This revolutionary switch is designed in Los Angeles, California, and named after the California grizzly bear, Arctos.
Dont forget to order your USB block as well.
The filament that we will be using to print the case is Proto-pasta carbon fiber PLA. Due to its excellent layer adhesion, it creates the beautiful matte black finish.


text:
Lottie Moon's home church reinvigorated to fulfill the Great Commission
By Ann Lovell
By: Ann Lovell	December 17, 2019
Missions is alive and well at First Baptist Church Park Street in Charlottesville, Virginia. This should come as no surprise, given that the church, founded in 1831, is home to one of Southern Baptists' most famous international missionaries — Lottie Moon.
Charlotte "Lottie" Diggs Moon was born Dec. 12, 1840, in Albemarle County, Virginia. Charlottesville is the county seat. In 1857, John Broadus, pastor of First Baptist Park Street, preached a revival service at the Albemarle Female Institute, which he founded. A young, rebellious Lottie Moon attended the service and surrendered her life to Christ. She was baptized at FBC Park Street, Dec. 22, 1858.
God continued to work in Lottie's life, and in 1873 she sailed for China where she served as a Baptist missionary until her death in 1912. In 1888, at Lottie's encouragement and under the leadership of Woman's Missionary Union, Southern Baptists started an annual offering for international missions. In 1919, the offering was named The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® in Lottie's memory. In 2018, Southern Baptist churches gave $157.3 million to the annual offering to support nearly 3,700 IMB missionaries serving around the world.
But First Baptist Park Street doesn't intend to rest on the 150-year-old legacy of Lottie Moon or John Broadus. Instead, under the leadership of Senior Pastor Rob Pochek, the church has been reinvigorated to move forward in giving to international missions and sending missionaries to the nations.
"At First Baptist Church, we are humbled that God brought Lottie Moon to faith in Christ under the ministry of Dr. John A. Broadus while he served as pastor here," Pochek said. "Being Lottie Moon's 'home church' is a legacy we desire to keep alive, not in order to gain some glory from it for us, but to motivate us to raise up the next generation of missionaries who will take the gospel to the ends of the earth."
REINVIGORATED FOR THE GREAT COMMISSION
Since Pochek arrived in 2016, the church has commissioned three families to serve in countries around the world, said Daniel Chambers, the church's director of communications and connections. The church is also involved in evangelistic efforts around Charlottesville and regularly sends mission teams regionally to southwest Virginia and internationally to Guatemala.
Through their annual Vacation Bible School, children in kindergarten through sixth grade also collect offerings to help fund the church's missions efforts. Last year, the church received almost $3,600 in VBS offerings for projects in Guatemala, Chambers said.
Dr. Rob Pochek (foreground), senior pastor of FBC Park Street Charlottesville, prays for the nations during the Dec. 15 morning service with IMB president Paul Chitwood and deacon Chuck Ward.
And then, there's the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
Last year, FBC Park Street set an ambitious goal of $50,000, Chambers said. They exceeded that goal by more than $30,000. This year, the church decided to double last year's goal — to $100,000. Within the first two weeks of the December emphasis, church members have already given more than half that amount.
"Practically speaking, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is one indispensable tool that keeps the cause of international missions before us and helps us support those who are currently living out Lottie's legacy," Pochek said.
Speaking in the church's morning service Dec. 15, IMB President Paul Chitwood thanked the church for giving and going to the nations.
"It is a blessing for me to come here and say, 'Thank you,' on behalf of 3,700 IMB missionaries and their 2,880 children, who are taking the gospel to the nations by way of your support," Chitwood said.
Chitwood affirmed the importance of the legacy of Lottie Moon while also reminding the church of the work yet to be done to reach a lost world with the gospel.
"Even this year with such a lofty goal of $100,000 to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, the legacy of mission faithfulness that was to some degree birthed here in this church among Southern Baptists … has not been lost," Chitwood said.
"It continues to be lived out, and that's important because there is still work to do. There are among the nations 155,252 lost people who die every single day. That's obviously not lost on you as you pray and give and go."
Preaching from Isaiah 56:1-8, Chitwood challenged the congregation to examine the question: "Why are you here?" and focused on the plight of unbelievers and the promises and purposes of God. He reminded the congregation that Christians remain on earth after their salvation for a reason — to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not know Him.
"I'm thankful for a faithful pastor who held a revival service at an all-girls school," Chitwood said, referring to Lottie Moon's salvation experience. "John Broadus had no way of knowing that one of the young ladies who listened to his sermon would trust Christ that night and go on to become the most famous missionary in the history of the IMB. But he knew the plight of every girl and every boy without Christ."
IMB President Paul Chitwood thanks the church for continuing the legacy of their most famous Southern Baptist missionary, Lottie Moon, in a sermon Dec. 15. Moon was baptized by Pastor John Broadus at FBC Park Street Dec. 22, 1858.
Chitwood also challenged the church to keep moving forward to fulfill the Great Commission.
"Church, we are here because they are still out there," Chitwood said. "The Lord has not taken you to heaven. He's left you here with a purpose — to share these promises, to make Him known within your neighborhood and to make Him known among the nations."
"Today I celebrate being in a church with such a rich legacy of doing just that," Chitwood concluded. "But don't pause and don't slow down. The Lord still has you here, and there's a reason. It's to go get those who are out there and bring them in here."
Retracing the Steps of Lottie Moon: In this episode of Missions History Podcast, the tenth president of IMB, Jerry Rankin, recounts his journey as he retraced the steps of Lottie Moon.
View Dr. Chitwood's full sermon here.
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® is a registered trademark of Woman's Missionary Union. Give to this offering through your church or by visiting imb.org/lmco.
Ann Lovell is editorial design manager at IMB.
Caroline Anderson | December 6 2019
God's Grace Overcomes Duty in Japan, Generations after World War II
William Haun | November 4 2019
The Christian Chiefs of Northern Ghana
Caroline Anderson | January 2 2020
Julie McGowan | May 17 2019
IMB's Chitwood takes concern for global refugees to Capitol Hill

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Excellent composition and a great photo. I would like to know more about this photo. What lens, aperture, shutter,iso was used? Was it bracketed? I would also like to know if you used Lightroom and or Photoshop for this. If so, could you share the process/workflow. Thanks.
Sureal, razor sharp, perfectly composed.. Wow!


Tuttotondo is a brand of toiletries created for daily wellbeing of body and mind. Products, "Designed and Made in Italy", are unusual "postcards" of travel adventures which have taken us on the exploration of the world and the discovery or rare and unusual ingredients: Chinotto from Riviera Ligure, Myrtle from Sardinia, Alpine Herbs from the Dolomites, Prickly Pear from Sicily and Chestnut from Mount Amiata in Tuscany.
These moments of pleasant evasion are designed to offer the body the nutrients that every skin type needs, drawing on the surprises that we have come across in the places that we have visited. Respecting nature and the body, our products are paraben-free. The cleansers contain no sulphites, and the lotions contain no mineral oils or colorants.
The graphics shown on the packaging are created by a young and immensely talented Italian artist: Olimpia Zagnoli. Olimpia's figures are soft, simple and colourful and her style is distinctive and unmistakable.
Discover the world of Tuttotondo!


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Home Biographies and Eulogies Articles and Biographies Olando Rivera "The Warrior"
Olando Rivera "The Warrior"
Olando Rivera has been an elite kick boxer for many years and his accomplishments are extraordinary. He has dominated the world of kick boxing like few others, earning the nickname "The Warrior".
Olando Rivera is a five-time world champion super light heavyweight kick boxer, holding titles in the ISKA (International Sports Karate Association); KICK (Karate International Council of Kickboxing); WWKA (Worldwide Karate Association) and PKF (Professional Kickboxing Federation). Rivera unified the division for the first time in kickboxing history.
Nicknamed "The Warrior", Coach Olando has dominated the world super-light heavyweight class. Holding championship titles with the ISKA (International Sports Karate Association), KICK (Karate International Council of Kickboxing), WWKA (Worldwide Karate Association, P.F.K., WMMA, and boxing titles with the Latin American WBC Boxing Championship, and IBC America.
Rivera's rich professional kickboxing career yielded an impressive record of 32 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw. When you consider the fact that two of the three losses were in his first two professional bouts, his record becomes that much more impressive. he won 29 of his next 30 fights, with 20 of those victories by knockout.
Olando Rivera began his kickboxing career in Brooklyn New York when he was only 9 years old. There he began training in Tae Kwon Do. When his young career was temporarily put on hiatus because his family could no longer afford his training, Rivera was determined to find a way to raise the necessary money himself and by the time he was 13 he was training again.
Since then, "The Warrior" has never looked back as he fought his way to the top of both the boxing and kickboxing worlds.
At the age of 35, Olando Rivera was the youngest person ever inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame.
Olando Rivera also expanded his kickboxing success into the boxing ring and though his boxing career was short by comparison, his career record was 15 wins, 6 losses and 2 draws. He also manged to win the Latin American WBC Championship Boxing title and the IBC America's Title during that time.
Since retiring, Rivera has helped train over 5,000 clients around the world, including a slew of celebrities such as fellow martial artist Wesley Snipes. He also trains and mentors young, up-and-coming fighters.
Olando's Kick Boxing Fitness on the Martial Arts Schools and Businesses Directory.
Olando Rivera currently owns and operates Olando's Kick Boxing Fitness. For more information about Olando Rivera and Olando's Kick Boxing Fitness visit their listing on the Martial Arts Schools and Businesses Directory by clicking on the image on the left.
Olando Rivera and his wife, Deena have a non-profit called Warriors for Autism an organization dedicated to creating programs and services that enlighten, enrich and empower the lives of families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and they operate the Warrior's Sensory Acres.
Warrior's Sensory Acres on the Martial Arts Schools and Businesses Directory.
For more information about Warriors for Autism and Warrior's Sensory Acres visit their listing on the Martial Arts Schools and Businesses Directory by clicking on the image on the right.
Previous articleUnderstanding The Value of Positive Daily Rituals
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Jerome Maida is a martial artist and a freelance writer at the Philadelphia Daily News.
Roland Osborne: Xtreme Martial Arts
USAdojo - June 7, 2003
Ronald Shively Chinese Martial Art
Ronald Shively - September 1, 2013
Elsa Cordero Taekwondo
USAdojo - May 31, 2017


