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Golden Eagle District Highlights- March 2009
District Chairman: Matthew Beasley, firstname.lastname@example.com
Amarillo/Canyon District Commissioner:Scott Hollabaugh, email@example.com
Hereford Area District Commissioner: HS Fuller, email@example.com
Hereford Area Program Aide: Monica Vanzee, firstname.lastname@example.com
District Executive: Doug Bergman, firstname.lastname@example.com
5 Roundtable, 7:00 PM, St. Thomas Catholic Church
12 District Committee Meeting, 5:30 PM, Council Service Center
12 Commissioner's Meeting, 6:30 PM, Council Service Center
12 Eagle Scout Boards of Review, Council Service Center, 6:30 pm
28 Hereford Cub Mobile, 1:00 PM, Veteran's Park, Hereford
2 Roundtable, 7:00 PM, St. Thomas Catholic Church
4 New Leader Essentials, 10:00 AM, Council Service Center
4 Cub Scout & Boy Scout Position-Specific Training, 1:00 PM, Council Service Center
9 District Committee Meeting, 5:30 PM, Council Service Center
9 Commissioner's Meeting, 6:30 PM, Council Service Center
16 Eagle Scout Boards of Review, Council Service Center, 6:30 pm
22 New Leader Essentials, 6:00 PM, Council Service Center
22 Cub Scout Position-Specific Training, 7:30 PM, Council Service Center
Scouting For Food Sign-ups-March 5th Roundtable
Every Golden Eagle Pack, Troop & Crew who are participating in this year's Scouting for Food community-wide service project needs to have a representative at the Roundtable on March 5th. Roundtable is held in the Fellowship Hall on the north side of St. Thomas Catholic Church (4100 South Coulter) at 7:00 pm. We will select and assign food pick-up areas at the Roundtable. Scouts have the option of canvassing their assigned area for food on Saturday, March 28th, or putting out bags with a note attached sometime during the week and then collecting food that is set out on Saturday.
Family Friends of Scouting
If your unit has not made arrangements for a Family Friends of Scouting presentation, please contact Doug Bergman to schedule a presentation at your next Pack Meeting, Blue & Gold Banquet or Boy Scout Court of Honor. It only takes 15-20 minutes to invite the parents and adult leaders of our unit to join their friends in the Golden Eagle District in making the same commitment. This year we are planning a special recognition for units completing Family FOS presentations at the May Roundtable.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Let's start off the new year by getting all our current adult leaders trained! Check out the calendar above and http://www.goldenspread.org/Programs/Forms/2008-9CS&BSAdultLeaderTraining.pdf for information about upcoming training opportunities.
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills will be offered at Boy Scout Spring Camp (April 17-18). Although this course is a requirement for Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters to complete Basic Boy Scout Leader Training, it is open to all Webelos Den Leaders and other adult leaders wishing to better prepare themselves for taking scouts camping.
March Eagle Boards of Review
Eagle Boards of Review (regularly scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of month) in March will be moved to Thursday, March 12 due to Spring Break.
Hereford Fun Day – Saturday, March 28
We will start out the day at 10 am "Scouting for Food". After a hotdog lunch in Veteran's Park, we will race cub mobiles. Cub scouts build their own cub mobile or come and race one of ours. Each boy will race a car and the best times in each division, Tiger, Cub Scout (Wolf & Bear), and Webelos will receive an award. Race is Saturday, March 28th from 1 pm to 4 pm at Veteran's Park in Hereford. Cost is $5. For more information, contact Monica VanZee (647-1553 or email@example.com)
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Lone Wolf District Highlights- March 2009
District Chairman: Duane Skipper firstname.lastname@example.com
District Commissioner: Bob Post, firstname.lastname@example.com
District Executive: Steve Knollenberg, firstname.lastname@example.com
3 Perryton Adult Leaders meeting, 7:00 p.m., FUMC, Perryton, TX.
5 Dalhart Adult Leaders meeting, 7:00 p.m., CUMC, Dalhart, TX.
7 Boy Scout leader specific training, 9:00 a.m., VMUMC, Guymon, OK.
10 Guymon Adult Leaders meeting, 7:00 p.m., VMUMC, Guymon, OK.
12 District Committee & Commissioners meeting, 7:00 p.m., FUMC, Spearman, TX.
20-22 Palo Duro Lake clean-up, Palo Duro Reservoir, Spearman, TX.
28 District & Council-wide Scouting for Food in your town.
4 District Pinewood Derby, FUMC, Turpin, OK.
9 District Committee & Commissioners meeting, 7:00 p.m., FUMC, Spearman, TX.
March Leader meetings
The upcoming March Leader meetings are extremely important to you as leaders and critical to the health and success of your units. We will be going over the Council-Wide, March Scouting for Food service project, scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2009. Plan to attend; to not only learn about what's going on in Scouting in our District, but to share your ideas and experiences so we can provide the best of the Scouting program to our kids! The dates, times and locations of our meetings are listed in the calendar section, above. Choose the location and date that is most convenient for you!
Family Friends of Scouting
It's time to schedule your unit's Family Friends of Scouting presentation. Without this financial support from our leaders and our scouting families, the Golden Spread Council would not be able to provide the quality programs, training and facilities you expect, for our scouts. Plan on having a Family Friends of Scouting presentation at your next pack meeting, or troop court of honor. Call Steve Knollenberg at 580-651-2615, or Audrey House at 580-652-2085, to schedule a presentation that is convenient for your unit.
Boy Scout Leader Specific Training
This training is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2009. It will be held at the Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, 6th & Roosevelt Streets, Guymon, Oklahoma. Registration is at 8:30 a.m., training begins at 9:00 a.m. We will be done by 4:00 p.m. This training is for all currently registered Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters, and anyone who may cross over into one of these positions, from Cub Scouting.
The Centennial Quality Unit standards for 2009 will require that we increase the number of fully trained Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters, for our troops. To prepare for this upcoming Boy Scout Leader specific training, follow the "Online Training" link from the Golden Spread Council webpage (www.goldenspread.org) and complete the Youth Protection Training and Boy Scout Leader Fast Start Training. Click on the "Programs, Training & Activities Resources" link, on the Council webpage, to view the activity flyer.
Palo Duro Lake Cleanup
The annual Palo Duro Lake cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2009, near Spearman, Texas. This event is a great time for our district's units to get together, complete a worthwhile service project and enjoy the fellowship of Scouting. We will also be conducting a District-wide flag retirement ceremony, fire bans permitting. So bring out all those old flags we all end up collecting, as scout units, and lets show our new kids and leaders the proper way to permanently retire a worn U.S. flag!
Normally, troops camp out for the weekend and packs attend for the day. Packs are welcome to camp out, as long as BSA Family Camping guidelines are followed. This is a great way for our Cubs to get to see what the "big boys" do, in Boy Scouts. Click on the "Programs, Training & Activities Resources" link, on the Council webpage, to view the activity flyer. Please contact Richard Nowlin at email@example.com, (806-658-4839) or Steve Knollenberg, email@example.com (580-651-2615) for more information.
District Pinewood Derby
Mark you pack calendars now for the District Pinewood Derby. Please note there has been a date change. This is an open Derby for all District Cub Scouts, not just individual Pack champions. There will be an "Outlaw" class for all dads, moms, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. The Derby will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church, in Turpin, OK. Starting time is 9:00 a.m. Bring your Cubs to Turpin for a fun day of racing & fellowship! Rumor has it the District Executive is building his own car and wants to run it at the District Derby! Past experience tells me it will be the slowest car racing.
Guymon Day Camp Needs Volunteers
For us to have a Guymon Cub Day Camp this summer, we need two volunteers to be the Camp Director and the Program Director. If we can't fill these two positions, we won't be able to offer the camp at Guymon this summer. With these two positions filled I believe we can staff the activities and events with adults attending, with their boys, but we need two volunteers to provide overall leadership and coordination. For more information please contact Scott Kilian at 806-358-6500, or Steve Knollenberg at 580-651-2615.
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Quanah Parker District Highlights- March 2009
District Chairwoman: JoAnn Cruz-Perez
District Commissioner: Jim Paslay
District Executive: Hector Baldiviezo firstname.lastname@example.com
5– Adult Leader Rountable
12- District Committee Meeting
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Let's start off the year with some great training. Check out the link below for a list of all upcoming training opportunities.
New Executive
I would like to introduce myself to everyone in the District. My name is Hector Baldiviezo and I am happy to be the new District Executive. I am excited to get out and meet you and begin a long and productive relationship with everyone and to continue to serve the Scouts of this District. If you are in the office for any reason, please stop by so I can get to know you as we begin this new journey together.
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Santa Fe District Highlights- March 2009
District Chairman: LH Webb email@example.com
District Commissioner: Michael Stevenhagen email@example.com
District Executive Gaylyne Manns firstname.lastname@example.com
10 – District Meeting 6:30 pm Hedley Lyons Club
10 – Quarterly Round table 7:30 pm Hedley Lyons Club
21 – Youth Protection Training, FUMC Memphis Texas
14 – District Meeting 6:30 pm Hedley Lyons Club
District Dinner
Santa Fe District Dinner was a huge success, lots of awards, acknowledgements, fellowship and good food. Congratulations Jim Mills for receiveing the District Award of Merit. You serve our District well.
