moon – the other half was left behind in the Otherworld). Brilliant! I couldn't figure this part out..
Pg: 383 – There's always SO many good pieces to quote in these books, but especially in this one:
I'm really happy what they ended up doing with Ridley! I was nervous at first, but it all worked out for me in the end. I won't give this away, but for what I had to endure, I'm glad this happened :]
So the more I reflect on this, the easier it is to talk about and the more I realize I'm a complete idiot for not giving it a 5/5, so by the time I have finished writing this, my rating has changed.
Thank you once again ladies for writing an amazing book that stole my heart ❤
Identity Crisis!
Formally: Kay_Reads
So as you can clearly tell, I'm having a sort of "identity crisis.." When I originally started this blog, I was so eager to write my book reviews that I just picked the most uncreative name I could
think of. I was never a fan of "Kay_Reads," it didn't speak to me, it didn't stand out… it was just something to use for the time being. I read everywhere that changing your identity was a bad idea, blah blah blah. But the only thing I had to change with every platform I was using were the user names! I didn't lose any of my wonderful followers, I didn't have to ask anyone to 'like' this one, follow this new page, and the best part of all, I didn't have to spend several hours customizing and reposting everything 😀
So I apologize for any confusion, but the new name is here and it is here to stay!
So with that, I re-welcome you to the not-so-new:
Thank you for your understanding & Happy Reading!
Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson
Book Description:
It's been a helluva week for Betsy Taylor. First, she loses her job. Then, to top things off, she's killed in a car accident. But what really bites (besides waking up in the morgue dressed in a pink suit and cheap shoes courtesy of her stepmother) is that she can't seem to stay dead. Every night she rises with a horrible craving for blood. She's not taking too well to a liquid diet.
Worst of all, her new friends have the ridiculous idea that Betsy is the prophesied vampire queen, and they want her help in overthrowing the most obnoxious, power-hungry vampire in five centuries – a badly dressed Bela Lugosi wannabe, natch. Frankly, Betsy couldn't care less about vamp politics, but they have a powerful weapon of persuasion: designer shoes. How can any self-respecting girl say no? But a collection of Ferragamos isn't the only temptation for Betsy. It's just a lot safer than the scrumptious Sinclair – a seductive bloodsucker whose sexy gaze seems as dangerous as a stake through the heart…
My Rating: 2/5
This book wasn't that bad but it just wasn't my cup of tea either. While some parts of it were mildly entertaining, most of it almost made me feel embarrassed to read it.
Actually I should just flat out say I was. This was a book I wouldn't bring out in public with me. After I finished the Twilight series, one of my sister-in-laws gave this to me as a hand-me-down recommendation. From her mom, to her, to me. And that's where I stop this train. It's kind of like a Sex in the City meets vampires minus the clever writing.
**Fun Fact: When I was taking the pictures for the blog/Instagram, I noticed that the praise on the cover was quoted from Christine Feehan. If you follow my reviews, you'll know I'm not a fan of hers. Wish I would've connected the dots sooner XD But at least I'm subconsciously consistent 😛


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Reality is setting in. With early voting already begun in parts of our state, the time has come to choose. The reality is this: either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton will be the next president of the United States. They have the lowest approval ratings of any aspirants to that office in the history of polling. Most Americans would rather have someone else sitting in the Oval Office, but here is what you must know. That is not going to happen. One of these two will be sworn into office in January. This is not some bad dream you wake from to find the comforting feeling that all is well with the world after all. We have a date with destiny, and it cannot be avoided.
I have heard people lamenting their choices here. Some have decided to write in another name (mine is spelled S-H-A-N-E R-I-Z-A), others have decided to vote for a third-party candidate. The race is described as a choice between the lesser of two evils. Others say it is more about voting against someone than voting for anyone. Some have said this is an ethical dilemma that is too much to bear. They may not vote for a candidate for president at all.
Let me be clear. All of the above is a cop-out. It's a dodge. It's a shirking of our individual and collective responsibility. I will tell you what I used to tell young officers and enlisted men and women. There is no such thing as an ethical dilemma, only decisions in varying degrees of difficulty. Every vote counts in America, but not every vote carries the same weight. If you want your vote to both count and carry weight, you must vote for either Trump or Clinton. Yes, you must.
There are thousands of issues and political stances with near-infinite degrees of nuance. If one cannot find anything to disagree with in their chosen candidate or votes solely on a single issue, one is mercifully free from conceptualizing the totality of experience among the electorate and the complexity of the modern world, living as one does in a state of impermeable bliss. But for those tying themselves in knots because they "cannot support either one" or they "despise" one and cannot "trust" the other, I offer this. There is only one question that matters in picking a president. Who will do a better job?
The campaign is an extended job interview. There is no single list of qualifications for the presidency. Any discussion of qualification is inherently subjective. But then again, so is every job interview. Like anyone who has ever sought a job knows, the interview is where you try to convey how you will perform in what you seek. Like anyone who has ever hired anyone knows, the interview allows you an opportunity to judge the future utility of a candidate in a particular role. Our extended interview during this campaign has offered plenty of evidence of who would do a better job. If you were seeking a job, who would you emulate? Given all you know, if you were hiring, who would you rather be sitting across the desk from you about to be offered a coveted position in your company? There are no ethical dilemmas here. Do you see now? As I said to my officers and enlisted personnel, you know the right thing to do. All that is left is that you go do it.
Please vote. Your nation is depending on you.

subset: commoncrawl


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UPDATE: Please see featured comments of Day 1, Day 2 and Gucci Giveaway posts to see if your a winner!
So...it looks like I missed not only Callie's Picks Decor, but Young Hollywood! 😔
There only seemed to be a few things in there that I really wanted though!
How did you guys like it and what did you buy?!
Also, The HB Pastel Box Bag and The HB Denim Pencil Skirt released this weekend. How do you like them. I actually think I like both.
I'm really excited to see you all style the denim skirt!
Style the HB Denim Pencil Skirt to
be included in our Poll!
~Post pic in comments.
~Don't forget your Stardoll name
~Can be created in Starplaza
~Open for a limited period of time.
WIN $50sd
*Don't forget to check out The Stylish Stardoll Sisters (SSS) to see their fashion tips for these HB and vote on which sisters outfits you liked best!*
*Lastly if you wish to also create an outfit featuring the HB Pastel Box Bag, please post it in comments as well.
Remember SSS will choose 1-2 outfits from each HB to feature in their HB Recap Post.
Those whose outfits are featured win their HB of choice from December .


