Margot's News & Views: December 2010

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Soft skills is a term relating to a cluster of personal attributes that characterize relationships with other people, such as social graces, communication, cooperation, honesty, respect, responsibility, friendliness, and optimism.
Because companies are becoming more process and system driven and because job competition has increased at all levels, there has never been a time when soft skills offer more value to the market than they do today.
As a growing number of people with similar talents and education compete for the same jobs, promotions, and clients, soft skills become the differentiating factor separating one person from another. The little things you’ve been learning about in this blog now matter more than ever.
In writing this post I made a list of my top 50 soft skills; I then slowly and painful reduced that list to my top 10. As you read each skill, I challenge you to look in the mirror of truth and do an honest evaluation.
If you have the desire to improve a specific skill, click the title link and learn more about that skill and the benefits of mastering it. Make 2011 the year you take your people skills to a new level.

1. The Art of Listening. If your family, friends, and colleagues were asked to rank your listening skills, what would they say? Do you interrupt? Do you try to control the conversation? Do you ask questions showing a genuine interest in what people are saying?

Being an attentive listener is one of the most important skills you can master, especially in this fast-paced world where everyone wants to talk and few have the patience to listen. Be intentional this next year to listen more and talk less.

2. Cell Phone Etiquette. A friend told me about his colleague, a Realtor, who landed a $6,900,000 listing. As he was leaving the seller’s home, he causally asked why he had been selected over the other four Realtors. The seller said, “You were the only one who did not check your cell phone during the appointment.” The Realtor ended up selling the home, earning over $300K.

Cell phone addiction is out of control. This next year, challenge yourself to show respect when using your phone, both at work and at home.

3. Show More Respect. People’s tolerance for being disrespected is as low as I have ever seen it. The days of advancing careers by stepping on the toes of co-workers are over. People deserve to be treated with respect and are now demanding it.

Look for the little things you can do in 2011 to show more respect to others. This includes the teller at the bank. Treat people as human beings and not as pawns on your chess board. As you treat others with greater respect, they will admire you and so will the people who witness your actions.

4. Authenticity. Because many people are less trusting than they have ever been and others are tired of being around people who are not genuine and real, there is a powerful trend towards authenticity.

Being authentic is when you are not trying to impress others nor are you acting like someone you are not. The authenticity I am referring to makes people comfortable, relaxed, and enjoy your presence.

5. Show Interest in Others. How frequently do people show a genuine interest in you, your ideas, or interests? When was the last time a friend called you (without an agenda) just to see how you are doing? If your life is like mine, it doesn’t happen frequently.

In 2011 slow down and show an interest in those whose relationship you value. As you do, you will stand out from all the superficial relationships as someone who cares about others.

6. Verbal Communication. According to a new research report by Kelly Services the traits individuals identify as the most important in creating their personal brands were their verbal communication skills. This includes such things as being friendly, clear, concise, confident, humble, and positive in the way you speak with others.

How you communicate with others verbally plays a defining role in how you are viewed. Think before you speak in 2011 and take pride in the way you interact with others.

7. Become More Responsible. As the speed of life has accelerated, so has the number of people are who are neglecting to do the things that are expected of them, including being late for appointments, failing to return calls and emails, and not completing projects on time.

Being responsible also includes admitting when you have made a mistake and accepting responsibility for your actions and decisions. Let 2011 be the year that you stop making excuses and start doing the little things that are expected of you.

8. Make Your Appearance an Asset. Very few things are more powerful in creating your brand than the visual imprint you make in people’s minds. When you take pride in your appearance, it makes you look good, it helps you feel good, and it increases your influence with others.

I have learned that, when it comes to appearance, it’s all about the little things. From the way your hair is combed, to the style of clothes you wear and the shine on your shoes—it all makes an impression on others. Step up your appearance in 2011.

9. Control Your Emotional Energy. Most of what I hear going on today is negative. It’s like the recession has given everyone a free pass to find fault with everything. Whining and complaining have become a part of most conversations.

Leaders and employers know they can’t build a business when their people are focused on negative issues. It only takes one negative person to impact the atmosphere of an entire office; therefore, they are hiring and rewarding people who have a positive influence in their work environment.

Remember, where your attention goes, so goes your energy and attitude. Make 2011 the year you start focusing on positives and avoid the complainers who are dragging you down.

10. Your Email Brand. Every email you send makes a small, but noticeable impression on others. The accumulation of these impressions forms your brand. Think about your goals and consider the person you need to become to achieve your goals. I encourage you to read the Email Tips Report and focus on improving your email brand in 2011.