OTTlink™ is a Product of the Year Nominee!
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The awards will be selected by a panel of experts in 15 categories and the winners will be announced during NAB, on April 10 at the Westgate.
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Paul Simon has been named in a lawsuit filed on behalf of his former accountant. But here's the kicker: the accountant, Kenneth Ira Starr, is currently in prison for stealing from Simon and many other celebrities in a Ponzi scheme.
TMZ is reporting that the trustee who was assigned to oversee Starr's finances has uncovered an unpaid bill for services rendered to Simon. The trustee is seeking the amount of the bill, $17,174.49, as well as interest and attorney's fees.
Granted, that amount is chump change compared to the estimated $33 million that Starr stole from his clients, But Starr declared bankruptcy in 2011, just as he was about to be sentenced to seven and one-half years in jail, and the trustee has been going through Starr's books to find money still owed in order to pay his creditors.
In addition to Simon, Starr's list of clients included Al Pacino, Liam Neeson and Warren Beatty.


I am so pleased that we got some comments and creative suggestions to name Bonnie's quilt! We'll have to make a list and share them with you later.
Right now I'd like to show you Kathy's quilt. The pattern is called Jellyroll Race, and it is done in Civil War reproduction fabrics. In case you don't know, a jellyroll is a pack of 2-1/2" strips of fabric, usually coordinated together from the same fabric line/designer. They are nice because you get a variety of fabrics, and they all go nicely together.
I think the quilt turned out beautifully! Kathy chose the Chevron Feather pantograph design (same as my mom's).
This is my second customer quilt. I feel so blessed to have customers! Thanks, Kathy, for allowing me to help finish your lovely quilt. I really enjoyed it.


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Nuclear fusion could solve our energy and environmental problems – Rimbey Review
Nuclear fusion has long been a science fiction fantasy, the holy grail of power generation. But it is quickly approaching reality.
The process involves combining several atomic nuclei to generate energy, just like the sun. It is the opposite of nuclear fission, in which atoms are divided.
Canadian and British innovators are bringing this incredible technology to life and in doing so could unite the warring factions of climate alarmists and climate skeptics.
The production of fusion energy requires less fuel than fission and this fuel is inexpensive. It is a long-term, sustainable source of energy, and the nuclear waste seen with typical nuclear fission power plants is not replicated with fusion power plants.
This technology offers an opportunity to finally stop building wind turbines on all natural sites and solar panels in countries that just don't see as much sun.
And it could offer welcome relief from international climate alarmism and Extinction Rebellion extremism.
Nuclear fission today produces around 10% of the world's energy. According to EUROfusion, a group of research organizations from European Union states, fusion reaction plants could supply about 10 percent more of the world's energy needs. Over time, this number could increase dramatically.
After decades of experimentation, including breakthroughs in 2014 that allowed scientists to generate more energy than they used to create the reaction, researchers believe the technology is ready for the big hours. listen.
This summer, scientists in Los Angeles revealed how lasers the size of three football fields were used to generate enormous amounts of energy from nuclear fusion reactions. Some 200 laser beams were focused on a point to create an explosion of energy eight times the size of any experience in the past.
The UK – newly independent from the European Union – and Canada are leading the way in embracing fusion and preparing for this energy source of the future.
The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) launched a call for proposals for new sites for a prototype fusion power plant in December 2020, and Oxfordshire was selected this year. The plant will be used to prove the viability of a project by Canadian energy company General Fusion.
The factory and associated campus are expected to be completed in 2025 at an estimated cost of US $ 400 million. This is a significant investment but significantly lower than the ITER project of 20 billion euros which was many years behind schedule.
Canadian innovators plan to use mechanical pressure to contain the gigantic amount of heat and plasma generated during the smelting process, rather than the massive electromagnets that other factories are likely to experiment with. Mechanical pistons squeeze fuel from all sides, creating intense pressure that generates heat.
This could be a huge economic boost for the UK and Canada. Not only do nuclear fusion experiments create jobs – with research centers in 26 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Korea and Japan – but these power plants offer long-term opportunities.
Far beyond the possibility of uniting climate skeptics and environmental activists around energy efficiency, fusion nuclear power plants could generate thousands, if not millions of jobs worldwide, in management and the maintenance of these plants to the logistics of fuel and waste and to the manufacture of the plants themselves.
It's the kind of win-win scenario the world needs and another great example of how well an independent Britain can cooperate with Canada. It's greener, cheaper, more efficient and could generate a lot of jobs. These are goals behind which alarmists and climate skeptics can surely unite as the world moves away from fossil fuels for "green" technology that clearly isn't ready.
However, the possibility that nuclear fusion technology can unite factions in government, politics and society depends on the willingness of environmental activists to recognize that solar and wind power are simply not ready for hours. listening and that nuclear technology – even with its historical background – is the right solution.
The rejection of such potential by politicians or activists who influence politicians could boil down to the desire of environmental activists to perpetually protest.
Jack Buckby is Associate Researcher at the Frontier Center for Public Policy.
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text:
The Trial: A BookShot: A Women's Murder Club Story
by James Patterson, Maxine Paetro James Patterson
Paperback(BookShots)
Paperback-$4.99 eBook-$3.99 Audiobook-$0.00 Other Format-$49.99 Audio CD-$10.00 View All Available Formats & Editions
Detective Lindsay Boxer and the Women's Murder Club face an unexpected ripple of violence from an accused murderer in San Francisco.
An accused murderer called Kingfisher is about to go on trial for his life. Or is he? By unleashing unexpected violence on the lawyers, jurors, and police involved in the case, he has paralyzed the city. Detective Lindsay Boxer and the Women's Murder Club are caught in the eye of the storm.
Then, just when they have it figured out, there's a courtroom shocker you'll never see coming.
Lightning-fast stories by James Patterson
Novels you can devour in a few hours
Impossible to stop reading
All original content from James Patterson
BookShots , #1
Edition description:
James Patterson has written more bestsellers and created more enduring fictional characters than any other novelist writing today. He lives in Florida with his family.
Maxine Paetro has collaborated with James Patterson on the bestselling Women's Murder Club and Private series. She lives with her husband in New York State.
Newburgh, New York
B.A., Manhattan College, 1969; M.A., Vanderbilt University, 1971
http://www.jamespatterson.com
Legal Thrillers
Women Cops - Fiction
Women's Murder Club Series
The Judge's List
The 19th Christmas (Women's Murder Club Series #19)
In this #1 New York Times bestseller, the Women's Murder Club gets ready for a quiet Christmas—until a mysterious killer decides to terrorize the city.
As the holidays approach,
The 18th Abduction (Women's Murder Club Series #18)
Detective Lindsay Boxer's investigation into the disappearance of three teachers escalates from missing persons to murder in this "shocking" Women's Murder Club thriller (Lisa Gardner, #1 NYT
NYT" data-ean="9780316454117" data-title="The 18th Abduction (Women's Murder Club Series #18)">See Details
14th Deadly Sin (Women's Murder Club Series #14)
With San Francisco under siege and every cop a suspect, the Women's Murder Club must risk their lives to save the city -- and each other.
With a beautiful baby daughter and a devoted husband,
Unlucky 13 (Women's Murder Club Series #13)
The Women's Murder Club is stalked by a killer with nothing to lose.
San Francisco Detective Lindsay Boxer is loving her life as a new mother. With an attentive husband, a job she loves, plus best
Cross Country (Alex Cross Series #14)
When the home of Alex Cross's oldest friend, Ellie Cox, is turned into the worst murder scene Alex has ever seen, the destruction leads him to believe that he's chasing a horrible new breed of
Game Over (Daniel X Series #4)
Let the games begin: alien hunter Daniel X is ready for a fantastic adventure to save gamers-and the universe-from certain doom.
Daniel X is one of the greatest superheroes ever to walk planet
Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (Maximum Ride Series #3)
Join Max and her friends on a wild ride to save the world. The time has come to face the ultimate enemy . . . but are Max and her Flock ready?
The time has arrived for Max and her winged "Flock" to
The Lost (Witch and Wizard Series #5)
Whit and Wisty explore the nature of power in James Patterson's final, explosive conclusion to the bestselling Witch & Wizard saga.
Whit and Wisty Allgood have fought and defeated their world's most
Maximum Ride: The Manga, Vol. 4
Despite their initial hesitation, living with Anne has softened the Flock, so Max is keenly aware that it's time to leave. With Thanksgiving so near, though, all of them want to stay, at least until
MAX (Maximum Ride Series #5)
James Patterson's bestselling Maximum Ride series is back . . . and Max and her flock are ready for their most daring rescue mission yet.
Someone — or something — is decimating ships and sea
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (Daniel X Series #1)
Daniel X is closing in on his parents' killer. But in this thrilling adventure, danger-and the world's deadliest aliens-lurk in the shadows.
Daniel X has the greatest power of all: the ability to
The Gift (Witch and Wizard Series #2)
Ever since Whit and Wisty Allgood were cruelly torn from their home and family in the middle of the night, the soldiers of a brutal totalitarian government have relentlessly tried to capture and
School's Out - Forever (Maximum Ride Series #2)
In this eagerly awaited follow-up, brave bird-kid Max and her flock are discovered by an FBI agent and forced to go to "school." There is no such thing as an ordinary day as Max deciphers how and
The Fire (Witch and Wizard Series #3)
Whit and Wisty Allgood have sacrificed everything to lead the resistance against the merciless totalitarian regime that governs their world. Its supreme leader, The One Who Is The One, has banned
Angel (Maximum Ride Series #7)
Max Ride and her best friends are up against a deadly force, but Fang is gone just when they need him most. Will they be ready for the ultimate showdown?
Max Ride and her best friends have always had