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Finding Rewards in Home Care
- Name of program: Ms. Darla and Friends.
- Location: North Richland Hills, Texas.
- Children served: From birth through age 5 from northeast Tarrant County.
- Average cost: $90 per week up to 18 months; $70 over 18 months.
- focus: A preschool educational program called High Reach Learning, special holiday activities, music, Bible verses, lunch, two snacks, and an afternoon nap.
North Richland Hills, Texas
The joys and frustrations of Darla Mitchell's 20-year career as a family-child-care provider are captured in 2-inch-thick photo albums of birthdays and holiday parties. Her proudest moments are recorded on home videos of a graduation program she presents for her children's families every spring.
All those memories bring meaning to the daily toil of changing diapers, whipping up meals that meet federal nutritional guidelines, and planning educational activities filled with music and movement for the nine young children in her care.
Watching the video of last year's spring production, modeled after the Vacation Bible School programs she attended as a child, she remembers how much she dreads speaking in front of the roughly 80 parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and neighbors who attend the annual event to watch the young performers.
"When I'm doing this, I start thinking about the kids, and I get emotional, and then my voice starts to crack," Mitchell said. "This is about making the parents stop and think that their kids are not going to be this age ever again."
From 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, only the living room in this suburban Fort Worth house is off-limits. The children spend most of their time in the family room, where toys are stacked on shelves and colorful cutouts on the wall announce each child's birthday.
Known to the children--and their parents--as Ms. Darla, Mitchell offers her 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds a ready-made curriculum from the High Reach Learning company in Arden, N.C.
A border, filled with the faces of horses, cows, pigs, and goats, frames the doorway into the family room, reminding the children of this month's theme, "on the farm." Songs, stories, and even the morning snack--biscuits and jam--reinforce the lesson.
"Why do pigs roll in the mud?" Mitchell asks the children. "It keeps them cool."
Mitchell also cares for a 9-month-old and two toddlers who fiddle with toys during the morning "school time," often pausing to watch the six older children as they dance around the La-Z-Boy recliners pretending to be elephants or helicopters. Two of the younger children are siblings of Mitchell's preschoolers.
In addition to her regular rates, Mitchell charges parents a $10 per-month curriculum fee for her program, but that doesn't cover the costs of all the materials, toys, and special activities she plans, such as her recent hiring of a $100 clown to cap off a circus theme month and the moonwalk ride she rents every Easter.
Ms. Darla and Friends, as she calls her program, almost never has openings, and she's never had to advertise. Satisfied parents serve as her referral agency.
Susan Cline, who put her son Tyler into Mitchell's program when he was 9 months old, recently pulled the 5-year-old out to enroll him in a sought-after private kindergarten run by a local junior college because she thought he would benefit from being around more children his own age. Cline, however, wants Tyler to return to Ms. Darla's this summer and to continue going there after school when he enters public kindergarten this fall.
"She's very firm but very loving," Cline said. "Some of those things are missed in regular day-care settings."
Mitchell entered the formal family-child-care system in Texas when a cousin turned her in for operating without a license. But instead of being bitter, she's grateful for what turned out to be the beginning of a more professional, more rewarding career. One training course led to the next. She now is a co-president of her local provider association and also has earned accreditation from the National Association for Family Child Care.
While her attachments to the children are strong, she's worked hard not to get too involved in the families' lives.
"I have come long strides in that department," she says. "I've had connections with kids that I've stayed up nights worrying about."
She attends training sessions several times a year but says some of that becomes redundant.
"There's only so many ways to change a diaper," she says. "A lot of it is just common sense."
Mitchell says she derives a lot of satisfaction just from socializing with other providers and by staying in contact with the children and their parents years after they've left her program.
"Child care is definitely a parent-provider partnership and feeling appreciated is a big motivator," Mitchell says.
She wishes, however, that more parents would ask about her credentials when they visit for an interview. "Mainly, it's do you have an opening, when can I start, and how much do you charge?" she says.
About a year ago, she gave herself a raise, she says, by expanding from a family-child-care home to a group home, meaning that she can care for as many as 12 children, depending on their ages.
Mitchell doesn't object to the licensing guidelines set by the state but believes the inspectors should have been home-child-care providers themselves at some point.
While the provider-child ratios are much larger in Texas than in some other states, Mitchell doesn't feel as if she's taking care of too many. Even when she's fixing their lunches, she knows if the older children are trying to spook each other in the darkened hallway or if the baby has crawled behind a chair looking for toys. The size of the group, however, doesn't allow her to spend any one-on-one time with the children.
She finally sits down for a break after lunch when all nine children--even the two 4-year-olds--scatter to their respective mats and playpens for a nap.
While she feels overwhelmed once in a while, she's learned that those feelings pass with time.
"I feel like I'm in my prime," Mitchell says. "This will probably carry me on into old age."
Vol. 16, Issue 29, Page 35Published in Print: April 16, 1997, as Finding Rewards in Home Care


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Press Room
Single Identity-Based Crews Research: Update from the Road No. 1
Two weeks ago, I embarked on my first of three road trips this summer. My first road trip covered the upper Midwest region, where I had the honor of visiting: Montana Conservation Corps in Bozeman, MT; Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa in St. Paul, MN; and SEEDS Youth Conservation Corps in Traverse City, MI.
Alex Goosmann, Manhattanite turned Montana backcountry leader
When working for an advertising agency in New York City, Alex Goosmann was in charge of creating content for organizations like World Wildlife Fund and the Nature Conservancy. Unfulfilled with the job, he soon realized that the work his clients were doing was more interesting than the day-in, day-out of creating ads in one of the busiest cities in the world. Alex applied for a field crew leader position at the Montana Conservation Corps, and eventually traded spreadsheets for shovels. Learn about some of his hitches in the backcountry, how the Wild West stacks up to the East, and the important role conservationists play in the current political climate.
State Parks grants boost Missoula, Kalispell projects
Missoula's Parks and Recreation Department and Kalispell-area trail builders landed two of the larger awards handed out this week in the annual Montana State Parks grants cycle.
Hundreds turn out for job fair in Missoula
Jess Harrell, the program manager for the Montana Conservation Corps, said she's recruiting field crew members for the MCC's Americorps program.


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He's a staple on the Perth social scene but after many years working with some of the cities biggest radio shows Brock Walter took the plunge into men's fashion, launching POCKET ROCKIT last year.
Editor Gemma Walsh sat down with the style guru to talk pocket squares and one of our favourite events of the year, Polo in the Valley.
We've known each other for many years now – you've always had impeccable style, tell me why you love men's fashion?
You're too kind Gem! But honestly I'm a convert. Like most guys, initially I thought 'fashion' was hard work. But once you understand the basics, you can play, and if you dare, break the rules.
The fun for me is seeing more lads learning to inject their personality and individualism into their clothes. With Instagram and celebrities like Pharrell Williams or Ryan Gosling, I think men of all ages have realised they can dress well and still be cool.
When I saw POCKET ROCKIT I thought, 'That is the perfect finishing touch for a stylish man', how did it all come about?
Coming from radio, I use to be able to wear whatever I liked, so it was a bit of a shock going into the corporate world.
Suiting up each day and joining the generic lemmings on the Terrace… That just wasn't me. Soon I stumbled across some pocket squares and I was pretty much hooked instantly!
So after adopting pocket squares and having fun with pocket origami in my everyday wear, it quickly became part of my personal look. One evening at a function, a friend asked, "Why don't you design & produce your own?" ... And here we are celebrating our first year of business!
This is something I know a lot of men in my life have trouble with. With so many colours and patterns to pick… What are the secrets to choosing a tie and POCKET ROCKIT, to go with a shirt and suit combo?
Gone are the days where you would match a silk tie & pocket square!
Instead focus on picking a fleck of detail or colour in your tie or shirt and find a similar detail in a POCKET ROCKIT.
That's my advice, always to find a colour or a pattern in your shirt, tie, bow tie or jacket and then 'echo' it with your POCKET ROCKIT. I personally love a pop of colour and a texture look.
Lets talk Polo! You've attended your fair share of matches, what are your top 'dos and don'ts' for the day?
Yeah I've been very lucky to have seen my fair share of polo events. My tips?
Socialise and take the time to met new people. These events are always fantastic to meet interesting people and network.
Watch the actual polo game. It's a world-class sporting event; make sure you don't miss it! There is always someone 'polo educated' nearby who will be willing to explain the game if you don't know.
Donate! It's a charity event; don't be afraid to buy a raffle ticket or two that will be floating around.
And finally don't miss The Telethon Adventurers Rick Parish's entry! It's always a show stopper!
We know the ladies get it right every time at the Polo, the style stakes are high – how do the guys keep up?
Gents, just make the effort & remember the devil is in the detail!
Spend a little time considering what you're going to wear and then spruce yourself up with some cool accessories!
Watch, sunglasses, your favourite POCKET ROCKIT... Plus remember to shine & buff your shoes, freshly dry-clean your jacket and go visit Maurice Meade for a freshen up!
To get your own POCKET ROCKIT head to www.pocketrockits.com