Friends of Scouting
Friends of Scouting in the Santa Fe District is Rock and Rolling. We are about 50% at our goal at this time. Thank you George Hall for an outstanding job so far.
Youth Protection Training
Save the date: March 21st. We will be having Youth Protection training in Memphis. Youth Protection must be taken by ALL Adult leaders. Here is a link for more information on Youth Protection.
The information to sign up for this YPT will be available soon on the web site.
Quarterly Round Table
Our quarterly roundtable will be March 10th at 7:30 pm at the Hedley Lyons Club in down town Hedley. Roundtables are for all adult Leaders! Come and get to know your fellow Tiger Cub Den Leaders, Cub Scout Den Leaders, Webelos Den Leaders, Cub Masters, Assistant Cub Masters, Pack Committee members, Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Troop Committee members, etc. So much information will be given out and discussed on upcoming events for Spring and Summer.
Thank you
Thank you to all adult leaders and parents for what you do for Scouting in the Santa Fe District,
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Venturing District Highlights- March 2009
District Chairman: Jack Owen, email@example.com
District Commissioner: Pat Phelps firstname.lastname@example.com
District Executive: Brad Drozell email@example.com
5 District Committee Meeting, 6:30-7:30 pm
Calling all Unit Commissioners!
Are you a unit commissioner? Do you even know what a commissioner does? If you are interested in providing MORE programs and MORE opportunities for your Venturing Crew, you would be a GREAT commissioner! If you think you would like to know more, please contact Brad Drozell. (information above)
Committee Meetings
Parents and youth are ALWAYS invited to the Venturing District Committee Meetings. The more the better! We discuss how each crew is doing and if help needs to be sent to present more opportunities for Venturing with your specific crew. (Volunteers Needed)
Scholarship Opportunities
If you have questions about such opportunities, please contact Brad Drozell (Venturing Division) at the Scout Service Center 358-6500.
Venture Crew Meetings
If you would like to be involved with more than one crew, attend one of these meetings to check out what all Venturing has to offer! Remember to bring a friend! Boys and girls are welcome, ages 14-20.
2009- Kwahadi Dancers- Contact Charles Ritchie (806) 353-1505.
2012- Shooting Crew-Contact Bob Altman (806) 358-6500.
2072- Comanche Trail Church of Christ Youth Group-Contact Derek Chance for more information, (806) 457-8054.
2094-High Adventure Crew-Contact Jeff Popp (806) 356-6214.
2510- City Church Climbing Crew-Contact Chad Clement (806) 517-1379.
***If you would like more information about your crew in the Venturing section of the newsletter: success stories, advancement progress, etc., contact Brad Drozell (806) 358-6500.
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Adobe Walls District Highlights- March 2009
District Chairman
District Commissioner
District Executive George Etier firstname.lastname@example.com
2 Adobe Walls Leaders Meeting in Wheeler at the Fire Station
3 Adobe Walls Leaders Meeting in Borger at St. John Catholic Church
5 Adobe Walls Leaders Meeting in Pampa at First United Methodist
11 District Key 3 Meeting
14 Adobe Walls District Dinner at the Plaza Restaurant in Pampa
19 District Committee Meeting
28 Scouting For Food
4 District Pinewood Derby – BCSC at Frank Phillips College in Borger
8 District Key 3 Meeting
16 District Committee Meeting
Scouting for Food
This service project is one of the most important tasks we do in Scouting. It helps us to serve the local communities that we live in and it gives us an opportunity to teach our Scouts the importance of service to others in a practical way. Be sure to attend the leaders meeting that is most convenient for you to receive your bags and instructions.
Adobe Walls District Leaders Meetings
As you can see from the schedule above, we are bringing the meetings to you. In an effort to increase the level of communication between the leaders in the district, we will be conducting three meetings across the district. All leaders are asked to attend the meeting closest to where you live or work. Important information concerning district and council events will be presented and we need your feedback. The bags and information needed for Scouting for Food will also be available.
Adobe Walls District Dinner
The Adobe Walls District Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 14th in Pampa. This year the dinner will begin at 7:00 pm and will be held at the Plaza Restaurant located at 1201 North Hobart in the Coronado Center. Please come and join your fellow Scouters as we celebrate a great 2008 for the Adobe Walls District. The cost is $10.00 per person, payable at the door and the Eagle Scouts Class of 2008 will be the guests of the District. To RSVP or for more information, please contact George Etier @ 669-3421 or 679-9703.
District Pinewood Derby
Gentlemen, start your engines. Now is the time to start making those Pinewood Derby Cars in preparation for the District Pinewood Derby. This year it will be held on Saturday, April 4th in Borger. The location for this year's derby will the in the BCSC on the Frank Phillips College Campus. Registration will begin at 11:00 am with the races beginning at 1:00 pm. The entry cost per car is $5.00. Pick up your registration forms at the Leaders' Meeting the first week of March.
We are off to a great start in 2009. Let's all work together to make this the best year ever for the youth in Adobe Walls District!
If I can be of assistance, you can reach me at 669-3421 or 679-9703 or by e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com.
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Council Highlights- March 2009
Hazardous Weather Training
Effective Janaury 1, 2009, one leader who is going on a unit outing where a Tour Permit is required to be submitted ust have succefully completed the on-line Hazardous Weather Training. The name of this person and the date they completed it will be required before the tour permint is approved. The class takes about 30 minutes to complete. Go to the link below to complete this course and any other on-line trainings available to you.
2009 Friends of Scouting Campaign
What is Friends of Scouting and why is it so important to contribute to the annual Friends of Scouting Campaign?
Two great questions! Friends of Scouting (FOS) is the annual giving campaign of the Golden Spread Council, BSA, which provides the necessary funds to ensure a quality Scouting program for youth. More specifically, by supporting FOS, you help us keep:
- The cost of our camps affordable
- Our Service Center and camping facilities in top condition
- Our promise of a quality Scouting experience to your son and others in Scouting
The Friends of Scouting Campaign is a vital component to the programs and services of the Golden Spread Council. The money raised through Friends of Scouting offsets cost of training leaders, operating camps and our service center, as well as providing other resources to Cub Packs, Scout Troops, Venture Crews and Explorer Posts throughout our council.
It cost the Golden Spread Council $150 to provide a quality scouting experience for one boy per year. Parents of Scouts and community members play a vital role in the annual Friends of Scouting campaign by contributing money based on their interest in the program and their ability to give to this important component of the Scouting program.
Now is the time to sign up for a Friends of Scouting presentation at your unit's biggest gathering (typically the Blue and Gold Banquet or a Troop Court of Honor) during the months of February or March. The presentation, which takes 7 minutes to conduct, informs parents and leaders of all council services, its financial needs and extends an opportunity to help fulfill the need. Contact Mario Perez at 806-358-6500 to schedule your unit's Friends of Scouting presentation, or to find out how you can contribute to the 2009 Friends of Scouting campaign. Help keep scouting strong in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles by participating as a Friend of Scouting. Thank you for your generous support!
Scouting for Food
Scouting for Food will take place on March 28, 2009. We encourage all units to participate in the "Good Turn". To help units, we have developed a great information packet for you to use at your Troop/Pack Meetings. In this document, you will find quizzes about hunger, real life stories to discuss with your Scouts and other great information. Why use this? It's important for your Scouts know why we ask them to participate in this event. They should understand that there are hungry folks in all of our communities and that by participating in Scouting for Food, they are helping eliminate hunger. Click on the link below for your packet of information and we look forward to seeing you at Scouting for Food.
Spring Merit Badge Camp
The Spring Merit Badge Camp is scheduled for April 17-19, 2009. We will be offering comes great Merit Badges and some awesome Adult Leader Training as well. For all the details, please click on the link below!
NRA Instructor Training
The Golden Spread Council will host a NRA Certified Instructor training for Rifle, Pistol, Muzzle Loading Rifle and Shotgun beginning on Friday, April 17, 2009 at Spring Merit Badge Camp. Course participants will be required to attend 2 to 3 more training sessions after Spring Merit Badge Camp in order to fully complete all course requirements. Additional training session dates will be determined by class consensus. Upon completion registered Boy Scout Leaders will be certified to run Boy Scout shooting programs and use Golden Spread Council shooting ranges for scout activities. THIS IS AN NRA TRAINING, NOT A BOY SCOUT TRAINING.
NRA's training program is designed for an experienced shooter who wishes to become an NRA Certified Instructor. Attendance for the entire course is required for course completion and use of Golden Spread Council shooting ranges. You must be 21 years of age or older to be a Certified Instructor. Cost is $50.00 per person non-refundable deposit. Balance of $150.00 if paid in full by April 3, 2009 Balance of $175.00 if paid after April 3, 2009.
This course is your opportunity to become a better instructor, coach and a better shooter. For more information please contact: Bob Altman, 806-358-6500, firstname.lastname@example.com
What's a Kid To Do
On Saturday, April 11th from 9am to 4pm, the Amarillo Globe-News will sponsor the fifth annual What's a Kid To Do fair at the South Exhibit Hall of the Amarillo Civic Center. This popular event is designed to bring together in one room, representatives from various camps throughout the circulation area and to give parents an opportunity to plan activities for their children for the upcoming summer months.