I show you exactly where your organization is most effective, yielding you passionate employees and happy clients.
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text:
Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch • 2013
Angela Sun's journey of discovery to one of the most remote places on Earth, Midway Atoll, to uncover the truth behind the mystery of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Along the way she encounters scientists, industry, legislators and activists who shed light on what our society's vast consumption of disposable plastic is doing to our oceans, and what it may be doing to our health.
The enduring luster of gold, the conductivity of copper, the strength of steel—the special properties of metals have reshaped societies and defined eras; they have such an important role in human history that entire ages have been named after them. But what gives metals their astounding characteristics? From the perfect ring of a bronze bell to the awe-striking steel construction of Beijing's "Bird's Nest" stadium, how have humans perfected metalworking? And how have metals enabled our modern hi-tech world? Explore the science of metals with chemists and engineers as they literally test the mettle of metals and investigate how these remarkable materials have ushered humanity from the Stone Age to the stars.
Part 2 • Treasures of the Earth • 2016 • Environment
A look at how every one of the 20,000 islands was colonised by the Polynesians.
2/6 • South Pacific • Environment
Engine Earth
Professor Chris Jackson charts the planet's changing climate. He shows how the oldest rocks and fossils provide evidence of radical climate changes throughout its history, revealing that what drives them is the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
1/2 • BBC Royal Institution Christmas Lectures - Planet Earth: A User's Guide • 2020 • Environment
Ocean Autopsy: The Secret Story of Our Seas
Two-thirds of our planet is covered in water, split into five distinct oceans, but in reality, Earth's seas are part of one huge global water system - a system that has been instrumental in shaping our destiny for millions of years. Now, however, in the 21st century, it is mankind that is shaping the destiny of our oceans. In unprecedented ways, humans are changing our seas and the life within. The ocean bed, the currents, marine life, even the water itself is transformed by what we are putting into our oceans.
Restless Giants
Japan has more than 100 active volcanoes--two in particular may be on the verge of unleashing a devastating sequence of deadly eruptions and secondary earthquake activity. Join intrepid volcanologist Tom Pfeiffer's dangerous and exhilarating journey to the foot of these angry giants.
S2E4 • Volcanic Odysseys • 2016 • Environment
Every minute of every day, a truckload of plastic enters our oceans. It destroys because it endures, breaking down into smaller pieces and particles.
1/3 • War on Plastic with Hugh and Anita • 2019 • Environment


text:
Q: Installing Pear's PHP CodeSniffer in MAMP I've been attempting to install PEAR's PHP CodeSniffer for use with phpStorm and a local MAMP installation, but I can't get Terminal to recognize the phpcs or phpcbf commands - no matter what I do, I always get a 'command not found' error.
I've followed the accepted answer on this post to configure PEAR and make sure it was accessing the appropriate bin directories for both PHP and the app config, but again, neither of the commands are recognized and I get the following error message why I try to install with pear install PHP_CodeSniffer:
No releases available for package "pear.php.net/PHP_CodeSniffer"
install failed
I'm using MAMP PRO 3.2.1 with PHP 5.4.39 on OS X 10.10.3 - is there anything that I've missed?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
<?php

namespace Sylius\Behat\Page\Admin\Promotion;

use Sylius\Behat\Page\Admin\Crud\IndexPageInterface as BaseIndexPageInterface;
use Sylius\Component\Promotion\Model\PromotionInterface;

/**
 * @author Arkadiusz Krakowiak <arkadiusz.krakowiak@lakion.com>
 */
interface IndexPageInterface extends BaseIndexPageInterface
{
    /**
     * @param PromotionInterface $promotion
     *
     * @return int
     */
    public function getUsageNumber(PromotionInterface $promotion);

    /**
     * @param PromotionInterface $promotion
     *
     * @return bool
     */
    public function isAbleToManageCouponsFor(PromotionInterface $promotion);