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I'm Coming Home
I had to wake up at 5am to be at the bus at 5:30am. We drove about half an hour to get to the airport, then found out our flight was delayed. I tried to shop in the airport to find more souvenirs but there wasn't really anything "Panamanian." I was randomly checked in Atlanta and had to wait about 45 minutes before they even checked my bags. I had a long layover in Atlanta but luckily a friend from South Africa now works in Atlanta so she came to pick me up. We caught up while eating lunch then did some shopping. My second flight to NC was also delayed so I got in around 10:45pm. By the time I got my luggage and drove an hour home, it was 12:30am. I'm tired, but had a great time!
I am very grateful to everyone that donated for this trip! It was a great time!
Panama City
These are the local buses in Panama City called "Diablos Rojos."
We arrived at our hotel around 5:30 am. Luckily they let us check in early so we could take a nap before going to see the Panama Canal at 8:30am. We got to see a huge ship go through the lock system of the canal.They have to make the water levels equal on each side of the barrier, then open the barrier doors and pull the ship through. It was pretty interesting. We went to see dinner and a show. There were homemade dresses that were really intricate and some scary masks.
Day to rest and snorkel
Today we went out on a catamaran with a European captain. We sailed to Starfish Beach and snorkeled. There were tons of starfish there! I was afraid I might step on one. We had sandwiches on the boat, then sailed to another spot to snorkel again. There were coral reefs and some fish. I saw a black stingray with white spots swim right under me. It was really cool. Unfortunately being on the water all day made us all get sunburnt, even though we were putting on sunscreen. We had to rush back to shower and load up all our luggage onto a water taxi. After the water taxi we took regular taxis to the bus station. We all made it to the public bus going to Panama City. The buses are actually pretty nice since so many people rely on public transportation in Panama. I tried to sleep on the bus but it was hard since my back was sunburnt!
Wednesday, March 10
Strawberry Dartfrog
The schoolhouse on Isla Solarte
Today we took a boat taxi to Isla Solarte. It was surrounded by mangroves on the side we came in on. We got a tour through the rainforest and saw poisonous strawberry dartfrogs and a sloth. Then we we told the history of the island, people haven't been living on it for too long, since the 1960's. The schoolhouse has about 60 students and 2 classrooms that have no glass windows, just openings in the walls. When we got to the school, many kids had left. I guess they went to change clothes since they wear a uniform. When the kids came back we played soccer, and just talked to them. We brought soccer nets so we worked together to hang those up on some wood poles. We walked to the other side of the island where we snorkeled on a reef, and saw some cool fish.
Tuesday, March 9
Taxi that we loaded up with wood
Pile of wood we moved
The pathway was built reusing nails that were in the wood
It was sunny all day and we were out from 11-5. I put sunscreen on but got burnt anyway. We were walking to a village and saw all this wood on the side of the road. So we got a taxi and packed in a bunch of the wood. Only a few people fit in the taxi so the rest of us met up with them. We had to carry it across an airport runway and then in the mud. It was going to be used to build a pathway for the village. We dropped the wood off then got lunch and went to the beach for a little. We went back to the village and the whole pathway was built with the wood we bought. Adults and kids were using the wood to build a pathway while we were at lunch. It was crazy to see. Then we talked with the schoolkids in English. One boy used my camera and took a bunch of pictures. Then i was talking to a girl who kept asking for more questions in English for her to write down and answer. It was a cool day. Then we jumped in the water at our hostel to cool off. We went out to a pretty nice restaurant for dinner and there was an actual menu (kind of unusual here)!
In Bocas del Toro
Our hotel called Casa Verde (Green house)
Sunday, March 7
We made it to our hostel after 24 hours of travel! The flights were easy, then we all cramped into a small bus for 10 hours, not 7 like we were expecting. They blast the air conditioning so it was freezing! Then we took a water taxi to our hostel that is built right on the water like everything else here. The hostel is a converted house with about 8 rooms and 2 bathrooms and a dock. We ate breakfast at "The Pirate" and they made fresh squeezed juice. I had pineapple juice which was amazing! We went on a catamaran that gives free rides on Sundays. We all passed out since we didn't sleep too much on the bus.
Monday, March 8
We did a beach sweep to clean up a beach, "la playa sucia" (literally dirty beach). Some of the local kids came out to help us then we played them in a soccer game. We won 6 to 5! It was fun. Then we went to a restaurant built on a dock. They catch their own fish and cook it. We had smoked white fish. The ice cream here is really good and pretty cheap $1.65 for 2 scoops.
Tuesday, March 9
We are going to a local school today to help build a road and maybe teach some English. It is very safe here with quite a few tourists. I will have to upload pictures after I get back to the US.
La Playa Sucia (Before)
La Playa Sucia (After)
I\'m Leaving On a Jet Plane
I'm packed and ready to go! I was able to fit everything into 2 carry-ons: my backpack and a duffel bag. Deb was kind enough to agree to bring me to the airport this morning. I have decided last minute not to bring my laptop. The hotel we're staying at says there is computer access so hopefully I can use that to update you on the trip. I'm surprised I was able to sleep last night, I'm very excited! And now starts the 24 hour travel journey!
Trip Update!
The plans have changed a bit, we are no longer going to Boquete in the mountains. We will be going straight to the island Bocas del Toro. We will still be taking the 7 hour bus ride after flying all day to get there, though. Our hotel will be right on the water! We will be doing different volunteer projects each day: working with children, recreational activities (soccer!!) with the locals, and conservation projects (possible beach clean-up). On Friday we will head back to Panama City to tour the Panama Canal. Now I just have to pack...
Fundraising Update
Thank you to everyone that has donated!! With your help I exceeded my goal and raised $695!
The plane tickets have been bought! I will leave from Jacksonville, NC on Saturday March 6 arriving into Panama City around 9:30pm. Our group will then take a 7 hour bus ride overnight to Boquete. After putting our things down in the hostel we will start volunteering on Sunday March 7!
I will be returning late Saturday night on March 13!
I am a graduate student in the Environmental Studies program at UNCW. I love to volunteer and explore new countries. I hope to travel much more in the future!
May 2010


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I am still sitting here laughing at these. DEAD. This is the kind of shit I wish I could come up with. "Posh lady." Jesus. WHY DID I NOT THINK OF THAT.
Just throwing up something to laugh at (we kinda need it, maybe???). I miss you guise! See y'all bright & early tomorrow morning.


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Best Healthy Living Website: FitSugar
When it comes to living a fit and healthy lifestyle, there is no shortage of websites out there to help you achieve your goals. From health magazine sites to diet meal-plan sites, women especially are bombarded with sites claiming to help you lose that weight or get those abs, but few realistically help you get there. Most ignore the balance needed to feasibly lose weight and get fit, instead focusing on one aspect of healthy living, such as diet or exercise alone. However, before giving up on fitness altogether, you should check out the few websites that promote an overall healthy lifestyle change – such as the winner of our Best Healthy Living Website: FitSugar. FitSugar is a subset of the popular website PopSugar, but with a complete emphasis on fitness and healthy living. The mark of a good fitness website, FitSugar contains section on workouts, healthy living, weight loss and inspiration from various sources, including celebrities. The presentation of the information is what sets FitSugar apart from its competitors, with easy to follow slideshow workouts, complete with self-explanatory pictures. Featuring many bodyweight and no-equipment workouts, FitSugar removes the ability to make excuses such as "I can't get to the gym today" or "I don't have the right equipment to workout at home." They also offer yoga and Pilates routines for a more relaxed road to fitness, as well as myriads of healthy recipes, especially lower calorie versions of popular meals to make healthy eating more enjoyable. Runner Up: Greatist Following close behind FitSugar in the race for Best Healthy Living Website was Greatist, a similarly health-focused website. It has a great layout with only three main sections: Fitness, Health, and Happiness. We love the inclusion of happiness, because isn't that the true goal of anyone striving for weight loss or fitness? The happiness section includes inspiration, ways to deal with stress, as well as tips for better sleeping and keeping healthy while having a social life. Their health section is mostly focused on...read more


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To contact us, please use our secured email system below.
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Razor's Edge, LasVegas · Raleigh-Durham · Syracuse


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BLACKJACK - Customizable Ruby and Black Diamond Designer Ring
| 1.55ct RUBY
3.85 cts of Black Diamonds
18K gold, Silver, Enamel and hand engraving work.
|Approx. 20mm in diameter
The Blackjack Customizable Ring is the ring that embodies a lot of the designer's character and preferences. The black diamonds paired with the dark red ruby embody the designer's sense of aesthetics and simplicity and confer the ring a cloak of mystery. This cloak is also a symbol of protection and pragmatism which could characterize love for family and a clear compass in decision making.
While mass produced jewelry is dominated by clear or lightly colored diamonds, choosing black diamonds, which can be just as valuable as clear diamonds, shows a desire to stand out from the crowd in a way that makes a striking statement. The Blackjack is for the confident.
Tiny clear diamonds are there for contrast and to let a little shine grace the composition. The number of gemstones and their small sizes make full use of the infinitely detailed work of the skillful stonesetter in Izmir (Turkey), something that seemingly no one in the United States is able or willing to do. This sets the ring even farther apart from common jewelry.
The band of the BLACKJACK is carefully engraved by hand with a floral motif except where the evil eye and the golden engraved symbol are embedded. These are the two features that can be customized. The evil eye is an enamel component that reminds us of a piece of murrina (round bead of Murano glass) and that is said to be able to defend you from negative feelings. As to the other feature, in this version of the ring the Designer chose to depict Rah, the ancient Egyptian solar deity. You can customize these two features. You will work with Marcopoloni and Baharra Design House to come up with the ring that is right for you.
The ensemble is elegant and powerful. It attracts and repels at the same time as the mystery of the unknown tickles our curiosity, but the fear of the unknown causes us to stay away. Since our personalities are hardly an open book, the predominance of black is an invitation to discover our innermost qualities and the possibilities that they hold. This seems to be an invitation to a journey as black also conceals so discovering those qualities is going to take time.
1.55ct RUBY
3.85 cts of conflict-free Black Diamonds
18K gold, Silver, Enamel and hand engraving work.