We have been invited to set up a table with our camp information. We need volunteers to be on hand to answer any questions about our camps or Scouting in general. We have several two hour blocks throughout the day. We are currently in need of volunteers for the following blocks:
8:30- 10:30am and 12:30pm to 2:30pm
If you are available to help out, please contact Scott at the office- 806-358-6500.
Philmont Council Contingent for 2010
The Council has received 2 Crews (24 participants) allocations that will arrive on June 6, 2010 and depart on July 4, 2010. The fee is $620.00. A $50.00 non refundable deposit is due on May 1, 2009 with the remaining fees of $285.00 due on October 1, 2009 and the final payment of $285.00 due on March 1, 2010. To make this go, we need adults to lead the trek before we can take any other reservations. Philmont restricts units from participating in two consecutive seasons so if you are a unit going in 2009, you can't go in 2010! All participants, adult and youth, must meet Height and Weight Requirements. If you are interests in learning more about this trek, please contact Scott at 806-358-6500 before April 1.
Scouting National Hall of Leadership
Our communities are better places to live, work, and play because of leadership – expressed in extraordinary acts of service – by Scouts, Scouters, and Scouting volunteers over generations.
We want to gather these powerful stories and share the significant positive impact Scouting leadership has on the quality of life in the communities we serve. As part of the 100th Anniversary Celebration, the Boy Scouts has created the National Hall of Leadership.
The BSA 100th Anniversary National Hall of Leadership is not a hall or building in the traditional sense, like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, but its purpose is just as significant. The National Hall of Leadership is an opportunity for anyone to recognize outstanding leadership by a Scout, registered leader or Scouting volunteer who made a significant difference in the life of another by the extraordinary service they have given and the Scouting virtues they have modeled.
To be nominated for the National Hall of Leadership, the nominee must be a living Scout or Scouting volunteer who may/may not be officially registered with the BSA.
They also must have served as an active Scout or Scouting volunteer within Scouting for at least one year. A nominee may be young or old-there is no age limit for nominees.
Nominations are submitted online in the form of a story that is 450 words or less, describing why the person is deserving of this one-time honor. The nomination period opens on February 8, 2009, and closes on February 8, 2010, the 100th Anniversary of Scouting. The final inductees to the National Hall of Leadership will total 303-one representing each BSA council and one selected by the National BSA Council-and will be announced at the BSA National Annual Meeting in Dallas in May 2010.
We want to encourage as many people as possible to participate in submitting nominations. Forms and more information are avaialbe at the lonk below.
Nomination Form and Information Link
New Phone Number at Camp M.K. Brown
Effective immediately, the new phone number for Camp MK Brown is 806-826-1024.
Preparing for Tour Permits Online
Soon unit leaders will be able to submit local and national tour permits electronically. This new system takes just four easy steps, and it will save the transportation and training information, so leaders can easily recall it for future permit applications.
All registered unit leaders will have access to Tour Permits from MyScouting, accessed on www.scouting.org. Councils will approve or return the permit applications using MyBSA.
The MyScouting account verifies that the owner is a BSA leader associated with a unit. Within Tour Permits, the leader has access only to his unit. This authentication replaces the physical signatures on tour permit applications. Other unit leaders are notified via e-mail when an application is submitted and approved.
The volunteer can submit both local and national applications, for either traditional units or Learning for Life posts. Once approved, each tour permit will have a unique tour ID number.
Unit leaders enter all the necessary information for the tour, and rules specific to tour permits are applied. When appropriate, helpful messages will advise the leader about any missing information.
There will be automatic notification at all appropriate steps in the process to the permit creator, the tour leader, and the assistant tour leader. The unit committee chair and unit leader will also receive e-mail notifications if they have MyScouting accounts.
The online Help document explains how to complete and submit permit applications to the council. Additionally, the Guide to Safe Scouting is available on the site for easy reference; Safety First Learning for Life Guidelines is also available for Learning for Life posts. Other documents, such as the BSA Transportation Guidelines and the Pledge of Performance can also be accessed from Tour Permits.
Authorized council staff members will review and process submitted applications. The tour permit creator receives a PDF version of the approved permit via e-mail. The approved permit PDF can also be obtained from Tour Permits in MyScouting.
As a reminder, local tour permit applications should be submitted two weeks before the tour and national applications at least one month before the tour start date.
We encourage all Scouting units from our council to use this new service to submit their local and national tour permit applications online
BSA Alumni Connect
We are looking for a few good BSA Alumni! With the 100th Anniversary coming up in 2010, we are looking for past BSA members (adults and youth) Alumni to help provide memories for upcoming celebrations and history. If you know of a Scouter who is no longer active or was a Scout as a youth, let them know that they can go to www.bsaalumni.org and reconnect with Scouting.
Boy Scout Summer Camp 2009
Believe it or not, it is time for your Troop to think about where they would like to attend Boy Scout Summer Camp next year…
With only two weeks of camp this year, space will be filled quickly. We have some new and exciting programs for 2009. Registration this year is accomplished on-line at:
The Camp Leaders Guide is available on line at the link below.
Also new in 2009, you will be able to pre-order your Camp MK Brown T-shirts though an on-line process. The cost this year is $10.87 each however if you wait to buy them at Camp, the cost increases to $15.00 and they won't have your Unit Number printed on them. The deadline to order shirts is May 6, 2009. To see a sample shirt, come by the Office and check it out- the boys will LOVE it!
Email the Council Service Center firstname.lastname@example.com or email@example.com to pick your week to attend (see below) as well as your favorite campsite.
Week #1 June 7th-13th
Week #2 June 14th-20th
Camp Staff Application
At the link below, you will find the new Camp Staff Application to be used by any Scout and Scouter (paid or volunteer) for all of our 2009 Camps (Cub Scout/Boy Scout). The BSA has a mandatory camp standard that states that ALL Camp Staff must complete an applicaiton for the camp they are working at- volunteer or paid. The application is very different then in the past and much easier to read and is all inclusive. If you are interested in becoming part of the camp staff, please print out a copy and send it in to the Council Office by the cutoff date listed on the application.
Shooting Sports Camp
Get ready- FIRE! The 2nd Annual Shooting Sports Camp will be held on July 10-12, 2009 at Camp Don Harrington. This event is open to all Boy Scouts and Ventures. Cost is $95.00 for Scouts and $85.00 for adults if paid in fill on or before June 12. After June 12, the cost goes up to $105.00 for Scouts and $95.00 for adults. With the current cost of ammunition and other supplies, this is a GREAT deal for Scouts. Look for the registration form on the Council Web Page within the next few weeks but put this date on your Troop/Crew Calandar as a MUST do activitiy!
Catholic Committee on Scouting
We are looking for volunteers to be on a committee for Catholic scouting in our council. This committee is to help our council and scouters better serve our Catholic faith and all scouts in our council. If you are interested, please email your name and phone number to firstname.lastname@example.com or call Jared at 806-570-1253. If I do not answer, please leave a message.
Thank you, Jared Read
New Scouting Health Forms
The Boy Scouts of America has developed a new Health Form. Effective in 2010 the use of this form will be mandatory and will be phased in during 2009. It is very simple to use as there are three parts- Part A is General Info, Part B is the Physical, and Part C is Informed Consent and Hold Harmless Agreement along with the Talent Release form. They have also added a section on Part B that has a Height/Weight Chart similar to Philmont's and will be used if the event is more then 30 minutes away from emergency evacuation by ground transportation such as backpacking trips, conservation projects in remote areas etc. To see the form, please click on the link below.
2009 Texas Archeological Society (TAS) Field School Oppoprtunity
TAS conducted a field school in 2008 in the Lake Fryer (Perryton) area and it was a huge success so they have decided to return in 2009 to finish up some important Archeological investigations. Scouting units are invited to be part of the event this year. Scheduled for June 13-20, all the same Scouting rules apply- two deep leadership etc. The cost is $50.00 for youth and $120.00 for adults. You must also become members of TAS and they may be some additional meal costs. This is a great opportunity for Scouts to earn the Archealogy Merit Badge by professionals in that field of work. The deadline to register is May 31, 2009. For more information, please contact Scott at the Scout Office- 806-358-6500.
Nineteen Wolves and Bears and 7 Webelos met at Polk Street United Methodist Church and completed the requirements for the God and Me and God and Family award. The Webelos locked-in the church on Friday night and started work on their award and had fun playing dodge ball and watching the move, "Down and Derby". Polk Street Men's club provided them breakfast Saturday morning before the boys went back to work. The Wolves and Bears came in on Saturday and worked on the God and Me award. After completing the workbook and assignments, the boys meet with their home church pastor to finish the award and earn their medal. Ken Knight at Polk Street UMC can provide help and insight for units or churches wanting to plan a similar program.
Memorials and Tributes
From For
South Plains Lodge 215 Gregg Williams
Guy Witt and Family Gregg Williams
February Eagle Scouts
|Team 79
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A Daughter's Diagnosis, A Mother's Wake-up Call
Cat Davis Ahmed knew cholesterol was a family problem, but didn't take it seriously until it affected her daughter.