    /**
     * @param PromotionInterface $promotion
     *
     * @return bool
     */
    public function isCouponBasedFor(PromotionInterface $promotion);
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
The Small Caribbean Nation With NBA Prospects and a World Cup Dream
By Matt Foley
Nerlens Noel #4 and Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers reach for the ball against Sam Dekker #7 and Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
SourceMitchell Leff/Getty
Because this underdog story has a shooter's chance.
Two years ago, inside sweltering Vincent Gymnasium on the south side of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Dallas Mavericks center Nerlens Noel leaned back with his hands on his head, gasping for air. What began as a philanthropic visit to promote the talent-identification camp of the Haitian Federation of Basketball (FHB) had turned into a full-blown workout. The camp, attended by nearly 100 of Haiti's top young basketball players, was an opportunity to make the national team. So that's exactly what Noel, a first-generation Haitian-American who was born in Massachusetts, chose to do.
"I'm ready to play for Haiti with the goal of putting the team in a good position internationally," the 6′11″ former lottery pick told the Haiti Sentinel in September 2016. "I'm here to help create opportunity for the Haitian youth."
Two years later, led by commitments from Noel, an NBA-affiliated head coach and, potentially, the only current Haitian-born NBA player, the tiny Caribbean country is returning to competitive international play for the first time in nearly four decades.
This June, in Suriname, the Haitian Men's National Basketball Team will compete in the FIBA pre-qualifying round for the first time since 1981.
Much like the Olympics or the FIFA World Cup (international football), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) holds a World Cup every four years. This June competition, the AmeriCup 2021 Pre-Qualifiers, is the first of a number of steps in Haiti's quest to compete at international basketball's highest stage. The top two Caribbean pre-qualifier teams will advance to a September tournament against the top South American and Central American clubs for a chance at qualifying for the 2023 World Cup.
For Haiti, a World Cup berth is a Steph Curry-from-the-rafters-level long shot. But considering the country's recent history of disaster and its previous disconnect with the sport, qualifying for the AmeriCup is an impressive feat. And, as basketball continues its global takeover, Haiti has reason for wishful thinking. It won't make the 2019 World Cup or 2020 Olympics, but a surprise 2023 Cup bid, or Paris in 2024, is possible.
Like most Caribbean nations, Haiti is a talent-rich, resource-poor, soccer-crazed place. Three Haitian-born basketball players — Samuel Dalembert, Olden Polynice and current Sacramento King Skal Labissèrie — have made the NBA, as have several Haitian-Americans, like Noel. Still, soccer remains the country's dominant sporting interest.
But following the earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010, basketball has made a comeback. "With the damage of the earthquake in 2010, basketball creates opportunities for young men like myself to seek a way out and to give the community something to rally behind," says David Jean-Baptiste, a junior guard at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga who will play for Team Haiti. "'L' Union Fait La Force' on Haiti's flag means 'Unity Makes Strength.' Basketball brings the people together."
But community spirit is not the only interest. Haitian basketball officials plan to compete on the world stage — and soon. In addition to Jean-Baptiste, seven players were selected from the 2016 camp in Port-au-Prince. Noel provides the team with a world-class athlete whose mere presence is invaluable to the roster. Labissière — who fled Haiti in 2010, played one season at Kentucky and became a first-round NBA draft pick — has not yet committed to the team, but he hosts youth camps in Haiti each summer, and officials remain hopeful that he will join. Cady Lalanne, a Haitian center who plays professionally in Turkey, completes the roster.
"Haiti is one of the few small countries with two players in the NBA," Matt Brase, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (G League) coach who will coach Hait, told reporters this spring. "We might not be able to get the basketball program to Olympic level right away, but I'm confident about the program's future."
At present, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Bahamas are five of the 16 clubs competing for seven Americas spots in the 2019 World Cup. With top international teams in the U.S., Argentina, Brazil and Canada, it's a crowded field — but not impenetrable. Of the Caribbean clubs, only Dominican Republic has a winning record in qualifying play. Come 2023, there's reason to believe that Haiti could steal a final spot.
Like any comeback story, the realization of Haiti's basketball potential will require good fortune and the right timing. Good thing this nation knows how to rebuild.
Correction: The original version of this story cited Jon Bostic and Jasson Valbrun as leaders of Haiti's basketball revival. They are not affiliated with the Haitian Federation of Basketball.
Matt Foley, OZY Author Follow Matt Foley on Twitter Contact Matt Foley
Haitian-Americans Are Making Their Mark in the NFL
Sunday's Super Bowl featuring running back Sony Michel is a big day for the poverty-stricken nation of Haiti.
Haiti Turns to Slow Food to Speed Up Agricultural Recovery
Producers of rum and cocoa alike are beginning to emphasize natural, local produce and helping fading food cultures revive.
This Ungoverned Haitian City Is Fighting to Stay Alive
A potential model for how to build cities in poorly governed states, Canaan's future remains uncertain.
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How a Failing Trump Could Get Re-elected in 2020
The populist wave has crested for now, but if the U.S. and European economies sink this year or next, it will be back, stronger than ever
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Demonstrators protesting against populism during a rally in Munich, October 3, 2018. "The opposition to this wave of nationalism has been much weaker than you would expect," says Pirozzi.Credit: \ MICHAEL DALDER/ REUTERS
The world's liberal elite seems to have taken a collective sigh of relief as we move into the New Year.
Not so long ago all the values it cherished – democracy, inclusiveness, human rights and globalism – seemed to be under sustained assault. The forces of darkness, often dubbed populism or illiberal democracy, seemed to be unstoppable.
But over the course of 2018 the populist wave seems to have lost its momentum. Trump's Republicans fared badly in the mid-term elections. In the UK, public support for Brexit is on the wane. The results of a general election in Sweden in September and in local elections in Poland in October suggest that support for populists in Europe hit a ceiling.
Last week, The New York Times gave a semi-official imprimatur to the crest of the populist wave with an analysis headlined "After a rocky 2018, populism is down but far from out in the West." The Economist magazine's intelligence unit global survey of government showed democracy enjoyed a small uptick: 42 countries saw their democracy raking fall while 48 showed a rise.
In fact, the kaddish for liberal democracy is as premature as the celebration over its survival.
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Disrupting the comfort
Populism only achieved power in a few Western countries, including Italy, Poland, Hungary and the United States. What seems to be the rule is that the movement can win the support of a minority, and sometimes even a large minority, but it struggles to approach even the 50%-mark at election time.
So far, populism's power has come from its ability to disrupt what has in most Western democracies been a comfortable two-party system of center-right and center-left conducting gentlemanly debates about how to tinker with the system.
How did the U.S. and Europe ever get into this situation? They are generally speaking democratic, peaceful, prosperous and free places and tinkering seemed to be all they needed. It might be dull, but why would anyone want the excitement of rocking the boat?
The core of populists' belief is that a country's true "people" are locked in a conflict with outsiders, which could be immigrants, racial or religious minorities or even the country's own elites. (In fact, this definition comes from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, which couldn't better exemplify the elite populists despise – a bunch of academics under the patronage of a former prime minister. But what can you do? A populist think-tank is an oxymoron.)
The us-versus-them worldview got a boost in the last few years as Europe, and to a lesser extent America, was deluged with migrants and suffered a wave of terrorist attacks. The Great Recession of 2008 and resentment over how bankers and other elites managed to come out of it unscathed while the great masses lost their homes and jobswas a factor as well. Free trade – a favorite of the elite – cost yet people more jobs.
It's no surprise that many (but, it turns out, not most) people felt betrayed by all of this. Politicians, experts and business titans were all looking after themselves or providing the intellectual justification for it with think-tanks like the Tony Blair Institute or the media.
The populists wanted an alternative – a fearless leader who would promise to right everything and wouldn't let facts and figures get in his way, hence the rise of "alternative facts." To this day, the elites prefer to focus on populism's nativism and racism because those are evils that are easy to reject; they are a lot less comfortable asking why they themselves are in the populists' cross-hairs, too.
Roiling beneath the surface
A bad economy makes the populist' claims all the stronger. So, with the U.S. and Europe doing well, it makes sense that resentment has ratcheted down over the last year. Unemployment, which is the economic indicator the masses can most appreciate, is at its lowest in years in Europe and the U.S.
But the elite should be worried because the fundamental grievances that created the populist surge continue to lurk beneath the calmer waters of a strong economy.
Right now forecasters like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are predicting a mild slowdown in growth this year and in 2020 – nothing that would stirs things up politically. But, of course, these intuitions are exemplars of the hypocritical elite and (I say this only half-facetiously) always favor order and calm in their predictions. Let the purveyors of alternative facts predict gloom and doom.
There is a very good chance the world economy won't sail calmly into a mild slowdown.
The dangers are all around: the U.S.-China trade war, high levels of debt and a lack of U.S. leadership to contend with a crisis, to name a few. If that happens, resurgence of populism is almost inevitable.
In most countries, populism's failure to win control means that it won't own the crisis but can blame the establishment. Even in America, where populists have their man in the White House, an economic downturn might give the movement a boost.
A second term for Trump in the middle of a recession? It's not at all implausible when you consider that populism isn't about solutions and policies – indeed, the movement seems bereft of them, certainly vis-à-vis economics. It's a celebration of rage, and for that, Trump is the life of the party.
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Heed and obey for a shredded physique.
When it comes to health and fitness there's no topic that's given more attention than burning fat. No matter your fitness level, burning fat is always at the top of anyone's list of things to do and with good reason. Even if you have tremendous musculature you'd be hard pressed to prove it if you have a layer of blubber hiding all of that muscle. The only way to reveal the shredded abs and powerful pectorals is by training to burn off all the excess fat. But what principles should you keep in mind if you mean to make consistent and steady progress? You want to burn the fat and keep it off as well. So here's some great things to keep in mind on your fat burning journey.
If you want to burn fat then the first thing you need to worry about is what you're putting into your mouth. You have to have a balanced diet and one that's going to work best with your body. Whether that means having balanced macronutrition or going on a ketogenic diet, you must choose and diet plan that's going to optimize your performance as well as your body's fat burning capabilities.
Training the correct way is also paramount to burning fat. You want to build strength as well as burn fat which means you better have the compound movements mastered. That means being well versed in the bench, squat and deadlift.
If you haven't picked up on it by now, then here's your chance to be informed. You're going to want to focus on building up your muscle. This all works in tandem with having a proper diet as well as training in a manner that promotes muscle building. Training for both strength and muscle growth are two important elements for burning stubborn fat.
You can't train the same body part day in and day out. You'll have to switch things up depending on the day in order to burn fat throughout the body, but more importantly grow muscle in all the important muscle groups of the body. Training legs one day, arms another, and back in a systematic way will ensure that you're building a well muscled and powerful physical frame.
Long sustained cardio used to be considered the trick to burning pesky fat, but newer studies have proven that the best way to raise your metabolic rate and burn fat through a 24 hour period is to perform interval training. This kind of training puts the body in an oxygen deficit and ensures that your body is burning calories, particularly fat, even after you're done training.
What are your training priorities?