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Business travelers have a number of services and spaces to utilize while working remotely from The Sanctuary Beach Resort. For those of you who want to travel off campus, however, and find some of the area's best food and coffee while setting up a temporary office—these cafes are some of the most popular and best to work from in Monterey.
Coffee Mia Brew Bar & Cafe is one of the nicest places for remote work in Monterey, especially if you're looking for a big hearty meal to go with your workload. You can spread out in a nice diner-like setting, and indulge in house favorites like the breakfast panini, and a strong cold brew coffee.
Coffee Mia Brew Bar & Cafe. 250 E Reservation Rd. Marina, CA
Again, Daddy's City Diner is an excellent place to spread out with a morning workload and a big, hearty breakfast. Get a classic omelette or French toast breakfast, and then dive into your day's work with some free Wi-Fi, and local paintings on the wall to help inspire some creativity.
Daddy's City Diner. 265 Reservation Rd. Marina, CA
Located right in the heart of Monterey, Aloha Coffee and Cafe is a prime spot for local freelancers to get work done and indulge in a number of healthy options. Enjoy a classic iced latte, or drink healthier with one of the many fresh juices on hand here. There are also a number of great sandwiches and healthy dishes like acai bowls.
Aloha Coffee & Cafe. 1098 Del Monte Ave. Monterey, CA
The sleek, modern decor of Cafe Lumiere is one that will get you motivated on even the laziest of work-from-home days. With an upstairs section that's popular for freelancers to set up at, and a number of high-end coffees, and delicious eats like avocado toast, there are few ways to go wrong with setting up here.
Cafe Lumiere. 365 Calle Principal. Monterey, CA
The epitome of a thoughtful, aesthetically pleasing cafe—Bright Coffee takes coffee and curating an uplifting atmosphere seriously. The smell of fresh-ground beans, great wifi, and a short walk to the beach all add up to make Bright Coffee one of the best cafes to work out of in Monterey.
Bright Coffee. 281 Lighthouse Ave. Monterey, CA


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Our Mission.
Our mission is to ensure that all training or developmental activity we undertake will have a positive impact on the future performance of our Client's businesses. We will provide inspiring training that motivates individuals to achieve their full potential thereby helping our Client's achieve their corporate goals.
We work in partnership with our Clients ensuring that the courses we offer are specifically designed or thoughtfully adapted to suit your learning and workplace outcomes taking care to understand the most appropriate methods to deliver the material. We offer an ongoing commitment to our clients through our Change Agreement method whilst continuing to identify other approaches to smooth the transfer of learning to the workplace.
Referral business is the best type of business to have – therefore we will treat you with the highest levels of care and respect at all times.


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High-powered Terry McAuliffe supporters made a furious attempt over the weekend to reverse a Washington area business group's endorsement of Republican Ken Cuccinelli II for governor, with state legislators warning that "doors will be closed" to the group if it sticks by its choice.
The pressure exerted on the Northern Virginia Technology Council's political arm, Tech PAC, by a U.S. senator, a Republican lieutenant governor at odds with Cuccinelli and several others suggests that McAuliffe's campaign is worried that a Cuccinelli endorsement could undermine the central premise of the Democrat's campaign — that he, an entrepreneur who started his first venture at 14, is the pro-business candidate and that Cuccinelli, a social conservative popular with the tea party, is too extreme for the state's centrist business leaders.
Members of the council's executive committee decided late Sunday to stick by the Cuccinelli endorsement but also to issue a statement saying that the PAC's action might not reflect the views of its parent organization, the NVTC, according to news releases scheduled to be distributed Monday morning and obtained by The Washington Post.
...The reasoning behind the NVTC TechPAC's nod — Cuccinelli had detailed responses to questions in candidate interviews, three board members said, while McAuliffe was uninformed and superficial — bolsters the view that the Democrat's breezy style doesn't sit well with some Virginians. Two of the people said they were leaning toward Cuccinelli before the interviews; one disliked both candidates.This who "Terrible" Terry McAwful really is, a slick, scumbag whose only experience in public office was selling the Lincoln Bedroom when he was leading Bill Clinton's Hillbilly Mafia. McAwful has more business experience creating jobs in China instead of Virginia, something that liberals supposedly rail against.
When you expose his past as a sleezeball, wheeler-dealer, the jerk will either sue you (as he did Watchdog.org) as his campaign resorts to the usual fearmongering on social issues like the liberal blood-sacrament of abortion.
No wonder someone on that far from right-wing Daily Kos had some not so kind words for McAwful last year.
McAuliffe was a young business hustler with a glad-handing, back-slapping, used car salesman style from the get-go. He got rich by investing $100,000 in Global Crossing, and cashing out millions. If the name Global Crossing doesn't ring a bell, here's the deal: it was a loathsome scam chartered in Bermuda that bought up a bunch of regional phone companies, forced employees to pack their retirement funds with company stock, squeezed every last nickel out of the companies, then froze employees' pension funds while the executives cashed out all their stock days ahead of the collapse. Just exactly like Enron. The CEO walked away with hundreds of millions. The employees were raped, left penniless with their pensions destroyed. That's how Terry got rich.
Now, Terry McAuliffe is running a start-up electric car company nominally based in Mississippi. But the signature product, the 'MyCar', is being manufactured in...wait for it...I'm sure you can't guess....China! Dingdingding! We have a winner: Terry is trying to get even richer by moving another American industry to China.
And to grease the skids for his excellent adventure, Terry is pulling in all his markers, everything he can glean from his famous 18,000 name Rolodex. That's why he has a beaming Bill Clinton and a grinning Haley Barbour photographed with him in the Mississippi Potemkin factory standing in for the actual Chinese manufacturer.
Everything that's wrong with America's smug leadership/plutocrat class: rich white guys yucking it up for the camera as they work on getting even richer via offshore'd production, while America's middle class slips ever deeper into poverty, Colorado burns, Midwest corn withers, and the ice caps melt.
Let's tell Terrible Terry McAwful we don't need his Obama-styled politics in the Commonwealth of Virginia.