George Gurney, a leader in the employment industry since 1976, said, “When it comes to job offers, the soft skills determine who gets the job. After many years of recruiting, I know for a fact that when all the candidates’ work experience, education, and hard skills are equal, the candidate with the best soft skills will win! . . . Soft skills can be best defined as the quality of a person’s charisma. ”
Let me challenge you to take inventory of your own soft skills. Make note of those you need to develop into strong and winning assets and make a New Year’s resolution to work on those in 2011.
Improving your soft skills will have a positive impact on every part of your life.
Click here to visit the site and/or comment on this post.
About the Author: Todd Smith is a successful entrepreneur of 30 years and founder of Little Things Matter. To receive Todd’s lessons, subscribe here. All Todd’s lessons are also available on iTunes as downloadable podcasts. (Todd’s podcasts are ranked #27 in America’s top 100 podcasts and #1 in the personal and development field.)
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Little Things Matter, P. O. Box 19109, Sarasota, FL 34276, USA BACK to margotbworldnews.com

Year-End Flurry of Food Recalls, Illness

Sprouts, Parsley, Cilantro, Pastry, Cheese in Separate Recalls

By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

Dec. 28, 2010 -- A nationwide recall of curly parsley and cilantro is the latest in a year-end flurry of food warnings and outbreaks of food-borne illness.
In the two most serious of these outbreaks:

At least 89 people in 15 states fell ill with salmonella infections after eating contaminated Alfalfa Sprouts and Spicy Sprouts from Tiny Greens Organic Farm of Urbana, Ill. Many of those who fell ill reported eating sandwiches at Jimmy John's restaurants.
100 people became ill after eating pastries made by Rolf's Patisserie, a gourmet European bakery in Lincolnwood, Ill. Various desserts were shipped wholesale and repackaged by other retailers. Whole Foods has recalled gingerbread houses and a wide range of pastries, pot pies, and quiche originally made by Rolf's.

Parsley/Cilantro Recall -- Salmonella

In the latest recall, J&D Produce of Edinburg, Texas, has recalled its Little Bear brand curly parsley and cilantro. Tests of the products in Quebec, Canada and in Detroit detected salmonella contamination.
The items were packed from Nov. 30 to Dec. 6. According to the Associated Press, the company is also recalling other produce that came through its production lines on these dates: arugula, leeks, collards, curly mustard, gold beets, kale, green Swiss chard, plain mustard, plain parsley, kohlrabi, rainbow Swiss chard, mint, methi leaf, beets, daikon, red Swiss chard, turnips, turnip greens, and dill.
No known illnesses have yet been associated with this recall. J&D promises a full refund of any affected product.

Alfalfa Sprouts -- Salmonella

On Dec. 27, the FDA warned consumers not to eat Alfalfa Sprouts and Spicy Sprouts (a mix of alfalfa, radish, and clover sprouts) from Tiny Greens Organic Farm.
The preliminary results of a CDC/FDA investigation link many of the illnesses to sandwiches from Jimmy John's restaurant outlets. About half of the 89 cases reported as of Dec. 21 were in Illinois residents who ate at Jimmy John's. The restaurant has stopped putting sprouts on its sandwiches.
The sprouts were also distributed in 4-ounce and 5-pound containers to farmers markets, restaurants, and groceries in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and possibly other states in the Midwest.
Illnesses from salmonella with the same DNA fingerprint as the outbreak strain have been identified in Connecticut, Washington D.C., Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Pastries -- Staph Toxin

On Christmas Eve, the Lincolnwood, Ill., bakery Rolf's Patisserie recalled products made after Nov. 1, 2010.
The products include tiramisu, cakes, cobblers, decorated cookies, tarts, pastries, and pies (including pot pies). Because these foods are sold wholesale, they may be repackaged by retailers under various labels.
The foods contain toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus. Poisoning occurs from ingesting these toxins, not from Staph infection. Illness onset is usually within one to six hours after eating the contaminated food. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Severe cases are rare but may include headache, muscle cramps, and changes in blood pressure and pulse rate.

Pastries -- Staph Toxin continued...

Whole Foods has removed the foods from its shelves. Included in the Rolf's recall are pre-assembled gingerbread houses sold in Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin.
Also included in the recall are the following products sold by Whole Foods in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin:
Items sold in Bakery:

UPC Code	Product Desc	Item Size	Unit of Measure
23691600000	WFM 6 IN CHERRY CRUMB PIE	12	OUNCES
23600700000	WFM 6 INCH APPLE PIE	20	OUNCES
23692300000	WFM 6IN APPLECRAN CRMB PIE	19	OUNCES
23693100000	WFM 9 IN HOUSE KEY LIME PIE	34	OUNCES
23654800000	WFM 9 INCH CHOC SILK PIE	48	OUNCES
23691800000	WFM 9IN APPCHDR CRUMB/DBL PIE	34	OUNCES
23692200000	WFM 9IN APPLCRAN CRUMB/DBL PIE	37	OUNCES
23659200000	WFM 9IN BANANA DULCE D LCH PIE	52	OUNCES
23650700000	WFM 9IN BLACKBERRY CHRRY PIE	60	OUNCES
23659800000	WFM 9IN BOSTON CREME PIE	40	OUNCES
23691500000	WFM 9IN CHERRY CRUMB/DBL PIE	40	OUNCES
23659600000	WFM 9IN COOKIES AND CREAM PIE	42	OUNCES
23650000000	WFM 9IN CRML APPLE CHSCAKE PIE	44	OUNCES
23690900000	WFM 9IN PEACH CRUMB/DBL PIE	37	OUNCES
23650500000	WFM 9IN RASP PCH CRUMB/DBL PIE	60	OUNCES
23611000000	WFM CAKE CHOC MOUSSE 8IN 58OZ	58	OUNCES
23182200000	WFM CHOC FLOURLESS CAKE 6IN	24	OUNCES
23610800000	WFM CHOC FLOURLESS CAKE 8IN	32	OUNCES
UPC Code	Product Desc	Item Size	Unit of Measure
23629500000	WFM LEMON MERINGUE PIE 9 INCH	1133	GRAMS
23184200000	WFM MINI CARAMEL TART 1OZ	1	OUNCES
23615900000	WFM MINI CHOC FRESH FRUIT TART	1	OUNCES
23173400000	WFM MINI CHOC GANACHE TART 1OZ	1	OUNCES
23129700000	WFM MINI CHOC RASPBERRY TART	1	OUNCES
23648700000	WFM MINI CHOCOLATE MOUSSE TART	1	OUNCES
23152700000	WFM MINI FRESH FRUIT TART 1OZ	1	OUNCES
23658200000	WFM MINI GERMAN CHOC TART	1	OUNCES
23121200000	WFM MINI KEY LIME TART	1	OUNCES
23618600000	WFM MINI LEMON MERINGUE TART	1	OUNCES
23185400000	WFM MINI LEMON TART 1OZ	1	OUNCES
23619600000	WFM MINI MERINGUE TART	1	OUNCES
23651200000	WFM MINI ROCKY ROAD TART	1	OUNCES
23167600000	WFM STRAWBERRY & CREAM PIE 9IN	24	OUNCES
23621700000	WFM APPLE PIE 9 INCH 1/2	22	OUNCES
23621800000	WFM 9IN CHOCOLATE SILK PIE 1/2	24	OUNCES
23614300000	WFM TIRAMISU CAKE 6IN 22OZ	16	OUNCES
23167100000	WFM PUMPKIN ANGEL FOOD CAKE	16	OUNCES
23187900000	WFM LEMON CREAM PIE 9 IN	40	OUNCES
23605700000	WFM MINI COCONUT TART	1	OUNCES
23612900000	WFM TIRAMISU CUP 6OZ	6	OUNCES
23625000000	WFM CRANBERRY WLNT UPSIDE CAKE	19	OUNCES
23642700000	WFM TRES LECHES CUP	6	OUNCES
23660100000	WFM 9IN CRML APPLE WALNT PIE	44	OUNCES
23669000000	WFM CREME BRULEE	5	OUNCES
23671700000	WFM 9 INCH IN HOUSE PUMPKIN PIE	32	OUNCES
23695700000	WFM YULE LOG	27	OUNCES

Pastries -- Staph Toxin continued...

Items sold in Prepared Foods:

UPC Code	Product Desc	Unit of Measure
23773800000	CHICKEN POT PIE 9INCH SPECIAL	26 OUNCES
23851300000	BEEF & MUSHROOM POT PIE 9IN	26 OUNCES
23853500000	CURRY CHICKEN POT PIE LARGE	26 OUNCES
23856300000	FAMILY SIZE TURKEY POT PIE	16 OUNCES
23923600000	TOFU POT PIE 9 IN	26 OUNCES
23928400000	CHICKEN POT PIE 9IN	26 OUNCES
23928500000	VEGETABLE POT PIE 9 IN	26 OUNCES
9948280244	CHICKEN POT PIE LARGE	26 OUNCES
9948280320	TURKEY POT PIE LARGE	26 OUNCES
23785900000	CORN PEPPPER QUICHE WHOLE	12 OUNCES
23788900000	SMSALMONLEEKGOATQUICHESLICE	BY POUND
23789300000	SMSALMON LEEK GOAT CHS QUICHE	BY POUND
23789400000	SPINACH MUSH QUICHE SLICE	BY POUND
23807900000	MUSHROOM QUICHE SLICE	BY POUND
UPC Code	Product Desc	Unit of Measure
23808100000	SPINACH QUICHE SLICE	BY POUND
23808200000	SPINACH QUICHE WHOLE	12 OUNCES
23808300000	WFM BROC CHEDDAR QUICHE SLICE	BY POUND
23808400000	BROCCOLI CHEDD QUICHE 9 IN	12 OUNCES
23949900000	WFM QUICHE TOMATO BASIL SLICE	BY POUND
23950200000	WFM QUICHE LORRAINE SLICE	BY POUND
23950300000	QUICHE LORRAINE 9 IN	12 OUNCES
23950700000	LEEK GOAT CHEESE QUICHE SLICE	BY POUND
23967800000	TOMATO BASIL QUICHE 9IN	12 OUNCES
9948280061	QUICHE BROCCOLI CHEDDAR	12 OUNCES
9948280063	QUICHE LORRAINE 9	12 OUNCES
9948280065	QUICHE TOM BASIL 9	12 OUNCES
75452	CATERING QUICHE LORRAINE	12 OUNCES
75453	CATERING QUICHE BROCCOLI CHDDR	12 OUNCES
75454	QUICHE TOMATO BASIL	12 OUNCES
76009	QUICHE SPIN AND MUSHROOM	12 OUNCES
72418	QUICHE LEEK AND GOAT CHEESE	12 OUNCES