Cat Davis Ahmed was in her early 40s, a mother of two daughters, when she first heard the term "familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)." But she had been aware of the condition practically all her life, because her father and his brothers all had abnormally high levels of cholesterol. Her youngest uncle had a bypass when he was only 28 years old. All four brothers had inherited high cholesterol from their mother.
"They understood it was genetic and had us kids tested when we were teenagers," Cat said. FH is a dominant gene, so if a parent has it, there is a 50/50 chance each child will inherit the FH gene. "In my family, I inherited FH from my father, and so did my two sisters. We are three for three."
Cat had her first cholesterol test at 16. "I know my numbers were really high in high school and college, but I don't know exactly what they were," she said. "The earliest lab result I can find shows a total cholesterol of 325 mg/dL when I was 23."
Her uncles had multiple bypasses; one had a stent after a heart attack. Cat's father had a heart attack while playing tennis. CPR revived him, and he then had bypass surgery. He was 57.
"The men in my family took each successive drug treatment available to lower cholesterol, tried every diet and took up all kinds of exercise," she said. "Statin treatment did not come along until my father was 47; before that they used bile acid sequestrants and niacin. My father and his brothers are alive and well today, in their 60s and 70s, and probably the most fit and active men I know. This is, in part, because they had to take their health so seriously from an early age. But most importantly, it is thanks to the development of statins and effective surgical interventions, like stents and bypasses."
Cat went on and off statins for about 10 years.
"People don't like to think they need a pill, and I am no different. I thought I shouldn't need medication if I could just get disciplined," she said. "But each time I went off statins, my level was higher than ever."
Knowing Cat's family history with cholesterol, her daughters' pediatrician ran a cholesterol check when she took blood for an unrelated test. Cat's younger daughter, then age 7, had a level over 300 mg/dL. The pediatrician sent them to a specialist in New York City, where she first heard the words "familial hypercholesterolemia."
"I took those words home and googled them," she remembered. "At 3 a.m., I found the FH Foundation website, and I realized this is a 'thing,' — not just something that affects my family, but that affects many, many families."
According to the FH Foundation, it affects approximately one in 250 people worldwide, and most of those people don't know they have it.
"I saw that the Foundation was looking for volunteers and signed up right away and became an FH Advocate. I wanted to learn more for myself and my daughter, and I saw that there was a real opportunity to make a difference for families like mine."
At the time of her daughter's diagnosis, Cat was off her statins, and her LDL cholesterol level was above 300 mg/dL — over three times what it should be. "Finally, I got serious, and six weeks later I was on a statin and my LDL was below 100 mg/dL," she said. "My daughter's diagnosis was my wake-up call."
Today Cat's LDL cholesterol remains below 100 mg/dL with a combination of statins and a cholesterol absorption inhibitor. She feels lucky because people with FH often start with numbers that are two, three or four times higher than normal and need more than two types of intervention to get their cholesterol where they want it.
"Thankfully, there are other treatments available and more in development."
Cat Davis Ahmed with her father, Tom
As a family, the Ahmeds follow a heart healthy diet. "I hope these lifestyle choices amplify the effect of medication," Cat said. "But I know that diet and exercise are not enough for what my family has. Aggressive medical treatment is necessary."
Despite having her cholesterol under control, Cat worries about all those years she put off treatment. "While I don't have signs of heart disease now, I don't know what damage all those years of untreated high LDL cholesterol have done to my arteries," she said. "I wish I had started earlier. I hope I live a long, healthy life so I can be there for my grandchildren, like my father is there for my children. My hope is that my daughter never has to worry about that, because we are starting her treatment early."
Today, Cat is a staff member at the FH Foundation, a patient-centered nonprofit organization dedicated to research, education and advocacy of all forms of FH, where she talks every day to people who are newly diagnosed. "I tell them to take FH seriously for yourself and your family," she said. "Find a healthcare provider who understands FH and find a treatment plan to lower your LDL cholesterol that works for you. Make sure you get your family members screened for FH, including the children. And connect with others who have FH for support and inspiration."
To learn more, see Cholesterol in the Family, Heart Insight Summer 2016.

subset: commoncrawl


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You may have heard about the new push in some states to allow guns on college campuses. The NY Times recently published this article about the latest argument some are using to justify allowing guns on college campuses.
My rage meter is on full blast and set to explode about this.
I do not make my distaste of guns a secret. I think this country needs a hell of a lot more gun control than it has. That said, I don't have a problem with people using guns to hunt game. It's all the other reasons people own and use guns, outside of law enforcement, that drive me crazy. But this goes WAY beyond my personal feelings about guns.
The people who are trying to push the allowance of guns on college campuses – which in most cases have already made their decisions either at the campus level or the state level to NOT allow guns on campus – have decided to exploit the hot issue of sexual assault to justify their arguments.
The argument is this: if women are allowed to carry guns on college campuses, they will be less likely to get raped. The ability to carry a gun would be a deterrent to rapists.
Are. You. Frakking. Kidding me.
Personally, I would prefer to simply NOT BE RAPED, thank you very much. The fact that it is a horrible crime against basic human rights should be enough of a deterrent for rapist scum. I should not have to carry a gun in order to prevent someone from raping me. Rape culture, in the USA especially, is still massively misunderstood, but this does not mean a bandaid (guns on college campuses) is even a remotely valid solution.
Then there's the statistic that most rape victims are sexually assaulted by people they already know, so they might not actually think to pull a gun on them until it's too late anyway. (Thankfully, the NYTimes article mentions this. The number is 2/3, in case you were wondering.)
The people using this argument have failed to acknowledge the fact that allowing guns on college campuses would also allow potential rapists to carry guns. So explain to me how forcing a shootout between a rapist and a victim is a good solution to this problem.
The first quote the NYTimes article uses is from Florida State Representative Dennis K. Baxley is, "If you've got a person that's raped because you wouldn't let them carry a firearm to defend themselves, I think you're responsible."
The ONLY person who is responsible for someone getting raped is the rapist themselves. No one else is responsible for that. That is extremely unhealthy thinking. If you think you've ever been in a position to stop a rape, only to realize it later, do not blame yourself. The only person responsible for a rape is the rapist committing the crime. Don't let people like Baxley use guilt like this.
What about the countless women, like myself, who can't even begin to imagine using a gun on another person, no matter what crime they were about to commit. The very idea is terrifying. I don't want to have someone else's blood on my hands. You can have all the training you want, but still shoot someone in a bad place under the pressure of fear.
Now, the potential ramifications for sexual assault aside, there are many other reasons allowing guns on college campuses is a terrible idea.
Lockdowns spring instantly to mind. Last year, we had a lockdown at my school because an armed man tried to rob a couple businesses north of campus, and decided to escape through campus. Students, faculty, and staff were required to stay locked in their classrooms while the authorities (campus security and the city police) searched for the guy.
Imagine what could have happened if students were allowed to carry guns on campus? How many of them would try to be the hero and go hunt the guy down themselves? How would the authorities know who the real criminal is if half the student-aged people walking around were carrying guns? Chaotic disaster.
Think about the negative ramifications for loosening gun control on college campuses, not just the potential positives. In my opinion, the negatives here far outweigh the potential for women (who actually can see themselves using a gun) to protect themselves against rapists. We shouldn't have to carry guns to prevent people from wanting to sexually assault us. Human decency should do that on its own. I know we don't live in a perfect world, but this is not the answer.


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Trunk – questions on new theme
Pretty stoked on the new theme structure, but have some questions. Instead of modifying bp-default, I wan't to use a completely new theme, for the bp-sn-framework.
However, I know I need to copy the "directories" folder to the new theme I uploaded, but is there anything else I should be copying?
I guess I can copy it all, and see what happens
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Social and mobile developers have eschewed computer-friendly (but
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Once every two hundred years a fateless moon rises.
On this night destiny has no hold.
Beggars can become kings, great deeds made commonplace.
All the seers and prophecies are simultaneously right and wrong.
Change overtakes the land, filling it with chaos.
When morning comes the world has been reshaped.
Lines redrawn and old orders fallen, fates control reestablished.
By Nicholas Byrley
Friday at last and another semi-random poem. On a fantasy/otherworldly kick right now I guess.


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Brooklyn Bedding Reviews
This is our extensive review of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Mattress.
Last Updated: July 1, 2020
Brooklyn Bedding is an industry veteran that is known for manufacturing high-quality mattresses. The company is one of the few online bed in a box mattress brands that actually owns and operates their own facility. In this Brooklyn Bedding review, we take an in-depth look at their flagship Signature mattress.
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All body types
People that are looking for a coil mattress
If you don't like innerspring beds
Outline For This Brooklyn Bedding Review
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Review: YouTube Video
- Brooklyn Bedding Company Policies
- Price Of The Signature Mattress
- What Is The Brooklyn Signature Mattress Made Of?
- Our Firmness Ratings For Brooklyn Signature
- Sleep Styles: Side, Stomach & Back
- Is The Signature An Option For Larger Sized People?