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Remarks of General James L. Jones, USMC (Ret.)
Senior Fellow and Energy Project Co-Chair, Bipartisan Policy Center
The Washington Post ? Smart Energy Conference
November 3, 2011
Good afternoon. I would like to thank the Washington Post for organizing this important forum and for the honor of speaking with you today?a special thanks to Mary Jordan for her leadership and labors in bringing us all together.
I'm particularly grateful to share this time with each of you. There's a world of expertise and experience in this room; exactly the kind of intellectual capital the nation must devote to the complex energy challenges that will so greatly shape the quality of our future?not just America's, but all of mankind. Thank you ? each of you ? for being here and for all that you do.
Despite bipartisan agreement on the need for conceiving and implementing a comprehensive, strategic, and effective energy policy?and I underline those three adjectives?it remains an imperative that has eluded our country for far too long.
America's energy policy today is largely the result of piecemeal attempts over five decades to answer tactical questions and respond to contingencies and short-term market fluctuations. It is not, as it must be, the product of an incisive strategic concept of long-term energy security and how best to achieve it by deftly using all of the appropriate assets in our national toolkit.
Key issues bearing on America's mix of energy sources and the reliability, affordability and sustainability of powering transportation and the utility sector have been treated piecemeal and typically in the heat of the political moment?moments usually triggered by supply disruptions and spikes in the price of oil. Too often the nation's attention and our political appetite for action has waxed and waned with crisis, at the expense of the broad, concerted, consistent, and goal-oriented energy strategy we require.
Despite our historically spasmodic attention, we can take heart in the fact that energy policymaking in the U.S. has often transcended partisan lines, including the 2005 and 2007 energy bills that passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support. This is in part because the economic, environmental, and national security implications of energy insecurity and dysfunction are so compelling. What we continue to lack is not the impetus for action, but strategic clarity, a long-term plan, and policies that will get us where we want to go.
America needs a strategy that adroitly and holistically deals with the complex matrix of inter-related energy issues?one based on the fundamental understanding that energy underpins our nation's economic vigor and national security. In practically every Congressional session over many years a raft of "energy bills" are introduced, and from time to time one even passes. I would suggest this routine is itself evidence we have not yet succeeded in being particularly strategic, visionary, long-term, or successful in our approach.
I don't pretend to have all of the answers on what would constitute the most effective U.S. strategy for achieving U.S. energy security, but my experience suggests that a number of specific components need greater emphasis than they currently receive. This is particularly true if we are to have an energy policy that supports economic growth and competitiveness, is low-carbon and sustainable, and efficiently utilizes the multiple energy sources that are available to us.
First, it seems clear that we are under-investing in energy innovation and technology development. Our nation has enjoyed unparalleled success as innovators across a wide spectrum of fields and disciplines?in defense, health, agriculture, communications, and information technology; but we have not undertaken and sustained an innovation campaign in energy commensurate with the national priorities at stake.
Private energy companies invest far less to create new technologies than other industries, partly because the scale of investment is so massive?hundreds of millions and often billions of dollars?and many times doesn't realize returns for years. For these and other perfectly valid reasons, American private sector energy R&D investments constitute only a tiny portion of total energy sales?approximately 0.4 percent per year?in contrast with more than 20 percent of sales in pharmaceuticals, 11 percent in aerospace and 8 percent in computing and electronics.
Unfortunately, the public sector is not taking up the slack, even though there is broad agreement that R&D is a legitimate, in fact, fundamental governmental role. Federal investment in new energy R&D has been as anemic as the private sector ?hovering around $3 billion annually over the last several years? compared with roughly $30 billion that the U.S. government spends annually on health research and $80 billion on defense R&D. Simply put, we are not investing sufficiently to create the new generation of breakthrough technologies capable of producing and efficiently using cheap, abundant, clean energy central to long-term US economic growth and security.
This must change. It is in the vital economic and security interests of the United States to significantly increase our investment in energy technology breakthrough now and over the years ahead. The good news is that America has the best research universities, private and government laboratories, and scientists and engineers. No country is nearly as well placed to create and use these advances.
I have been working with Bill Gates and former Lockheed Martin CEO Norm Augustine?along with a number of other corporate leaders?to underscore the critical importance of creating a powerful and efficient federal energy innovation system. This group, the American Energy Innovation Council (AEIC) recently released its second report: Catalyzing American Ingenuity ? The Role of Government in Energy Innovation. Drawing on their wealth of experience in the private sector, these business leaders outline key steps that the government must take to better the public-private sector interaction necessary to fill the energy innovation pipeline. Even in these challenging fiscal times, the group notes that supporting innovation is an imperative long-term investment to be embraced, not simply a cost to be avoided, and recommends reforms to improve the effectiveness of federal support.
DOE has made some important advances here, focusing basic science programs on technology challenges with high economic and environmental returns and, thanks to bipartisan legislation passed in 2007, creating ARPA-E, a nimble, independent arm of DOE, modeled after the Pentagon's successful DARPA program and focused on fostering game-changing technology. But more must be done. DOE must create new structures with even greater power to leverage investment for faster, greater progress?like the Senate-proposed Clean Energy Deployment Agency, an independent, accountable agency helping the private sector to commercialize advanced technologies? that wall off decisions from injurious political influence.
Innovation is the key to increasing and diversifying our energy supply, and using it more efficiently?and "smartly"?if I may borrow a word from your forum. Innovation, such as three-dimensional seismic imagining and horizontal drilling, has enabled us to access greater reserves of oil here at home; and technological advances have provided the key to unlocking a vast domestic supply of unconventional gas resources, which has the potential to provide cheap and cleaner energy for much of this century. And using natural gas for long-haul trucks and buses and perhaps for electrification of transport suggests that a mix of traditional fuels and new technologies can reduce our imports of oil and eventually overall oil reliance, as well as the size of our carbon footprint
Of course, petroleum will continue to be the dominant supplier of transportation fuels for some time. But recent trends in the U.S. domestic production of oil, which has increased in the last few years for the first time since the 1970s, along with significant supplies coming from Canada and Mexico, means that we are increasingly less dependent on supplies from less stable regions. Beyond increasing and diversifying our oil resources, the U.S. must continue to develop alternative transportation fuels to achieve the higher levels of security and reliability derived from a diversified energy mix.
Though scientific advancement and innovation can help us develop new sources of energy and extract more from domestic sources, we know that a focal point for achieving energy security must be far more efficient use of transportation fuel and electric power. According to the Energy Information Agency (EIA), world energy consumption will grow by over half between 2008 and 2035. Meeting this demand will be a global challenge of enormous magnitude.
There is good news on this front: energy consumption in many countries would have been 63 percent higher in 2006 without the energy efficiency investments that have already been made. Moreover, driving energy efficiency in the U.S. has been a bipartisan effort in the past few years, as my colleagues at the Bipartisan Policy Center's Energy Project Senators Byron Dorgan and Trent Lott note in a recent op-ed. The Senators point to fuel economy standards as one important example: in 2007, President Bush signed legislation to increase fuel economy standards for the first time in 17 years. President Obama's recent decision to increase these standards for cars and light trucks for Model Years 2017-2025 will advance these efforts. In part due to better efficiency and more domestic production, the Department of Energy found that "U.S. net imports [imports minus exports] of petroleum products plummeted in 2010 to their lowest level seen in the data history that begins in 1973." We can build on this success regarding oil use efficiency, and also redouble efforts to improve energy efficiency in the rest of our economy.
An example in the residential sector is the Department of Energy's 2006 standard for new central air conditioners that will save 42 quadrillion Btus by 2030; savings from air conditioner standards dating back to the 1980s total 6,000 MW. Other appliance efficiency standards adopted during and after the Reagan years also reduced peak power demands this summer ? taken together, the savings now exceed 60,000 MW.
But additional cost-effective gains in efficiency are waiting to be made in residential and commercial buildings and the industrial sector. Yet, the United States lacks a cross-sectoral national energy efficiency strategy. Meanwhile, countries like China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and Russia move forward with aggressive and comprehensive measures to meet economy-wide efficiency targets. China has made efficiency a major component in the energy component of its 12th "five year plan." It is clear that the United States must reexamine its toolkit for driving energy efficiency across the economy in order to create a clean, efficient and abundant domestic energy system, and to develop the energy efficient products, service, and processes that will be much in demand across the globe. Such tools might include standards, taxes, and innovation policy, among others, and specific policies should be tailored to address discrete technological and economic challenges in all sectors of the economy.
Clearly, some leaders on Capitol Hill are getting the message. The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act introduced by Senators Portman and Shaheen is another example of a balanced and bipartisan package that seeks to both increase U.S. energy supplies and ensure the efficient use of those supplies. The Shaheen-Portman legislation is a package of policies that represents a comprehensive, economy-wide energy efficiency strategy aimed at unleashing entrepreneurship.
Such approaches are not a moment too soon. By some estimates we are headed from today's $65 trillion global economy to a $130 trillion global economy in two decades. We are quickly moving from a world of over one billion cars to two billion cars. Hundreds of millions of people are rising out of poverty abroad demanding a better life ? and this means using a lot more energy. The economic, environmental, and national security implications of this global transformation are daunting. While it poses many risks and potential tensions that we must foresee and address wisely and proactively; it also poses unprecedented opportunities.
A modern energy system and innovation in the energy sector are not just a means of fostering America's energy security; they are central pillars of U.S. economic competitiveness. Reliable and affordable energy supply is a major factor for job creators when deciding where to invest, locate, and hire among a world of alternatives in a borderless global economy. And the global market for energy saving products and services will be a major source of employment and national income for those who can get them to market first. We must not lose sight of these realities as we examine research and development investments in determining how best to repair the dysfunction in our national budget?a fix that depends most of all on economic growth.
Finally, if we are to achieve these national imperatives, I believe among our highest priorities must be reevaluating and reforming how the Executive Branch is organized to develop and execute energy policy. Our apparatus as currently conceived has no central mechanism to articulate, coordinate, and be accountable for energy policy strategy and goals. This, in part, is due to the multitude of Federal agencies and Congressional Committees affecting or holding jurisdiction over the energy picture. I would argue that a more central coordinating mechanism is necessary to sustain progress over time?and, importantly, across Administrations and Congresses. Absent more coherent and effective coordination, energy policies will continue to be fractious and ad hoc, and?importantly?less subject to disciplined scrutiny to ensure they are effectively serving long-term strategic objectives and national interests.
My tenure as National Security Advisor reaffirmed my belief in the imperative of coordination?the art of conducting the symphony of agencies and players to achieve overarching strategic goals that transcend agency stovepipes and programmatic turf. That's the approach we need every bit in energy security, as we do in national defense.
Difficult decisions and tradeoffs are inevitable in a strategic approach to energy policy. But if our government is not organized to make and implement policy-decisions in an intelligent and coherent fashion?one that accounts for diverse perspectives and is guided by a clear apprehension of our priorities; and if we are not consistent, vigorous, and agile, in implementing our strategy?we will not deliver the energy security our nation needs to prosper and thrive in the 21st Century.
Today's conference is an important step in the right direction. Convening expert groups like this to discuss smarter uses of energy will undoubtedly yield important insights and outcomes. You have already addressed efficiency in the residential and commercial sectors, and I understand that you will take on transportation next.
I look forward with great eagerness to the lessons learned from your deliberations and discussion in my capacity as co-chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center's Energy Project. I know we will benefit from your experience, wisdom, and counsel.
Thank you again for allowing me to address you and for your service to one of the great causes of our young, highly challenging, but opportunity-filled century.