Soft Cheese Recall -- E. Coli

On Dec. 17, Sally Jackson Cheese of Oroville, Wash., recalled soft, raw milk cheeses made from cow, goat, and sheep milk. The cheeses were distributed nationwide.
The cow and sheep cheeses are wrapped in chestnut leaves, while the goat cheese is wrapped in grape leaves. They may have an outer wrapping of waxed paper.
The cheeses may have been the source of E. coli O157:H7 infections reported by Washington State and Oregon health authorities.
Whole Foods Market carried some of these cheeses. Some carry the Sally Jackson label, but others were simply wrapped in clear plastic and sold with a Whole Foods Market scale label.
E. coli o157:H7 infection can be dangerous. It causes diarrhea, often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults recover, the infection can cause kidney failure. Consumers who develop symptoms of E. coli infection should immediately seek medical care.

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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Golden, The Outdoor Sportsman's Paradise

By Margot B

Golden is a village of 10,000 population situated in the confluence of the
British Columbia and Kicking Horse rivers in a long deep valley between
the Rocky and Purcell Mountain ranges in eastern BC, at an elevation of
790 m [2591 ft] located at the heart of six mountainous national parks:
Yoho, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay Glacier and Mount Revelstoke. Yoho
National Park, the 'adopted' park of the community, is a half-hour drive
east of Golden. From May to September mountain biking, hang/paragliding, bungee jumping, and snowboarding are popular, and of course skiing during the winter.

Winter Activities:
Tobogganing, skating, or Nordic skiing through rolling windy trails
through woods. Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding, Heli-Skiing, Cat Skiing,
Snow mobiling, Dog Sledding, and Ice Climbing from mid-November to
the End of March.

Summer Activities:
Pilots from all over the world flock to the Mount 7 flying site to paraglide
and hang-glide. Horseback Riding, hiking, mountain biking, golfing,
fishing, and air tours. World class white water rafting, ATVing,
motocross, and rock climbing attract international thrill seekers.
Bird and wildlife viewing, slow floats, wetland scenic forest tours.

Boating and angling are common activities at recreation sites. Most
sites allow car top boat launching only. That means you can hand-launch
only canoes, kayaks and boats small enough to be carried on top of
your car. Trailered boats can be launched safely and conveniently from
those sites with ramp facilities. In most cases, the ramps are suitable
only for small and medium-sized boats.

A plane or helicopter ride will show you the Selkirk, Purcell and
Rocky Mountain ranges and their glaciers. You can even land on a
glacier for a closer look. Air tours are available year-round.

For local history there's the Golden Museum where you can learn about
the important role that Swiss Mountain Guides played in the birth of
Canadian mountaineering traditions. Or at Ray's Antique & Collectable
Museum you can browse through some old farm equipment and antique
tools. Take a guided hike way, way back [some 515 million years]
and visit the fossils of the renowned Yoho Burgess Shale or, if art is
your scene, there are many local art shops.

Tours:
Cruise the numerous small mountain roads. Tour season is [weather
permitting] from May to October.

Bird / Wildlife Watching:
The Rocky Mountain Trench is a major migratory path, and a
great diversity of birds also settles in the Columbia Valley. 265
transient and resident species have been counted in Golden so far.
Reflection Lake, the Edelweiss slough and Moberly Marsh are favourite
birding spots. You can do bird watching year-round, although there are
more species during migration in spring [April to June]
and fall [September to October].

Canoe / Kayak Tours:
At the Columbia River you can view birds of prey, herons and ducks.
Paddle the Blaeberry River for more action. The Kicking Horse River is the
place to be for great whitewater action. For very experienced kayakers
the lower canyon with its class IV rapids is ideal. Season: May to October.

Climbing:
In 1912 six Swiss Mountain Guides and their families moved permanently
to Golden. Canadian Pacific Rail had hired them as professional
mountain guides for the many tourists who wanted to explore the Canadian
Rocky Mountains. Today there are many ACMG certified mountain
guides who live and work in Golden and the mountains around.
Golden attracts climbers from all over the world.