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Commentary: Unselfish act leads to unlikely victory on PGA Tour
All Berganio did was unwittingly provide an opportunity. It just happened to fall to Lashley, who took it from there.
Commentary: Unselfish act leads to unlikely victory on PGA Tour All Berganio did was unwittingly provide an opportunity. It just happened to fall to Lashley, who took it from there. Check out this story on detroitnews.com: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/golf/2019/07/02/commentary-unselfish-act-leads-unlikely-victory-pga-tour/1631424001/
Doug Ferguson, Associated Press Published 3:28 p.m. ET July 2, 2019 | Updated 3:37 p.m. ET July 2, 2019
Nate Lashley wins inaugural Rocket Mortgage Classic
Nate Lashley holds up the Rocket Mortgage Classic trophy, his first PGA Tour victory, Sunday at the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit on June 30, 2019. Robin Buckson, Detroit News
Brooke Lashley, left, hugs her brother Nate Lashley after his first PGA tournament win at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit Sunday. Robin Buckson, Detroit News
Nate Lashley hits out of a bunker on the 11th hole. Robin Buckson, Detroit News
Nate Lashley lines up a putt on the 18th green with a large gallery of fans behind him. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Second-place tournament finisher Doc Redman reacts after sinking his putt on the fourth hole. Robin Buckson, Detroit News
Rocket Mortgage Classic tournament champion Nate Lashley finished 25-under par, six strokes ahead of second-place finisher Doc Redman. Here, Lashley tees off on the second hole during the final round. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Joseph Saker, of Birmingham, enjoys a cigar at the third tee during the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic Sunday. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Patrick Reed hits from the fairway on the eighth hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Petoskey native Joey Garber tees off from the first hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Petoskey native Joey Garber tees off from the second hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Cameron Champ tees off from the second hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Cameron Champ hits from the fairway on the second hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Petoskey native Joey Garber hits from the fairway on the second hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Petoskey native Joey Garber putts on the second hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Cameron Champ tees off from the third hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Spectators enter and go through security at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Doug Johns, 65, of Farmington Hills, right, puts his belt back on after going through security at the entrance with his son, Brian Johns, 35, of Commerce, left. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Nate Lashley studies his shot on the second hole during the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic golf tournament Sunday. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Luke Donald watches his long putt on the 10th hole but the ball does not drop. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Luke Donald reacts after his long putt goes just inches past the hole on the 10th green. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Sam Burns, in purple, listens to the PGA official, right, on the 10th fairway. Burns was not allowed to drop a ball on this spot where his ball landed behind a tree. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Andrew Landry takes a shot on the 10th hole from off the fairway. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Viktor Hovland places his ball on the 10th green. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Chase Wright eyes up his putt on the 10th green. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Viktor Hovland looks over his putt on the 10th green. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Rickie Fowler hits on the 10th hole. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Kevin Kisner watches his fairway shot on the 10th hole. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Mackenzie Hughes looks at the lay of the 10th green. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Sam Burns hits on the 10th fairway. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Sam Burns and spectators watch his shot on the 10th fairway. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Sam Burns putts on the 10th green. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Sam Burns, right, talks with Max Homa after the 10th hole. Robin Buckson, Detroit News
Leader Nate Lashley walks up the fairway on the second hole. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Wes Roach, right, watches while Doc Redman tries to will his putt into the hole on the fourth green. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Doc Redman tees off on the fifth hole. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Wes Roach putts on the fifth green. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Doc Redman looks over the fifth green before he putts. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Spectators in the Fan Zone near the PGA Tour Fan Shop. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Surrounded by empty merchandise shelves, Nick Banaszak, 36, of Farmington, waits for a friend trying on a shirt at the PGA Tour Fan Shop. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Fans toast each other at the fifth hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Sungjae Im hits out from behind the ropes on the second hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Brian Stuard putts on the second hole during the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Brian Stuard acknowledges the crowd after putting on the second hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Nate Lashley tees off on the first hole during the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Jason Kokrak hits onto the eighth fairway from the first fairway during the Rocket Mortgage Classic. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Joaquin Niemann reacts after missing a putt on the 18th hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Ted Potter Jr. sinks a putt for a birdie on the 18th hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Brian Stuard tips his hat to the fans after a birdie putt on the 18th hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Rory Sabbatini putts on the 18th hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Hideki Matsuyama lines up a putt on the 18th hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Peter Malnati lines up a putt on the 18th hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Doc Redman misses a birdie putt on the 18th hole. David Guralnick, Detroit News
J.T. Poston, in white shirt and hat at left, waits while some medical attention is given to spectator who was hit by the ball that left the course on the 14th hole. Robin Buckson, Detroit News
J.T. Poston hits over the water on the 14th hole. Robin Buckson, Detroit News
Nate Lashley tees off on the 18th hole. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Fans take photos or video on the 18th hole at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Nate Lashley hits out of the bunker on the 14th hole. Robin Buckson, Detroit News
Nate Lashley tees off on the 16th hole. Robin Buckson, Detroit News
Nate Lashley hits a chip shot on the 17th hole. Robin Buckson, Detroit News
Nate Lashley sinks the final putt of his first PGA win on the 18th green. Robin Buckson, Detroit News
Nate Lashley is all smiles before receiving the trophy for his first PGA win. Robin Buckson, Detroit News
Nate Lashley gets a hug from his sister Brooke Lashley after he won the Rocket Mortgage Classic golf tournament. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Nate Lashley receives hugs from friends and family after winning the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Nate Lashley hugs girlfriend Ashlie Reed, left, and sister Brooke Lashley after winning the Rocket Mortgage Classic golf tournament in Detroit. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Nate Lashley holds the trophy after winning the Rocket Mortgage Classic golf tournament. David Guralnick, Detroit News
Nate Lashley is hugged by his sister Brooke, left facing, after his win at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Robin Buckson, Detroit News
The text messages kept coming until David Berganio Jr. stopped counting, somewhere around 100, all wanting to celebrate his small role in an unlikely victory.
David Berganio's unselfish act of withdrawing from the Rocket Mortgage Classic last week meant the last spot went to Nate Lashley, who won the tournament. (Photo: JOHN SPIVEY, AP)
Berganio didn't win the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
He didn't even play.
In fact, he didn't know anything about Nate Lashley, the last player to get in the tournament when Berganio chose to withdraw.
It was only after Berganio returned home from Detroit that he heard Lashley opened with a 63 and that both were Arizona Wildcats, separated by a generation and a different variety of hard times.
"I texted my coach (Rick LaRose) and said, 'Who is this kid from Arizona?'" Berganio said. "He told me the whole story and I was like, 'Holy smokes.'"
The story is nothing short of remarkable.
Lashley was a junior at Arizona in 2004 when his parents and girlfriend died in a plane crash on their way home to Nebraska after watching him play in an NCAA regional. The mental anguish was more than he realized. Lashley struggled upon turning pro, dabbled in real estate during a break from golf and then began the slow climb back through five tours over the next decade until reaching the PGA Tour as a 34-year-old rookie in the fall of 2017.
Lashley wasn't in the field at Detroit. He didn't make it through Monday qualifying but stuck around as an alternate in case his luck changed.
That's where Berganio enters the picture.
Berganio has been on a medical extension since 2004 because of a bulging disk in his back that took 11 years to be diagnosed as a problem in his hip. He has played only 28 times in the last 15 years on the PGA Tour.
He was certain the new PGA Tour event in Detroit would be No. 29 when he arrived Monday morning.
One problem.
His golf clubs never made the connection in Dallas and Berganio didn't get them until Tuesday night. The course is occupied all day Wednesday with the pro-am.
"I wasn't able to play a practice round," Berganio said. "A friend of mine always says, 'Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.' I'm 50. I know some kid behind me was waiting to get in, and I didn't want to take up a spot. And then this happened. He's a former Wildcat, as well. The situation couldn't have been better."
Lashley followed that 63 with a 67, and then he blew open the tournament with another 63 to build a six-shot lead. He started the final round with two birdies in three holes and was on his way to a six-shot victory.
His sister, Brooke, flew in from Phoenix, along with a host of friends and family from Arizona and Nebraska, to share an emotional moment. The victory gives Lashley a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour, along with a spot in the British Open, Masters and PGA Championship.
"I'm just thankful I got in the tournament," Lashley said.
Berganio never felt so happy for not being able to play, but only to a point. The text messages kept pouring in Sunday night and into Monday, all filled with amazement that a withdrawal could change someone's life.
"I didn't change his life," Berganio said. "I didn't hit a shot."
All he did was unwittingly provide an opportunity. It just happened to fall to Lashley, who took it from there.
Berganio knows all about opportunity.
He was born to a 15-year-old mother on welfare and raised in a housing project in Pacoima, California. A priest from the Guardian Angel Catholic Church gave him a starter set of Chi Chi Rodriguez clubs when Berganio was 12 to keep him off the streets.
"He gave me an opportunity to hit all the golf balls I wanted," Berganio said. "He never hit a shot for me."
Berganio took it from there.
He was a two-time winner of the U.S. Amateur Public Links and played on the winning Walker Cup in 1993, partnering with Todd Demsey to win a foursomes match against a team that included Padraig Harrington.
In three full years on the PGA Tour before injuries shut him down, Berganio had two good chances to win. He played in the final group of the Byron Nelson Classic in 1997 with the eventual winner, 21-year-old Masters champion Tiger Woods. Five years later, he lost in a playoff at the Bob Hope Classic to Phil Mickelson.
"I wasn't trying to beat No. 50 in the world or No. 150 in the world," he said with a laugh. "It was either No. 1 or 2."
Berganio doesn't spend a lot of time looking back at what could have been, because his past starts long before he even got on tour.
"I'm not angry," he says. "Coming where I've come from, I never would have expected the life I've lived."
He has three PGA Tour starts remaining on his medical extension. He wants to use them wisely. He thought Detroit was a wise move until American Airlines didn't get his golf clubs to him on time. For Berganio, there was only one option.
"That's the one thing that went through my mind when I did get my clubs," he said. "I feel good, but am I going to be able to compete not seeing the course? I'm going to be taking a spot away from a younger kid. Someone else will benefit more than I would. And look what he did. I'm so happy for Nate."
An unselfish act. An unlikely victory.
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AHA! features the stories of artists, makers, and creative institutions right here in our backyard and across the country. A celebration of all things creative, AHA! features everything from the traditional to the innovative. AHA! airs Wednesdays at 7:30pm on WMHT TV!
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in October - I recommend it!
We had the amazing opportunity to go to Honduras and serve with Sean during his last week as a missionary. We were truly "on a mission!" Up early everyday and working until late. It was a very rewarding and amazing trip. I couldn't possibly do justice to the pictures, but I have tried to give a sampling. Skippy actually took alot more and I didn't even touch his selections.
We flew into Miami from Phoenix on Thursday the 18th of Sept and had a five hour layover there. We finally boarded and flew the short less than 2 hour leg into San Pedro Sula. Elder Holladay and two companions were waiting for us at the airport. I cannot describe the feeling of seeing him for the first time in two years. It is just a very special moment. We have never gone to the mission field before (although now I wish I had picked them all up!) and it was unique having him meet us at the airport. After renting our vehicle for the week (certainly not US standards here), we went to our first stop for the night. We stayed at a bed & breakfast I had found on Tripadvisor - it was wonderful! Jimmy and Sandra were like family and took very good care of us - we ended up staying there four of the seven nights we spent in Honduras. After a great typical Hondurian breakfast the next morning we began our three hour drive to Copan. This is a area that Sean served in near the beginning of his mission. There are some of the best preserved Mayan ruins here in all of the world. It is a shame that the government does not put effort into maintaining the road to get there. Parts of it were fine, but other parts were nearly completely washed out to the rains and it was questionable if we would be able to pass. The tour of the ruins was great with Sean as our guide - they are simply breathtaking. We did get a taste of the rain though as it rained our entire time there. We stayed in a beautiful boutique hotel there and rested that evening as the boys went on splits with the local missionaries and stayed the night with them in the "castle." The next day it was back on the road again. We drove back to San Pedro Sula (3 hours) and stopped at the mission office for a bit to pick up supplies. Then on to La Ceiba - about another 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive. A long day that started very early. There was a baptism set up for 3pm in La Ceiba and Sean arranged for Skippy to have the opportunity to perform one of the baptisms. Skip memorized the prayer in Spanish on the way there. The baptisms were in the ocean and it was a very beautiful service. Even though we cannot understand the language, we can feel the spirit of these people. That night we had dinner at a Pizza Hut. I planned the entire trip to get pictures of the fast food restaurants in Honduras. They are HUGE! They are seriously probably six times larger than their American counterparts. I guess the construction costs are favorable - who knows why they need them that big. We stayed in a nice hotel on the beach here and the boys stayed with us as there were other missionaries staying with the zone leaders in La Ceiba. The next day was Sunday and we started the travel out to the first branch in Coyoles where the meeting started at 9 am. This was about a 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive. Upon arrival, the entire branch came out to greet us and Sean. The meeting was great, even in Spanish and many of the members expressed their love to Sean in a testimony type setting. I felt I needed to thank them, so with the help of Sean translating for me, I also went to the stand to express my love the them for taking care of him. There were many tears upon parting here. Next it was on to Guadalupe and the branch that Sean started himself. There was one family out here that was driving into Coyoles each week to attend church - this is about 30 minute drive on a dirt road. Sean and the branch president decided one day to take the service to them instead of them driving to Coyoles. This got the ball rolling and these members invited many friends and family members to hear the discussions and many were baptized. The church rented a small home that serves as the branch meetinghouse. Can I possibly explain to you how hot it was here? I doubt it! In this little house there was not so much as a lick of a breeze. No fans, no nothing - Chris and I and Skippy were wondering if it was possible to spontaneously combust! But again the people were amazing. Following the meeting, one of the sisters wanted me to visit her house which was just a short walk away. We were communicating even though neither of us spoke the other's language. On the wall in this extremely humble home was a picture of Chris and I with Sean in our front yard the day we left for the MTC. There were many other pictures of Sean in various settings. She just loved Sean and therefore us as well. That was a humbling experience. There were lots and lots of tears at this farewell.
We traveled back quickly to La Ceiba as Sean wanted to catch the boat to the island of Utilla where he and Skippy were going to visit members and stay the night. In a country where nothing is on time, this time they decided to leave 10 minutes early. They literally missed the boat by about 10 feet! They were considering jumping! We spent the rest of the evening visiting lots of great families. On Monday it was back in the car and back to San Pedro Sula after a morning full of visits. Now keep in mind that Chris and I and Skippy do not speak Spanish. We spent alot of time frying our brains trying to follow what was going on - Sean did a great job trying to translate. At most of the houses, the lady of the house would want to serve us a drink. Some of them were amazingly delicious and others were tough to take down. One was an oatmeal type drink that I just couldn't do - thank goodness Sean was there to bail me out and drink my drinks!
We had a dinner date that night at the home of the Palencia family. These are very special people. I will have to get Skippy's pictures to post the ones with them. They cooked a wonderful dinner for us and we enjoyed getting to know them.
The next night we took several families that Sean and worked with including the Palencia family to dinner at a nice restaurant in town. It was difficult for us as Sean tried to jump around the room and keep everyone happy. We were just clueless as usual.
Wednesday was the change meeting. This was a neat experience. It is where all of the missionaries that are being reassigned meet and find out where they will be going. Sean had the opportunity to bear his testimony. We had lunch following the meeting with Pres & Sister Cruz and the missionaries who were going home. That afternoon we did our souvenir shopping and that night was spent at President Cruz's home for the final evening together. I spent about 45 minutes alone with Sister Cruz - "talking" - her using her limited English and me using my limited Spanish - it is amazing how Mother's can talk no matter what!
The next morning we were at the airport very early and by 6pm were back in Phoenix with the brothers and grandkids anxiously waiting for us! It was truly an amazing experience and I am so grateful we were able to go.
The meetinghouse in Copan - see the castle effect!