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It finally happened, my kid lost his first tooth. God, was he excited. I think he had felt like a leper for not losing any teeth in kindergarten. I sensed him feeling the Olympic tension in the room as each child would come in, annouce to the world that they lost a tooth, and then go up to the teacher and receive their plastic tooth case for the tooth. It killed him to not receive one. As I mentioned in earlier posts, his teacher reassured him, he could return in first grade to collect his case. And as it turns out, he will return today to meet his new teacher and collect on his tooth.
I for one am still somewhat unclear about the origins of the tradition. It seems like an odd way to celebrate the loss of a tooth. It sounds like a bad government program. Actually, it is more like a special deal the local pawn shop, currency exchange, or loan shop might offer. In addition, I could envision the mafia using a tooth for cash program as an incentive for its younger members. But for the rest of us, it seems rather strange.
As my wife and I were pondering the pressure on a kid to lose that first tooth, it led me to wondering about the going rate for a lost tooth. She indicated that the tooth fairy dropped a $5.00 bill on a couple of his friends. I was shocked! How does the tooth fairy afford this? Should all teeth be worth the same? I can see the top two collecting a 5 spot, but the lower teeth can't be worth more than a buck a piece. And does the tooth fairy take the tooth or leave it.
My kid wanted the tooth fairy to leave the tooth, so we put in a request that he not take the tooth, but leave some money. So he could bring the tooth to school and cash in there. I'm starting to wonder what it would be worth on ebay. Didn't I read about a guy who started out with a paperclip and ended up with a house in Canada?


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Donors and Partners
We wouldn't be able to stay open if we didn't have Donors and Partners. Donors and Partners are groups, business, corporations, and individuals who care enough to help us keep the doors open.
Please consider becoming a Donor and Partner of the Parma Animal Shelter!
Contact us at 440-885-8014 or email at firstname.lastname@example.com, and we'll forward you information on how you can become a Donor and Partner of the Parma Animal Shelter. Together, we can continue to save the lives of shelter animals and find them forever homes.


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Vitaly and Wladimir Klitschko are two 6ft6 sons of a Soviet Army officer growing to be two of the most successful boxers that have ever been seen in the West. The unlikely duo would go on to conquer the boxing world by winning all five major heavyweight titles between the two. As boxers they are both remarkably mature and well educated; each brother has earned a postgraduate degree. Throughout the film, both of the brothers, their trainers, the Klitschko parents, the Klitschko brothers themselves as well as former opponents such as Lenox Lewis and Chris Boyd are interviewed giving a fresh 360 perspective. Interestingly enough, while all of the Klitschkos are fluent in English, they only ever really spoke either German or Ukrainian throughout the film.
The family is quite obviously closely knit. The film makes a point of how closely knit they were when their father was called to help with the effort in Chernobyl and his subsequent bout with cancer. Luckily, the Klitschko patriarch survived and moved to Florida with his wife. As well, he would grow to see his boys become the toughest boxers the boxing world had ever seen. Their mother remains terrified of seeing her sons in the boxing ring and has even asked her sons to never compete against each other in the boxing ring. This is a promise the two sons have kept to their mother to this day.
The two brothers, always humble, look remarkably similar. As the brothers were being interviewed throughout the film, I had a hard time telling them apart. It's been suggested that this was a trick used by the film's German director, Sebastian Dehnhardt, in order to further demonstrate how close the brothers are to each other. Both Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko make outstanding role models to any young man looking to take up a career in any martial art. Their unique fraternal bond, the dedication they show to their craft and the success emulating from their dedication is something for every man to consider emulating.
The film can't be viewed for free on YouTube in North America, but those with Netflix or Amazon Prime can watch the film without cost as a part of their package.


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RIP Mr Ayala
Bomba and Plena Percussionist Sammy Ayala Passes Away
According to EFE, veteran Puerto Rican singer, composer and percussionist Sammy Ayala, known for his work in the folk genres of bomba and plena, died at the Veterans' Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico this week at age 79.
Musician Marcos Lopez Ayala, a grandchild of Ayala's who studies percussion at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, made the announcement on Facebook, calling his grandfather "one of the most important people" in his life and an "inspiration and mentor."
One of Ayala's last concerts was at a major music festival last year in Old San Juan, where he performed with the Puerto Rican band Plena Libre led by bassist Gary Nuñez.
Nuñez told Efe Thursday that he will remember Ayala, who died the day before after a battle with cancer, as a "wonderful person," noting that he contributed throughout his life to the development of Puerto Rican music and especially the Afro-Puerto Rican genres of bomba and plena. Ayala is best remembered for his work beginning in 1954 as a singer and percussionist with Rafael Cortijo's orchestra, one of the island's most successful bands of that era.
[Many thanks to Marvette Pérez for bringing this item to our attention.]
For original post, see Puerto Rican musician Sammy Ayala dies | Fox News Latino


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Main Content
Implementing SQL Server 2008 Policy Based Management
A talk by Gianluca Hotz at Solid Quality Summit Vienna 2009
About the Talk
June 24, 2009 9:30 AM
Wien, AustriaWien, Austria
Current trends in the database market, like growing product capabilities and server consolidation, pose new challenges on database administrators. In this session we will see how SQL Server 2008 tries to solve the problem through management by intent. We will see how this new framework works through policies and consolidated technologies like DDL triggers, event notifications and powershell.


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3 priorities critical to the digital insurer
3 priorities critical to the digital insurer by Mendix
Today's insurance customer is connected, self-educated, and highly conscious of price and value. And to appeal to this digitally-savvy audience, insurers need to embrace new technologies and offer greater flexibility and access across their services. However, with only 7% of services currently provided through digital channels, most have a long way to go before they can boast about being a digital insurer.
The insurance market is ripe for disruption. And for those who do not see this urgency or are unable to digitize their products and services, expect to slowly fade into the background. Consider this: 37% of customers have switched their insurers and the churn rate is rising, up 13 percent over the last few years.
New digital businesses are disrupting the market through the rapid delivery of digital products and services. And the threat from outside competitors continues to increase. In fact, 65 percent of insurance CEOs see new market entrants as a threat to growth. With more options on the market, expect customer loyalty to wane.
One insurance startup that is disrupting the industry is Oscar, an all-digital health insurance tech company that allows users to be onboarded in minutes, search for doctors based on expertise and cost, and even be financially rewarded for walking and running more than usual (the app tracks your step count). With a current valuation of approximately $3 billion and over 125,000 customers in just over two years, Oscar is aggressively ramping up to become a bona fide disruptor in the health insurance industry.
Will you be disrupted, or are you a disruptor? More than 80 percent of insurance leaders believe digital disruption will transform not only how they interact with their customers, but also how they manage their traditional processes and operations.
To compete with the new breed of tech-savvy startups, innovative tech giants, and established players, insurers need to make application development a core competitive advantage to support new business models, drive greater customer engagement, and streamline internal processes.
The greatest return on investment for digitization projects comes by focusing across three core areas:
1. Product Innovation:
Are you able to customize a wider range of products and distribute across digital channels? Both customers and brokers expect more targeted products, and they want to access those products through digital channels. Many insurers are under the impression that when thinking about digital products they need to come up with breakthrough new products in order to successfully compete and disrupt the industry. While insurers should test disruptive ideas, they can also deliver value quickly by focusing on adjacent product innovation.
Simply put, adjacent innovation includes taking existing products into new markets and digital channels, or creating new digital products for existing markets. New technologies like wearables make existing products more tailored and user-based, new channels can help insurers sell these products in new and innovative ways that resonate with the customer better, and new customers can reshape an existing product to create an entirely new offering.
2. Customer Experience
In many ways, digitization ties into engagement as customers and employees now expect a seamless experience across every point of interaction. However, only 1 in 10 insurers has aligned its digital strategy to maximize effectiveness across the full decision journey. Have you optimized your sales and service channels? Do customers and brokers have easy access to the information and assistance that they require on any channel?
Consider how you can simplify your sales and service channels, including broker performance management, guided selling or advisement tools, customer self-service, electronic first notification of loss, and automatic underwriting. The objective is to simplify the process to ensure that information is easy to access and transactions are seamlessly processed. It is also important to make sure the experience is seamless across multiple product lines to maintain consistency.
3. Opperational Efficiency
Efficient operations are critical to running any business, for example managing complex claims handling, rating and underwriting, fraud workflows and renewals. The typical margin for a GI product can be as low as 2%. Therefore, insurers need to increase their efficiency, and there are significant opportunities for them to do so, as many of their processes are often manual or reliant on complex spreadsheets with little or no control.
By automating these processes through digital, insurers can increase their margins and improve efficiency, ultimately reducing the cost of service and support while improving speed of response and customer satisfaction. According to a recent survey by Accenture, 35 percent of insurers reported more than 15 percent in cost savings from automating systems and processes over the past two years. Consider how you can streamline complex internal workflows in a way that enables future flexibility in case of claims calculation or regulation change.
Digital competitors and traditional insurers alike are focusing on improving interaction across these areas. And those who succeed in quickly bringing new apps, experiences and efficiencies to market will see a host of benefits, including increased premium volumes, improved customer loyalty, improved margins, reduced costs and extended distribution channels.
Many insurers have already started. Find out how they're progressing their digitization efforts, so that you can focus on building the right apps that transform your group into a digital insurer.