Cross-Country Skiing:
Track-set trails are just minutes from town at the Golden Golf Course.
More challenging trails can be found at Dawn Mountain Nordic Trail
System at the base of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Many more
tracks set by XC-enthusiasts can be found in the Blaeberry and Columbia
Valley. The season is from December to April.

Cycling:
Golden is the centre for the 'Golden Triangle' Tour where you cross the
Continental Divide twice. You can go at your own pace or book a package
with one of the tour companies.

Dog Sledding:
Season lasts from late November to April.

Downhill (Alpine) & Cat Skiing / Snowboarding:
The new Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is being developed into a 250-
acre resort, encompassing 4005 acres of ski and snowboarding terrain,
with views of the Canadian Rockies. The new gondola rises to the
summit of the Dogtooth Mountain Range at an elevation of 7705
feet [2350 meters] where the new Eagle’s Eye Restaurant is located.
The excellent snow conditions will include a vertical drop of 4,133
feet [1260 meters] from the top lift, making it the second highest in
Canada. Ski season is from early December to the end of April.

Freshwater Fishing / Ice Fishing / Heli-Fishing:
The area's fishing opportunities are endless, ranging from early and
late rainbow trout, small cut-throat trout in alpine lakes to char in
the river and giant ling [turbot] and Dolly Varden in the hydro
reservoir. Guides can take you to the type of fishing you prefer and
provide all the equipment from boats to heli-fishing. One of the more
popular lake areas is south of Golden, near Parson and Brisco. Many
of the lower lakes open early in May, and more fishing can be found
at higher elevations as summer arrives.

A popular lake is Mitten Lake. Also excellent are the Cleland and
Jade Lakes, and to the west, the Blackwater Lake. Stocked rainbow
trout up to 24-inches can be caught in these areas. North/northwest of
Golden are the Susan and Jeb Lakes in the area of the Big Bend Highway
and are usually open by early July. These two lakes are renowned for
their Brook trout. Anglers should note that the waters to the north remain
cooler longer in the summer and often provide a more vigorous fish than
the lethargic ones of the southern waters. Many of the higher alpine lakes,
which open at various times later in the summer offer exciting and
picturesque fly and spin- cast opportunities. The more popular areas
include Gorman, Quartz and Silent Lakes - and all trailheads are
within 25 minutes of town. Hike-in distances range from several
kilometres to much longer.

For river fishing, the Columbia opens early in the spring providing
Rainbows and Char. With a red and white spoon or a wet fly you'll likely
nab one. Also available in the Columbia are Dolly Varden, Whitefish and
Kokanee. Creeks and streams open officially on June 14. and a lightweight
fly rod is recommended. In the Glacier and Yoho National Parks is superb
fishing but you must have a special permit aside from your regular license to
encourage catch and release in these areas.

Golfing:
The Golden Golf & Country Club is rated one of the top 10 is B.C., the
75th best course in Canada by Score magazine, with Golf Digest rating it
three-and-a-half stars. Whether you play pro or beginner there are complete
facilities and services at the 18-hole championship course. The
season is from mid April to October. The course ranges from 5,380 yards
to 6,818 yards long. One hole, the 11th, has such a fine setting that
wedding parties have utilized the spot for photographs. It is a par 4,
running 385 yards downhill from an elevated tee, with Holt Creek
running beside it. This course features a pro shop, which can completely
outfit all golfing needs. As well, there is a full-service restaurant,
lounge and outdoor patio.

Hangliding ~ Paragliding:
The Mount 7 hangliding site is one of the top ten sites in the world.
Mount 7 is year after year the site of National and International
Championships. If a novice you can take a tandem-flight with an
experienced instructor. The season is [weather permitting] from
May to October.

Heli-Hiking / Skiing:
The birthplace area of the sport and one of the best in the world.
Daily to weekly packages.

Hiking and Hiking Guides:
Take a stroll along the dike of the Kicking Horse River or along the
numerous trails to the alpine on your own or join a group at one
of the remote alpine lodges accessible by helicopter or a guided
tour to the world heritage site of the Yoho Burgess-Shale.

The day-hike trail at Gorman Lake is the most popular. Mammal
Activities and sightings of bear, muskrat, fox, and many others
are not uncommon just strolling in the woods. Some areas are
known to shelter abundant wildlife.

Back- country camping sites:
The lake affords excellent fly-fishing. You can find marmots and
pikas along talus slopes and goats on the cliffs above. The hike is
three kilometres in length, ending at the lake, and takes about 90-
minutes.

The Moonraker Trails at Canyon Creek are popular for hiking as
well as biking and horseback riding. There are some 45-kilometres
of loop trails stretching from the Cedar Lake area to Canyon
Creek. This is only minutes from town but home to wild mountain
goats and bears.