Brooklyn Bedding Reviews: All Mattresses
Given that Brooklyn Bedding owns their own manufacturing facility, they have the capacity to make any number of different mattress models that they want. In this review we're mostly focusing on the Signature mattress, but here's a quick overview of the myriad other beds that they make.
- Aurora — Perhaps the coolest bed available today, the Aurora is luxurious and has several cooling elements.
- Bloom — The company's natural/organic bed that's oh so nice.
- Bowery — Their entry level all-foam mattress that's priced so low even college students can afford it.
- Bowery Hybrid — The coil version of the Bowery. A tad bit more expensive, but also more supportive.
- Spartan — A bed designed for athletes and active people.
Brooklyn makes several other models, but they sell them on separate websites. If you'd like to see all of our Brooklyn Bedding reviews, click here.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Review: YouTube Video
The Signature mattress from Brooklyn Bedding is designed to be a cut above most online mattresses, but at a similar price point. In other words, this is a borderline luxury mattress, but is priced to compete with a lot of mattresses that costs under $1,000.
We can only include so much information in a single video. Below is more information about the Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress.
Brooklyn Bedding Company Policies
One factor that often gets neglected when shopping for a mattress online is the brand's policies. Specifically, I'm talking about shipping, returns, trial periods and warranties. The standard for the bed-in-a-box industry is free shipping, free returns, a 100-night risk-free trial period, and a 10-year warranty. Brooklyn Bedding, for the most part, matches that standard, but they also go above and beyond in certain respects.
The Brooklyn Signature ships for free and arrives at your door compressed in a box. Once you un-pack, un-roll, and let the mattress fully inflate, the company gives you 120-nights to test out the bed.
Now, if you're counting, Brooklyn gives you an extra 20 days more than the industry standard. And let's face it, four full months is more than long enough to decide whether you like the mattress or not.
If, after the mandatory 30 days, you do decide the Signature is not for you though, no problem, just give the company a call and they will arrange for someone to come pick it up from your house and issue you a full refund. The whole return process shouldn't take more than 8-14 days.
Lastly, Brooklyn Bedding backs their mattresses with a 10-year warranty. You can find the full details regarding what the warranty covers on the company's website.
Price Of The Signature Mattress
The Brooklyn Signature mattress is pretty much priced right down the middle of the fairway for the bed-in-a-box industry. It's pricing is very close to other popular bed in a box brands like Leesa and Casper. However, given the high-quality construction of the bed and the fact that it's a hybrid (includes pocketed coils), we actually think the Signature model a very good value overall. Here's how the pricing for each size breaks down:
|Price (MSRP)
|Twin XL
|King / Cal King
Good news for you, though, Brooklyn Bedding is fairly aggressive with promotions. They almost always offer some sort of coupon code or special sale to make the mattress even cheaper. Typically, you can expect to save around $100-$200 of your purchase. However, sometimes the company offers even larger discounts around certain holidays. Make sure to check the green coupon box on the right hand side of the page to see if they're currently running a sale. Alternatively, you can always check BrooklynBedding.com for current offers and discounts.
Why Your Weight Matters For This Bed
Your body type and how much you weigh affect your mattress and how you sleep in more ways than you think. For example,feel, firmness, temperature regulation, and support are just a few of the factors that are affected by weight. In our reviews, we write through the body of an average size person (150-250 lb), however, as we've implied, things change slightly depending on your weight.
Heavier folks (250+ lb), will generally feel like most mattresses are a tad softer than average size people. This is because heavier sleepers exert more stress and pressure on a mattress and sink into the bed quite a bit more. Also, because heavier people tend to sink in more, they might find that the top layers on a lot mattresses sort of hug them and as a result, they'll warm up more than a medium size person.
On the flip side, petite sleepers (under 150 lb), will feel like most mattresses are on the firmer side of the spectrum. This is true because unlike heavy sleepers, petite sleepers place very little stress on a bed and sleep more on top of the mattress. For example, one of our team members, who weighs around 100 lb, sometimes has trouble discerning between different types of foams because she literally doesn't sink in, at all. As a result, lighter sleepers tend sleep a tad bit cooler because mattresses really don't hug them.
We'll discuss which body types the Brooklyn Signature mattress is best for later in the review. Still, it's always important to keep your weight top of mind as your research new beds.
What Is The Brooklyn Signature Mattress Made Of?
Before we jump into how the Signature mattress is constructed, it's important to note that this mattress is available in three different firmness levels: soft, medium (best seller), and firm. The firmness level you choose will slightly change how the bed is constructed.
The mattress starts with a 1″ layer of dense support foam on the bottom. This simply acts as the base for the bed and gives the coils above something to sit on. On top of the support foam is a layer of 6″ individually pocketed coils. This layer gives the bed a strong support structure, as coils provide more support and are just more durable than the typical support foams a lot of bed-in-a-box mattresses use.
Sitting on top of the coils is a 2″ layer of Energex foam, which acts as a transition from the supportive coils below. This is the layer that differs slightly depending on the firmness level (soft, medium or firm) you choose.
Finally, on top is a 2″ layer of what Brooklyn calls their "TitanFlex Comfort" foam. This is a patented hyper-elastic proprietary foam that is soft yet responsive. As you will find out below, it has more of a neutral, soft foam feel.
Encasing the layers of foam and coils is a quilted, non-removable foam cover with stretch knit cotton fabric. As mentioned, this is a non-removable cover, meaning if you spill something on it or it somehow gets dirty, you'll just have to settle with spot cleaning the mattress with some water and a mild detergent. I will say, though, this bed looks very premium. You can tell Brooklyn Bedding takes pride in their manufacturing processes.
Our Firmness Ratings For Brooklyn Signature
As we stated earlier, the Brooklyn Signature mattress has a soft, neutral foam feel. It's extremely comfortable and the top layer is very responsive (you don't get any of that stuck-in-the-mud feeling). What's also nice is that the pocketed coils give the bed a little bounce, which a lot of sleepers like. Given the coils and how responsive the top layer is, most sleepers will find it very easy to switch between sleeping positions.
When it comes to firmness, it's really going to depend on which model you select. We tested the medium option, which is Brooklyn's flagship model, and we thought it landed around a medium-soft to medium on our firmness scale.
If you opt for the soft version, it will indeed be soft, while the firm model is about a medium-firm. Again though, the medium option is the most popular firmness level of the three. Here is a short video where Jeff on our team describes the feel and firmness of the different models.
We hope the video was helpful. Let's now get into which types of sleepers will like the Brooklyn Signature mattress.
Sleep Styles: Side, Stomach & Back
The Brooklyn Signature is a great option for side sleepers. We actually think the medium option is just fine for people that spend the majority of their time on their side.
The top layer is very soft and provides a lot of pressure relief for your hips and shoulders. If you're a medium or large sized side sleeper, we'd recommend sticking with this medium firmness option. However, if you're petite or even on the smaller-end of the average category, you may want to think about going with the soft option for added pressure relief.
I'll just go ahead and spoil it for you – we think the Brooklyn Signature is great for all kinds of sleepers, as well as all body types. For back and stomach sleepers in particular, we'd recommend sticking with the medium or firm option, though.
Although all three options have coils, which obviously provide great support, the medium and firm options will be best because they have a firmer, denser transition foam layer. If you're 250 lb or more, you'll probably want to go with the firm option, though, to keep the sinkage under your hips and trunk minimal.
We'd recommend most combo sleepers go with medium option. This model provides the best balance between pressure relief and support as you switch between your side, back, and stomach. Again though, your weight matters. Super heavy combo sleepers may think about the firm option while more petite combo sleepers may be able to get away with the soft option.
Small And Average Size People
You can bet that small and average sized individuals will sleep great on this bed. The mattress offers a very nice balance between being soft and comfortable, yet also providing the necessary support for people that weigh 150 lb or less.
Is The Signature An Option For Larger Sized People?
No… just kidding. Yes it is. Just seeing if you're still awake. This is a hybrid mattress so you know the support will be there. Again, in general, heavier folks will most likely want to seek out beds with coils, as they're known for providing bi-directional support (i.e. the coils compress but also provide some push back). Coils are also just more durable than foam and give the bed a little bounce, which will help big people switch sleeping positions a little easier.
However, we would recommend large size people probably stick with the firm model. Heavy people will most likely sink down through the top foam layers a little too much on the soft or medium firmness options.
Important Factors For Couples
The two factors that are particularly important for couples are edge support and motion isolation. Let's first start with edge support, which is important for partners who share a bed because often times one partner will roll over and start hogging the middle of the bed, leaving the other partner to fend for themselves on the edge. It's these types of situations where you need the perimeter of the bed to still properly support you.
Overall, the Brooklyn Signature mattress gets a passing grade in this department. As you would expect, the edge support gets better as you increase the firmness level. In other words, the firm model will provide the best edge support out of the three beds. Still, we think couples who prefer to spread out while sleeping will be just fine on the edges regardless of the model they choose.
As for motion isolation, the Signature mattress is surprisingly efficient for a coil mattress.