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Whitney Thore has had enough of putting herself down because of her weight. Now she's dancing her way to happiness - loud, big and proud
Brave kids 21 videos
Twin brothers become paralysed every single night
Parents post photos of their one-armed son on social media to prove he's no different to other kids
11-year-old with no limbs defies the odds to live a 'normal' life
Brave boy couldn't speak until he was 7 due to rare syndrome
Inspiring little boy with rare skin condition is treated like a 'rock star' at school
Toddler born with severe brain tumour covering her face finally given hope of treatment
Mum left devastated as strangers stare at her 2-year-old with facial growth
(Not-so) identical twin is finally getting surgery to look just like his brother
'Werewolf' girl is chuffed to bits after making it into the Guinness Book of Records
Baby makes miraculous recovery after being born without an immune system
Radio producer Whitney Thore has always loved to dance. Ever since she was a little girl, she's been boogying her way through life, and today is no different.
Leading the fight for body positivity, exuberant dancing queen Whitney proclaims, 'You can be fat and beautiful, you can be fat and funny, fat and smart, fat and talented…'
And she leads by example. She's become famous for her No Body Shame campaign, which urges people to love themselves and their bodies in order to live a full, happy life.
Growing up in North Carolina, Whitney's self-confidence was shattered by her sudden teenage weight gain. Having gained 100lb in a year, Whitney quit her dance classes and almost dropped out of school.
'I felt like my body didn't give me permission to do the things I wanted to do,' remembers Whitney.
Woman's 7ft butt is so big – she can't use a seatbelt in the car
Bum built for comfort!
Mikel is hippy and happy!
Yoga isn't just for skinny women
By the time she hit 250lb, she'd developed an eating disorder, and was at her lowest point.
After she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Whitney decided that enough was enough, and that it was time to return to the dance studio. She could still strut her stuff, and started posting videos of her routines online.
The videos went viral, and all of a sudden Whitney found herself with a legion of fans behind her, receiving messages from hundreds of individuals worldwide. Some struggling with weight, some with a variety of other problems, but all of them praised Whitney as an inspiration.
Taking her moves to the streets, Whitney is always working tirelessly to show the world that nobody should think any less of themselves regardless of how they look.
'Becoming body positive is the most incredible thing that's ever happened to me,' grins a triumphant Whitney.
What do you think? Share your thoughts with us below…


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11 Including Local Journalist Wounded: Uruzgan
WHO: Equitable COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution at Serious Risk
NATO reaffirms support to Afghanistan as Afghan leaders sign deal to end political impasse
By Khaama Press / in Afghanistan / on Sunday, 17 May 2020 09:23 PM / 0 Comment / 678 views
Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, right, and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah arrive for sessions of the second day of the NATO Summit, in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, July 9, 2016. U.S. President Barack Obama and other NATO leaders have begun the second day of a summit meeting in Warsaw that's expected to lead to decisions about Afghanistan, the central Mediterranean and Iraq. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reaffirmed the alliance's support to Afghanistan after the Afghan leaders signed an agreement to end the political impasse.
"I welcome the decision taken by Afghanistan's political leaders to resolve their differences and join efforts to form an inclusive government," Stoltenberg said.
He also added "In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and continued Taliban violence against their fellow Afghans, it is more important than ever that all Afghan leaders unite and work towards enduring peace in Afghanistan. We call on the Taliban to live up to their commitments, reduce violence now, take part in intra-Afghan negotiations, and make real compromises for lasting peace and the benefit of all Afghans."
Stoltenberg further added "All parties should seize this unprecedented opportunity for peace. We need to see a comprehensive agreement which ends violence; safeguards the human rights of all Afghans, including women; upholds the rule of law; and eliminates terrorist safe havens once and for all."
"NATO Allies and partners remain firmly committed to Afghanistan's long-term security and stability, through our Resolute Support training mission, and with funding," he added.
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghan and Abdullah Abdullah signed an agreement earlier today to end the political impasse which intensified following the controversial announcement of presidential elections.
11 people including children, a journalist, and Afghan security members were wounded in a blast...
Chahar Darreh district, Kunduz province, Afghanistan.MITCH MAKOWICZ/U.S. ARMY Kunduz officials reported...
Amrullah Saleh, First Vice President, said in a Facebook post, that long-overdue Ghazni parliamentary...
Image Source: Denis Balibouse/Reuters Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Head of World Health Organization...