The Mummery Glacier Trail is three-kilometres in length through
old-growth cedar and hemlock and spectacular views of the glacier
for which it is named. After a short trek up an old creek bed and
across the creek by bridge you'll arrive at the immense moraines
left by the glacier. The trail ends at one of these moraines, near the
top where there is a view of the glacier and waterfalls above - but
look out for calving ice off the glacier! The Quartz Lake Trail west
of town is a five -kilometre hike and is recommended for the area's
pristine beauty.

The recent elimination of the Ministry of Forests' recreation program,
may have lead to the dismantling of signs, toilets, and picnic tables
at some recreation sites, but you may find a guidebook at Golden's
bookstore.

Horseback ~ Trail Riding:
You will find specially trained horses for the beginner to the expert.
Tours range from short rides to multiple day excursions. Riding
season is from mid-June to October.

Hunting / Guide Outfitters:
Although most people like to go hunting with their cameras, some take
a rifle and want to come back with a trophy. The BC Government
allows hunting of black bears, mountain goats and other animals within
limited quotas and led by certified guide outfitters. Hunting seasons
vary depending on species.

Mountain Biking:
With 7,700 feet of vertical terrain enthusiasts can ride the mountains
themselves or with guides, which are available at Kicking Horse
Mountain Resort where they launch their rides down the mountain.
For the price of a day's lift ticket you can bike down 4200 vertical feet,
accessed by the gondola. Mount 7 is the location of the legendary
Mount 7 Psychosis downhill race offering some 12 kilometres of
downhill drops, steeps and technical woodwork playgrounds. People
can pedal to the top, with several jump-off trails at three, five and six-
kilometres. Shuttling via truck 15-kilometres to the top is a popular
option.

Mountain biking cross-country:
Golden has an in-town trail system as well as a 45-kilometre trail
system on the west bank of the Columbia River along the Canyon
Creek trail along the narrow deep canyon, which is a steep climb up
with a long, rolling descent. Motocross racing comes to Golden in
late May.

Mountain Climbing:
Golden has been well known for its mountain climbing since the end
of the 19th century with the coming of the Swiss Guides to the Selkirk
and Rocky Mountains. Local climbers have developed several areas
around Golden over the last decades. The most popular area is Jubilee
Mountain near Spillimacheen, 45 minutes south of town. It offers over
70 climbs, mostly sport [bolted] ranging from 5.8 to 5.12. Another
popular area that is easer with low-angle climbs is up the Mount 7
road at the 6-kilometre parking lot, with most of the climbs slab in
nature with a handful of short, pumpy climbs. Difficulty ranges from
5.6 to 5.11, some bolted and some mixed. A 60-metre rope is
recommended for top-roping the longer routes.

A new climbing area is in the Kicking Horse Canyon, 10-kilometres
east of Golden called 'The Glen' after nearby Glenogle Creek. This is
a quartzite area and will provide a wide range of climbing, from slab to
severely overhanging and difficult routes. Another short, quartzite crag
is up the forest service road on the west side of the Columbia River near
Nicholson [five-kilometres south of Golden]. This is a steep sport
climbing wall with approximately 10 climbs from 5.10 to 5.11 plus.

Snowmobiling is popular with routes too numerous to mention.

Whitewater Rafting:
The Kicking Horse River originates from icy glaciers at the western
boundary of Yoho National Park and runs along 20-kilometres, has class
three and four rapids careening through a canyon and right into Golden.
There are roughly a dozen rafting companies in the canyon. These attract
thousands of visitors from May to September each year. Rafting begins
at the upper canyon through the first set of Class IV rapids known as
Shotgun and Portage followed by a dozen Class III rapids. It continues
into the lower canyon where Class IV rapids, Double Trouble, Riptide,
and the Nozzle spread over three-kilometres. Many guiding companies
offer a variety of trips from one-day to multi-day raft outings and even
heli-rafting, which takes advantage of other nearby rivers, one being the
Blaeberry River.

Flat-water excursions:
Available through the Columbia Valley Wetlands, a popular kayaking and
canoeing destination.

Before you leave Golden, the new pedestrian bridge is a must-see. This
was completed in the fall of 2001 by volunteer timber framers from
Golden, Europe, and the United States. Because of the high waters in
the fall, the installation of the bridge didn't occur until October 25, with
the help of Sterling Cranes from Calgary, which took three full days,
inching along and out onto a temporary footing, and finally onto the far
shore where it was fitted into its concrete abutments. The bridge is 150-
feet-long, with a 210,000-pound burr arch structure. The cost of the
bridge is estimated to be $250,000Science Articles, but considering the volunteer time
and the donated materials its value would be over twice that amount.

BACK to margotbworldnews.com

Prayer, You ask?