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Mid Week Tease: Then, unexpectedly, there was silence. #MWTease
Hi everyone,
Welcome back to Mid Week Tease! This week, I'm sharing another tease from Native Tongue, my M/M erotic romance novella. Enjoy!
Just pulled into a parking space downstairs. I'm here! H x
Balkhi would have to buzz him into the building—apparently they'd had issues with anti-social behaviour in the past, so the only people that could access the building now, even the communal areas, were those with keys.
Returning his phone to his pocket, Wilkes began gathering his belongings from the front of the car, before exiting and moving around to the boot. Popping it open, he retrieved his weekend bag, then closed up and locked the vehicle. Looking around—fortunately the car park was well-lit, so he could see where he was going—he spotted one of the doors that stood between him and his boyfriend. He strode purposefully towards it, not wanting to waste any more time—they only had the weekend together.
As he reached the outer door, he realised he wouldn't need to be buzzed in, after all. Standing just on the other side, visible through the glass, was Balkhi. The Afghan swung the door open so quickly that Wilkes had to jump back to avoid being smacked in the face.
Balkhi gasped. "Shit, sorry!"
"It's okay," Wilkes replied, shrugging.
Then, unexpectedly, there was silence. Wilkes' heart pounded again. Crap—what was going on? Since when did the two of them have nothing to say to each other? Then he realised—it wasn't that they had nothing to say, it was that they had so much to say that apparently neither of them could decide how to begin. There was also the fact they were in public to consider.
You can grab your copy of Native Tongue here: https://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/native-tongue/
And add it to your Goodreads shelves here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25462496-native-tongue
Don't forget to check out all the other blogs taking part!


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Friday, March 12, 2010
Reverend's Reviews: Mother Lode
Mother, a new film by the extraordinary, Korean writer-director Bong Joon-ho (whose last production was the great giant-monster-on-the-loose thriller The Host), has its own unique take on the love of a mother for her son. It opens today in LA and NYC courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. Drawing inspiration from equal parts Oedipus Rex and Alfred Hitchcock, Bong weaves an engrossing murder-mystery.
Do-joon (Won Bin) is an immature young man who townspeople frequently refer to as "retarded." At the age of 27, he still lives with — and sleeps with — his doting mother (Kim Hye-ja, who gives a great, award-worthy performance). When a local high school student is murdered and Do-joon becomes the #1 suspect, his mother's protective instincts kick into high gear in an effort to prove him innocent.
There are twists, turns and revelations galore in this well-written, beautifully-shot movie. It also features a fine, suspenseful music score by Lee Byeong-woo that includes appropriate nods to Hitchcock's favorite composer, Bernard Herrmann. Mother will likely receive a gradual, national release, so watch for it. Just think twice about taking your mother to see it if it plays your town!
UPDATE: Mother is now available on DVD and Blu-ray from Amazon.com.
Review by Rev. Chris Carpenter, resident film critic of Movie Dearest and the Orange County and Long Beach Blade.
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When I first came to the heathen path, some twenty years ago, it was very difficult to know how to get started. Back then, before the Internet was much of a thing, you had to search the local bookstores and hope you got lucky if you wanted to find any useful information at all. You might be fortunate enough to find a local group of pagans that included another heathen, if you lived in the right area, but this was probably too much to hope for. Many heathens back then had to make their way on their own, without much guidance from others or from quality books. (Thanks to Llewellyn Press, there were unfortunately a lot of useless and worse than useless books, though.)
Today, things are much better. There are a lot of resources online. There are many heathen groups that modern heathens can go to for help. That does not always make it easy for new heathens to know how to get started, though, because there are now so many voices that it can be difficult to know who to listen to. To help with this problem, I will share here the way I got started on the heathen path.
- Read the primary sources, the Eddas and the Sagas. These are the oldest written records of what the ancients believed, so they are the best source for understanding the ancient ways. No amount of reading what other people have to say about these works will tell you as much. If you can, read multiple translations, to get a better sense of the original meanings. You must also remember: these stories were recorded by Christian scribes. While they were attempting to preserve a historical record of a vanishing era, there were parts of heathenry they liked, and parts they didn't like. Because of this, they skipped a lot of things, like goddess lore. What we have left are more the beliefs of the ancient heathen warrior caste rather than the entirety of ancient heathen belief. Helpful hint: read the Hollander translation of the Poetic Edda. It not only retains the original meanings best, it keeps to the ancient poetic form pretty closely too.
- Pray often. Nothing will bring your mind and spirit closer to the gods than regular prayer. Begin each day with the prayer from the Sigrdrifumal, that begins "Hail the day, hail day's sons…." Make the sign of the Hammer over every meal, and say "Hammer, please hallow this food to my might." This is an ancient blessing. Make the sign of the valknut over alcoholic drinks. This is a more modern blessing, but it fits.
- Make a traditional altar. The ancients used piles of stones for altars, and poured offerings over them. River stones would be most appropriate.
- If you are devoted to a particular god, do work that advances the god's goals. An Odinist might write poetry, for example, or practice the martial arts, or join the armed forces. Someone devoted to Bertha or Perchta might weave.
Just following these practices is a good start. After a couple of years of such practices, you should start developing an idea of how to go further.
Wes thu hal. May the gods bless you.


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Historic Inns of Annapolis
The Historic Inns of Annapolis were once personal residences of lords and governors, and a frequent stopover for signers of the Declaration of Independence. Today, they have been transformed into three charming, historic inns that will take guests back in time. The Inns feature 124 guestrooms, all handsomely restored and tastefully furnished in original and reproduction antiques. At the same time, all guestrooms offer modern conveniences, including private baths, telephones, cable television, and complimentary WiFi.
The historic atmosphere continues at the Treaty of Paris restaurant, the Drummer's Lot Pub, and Starbucks - all located in The Maryland Inn. The conference facilities offer a charming atmosphere for parties, business meetings, and other events. All of the Inns' facilities are clustered around two circles in the heart of Annapolis, convenient to all of the town's quaint shops, historic attractions, and colorful waterfront.
Historic Inns of Annapolis, a member of Historic Hotels of America since 1996, dates back to 1727.
Two of the Inns face the state capitol, where the Treaty of Paris was ratified in 1784, officially ending the American War for Independence.
Original Property Opened: 1727
Historic Hotels of America toll-free reservations number +1 800 678 8946
58 State Cir
Annapolis, MD 21401
|Check-in time: 4:00 p.m.
Check-out time: 11:00 a.m.
Hotel Amenities & Policies
Accessible Rooms: Accessible rooms are available. Please notify request at time of booking.
Adjoining Rooms: Adjoining rooms are available. Please nofity request at time of booking.
Age Requirements: Guests are required to be 21 years or older with photo identification to reserve a room and check-in.
Cancellation Policy: 48 hours prior to arrival.
Cribs and Pack-in-Plays: Available upon request; complimentary.
Deposit: Please contact hotel for more information.
Early Check-In/Late Check-Out: Available, depending upon availability.
Hotel/Resort Fees & Taxes: Taxes: 13%.
Occupancy Restrictions: 5.
Parking: Valet parking: $29 per vehicle per night (In/Out privileges). Please contact the hotel directly for any questions related to oversized vehicles or vehicles with bike racks, roof racks, etc. Street parking and local garages are also available and in walking distance to the inns.
Payment: All forms of payment are accepted. Payment is required at time of booking. Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Diners Club, and Discover are accepted.
Pet Policy: Service animals allowed: Please contact hotel. Pets allowed: No.
Shuttle Service: Free Shuttle Service within Surrounding Area (Based on Availability).
Rollaways: Not available.
Smoking Policy: Non-smoking property. Smoking is not allowed in the rooms.
Transportation: Limo or Town Car service may be arranged through the concierge; rates apply.
The above list may not be comprehensive and information is subject to change without notice. Fees and deposits may not include tax. Taxes, fees, deposits, and policies are subject to change without notice.
Image Credit: ©Rashad Ashurov/Shutterstock
Early Settlement, 1600 ~ 1763
The Historic Inns of Annapolis were once personal residences of lords and governors, and a frequent stopover for signers of the Declaration of Independence. Today, they have been transformed into three charming, historic inns that will take guests back in time.
Learn more about the History of Historic Inns of Annapolis .