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Extend the Life of your Water Heater
The single most important factor in whether a water heater lives or dies is the condition of its sacrificial anode. For more than 60 years, it has been used as a key part of the rust protection of a tank, although few people know it's there.
This is a rod made of magnesium or aluminum that's formed around a steel core wire and is screwed into the top of the tank. A six-year-warranty residential tank will have one, while a 12-year-warranty tank will have two, or an extra-large primary anode. Commercial tanks have from one to five. Special aluminum/zinc sacrificial anodes or powered (impressed-current) anodes can be used to resolve odor problems caused by bacteria in some water. But if you have a vacation home where the water heater sits idle for long periods of time, using them may not be a solution.
When the tank is filled with water, an electrochemical process begins whereby sacrificial anodes are consumed to protect a small amount of exposed steel. Powered anodes replace that process with electricity and are not consumed.
When two metals are physically connected in water, one will corrode away to protect the other. Sometimes that's bad, but often it's good. Although few people have heard of this, the principle is used all over the place — anywhere that someone wants to protect metal exposed to water. In marine applications, anodes are known as "zincs" and are usually made of that metal.
All metals fall somewhere on the galvanic scale of reactivity. When two are placed together in water, the "nobler" — or less reactive — one will remain intact while the more reactive one corrodes. When steel and copper are together, steel will be the one that corrodes. Indeed, steel is more likely to rust in the presence of copper than it would have been by itself. That's why dielectric separation is necessary on items like copper flex lines when they're connected to steel nipples.
Magnesium and aluminum are less noble than steel, which is why they're used for anode rods.
Remember, the anode is screwed into the tank. That means it can be unscrewed and replaced.
A sacrificial anode's life depends on the quality of the water, the amount of use the tank gets, the water temperature, and the quality of the tank — meaning how well it was constructed. When salt is added to the water (as in softened water), anodes corrode more quickly. Water softeners help reduce sediment, but anodes can corrode in as little as six months if the water is over-softened. Do not soften to zero. Leave 50-120 ppm of hardness. This may require some plumbing to add unsoftened water to softened water.
People occasionally ask us if pipe-seal tape applied to the threads of the anode blocks the electrolytical reaction. Tanks we've serviced repeatedly usually have corroded anodes. We've tested with a multimeter and found continuity between the anode and the tank, despite the tape.
While we generally advocate putting two anodes in a tank, that may not be a good idea if you have odor problems. Doubling the anode surface area may worsen odor even when special aluminum/zinc anodes are used that reduce or eliminate the odor.
If you have odor and soften, or for that matter, merely if you soften, consider getting a powered anode that replaces the sacrificial reaction with electric current and isn't consumed through use.
If you contemplate adding an anode to a new tank, make sure both rods are of the same metal. Otherwise, the magnesium rod will be consumed more rapidly in the presence of an aluminum one and you won't get as long a life. How do you tell them apart? In nearly all cases, an aluminum hex head will be flat on top, while a magnesium rod will have a bump, as in the photo at right. The size of the bump may vary, but bump, magnesium; no bump, probably aluminum. And all that said, the latest shipment of aluminum/zinc anodes we bought had hex heads with bumps! We thought we'd been sent the wrong stuff, but verified that it's really aluminum/zinc.
The exception to that is Rheem and its sub-brands, Ruud/Richmond and General Electrics. As far as we know, Rheem always uses magnesium even though there is no bump on top of its anodes. On the other hand, if the tank is five years old or more, having dissimilar metals is less of an issue, since the original one will likely be largely consumed. GE Geosprings may require a ratchet extension to remove the anode.
And there is no way to tell metal type if a tank has a combo rod, but you're probably going to be replacing it anyway.
As to other brands, as far as we know, American/Whirlpool/Maytag always uses aluminum anodes. Bradford White may use either aluminum or magnesium, and many of their tanks have one combo rod in the hot port. Giant and uses magnesium, as does Bock. Heaters made by American Standard can have either magnesium or aluminum anodes. Sometimes it's mentioned in their spec sheets and sometimes not.
Older State/Reliance/Kenmores have had both combo rod tanks and tanks with a hex anode. More recently, they all seem to have hex anodes. Aluminum is usually used, but in the past, high-end models have come with magnesium. Today, some of those also offer powered anodes.
There is one important exception to the anode equation: all Smith, State and sub-brand ultra low-NOX heaters come with aluminum anodes.
It's common for people to ask us to choose a water heater for them. We won't do it; there are too many variables and many of them are buyer-specific. Occasionally, also, we're asked to pick a tank that will permit the addition of the parts we sell that will extend life. Even that has gotten harder because the manufacturers are rolling out models that meet the April 2015 energy rules. We may be able to tell you more later, as we see what has changed.
If you decide to remove and check your anode, we'll tell you some of the possibilities and what they mean.
If there is rough, seemingly chewed-up metal all up and down the rod, that's normal. It's doing what it's supposed to do. If you can see six inches of the steel core wire, replace the rod. If all you have IS the steel core wire — or less — then extending the life of the tank by replacing the anode becomes more iffy. You might still get several more years out of the next anode. Or the tank might fail shortly after. It all depends on factors that exist where none of us can see them.
Combo and Hex-Head Anodes
There are two configurations of anodes. The first kind is called a hex-head anode and you can see a couple at the top of this page. They are found in their own port on top of the tank. With some brands, the hex head is exposed. On many, it may be under a plastic cap about halfway in toward the center from the edge. If there are caps on the edge, they were used to insert the foam insulation. On some older tanks, it may be hidden under the sheet-metal top.
The other kind is called a combo or outlet anode, like the one in the picture at right. It is an anode/hot-water outlet/plastic-lined steel nipple and is used in the hot-water port. Often longer-warranty tanks have one hex-head and one combo rod, although a couple of manufacturers make tanks that have just one combo rod, with no place for a second one.
If you're adding a combo rod to a Rheem/Ruud/Richmond/GE tank made in 2005 or later, you'll need a special half-length one that is only available from a plumber affiliated with Rheem. It may be pricey. We were able to stock full-length ones for awhile, but our source dried up. Do not try to install a standard combo anode, or you may not have water pressure, due to a redesign of the tank's hot-water port in 2005.
The test, on older heaters, of whether you have a combo anode or not is to unscrew the nipple and see if there is an anode connected to it.
Anode rods of all types can be purchased on our Product Page. Also you might want to consult our Sacrificial Anode Buying Guide.
Water heaters always come with sacrificial anodes, and that is the most common type. But not the only type. A powered anode can be a permanent replacement for a sacrificial one. It replaces the sacrificial reaction by feeding electrical current into the tank by way of an electrode. The device plugs into a wall socket. However, it costs several times more than a sacrificial anode. We often recommend them for smelly water situations where sacrificial anodes may not help. To learn more about them, go to the Powered Anode Page.
Source: http://www.waterheaterrescue.com/Longevity/water-heater-anodes.html
Does your home have flood-prone Polybutylene pipes?