1. Bless Yourself
The Journey begins Here
Take a moment to give Thanks
Thanks for your Health and your Life.

2. Bless the Earth
Thank Her for all Her Offerings
Thank Her for sustaining you
Thank Her for Teaching you so much openly
Thank Her for Who She Is

3. Bless the Sky
the One who Watches over you
the One who creates (tries to) Balance in your Life
The One who Allows us to Exist

Is this not enough to be thankful for?

Luc Majno

The Empire Has No Clothes (Updated Edition)

Buy The Empire Has No Clothes (Updated Edition) for $13.50 (softcover)

U.S. Foreign Policy Exposed
By Ivan Eland

Highlights | Synopsis | About the Author

Highlights

The U.S. maintains more than 700 military bases worldwide, spanning an area that dwarfs the great empires of world history. Although many leaders today support a policy of foreign interventionism, extensive military engagement around the world is a policy at odds with principles of the republic’s founders—and at odds with the economic, political, and security interests of the American people.
The U.S. has military dominance but no longer the economic dominance to match; it accounts for nearly 40 percent of the world’s military spending but only about 30 percent of global GDP. The U.S. is so dominant today only because other empires declined as a result of losing wars (Germany and Japan) or becoming overextended abroad relative to their frail economies (Britain, France, and the Soviet Union). If the U.S. stays the course, America’s economic dominance and political influence will likely decline.
Why is the U.S. disproportionately attacked by terrorists? Although the president, other highlevel policymakers, the foreign policy elite, the media, and even large segments of the public are in a state of denial, the key factor is obvious to the rest of the world: the interventionist U.S. foreign policy in support of the informal American global empire. The U.S. has received unfavorable ratings from people in both Muslim and non-Muslim countries around the world, not because of its political and economic freedoms or its culture, but because of its policies—particularly toward the Middle East.
Small government conservatives who favor military adventurism should check their history and rethink their assumptions. Increases in nondefense spending have been lower during administrations in which warfare was sporadic or nonexistent (Carter, Reagan, Bush I, and Clinton) than during the three administrations in which major long-term wars were being fought. Like prior wars, Bush II’s “War on Terror” has led to increases in both defense spending and nondefense spending (which has increased more during the wartime presidency of George W. Bush than during any comparable period since the wartime administration of Lyndon Johnson).
Knowing that popular support for military actions unrelated to American security is fragile, U.S. policymakers resort to “war on the cheap.” This strategy has resulted in the use of military tactics that increase casualties among civilians in the nation being helped. The use of heavy U.S. air and ground firepower results in the moral equivalent of killing people to save them. Thus, military interventions for humanitarian purposes usually achieve the opposite result and are morally questionable.
Heavy-handed U.S. military intervention to facilitate social work almost always fails because of the onset of mission creep (e.g., in Lebanon and Somalia), the creation of enemies as a result of taking sides in local disputes or using excessive force (e.g., in Lebanon, Somalia, and Iraq), the exacerbation of original problems (e.g., ethnic cleansing in Kosovo), or the loss of public support at home (e.g., in Lebanon, Somalia, and Iraq).
In a post–Cold War world, taking into account only the security of American citizens, their property, and U.S. territory, the benefits of an interventionist foreign policy have declined and the costs have escalated dramatically. Americans continue to pay excessive taxes to defend countries that are rich enough to defend themselves or to occupy conquered countries in the world’s backwaters (e.g., Iraq and Afghanistan). Their sons and daughters are killed on remote foreign battlefields for reasons even more remote from U.S. vital interests.