A lot of this has to do with the fact that the Signature uses pocketed coils, as opposed to a traditional innerspring system. Effectively, this means the coils act independently from one another, which helps to isolate motion. This is important for people who share a bed with an active sleeper. The better a mattress is at deadening or isolating motion, the less you'll feel your partner's movements, which will hopefully lead to a more restful night of sleep.
Sleeping Temperature For The Signature Mattress
As far as temperature regulation, we'd say this mattress sleeps temperature neutral. This mattress won't actively keep you cool (it's not cool to the touch) but it also won't warm up to the point where you'll be sweating like you just played a game of basketball.
However, there are a couple exceptions. If you're a heavier person and you do choose either the soft or medium option, you'll find that you'll sink into the mattress quite a bit a more and thus will start to warm up a little. Therefore, if you're a big person and you tend to heat up at night, we'd recommend going with the firm version. Big folks will sleep more on top of the firm version and thus have a better chance at staying cool throughout the night. But hey, we realize some people actually like sleeping warm, so if that's you, more power to you.
Brooklyn Bedding Reviews: Summary Verdict
Overall, we are big fans of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress. It made several of our best lists for a reason. It's a thick, durable mattress that has a neutral, soft foam feel that the majority of people seem to really find comfortable. Add in the kicker than you can choose your own firmness level and that it's ideal for all body types, and you can start to understand why we rate it so highly.
How The Brooklyn Signature Mattress Compares
Now that you made it to the end of this review, you may naturally be curious as to how the Brooklyn Signature compares to other popular bed-in-a-box mattresses. We won't spoil all the details for you but here's a quick snippet of how it stacks up to the competition. For more detail, you can always visit our in-depth mattress comparisons page.
Nectar – While the Brooklyn Signature mattress is considered a hybrid, the popular Nectar bed-in-a-box is made entirely of foam. To be specific, the Nectar mattress contains multiple layers of memory foam, which (big shock) gives the bed more of a memory foam feel compared to the Brooklyn Signature. Also, it's worth noting that the Nectar mattress is bit more affordable than the Brooklyn Signature bed. All in all, if you're looking for a budget-friendly memory foam bed, then you may want to check out Nectar.
Layla – The Layla mattress is different than the Brooklyn Signature mattress in a couple different respects. First, like Nectar, it has more of a memory foam feel than a neutral-foam feel. Next, the Layla mattress is double-sided meaning you can sleep on either side of the bed. One side is soft (designed for side sleepers) and one side is slightly firmer (designed for back and stomach sleepers). All things considered, the Layla mattress is a great option for memory foam fans that want multiple firmness options.
Brooklyn Bedding Soft Review
If you're a big fan of soft mattresses, then the Brooklyn Bedding Signature soft model is right up your alley. Overall, we think this model lands right around a soft to medium-soft on our firmness scale. As such, we think the Brooklyn Signature soft mattress is best for side sleepers seeking a good amount of pressure relief.
Brooklyn Bedding Firm Review
If a plush mattress isn't your thing, don't worry, Brooklyn Bedding has you covered. They also offer a firm model to appease folks who want or need extra lumbar support. This is part of the reason why we like Brooklyn Bedding so much…they simply have a mattress for everyone. Overall, we think the Brooklyn Signature firm mattress lands around a medium-firm on our firmness scale making it an excellent option for back and stomach sleepers.
Review team
McKenzie Dillon
Combo Sleeper
Owen Poole
Side Sleeper
Wesley Ott
Combo Sleeper
JD Christison
Combo Sleeper
We were sent the Signature mattress from Brooklyn Bedding in order to create this review. As always, we did not accept any money from Brooklyn Bedding or any other brand to review this mattress. We review products independently and without the input from brands.
No, this hybrid mattress is not designed to be flipped. However, it is good practice to rotate your mattress every 4-6 months to help prevent sagging and body impressions.
Generally speaking, it will take around a month or two to fully break-in the Signature mattress. For this reason, the company requires you test the mattress for at least 30 days before deciding whether to return it or not.
Yes, Brooklyn Bedding does operate several showrooms located throughout the United States. However, the locations are very limited. Most of the showrooms are located in Arizona. If you live in one of the other 49 states, you'll most likely need to rely on the company's generous risk-free trial period in order to test the mattress.
Yes, Brooklyn Bedding ships their mattresses to Alaska and Hawaii. However, the company does charge a shipping fee to service these locations. Shipping costs start at $125 per mattress. Right now, the company only ships to consumers who reside within the United States or Canada.
Brooklyn Signature is an innerspring mattress. It has pocket coils for support and proprietary foams for comfort.
It is made in the USA. Brooklyn makes all of their mattresses in Phoenix, Arizona.
Brooklyn Signature is available in 3 firmness options: Soft, Medium, and Firm. The Medium option is the most popular and it's about a 5/10 on the firmness scale.
Yes. This bed come with free shipping and free returns. Also a 120-night risk-free trial period.
Most box springs, platforms, slats, and adjustable bases will work with the Brooklyn Signature mattress.


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Earlier this week were mental health awareness day and national coming out day. I missed both, so here's my catch up post.
Almost everyone has to deal with mental health issues every day, whether it's ourselves, a family member or close friend.
For as long as I can remember I have suffered the kind of low level anxiety that impacts on my life but isn't serious enough to be clinical or warrant seeking medical help. I have a collection of minor neuroses that are really only annoying. I suspect most people have something similar to some degree.
In fact, I suspect most psychological disorders exist on a spectrum. Even the most apparently well-adjusted individuals will have triggers that make their heart race and put them on the verge of panic. We all have down days when we can't be bothered with the world and just want to stay in and not talk to anyone.
I don't mean to belittle anxiety or depression – quite the opposite. I'm telling you that if you suffer seriously from any mental health problem, you're not weird, just human, and a little further from the middle of the bell curve.
The best analogy might be physical ailments: sciatica perhaps, or fibromyalgia. Lots of people suffer pain of some sort, but it's only a problem when it starts to interfere with our lives. Standing up slowly to avoid jolting a tender spine doesn't stop us going out and getting on with life, but lying flat in bed because every movement is agony is different only in degree, not substance.
Now the coming out bit. I was closeted and married to a woman until five years ago when I came out aged forty nine.
The coming out process was stressful for a while, as I gradually told various people, never certain of what response to expect (Everybody, bar none, has been totally accepting and encouraging), but it has been brilliant for my mental health in the long run.
Being open about myself has made me realise how hard it was all those years, self editing everything I said or did. It's exhausting. I'm much more calm these days. I've never felt better.
The honesty about my sexuality has had an unexpected side effect though: I'm more open now about my mental health issues.
My ocd, intrusive thoughts and social anxiety haven't vanished, but not hiding it means I no longer need to be anxious about my anxiety.
I used to go to parties and work nights out and similar events, and pretend to enjoy myself. I felt that I had to so I wouldn't be the weird antisocial guy. I've given that up. These days I just say no, and, if necessary, explain that attending would make me anxious and I'm no longer willing to put myself through that just to blend in. People understand, and even if they don't they still accept it. It's so easy I don't understand why I didn't do it years ago. That's not right – I do understand. I was afraid if being ostracised, afraid of the stigma of having a psychological disorder. If I sometimes walk oddly or take irregular steps so that my left foot will be the first on a staircase, I no longer try to hide it or worry about people thinking I'm odd.
EVERYBOY is odd. EVERYBODY is normal. Being lgbt or having mental health issues no longer carry the stigma they once did, except in certain groups and individuals who haven't quite caught up with the 21st century.


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Every year our club provides communications support for the Hard Rock 100 Mile Endurance Race. These hardy hams staffed the Ouray and Governor's Basin aid stations. The club trailer, shown in the picture, was used at the Ouray aid station. This race is considered an "elite class" race and people come from all over the world to participate. The race officials were delighted we were there to provide essential communications, and showered us each with a tee shirt, hoodie, and all the food we could eat.
Other club members participated at other aid stations.


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Wouldn't you rather sleep in than wake up early to style your hair? Yeah, us too. If you don't have time to style your hair in the morning (or you just don't want to), ask your hairstylist for a low-maintenance hairstyle. Think beyond braids and twists: these easy-care hairstyles are wash-and-go for any hair type. Whether your hair is curly, thick, fine or wavy, with the right low-maintenance style, you can have many more great hair days with a lot less effort.
The Best Low-Maintenance Hairstyles by Hair Type
Thick Hair
So many women wish they had thick hair. But thick hair can be difficult to style. When cut too short, thick hair can look poofy, so we recommend longer lengths for thick hair.
Ask your stylist for long layers. Layers will speed up drying time and add movement to thick hair. Plus, layers keep thick hair from heavy looking and shapeless.
To style long, thick layers, first spray hair with a leave-in conditioner and then detangle with a wide-toothed comb. Thick hair can take a long time to air dry, so rough dry with a blowdryer for a few minutes to give it a head start. If your thick hair is also coarse and dry, use a diffuser attachment on your blowdryer.
Fine or Thin Hair
Unlike with thick hair, women with fine or thin hair can embrace their natural hair texture with a blunt haircut. A one-length cut makes fine hair look thicker without adding a lot of styling time.