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Home DMCA Policy
In compliance with the United States Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), the Site will take immediate action in cases of any alleged copyright infringement. The guidelines of notification applying in such cases are strictly outlined at https://www.copyright.gov. The copyright legislation ought to be complied with by all users of SG.
Regardless of the Site's liability as to the infringed property, the respective content will be removed from the Site and at times there will be additional restriction or disablement of access to SG. However, in good faith we will contact the affected site's administrator for offering the opportunity to proceed with a counter notification pursuant to sections 512(g)(2) and (3) of DMCA. In case of infringement, you are urged to contact us via our contact us form. In order for the notification of yours to be regarded as valid, it should include the following:
Identification of the copyrighted content and, if it is more than one, a list of the copyrighted contents.
Identification of the content that is violating the policy regarding infringement.
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WATCH LIVE: Russian FM Lavrov and Egyptian Counterpart Shoukry Hold Joint Press Conference in Moscow
https://sputniknews.com/20180810/sadr-iraq-election-recount-1067097989.html
Who is Muqtada Al-Sadr, the Religious Cleric Who Won Iraq's Election Recount?
The popular figurehead stormed the election back in May on a fiercely anti-corruption platform, while pledging to rid Iraq of unwanted foreign - particularly... 10.08.2018, Sputnik International
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middle east, newsfeed, iraq, iran, muqtada al-sadr, iraqi federal government, 2018 iraq elections, us
14:08 GMT 10.08.2018 (Updated: 12:13 GMT 06.08.2022)
© AP Photo / Karim KadimFollowers of Iraq's influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr chant slogans as they wave national flags during a demonstration against corruption in Baghdad, Iraq
© AP Photo / Karim Kadim
The popular figurehead stormed the election back in May on a fiercely anti-corruption platform, while pledging to rid Iraq of unwanted foreign - particularly US - interference.
The manual recount of votes cast in Iraq's election held in May is now complete, with Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's alliance holding on to all of the 54 seats that it initially won.
Iraq's Independent High Commission released the results of the recount in the early hours of Friday, confirming that Sadr's 'Sairoon alliance' has indeed snatched the popular vote.
What You Need to Know About Parliamentary Election in Iraq
12 May 2018, 12:16 GMT
Now that the Sairoon alliance — a concoction of religious nationalists and secular communists — has been confirmed as victorious, it is set to enter strenuous negotiations with members of parliament on the sufficient conditions for forming a new government. This comes nearly three months after national elections were held on May 12.
The manual recount was demanded by Iraq's parliament, and amongst swathes of the population, following widespread allegations of voter fraud, which ruptured the country's trust in the integrity of the electoral process. The May poll deployed a new electronic system for calculating votes cast, rather than by manual count, which some argue primed the system for vote-rigging.
Despite the manual recount, Baghdad's incumbent Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, blasted the results, and asserted that there had been "unprecedented breaches" of the first election, rendering the recount null and void.
Abadi's dismissal notwithstanding, the United Nations threw its weight behind the recount, hailing it is "credible," and noting that it had been "conducted in a manner that is credible, professional and transparent."
Despite the continued celebration amongst Western powers of Iraq's post-2003 transition to democracy, many Iraqis remain weary and mistrusting of the country's political class, with only 44.5 percent turning out for the election in May.
Who is Muqtada Al-Sadr?
Mr Sadr was sanctioned as public enemy number one by Washington following the 2003 Anglo-American invasion of Iraq. The Shiite strongman, who doubles up as a religious cleric outside of his political life, led a band of militiamen throughout the early days of the country's occupation, called the 'Mahdi Army,' who attempted to vanquish coalition forces through armed force, causing many fatalities amongst Western soldiers.
Despite the best efforts of the Iraqi and US armies, Sadr and his men — who came to epitomize the post-invasion insurgency — continued to control large parts of Baghdad, most notably the so-called 'Sadr city' district, almost unhindered.
The cleric turned militia leader was such a thorn in the side of coalition forces, that by the year 2006 Newsweek had plastered his image on their front page, branding him "the most dangerous man in Iraq."
Sadr still remains an unremitting critic of the US military presence in his country — which currently numbers at nearly 8,000 personnel — and the US-backed central government in Baghdad. According to scholars of the Middle East, much of Sadr's legitimacy is derived from cocktail of nationalism and religiosity, which has made him a credible leadership figure, particularly in the eyes of Iraq's poor, to whom he has promised the complete removal of US influence in Baghdad.
Iraq to Stop Trading With Iran in US Dollars Due to Sanctions - Gov't Spokesman
9 August 2018, 17:00 GMT
Sadr is also notorious for his staunch opposition to the corruption that has plagued Baghdad's central government since 2003. Most famously, he and his supporters staged a 2016 sit-in within Baghdad's fortified 'Green Zone' — the centre of government established after the 2003 invasion — demanding greater government accountability. Eventually, Prime Minister Abadi was forced to reorganise his cabinet in what was perceived as an unprecedented act of appeasement.
Sadr will now set out to begin negotiating the formation of a new government with his former political rivals, including Iran-backed militia chief Hadi Al-Amiri, who came in second place in the parliamentary election and led the fight against Daesh in Mosul.
Whether the Iraqi populist will be able to reform Baghdad as he wishes remains to be seen, but one thing does appear certain: that his victory will cause somewhat of a headache for US foreign policy in the Middle East.
Muqtada al-Sadr
Iraqi federal government
2018 Iraq Elections
recount


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From inside the deep blue ocean to Florida's coastal waters
August 29, 2003 12:00 am by Christyna Prehn
Florida has the highest number of shark attacks worldwide with a documented 488 attacks in the past 120 years, according to the Internal Shark Attack File. Volusia County alone has the highest number, with 157 attacks. With these numbers in mind, many beach-goers have an incurable fear that they will be the next victim. Not to mention the effect of shark movies, such as the classic Jaws, on the fear struck public.
But even though Florida shores are home to many sharks, there haven't been significant attacks this year, said Alexia Morgan, shark researcher at the Ichthyology department of the Florida Museum of Natural History.
"Florida is the No. 1 place for shark attacks around the world," said Eric Hovland, a senior biologist at the Florida Aquarium. "Granted, we have more coastline and more swimmable waters year around, it will bring the most amount of tourists. Statistically, there are more people swimming in Florida in January than there are anywhere else in the nation," said Hovland.
Given the ratio of people in the water to the number of shark attacks, Hovland said people should not be so concerned about the occurance of an attack.
"We do have a healthy population of sharks off of the Florida coast, including about 25 different species," Hovland said.
Sharks are often attracted to surfers because of the colors on their wetsuits and the motion surfers take when paddling. Almost all animals in the ocean have a light bottom and a dark top to their skin. The reason for the light skin on the bottom is because when the predator looks up toward the water's surface, the sun makes the animal blend in with the surroundings. When the sharks look at a fish struggling, the visual key for a shark is the color of the fish. The shark sees a darker image and knows the fish is swimming sideways and it is hurt, so the shark dives in for the kill, said Hovland.
In the same way, a black wetsuit on a surfer appears as a dark fish and the movement of the arms and legs dangling from the board looks like a fish in distress. This is why sharks bite the legs and arms that are dangling off of the board. It's instinct, Hovland said.
"A shark attack is so statistically rare, it is like telling yourself you are going to get hit by a bus," Hovland said. "Sharks are more likely to encounter a person, rather than people encountering a shark." Sharks are attracted to the scent of blood. There are other stimuli as well, including fish swimming in the area.
"It's like hearing a pin drop in the middle of traffic, then locating it," Hovland said. "If you look at the sharks, you would know that if they truly wanted to create damage they would do a lot more than just bite a person here and there, they would cause a lot more problems," Hovland said.
"The most misconceptions of sharks are that they are mindless eating machines," Hovland said. "The amount of food that the shark actually consumes is very small; I feed the sharks here three times a week, with about 1 percent of their body weight of food each time."
Hovland said sharks have existed for more than 400 million years but only in the past few decades did humans become their No. 1 predators.
"Sharks are extremely slow reproducers they have long life expectancy patterns but they do not reach sexual maturity until 15-20 years old with only reproducing about one shark," Morgan.
A program at the Florida Aquarium, 'Fear to Fascination,' is offered to help people conquer their fear of sharks, and it takes them underwater to experience the fascination of sharks, said Hovland.
"Your risk of a shark attack are compared to your chances of getting bit by animals in New York City, hit by lightning, having an accident in your home, or being attacked by an alligator," says the Internal Shark Attack File.


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CCA publishes revised "Safety for Cruising Couples" workbook
CCA News -
Book promotes partnership between skipper and less-experienced crew to increase safety and fun for coastal cruisers.
A new, revised and updated edition of the "Safety for Cruising Couples" workbook has been published by the Cruising Club of America. The workbook is part of the CCA's popular and widely recognized Safety for Cruising Couples seminars offered by clubs and boating groups around the country. The goal is to help raise the competence and confidence of crew who are not generally in command of sailboats and powerboats cruising in coastal waters.
"To cruise safely and successfully we need systems and plans that work for everyone aboard — and we need to communicate about those systems and plans," said Graeme and Janna Esarey, CCA members and experienced cruisers from Seattle, Wash. "This book helps move the conversation forward among cruising couples so they can sail safely and comfortably together wherever they dream up."
The new, revised Safety for Cruising Couples workbook promotes partnership and teamwork between skipper and crew. It is a "must" for new cruisers and young families with children to improve skills and provide a safer and more enjoyable cruising experience, said veteran cruiser Ron Trossbach, a CCA member and the workbook's technical editor, based in Annapolis, Md. The book is also a good refresher course for experienced cruisers to update their skills, Trossbach said.
The workbook focuses on helping a less-experienced crewmember learn what to do if they are suddenly in command during an emergency. Chapters include how to prepare your own boat and crew before leaving the dock, updated basics about electronic navigation aids, how to call for help using a VHF radio and how to deal with various onboard emergencies. One section describes ways to learn and practice man overboard skills. Practice sessions, checklists and additional resources are also included.
While the workbook is aimed at the less-experienced crewmember, there are suggestions for skippers to help share their expertise and to recognize ways to change or modify systems or equipment to make dealing with emergencies easier and more efficient on their own powerboat or sailboat.
The revised workbook and seminar presentation materials were developed as a public service by CCA, and more than two dozen organizations have staged seminars using the previous edition in the last four years.
Contact Ron Trossbach, 703-403-8408 or click here for more, including hosting or attending a Safety for Cruising Couples seminar, or to purchase the workbook separately.
Ron Trossbach: 703-403-8408, scc@cruisingclub.org
John Burnham: 401-835-2686, john@johnsburnham.com
Bermuda Station September 2022 Report
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