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CELtek street lighting CMS actively helps to reduce maintenance costs of your street lighting. Having instant, whole of system ultimate control means you can detect faults or prospective faults in your units and deal with them in a timely and efficient way. In being able to monitor all lamps, even down to individual units, you cut your need for scouting, and hence cut costs.
In addition, being able to predict specific component failure means on-site maintenance can be accurately planned ahead, helping to make your maintenance budgets efficient.
And once installed, new fittings work immediately, as they are automatically updated with the latest programme status.
ZigBee Mesh Routing detects any points of failure in the system and instantly re-routes communications so that all lamps remain working as programmed.
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
Cost and energy
efficient lighting
Øvre Eiker Municipality
60% reduction in power consumption


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Capitol State Forest
Attention: Recreation Alerts and Closures
Recreation alert: DNR managed lands have begun to open. Some facilities may not be available so get the latest information on openings here. All overnight camping remains closed until further notice.
View a list of additional operational changes related to COVID-19
Located southwest of Olympia in the Black Hills of Grays Harbor and Thurston counties, the 110,000-acre Capitol State Forest is both a timber-producing forest and a popular recreation destination. Like many of the forests DNR manages, the lands in Capitol State Forest are trust lands managed to provide sustainable revenue in support of schools, state universities and local county public services. The chief sources of trust revenue in this forest include timber production, biomass byproducts, communication tower leases, and other activities.
Capitol State Forest is one of DNR's highest timber-yielding forests and is conveniently located near where the department's replanting effort seedlings are grown, at Webster Forest Nursery. Click here to view a map of completed and proposed Capitol State Forest timber sales. In addition to earning income, Capitol Forest's undeveloped working lands provide habitat for native plants and animals, water retention and water quality benefits, and diverse recreation opportunities.
Capitol State Forest is a beautiful recreation destination just a short drive from Olympia. Venture into the 110,000-acre forest for an adventure horseback riding at Mima Falls, spotting salmon in McLane Creek, mountain biking at Rock Candy, off-road-vehicle riding at Porter Creek – or all of the above! Capitol State Forest provides a variety of recreational opportunities, 150 miles of trail, and places to set up camp and rest your head at night. Horseback riding-oriented campgrounds, like the Margaret McKenny, offer corrals and hitching posts, while off-road vehicle-oriented campgrounds, like the Middle Waddell, provide access to the forest's motorized trail system.
Email Andrea Martin if interested in becoming a campground host.
Trail Maps
Check out this map of all our trails in Capitol State Forest or take a closer look at the McLane Creek and Fall Creek trail systems. You can also download our georeferenced map to your smartphone using the Avenza PDF Maps Mobile app.
2020 Events Calendar
Click here to see what events our partners are hosting in Capitol State Forest in 2020.
Capitol State Forest tips
- Capitol Forest campgrounds are closed Dec. 1 to April 30 for the winter season.
- Camp only in designated campgrounds. No dispersed camping allowed
- Stays are limited to seven days per year.
- Off-road vehicle riders and horseback riders can enjoy Capitol State Forest trails from May 1 to November 30.
- Trails are open to foot traffic year-round.
- E-bikes (motorized assist bikes) are considered motorized vehicles and are therefore allowed only on DNR trails that allow off-road vehicles.
- Dogs are allowed in Capitol Forest but must be kept on leash. Horseback riders and mountain bikers may bring unleashed dogs if they are controlled by voice command.
- Be alert for other road users, ranging from heavy vehicles to bicycles, and check your speed accordingly.
Target Shooting
Capitol State Forest has areas closed to target shooting. No target shooting is allowed:
- On a 5-mile corridor on the C-Line, starting from D-4000 up to Low Bank Pit
- On the D-4000 between the C-Line and D-Line
Triangle Pit is open to target shooters. Click here for an infographic with target shooting rules when there is not a recreation alert in place. Noncompliance could lead to closure.
Recreation alert: The Triangle Pit hours have changed and it is now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The reason for the change in hours is to help eliminate evening hour noise impact to local residences, campgrounds and to consolidate staffing needs.
Other tips for your visit
- Don't forget your Discover Pass! Learn more about it at DiscoverPass.wa.gov
- Campsites are available first-come, first-served at no additional cost with the purchase of a Discover Pass. There are five reservation sites available at Margaret McKenny Campground.
- Enjoy a campfire in approved fire pits in designated campgrounds only. Always check for burn restrictions before lighting a campfire.
- Don't Move Firewood. Help protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. Please purchase firewood near your campsite. Find more information here.
Wildlife sightings: There have been cougar and bear sightings in the Capitol Forest area. Check out information from WDFW here for what to do if you encounter a cougar or bear. To report a sighting call WDFW (877)-933-9847.
Recreation alert: The Little Larch Trail is closed to the second road crossing and the Level Up Trail is closed from the C-6000 to Little Larch Mountain for a timber harvest in the area. Please check back for updates.
Leave No Trace
For your safety and the safety of our wildlife, please follow the seven principles of Leave No Trace. You can brush up on them here. Food and garbage that is left behind or improperly disposed of can attract wildlife and create potentially dangerous situations for visitors. Please pack out all food items and garbage. NEVER feed wildlife.
Recreation Sites
Fall Creek Campground and Trailhead
This campground is a favorite among local equestrian groups. The trailhead provides access to hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking opportunities. Fall Creek Campground has eight campsites, a horse corral, and restroom. Be sure to check the Capitol Forest event schedule above for events that could impact campground availability. Check out the Fall Creek Trail System map, new May 2019, here.
Directions: From Waddell Creek Road continue west on Sherman Valley Road. At the intersection of Noschka Road go west on C-Line Road 3.3 miles. Turn left on C-6000 Road and go south 2.5 miles. Trailhead is on right. Get directions.
Recreation alert: For timber harvest operations the C-6000 (road to Fall Creek) will close during weekdays until 3 p.m. until mid-July 2020. The C-6000 road will be open on the weekends.
Recreation alert: For a timber harvest, the Level Up Trail is closed from the "barbecue flat" off the C-6000 to the top. Check back for updates.
Margaret McKenny Campground and Trailhead
Margaret McKenny is an equestrian-oriented campground with horse corrals. The campground has 24 sites, three toilets, and a camp host site with a shelter. Trailhead provides access to non-motorized trails in Capitol State Forest. Campers are required to register on site.
There are five reservation campsites in Margaret McKenny Campground. Reservations must be made at least three days before and no more than three months in advance of your visit. You may only reserve one site. Find campsite reservation instructions here.
Recreation alert: Because of the uncertainty regarding Covid-19 and opening date for camping reservations are not being taken.
Sites with unfilled reservations are available after 7 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis, one night only.
Directions: Continue on Waddell Creek Road from Mima Mound Natural Area entrance for 1.6 miles. Turn left. Go .2 miles to site. Get directions.
McLane Creek Nature Trail
This 1.5-mile hiking-only trail offers an excellent location for viewing wildlife and is open year-round. While the trail takes hikers along the creek, visitors can also view the beaver pond in the day-use area. View our trail map.
Directions: Start 4 miles west of Olympia at Mud Bay exit of US-Hwy 101. Go south on Delphi Road for 3.3 miles. Turn right for .4 miles to site. Get directions.
Middle Waddell Campground and Trailhead
This ORV-oriented campground offers access to Capitol State Forest's 89 miles of motorized trail. The campground has 24 campsites and four toilets. Campers are required to register on site.
Directions: Continue west on Waddell Creek Road from Margaret McKenny entrance for 1.2 miles. Turn left .1 miles to site. Get directions.
Mima Falls Trailhead
This equestrian-oriented trailhead has a horse ramp and room for horse trailers. The trailhead provides hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers access to Capitol State Forest non-motorized trails. Find a map of the Mima Falls trail system here.
Directions: Start in Littlerock. Go west for .8 miles. Turn left on Mima Road. Go 1.3 miles. Turn right on Bordeaux Road. Go .7 miles. Turn right on Marksman Road. Go .9 miles. Turn left. Go .2 miles to site. Get directions.
Porter Creek Campground
Porter Creek Campground is a popular area for motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), and picnicking in the day-use area. This 16-campsite campground is near Porter Creek and surrounded by large Douglas-fir trees. Campers are required to register on site.
Directions: Start at junction of SR-12 and Porter Creek Road. Go northeast on Porter Creek Road for 3.4 miles. At the intersection, go straight on B-line Road for .6 miles. Site is on left. Get directions.
Rock Candy Trailhead
Rock Candy Trailhead is a trail system primarily for off-road vehicle and mountain bike riders, as well as hikers. Trail ascends to an open summit with views of the Olympia Mountains and the Puget Sound. Toilet at trailhead.
Directions: From the intersection with US-Hwy 101, go west on SR-8 for 4.5 miles, to the Rock Candy entrance to Capitol Forest. Go south on B-Line Road for .2 mi. to site. Get directions.
Other recreation opportunities
DNR's Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve is located just outside Capitol State Forest and offers a short nature walk. The nearby Kennedy Creek Natural Area Preserve and Chehalis River Surge Plain Natural Area Preserve also provide low-impact recreation opportunities. Use our statewide interactive recreation map to find more recreation opportunities near you.