Too-long lengths can weigh down thin hair and make it look limp and lifeless so ask your hairstylist for a cut just below the shoulders, which is short enough to keep hair voluminous, while staying long enough to pull it back into a ponytail (a must for hot summer days).
To style fine hair at home, comb a small amount of thickening styling serum like Viviscal Gorgeous Growth Densifying Elixir through damp hair and allow hair to air dry. Part hair in the center and tuck behind ears to give it a natural, heat-free bend when it dries.
If you've embraced your fine hair but still wish your strands were a little thicker, add a hair growth supplement like Viviscal to your daily routine. Viviscal supplement replenishes hair follicles with necessary nutrients to grow thicker, healthier-looking hair in as little as three months.*
Wavy Hair
The pixie is a great short haircut for women with wavy hair. Although maintaining a pixie cut requires more frequent trips to the salon for trims, the day-to-day styling is basically wash-and-go. Just use a little hair wax to add shape and texture to hair, and that's it!
If you prefer to keep your hair longer, then a shoulder-length, shaggy lob is the perfect low-maintenance hairstyle for wavy hair. To work with your naturally beachy hair texture, spritz damp hair with sea salt spray. Then scrunch and allow to air dry for natural waves without frizziness.
Curly Hair
Long lengths help keep curls under control. Ask your hairstylist for long layers especially in the front, which will remove some of the bulk from curly hair. If you wear wash-and-go styles often, consider going to a stylist who specializes in Deva Cuts, which is a technique of cutting curly hair while it's dry to maximize natural curls and maintain the overall shape of the hair.
If you prefer shorter hair, the textured, curly pixie is also gaining popularity. Ask your hairstylist for a short pixie cut. To style a curly pixie at home, apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair and then air dry.
Low-Maintenance Hairstyling Tips
- Avoid bangs. While a fringe is cute, it requires daily styling. If you already have bangs, consider growing them out to the point where they can be parted in the middle. This style is on-trend and way easier to style than a full fringe.
- Learn how to braid. Once you get the hang of it, a French or fishtail braid takes only minutes to style but looks vastly more time-consuming. Plus, braids are less damaging for hair than a tight ponytail or bun.
- Use Toppik™ Hair Building Fibers to add instant volume to thin hair and even cover root show-through between visits to the colorist. The Fibers are statically charged to cling to each individual hair strand, building natural-looking thickness in a matter of seconds.
- A dry shampoo like Batiste™ is an easy way to extend yesterday's hairstyle into today. Spritz into roots, allow a minute or two for it to absorb, and then brush out for refreshed hair.
Remember: the key to having an easy haircut is learning to love your natural hair texture. Whether your hair is fine or thick, straight or curly, embrace your natural hair type and find a cut that enhances it. Your hair is part of what makes you unique.


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Sunday mornings growing up were usually spent getting ready for church and eating pillsbury cinnamon rolls which were a wonderful warm and gooey treat that i would look forward to. Another morning ritual was watching or listening to CBS Sunday Morning. That long standing show has always offered me just enough meaningful news along with a heartwarming story of determination or survival and always a story on an artist in some type form either, music, writer or visual art. I to this day love this show and my husband and I DVR the show to watch at our leisure. My daughter also as well, recently told me that she has always loved this show. The show has always ended with 60 seconds of noises in nature as they show a place in the U.S. of pure beauty and stillness or tranquility. It's in those 60 seconds that I am amazed at how much as americans we need to stop and take in our remarkable freedom to have all of this perfection of nature that we are free to explore.
My daughter told me yesterday that she had not watched the news in a month and feels better for it. I believe our 24 hour news is starting to backfire on many Americans. Truly when Walter Cronkite would come on and give us 30 minues of news, most families including children watched the news with their parents and they had a real feel for what was going on in the world. I feel as a child, i knew more important facts about the world good and bad than todays teens do. Now, each news station tries to sensationalize everything into a sharp exageration. Im not saying that we should stick our heads in the sand, but I feel all the negativity displayed or heard is making people avoid the news altogether or creating pessimism in our lives.
If every evening I could turn into a news program resembling Sunday Morning, with real news for the first half and then a feel good story and then a minute of natures beauty to bring us all back to a greater since of a real world. The reality is, there has always been good and evil, love and hate, republicans and democrats, ups and downs in the stock market but on the flip side there will always be so much good. I'm aiming for Optimism. We need as americans to be reminded daily of a humanity deemed in faith, hope and peace. So I leave you this morning with this sixty second view of beauty from the perfect Appalachian Mountains. Have a great Sunday!


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A friend expressed the desire to have a "Viking banner", and so I volunteered to take on that task. As the information is sparse for a quick research task, I designed a more generic banner that would fit in general conventions and styles of 900-1100 Scandinavia rather than a specific time, place, or single culture.
The recipient did not have a device registered yet (being new and all), but they were in the process of designing things with the three primary colours (good choice, very striking!). The recipient also expressed the desire to have a raven, which is convenient since Vikings (and Odin) are all about ravens.
In Viking cultures, Odin had two ravens, Huginn ("thought") and Muninn ("memory"), who brought messages to him from around the world of all that they saw and heard. Despite being associated with being covered in the blood of those fallen in battle and other gruesome imagery, early Scandinavians generally regarded ravens as a positive figure because battle and harsh justice were favourable in this period.
After a little bit of research, I came across an article by the Viking Answer Lady on the famous Raven Banners. According to this article, the Raven Banner was the personal banner of various Viking Chieftains. These banners were probably symbolic of Odin, and a raven depicted as having its beak open, wings beating, and legs restless were symbols of war and victory.
In the tenth century, there are two examples of ravens minted on coins by Olaf Cuaran around 940. The first depicts a large raven with its wings displayed (Figure 1), and the other depicts what may be a raven banner (Figure 2).
Making the Banner
The references (see bottom of page) suggest that the banners mentioned in literature are relatively plain in colour and design. The use of colour was possibly quite important to Viking cultures, signalling household allegiances. The most commonly used colours used in household display appear to have been red, yellow, and black. This was a convenient link to the recipients colour choices. The only dubious colour was the blue because it potentially had strong ties with death to some Viking cultures.
Whilst it was mentioned in the references that plain silk may have been used for banners, I have come across few references to what the banners were made of. Linen was a common fabric used in early Scandinavia and cotton-linen blend is the most readily available linen at the local fabric shop so I opted to use that to make the banner. As the fabric was rather thin, I made an interfacing of thick calico (a natural fibre, and unseen from the outside of the completed banner).
Having found zero information on the relative size of these sorts of banners, I chose a size that arbitrarily looked to be a useable size (roughly shoulder-to-shoulder… I have broad shoulders, okay).
In terms of how the banners were constructed and decorated, I didn't really find any solid information on that (I didn't spend more than a few hours looking into it though so it is quite likely that there may be something out there that I didn't find). As such, I improvised.
I drew a raven in the style of the coin with wings open and beak raised copied from the design on the coin in Figure 1 – a raven of victory is most certainly the best choice for someone who is enthusiastically getting into heavy combat.
I chose red and blue for the background, parti-coloured, and yellow for the raven motif. This was to stay in line with SCA heraldic conventions (no colours on colours or metals on metals) and in line with the design ideas that the recipient was devising at the time for their personal heraldry submission.
I decided to go with appliqué outlined in chain stitch for the raven motif. Appliqué was certainly used in decoration on clothing, for example, there is evidence of appliqué in clothing designs found in Birka (Priest-Dorman, 1993). Whilst stem stitch was the more common stitch used for the outline of applique on clothing, I decided to use chain-stitch instead. Chain-stitch was certainly found in early Scandinavian embroidery (Priest-Dorman, 1993) and this choice resulted in a thicker outline which looked bolder on the large applique raven, and ensured a large coverage of the edges (to help prevent fraying).
The raven motif was drawn onto an iron-on inter-lining (less messy and similar effectiveness to the animal glues used for appliqué) and ironed onto the back of some yellow cotton-linen. Then, in 8-ply yellow, real wool (the only wool available at the store in long lengths) I outlined the entire thing in chain-stitch.
As with the example in the Bayeux Tapestry (Figure 4), and the banner depicted on the coin (Figure 2), I wanted to have a different colour along the non-hoist edge of the banner. In order to avoid clashing with the three primary colours, I chose black for the contrasting edge.
I used whip-stitch as the predominant construction stitch, executed with cotton thread (in lieu of linen thread). This was used because whip-stitch was a commonly-used construction stitch in and around the Viking era (Denmark, Scotland, Hedeby, York, Ireland; shirts, hoods, pouches, etc; 9th-11th centuries – Baker, 2009).
This banner took me approximately 50 hours to cut out, sew, applique, and embroider and there is quite a lot of hand-sewing in it (the only machine sewing used was to sew the mid-line join of blue to red, and overlocking some of the edges to prevent fraying). It has a tubular hoist along the top, and three ties along the side to allow various methods for hanging.
Baker, Jennifer (2009). Stitches and Seam Techniques Seen on Dark Age/Medieval Garments in Various Museum Collections.
The British Museum. Search the Collections. Last accessed December 2016.
Priest-Dorman, Carolyn (2000). Personal Display for Viking Age Personae: A Primer for Use in the SCA.
Priest-Dorman, Carolyn (2000). Viking Embroidery Stitches and Motifs.
Ward, Christie. The Raven Banner and Other Viking Banners. Last accessed 7.12.2016.


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Children's Wigs
For children who are afflicted by cancer, one of the more devastating issues they have to deal with beyond the disease itself is the side effects of the treatments that they have to endure. Chemotherapy may help to wipe out the disease, but it also wipes out their hair which for most children makes it very hard to fit in with their peers and feel comfortable.
At Gabi's Wigs we have decades of experience with providing wigs for kids and will assist you in finding the right wig for your child.
Buying a wig for a child may be the best way help them keep their self-esteem during this trying time in their life. Before your child goes in for their first treatment you should take the time to save a fair sized lock of their hair. This will help them find a wig when the time comes that most closely resembles the color of their own hair, should that be what they want to do.
There are many different types and styles of wigs available for the cancer patient. Some are made with Real Human Hair, others are Synthetic/Human Hair Blend.
Contact us to schedule an appointment for a free consultation. We are sure to leave you and your child with a positive experience


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Hand Over Fist
by Michael Ross
GENRE: Thriller
When an old friend disappears, Martin learns nothing is what it seems…
Martin Russell can barely face the future. With dismal life prospects and an estranged family, he is at the end of his rope. When an old friend, Hannah, elbows her way back into his life, Martin's luck begins to turn around.
Hidden within the shadows of evil, there must be some good…
Ex-policeman Bobby Tanner lost everything one rage-filled night. Now he runs a reading group for alcoholics where he meets a young drug dealer, Zack, who disturbs him in a way that's hard to define. Bobby soon discovers the teenager is in over his head and has been dealing with a despicable individual known as The Chemist.
The roots of evil run deeper than we imagine…
Martin's lucky streak begins to unravel when Hannah suddenly goes missing, and he turns to a friend of a friend, Bobby, for help. Thrust into an underworld empire of corruption and half-truths, he learns his friend may not be who he thought she was.
In a shadowed world of deception, stalkers, and despicable drug dealers, Bobby and Martin must uncover the truth, and fast…
Several lives depend on it.
A large part of The Chemist's wealth came from something that started out as a petty sideline but now provided an ever increasing income—money lending, loan sharking, pawn broking. It served a double purpose. Obviously it created wealth, but it also increased the footfall of deprived humanity passing through the front door of Shortcross Drive. This meant that when the police did a stop-and-search on visitors leaving The Chemist's house, all they found were small amounts of cash in new white envelopes. Positive feedback within the local police force went up the line, and it was duly noted that local drug related problems were on the decline. Statistics made fine reading at County Hall and everyone was happy. No matter how much Mario increased the interest rates to his borrowers, people paid their debts. It was an undisputed fact. No matter how much financial difficulty The Chemist's borrowers were in, they always found a way to pay up. If anybody at County Hall had bothered to correlate the figures, they could
surely not have missed the numbers showing that criminal break-ins and burglaries within a twenty mile radius had increased even more markedly.
The largest amount Mario had ever lent to one person was £1,000. It went to a young local tearaway who was quite happy to agree to repay Mario the sum of £1,200 within three days. The young thug duly turned up on the Friday with the cash and a nice bottle of champagne to go with it. Next day, while Mario was sitting down with his copy of The Sun, he read that there had been a robbery at a Post Office in the Peak District, and that the Post Mistress was in a coma after being attacked with a sledge hammer. The paper stated that the thieves got away with over £6,000. Mario felt something akin to parental pride. Mario carried on lending monkeys and tons to his regulars until he received a phone call that came out of the blue. The request came as something of a shock, even to Mario's fireproof ears.
"Hello, my name's Jeremy. I'd rather not go into any more detail over the phone, but I was given your name by Eddie Parsons."
Eddy Parsons, The Peak District thief.
The rather snooty voice continued, "I want to borrow ten-thousand pounds for ten days. I can pay you back the second of next month. Guaranteed."
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
It was a strange and twisting road that led to the publication of my first novel. From my humble beginnings, as an office clerk, to ownership of a multi-million dollar business I always maintained my love for literature.
Born and raised in Bristol, England. I spent most of my life in business, my companies turning over in the region of $500 million. The majority of that time marketing cars, eventually owning the largest Saab specialist in the world, before a bitter divorce forced me rethink my priorities. Particularly between 2003 and 2005 when I had to accept that I was no longer a millionaire but literally penniless. I avoided bankruptcy by the skin of my teeth and slowly rebuilt my life.
This led me to the life changing decision to leave the bustling city and move to live halfway up a mountain in the Welsh valleys. At the same time I started a part time six year English Literature course at Bristol University, and attended creative writing classes at Cardiff University. I left school at sixteen and this was my first taste of further education and an immense challenge.
I eventually adjusted my thinking to the academic life, and on 30 June 2015 had confirmation of my 2.1(Hons) degree from Bristol University. At the same time I also won the prestigious Hopkins Prize for my essay on Virginia Woolf and the unsaid within her text. Now the university courses are finished it will, with any luck, gives me plenty of extra time that I can devote to my fiction writing.
Thanks to the university experiences, my interest in English literature has flourished over recent years. Hopefully I have evolved as a writer from my earlier work in short stories (over ninety of them.) Although interestingly my first three novels have all been developed from a long forgotten short story.
Life is, once again, very good, and I live very happily halfway up a mountain, in the Welsh Valleys, with my wonderful partner Mari, and our rescue dog Wolfie.
Facebook www.facebook.com/michaelross.writer
Twitter @mikerosswriter
Website www.michaelrosswriter.com
Blog http://mikerosswriter.wordpress.com.
Goodreads Mike Ross
Michael will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:


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Blood and water cannot flow together: Modi after reviewing Indus Waters Treaty
Published: 26th September 2016 06:36 PM | Last Updated: 26th September 2016 06:38 PM | A+A A-
NEW DELHI: "Blood and water cannot flow together," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today as he chaired a review meeting of 56-year-old Indus Water Treaty during which it was decided that India will "exploit to the maximum" the water of Pakistan-controlled rivers, including Jhelum, as per the water sharing pact.
Held amidst heightened tension between the India and Pakistan, the meeting also decided to set up a inter- ministerial task forces to go into the details and working of the Treaty with a "sense of urgency", senior government sources said.
Attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, the Water Resources Secretary, and senior PMO officials, the meeting also noted that the meeting of Indus Water Commission can "only take place in atmosphere free of terror". The Commission has held 112 meetings so far.
"Prime Minister's Modi's message at the meeting was that 'rakt aur paani ek saath nahin beh sakta' (blood and water cannot flow together)," sources said.
Apart from deciding to exploit to the maximum the capacity of three of the rivers that are under Pakistan's control - Indus, Chenab and Jhelum-- in the areas of hydro power, irrigation and storage, the meeting also agreed to review the "unilateral suspension" of Tulbul navigation project in 1987.
The sources asserted that the decision to maximise the water resources for irrigation will address the "pre-existing" sentiment of people of Jammu and Kashmir, who have complained in the past about the treaty not being fair to them.
The meeting came as India weighed its options to hit back at Pakistan in the aftermath of the Uri attack that left 18 soldiers dead, triggering demands that the government scrap the water distribution pact to mount pressure on that country.
Under the treaty, which was signed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan President Ayub Khan in September 1960, water of six rivers - Beas, Ravi, Sutlej, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum - were to be shared between the two countries.
Pakistan has been complaining about not receiving enough water and gone for international arbitration in a couple of cases.


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Starting approximately next week, the SPR will attempt to feature a bi-weekly (i.e., occasional, between issues) round-up of news from its former contributors and operatives, including recent publications, announcements, awards, events, etc. This column will be called "________" (title to come). So, if you're a previous contributor or wearer and have some recentish news about you or someone else from the SPR that you'd like to share, and that you think missed the eagle eye of our curator (rare), then please email us at safetypinreview [at] gmail [dot] com with the info and we'll be sure to include it. Hit us up and LET'S PUBLICIZE THE PEOPLE WE LOVE.
So come on. Let's do it. PUSH THE WHEEL OF LOVE. (This will probably be the title now.)
We are doing this because we are a huge enormous family. DISPATCH FROM A HUGE ENORMOUS FAMILY. (This could also be the title.)
LASSO OF LOVE (round-up, get it?).
In all likelihood, this will change titles every time.


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ABC/Image Group LA Right now, Lindsay Ell is enjoying her first top-30 hit in the U.S. with "Criminal," and she'll soon be hitting the road with Keith Urban in her native Canada.
Lindsay will first take the stage with the Aussie superstar August 15 in Rogers, Arkansas, before kicking off seven shows in the Great White North, starting September 14 in Ottawa.
"It's not very often you get to share the stage with an artist you've looked up to since the beginning of your career," Lindsay says. "I am SO excited to be touring with Keith Urban and can't wait to play for fans in the venues I grew up in!"
Kelsea Ballerini is opening the rest of the concerts on the Graffiti U World Tour, beginning June 15 in St. Louis, Missouri.
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