Synopsis
Most Americans don’t think of their government as an empire, but in fact the United States has been steadily expanding its control of overseas territories since the turn of the twentieth century. Nor do most Americans think that the global U.S. military presence threatens their security or economic interests or that it hinders the democratic aspirations of citizens of other countries; many Americans consider U.S. interventionism progressive or, at worst, benign.
Unfortunately, a great chasm lies between common perception and reality, according to defense policy expert Ivan Eland (Senior Fellow and Director of the Independent Institute’s Center on Peace & Liberty). In The Empire Has No Clothes: U.S. Foreign Policy Exposed, Dr. Eland argues against both conservative and liberal proponents of American empire, making the case that U.S. military interventionism harms the interests of Americans politically, economically, and militarily. His thesis—that the U.S. and probably the world would be more free, secure, and prosperous if the U.S. government reduced its military involvement overseas, much as the nation’s founders had urged—is certain to garner intense interest from those who recognize the need for a thoroughgoing examination of U.S. foreign and national security policy.
“The fuzzy criteria that the U.S. government uses to determine whether and where American forces should intervene indicate that American foreign policy is askew,” writes Eland in the book’s introduction. “Unlike the empires of old, which limited their military interventions to certain parts of the world, the United States is trying to police the entire globe. This book offers an alternative vision of a more restrained U.S. foreign policy that is more focused, more achievable, less costly, and a lot less dangerous.”
The Origins and Nature of the U.S. Empire
Although U.S. imperial stirrings began with a colonial foray in the Spanish-American War of 1898 and in the Caribbean and Central America in the early 1900s, the global American empire did not explode onto the world scene until 1950, Eland explains. Only during the Cold War did America finally abandon its traditional foreign policy of acting as an offshore balancer of power in favor of Pax Americana—a worldwide network of alliances, forward-deployed military forces at bases scattered around the globe, and a policy of direct and indirect intervention in the affairs of many other nations. If the purpose of Pax Americana were simply to fight the spread of communism, it would have been dismantled after the demise of the Soviet Union. Instead, the American empire grew larger after the Cold War ended.
Unlike the Roman and British empires, the American empire for the most part is not one of territorial conquest (although the U.S. occupation of foreign territories is happening with increasing frequency). The United States exerts more control over its allies’ foreign policy than over their domestic affairs. Furthermore, the empires of old gained resources, markets, and tax revenue from their territories. The United States gets none of those things from its allies and client states (U.S. allies even refuse to fully open their markets to U.S. exports and investment). Instead, it gets a bill—in blood and treasure—for the defense of nations that are now rich enough to defend themselves.
Why Conservatives Should Be Against Empire
Conservatives should oppose an American empire, because war is the primary cause of Big Government—including the growth of nondefense spending—which in turn requires increased taxes. Hostile relations with other nations also breed protectionism and controls on financial flows, thus undermining the principles of free trade. Bloated government, high taxes, and restricted international commerce slow economic growth, undermining the prosperity and well-being of American society. Over time, lower U.S. economic growth rates could cause the United States to fall into relative decline, as happened to the overextended, overtaxed British Empire in the last century.
Conservatives worry about the nation’s security, but the U.S. does not need an empire to ensure it; America has two great oceans as moats, weak and friendly neighbors, and the most potent nuclear arsenal on Earth.
Why Liberals Should Be Against Empire
Liberals should oppose an empire, Eland argues, because many of the so-called “humanitarian” military interventions of the United States often have unhumanitarian consequences. The abysmal track record of attempts to bring democracy and free markets to countries coercively shows that such interventions usually fail to restructure fractured and violent societies. In the long term, violations of nations’ sovereignties—even for humanitarian ends—undermine international norms against cross-border aggression and encourage separatist groups to revolt. Over time, therefore, more people are likely to be killed than saved by U.S. interventions into failed states. Instead of placing the lives of U.S. soldiers between two opposing sides not yet ready to make peace, the international community should focus on helping nations in which all parties to a conflict are exhausted by war and are ready to stop fighting.
“Humanitarian” military interventionism, Eland argues, also faces strong moral objections: If a military intervention is unnecessary, then killing innocent civilians even accidentally is immoral. Furthermore, foreign wars erode civil liberties at home. Finally, many vested interests—including the arms industry—turn war fervor into corporate welfare. Humanitarian rationales for military intervention are often employed to cloak motives of realpolitik.
Why All Americans Should Be Against Empire
Perhaps the most compelling reason for all Americans to oppose a U.S. empire, according to Eland, is that the empire is destroying the republic. An imperial foreign policy has led to an imperial presidency that is much more powerful than the founders intended. In recent years, the overextended U.S. empire has threatened the American homeland and the civil liberties of Americans—both through “blowback” (the dangerous backlash against prior policies) and the enormous expansion of domestic federal power, including broader police surveillance and detention powers.
As much as some would like to use U.S. military power to restructure failed states, this is likely to be an unsuccessful and dangerous undertaking. Bitter civil wars—ethnic and otherwise—breed terrorism. The United States is hated worldwide for its interference in the affairs of other nations and peoples, and the attacks on September 11 were only the most obvious instances of blowback from U.S. foreign policy. Because intelligence is imperfect and America—the largest truly open society in the world—is very vulnerable to terrorism, improved homeland security can go only so far in protecting Americans from future catastrophic terrorist attacks. A better solution is to white out the bull’s-eye painted on America by dismantling its empire and scrapping its interventionist foreign policy.
With the demise of America’s chief rival, the Soviet Union, the benefits of Pax Americana and profligate military interventions worldwide have declined dramatically. With the advent of catastrophic terrorism, the costs of such an activist foreign policy have increased precipitously. Thus, the quest for empire is a foreign policy but not a security policy.
An Appropriate Foreign Policy for the Modern Age
The republic’s founders realized that America’s geographical remoteness vis-à-vis other nation-states allowed it the luxury of distancing itself from entangling alliances and foreign quarrels, defining its vital interests narrowly, and adopting a policy of military restraint. In an age of catastrophic terrorism, the founders’ original foreign policy is more relevant than ever. Profligate intervention overseas is not needed for security against other nation-states and only leads to blowback from the one threat that is difficult to deter—terrorism. In short, the U.S. empire lessens American prosperity, power, security and moral standing. It also erodes the founding principles of the American Constitution.
Americans have ignored the economic, political and security costs of the burgeoning empire at great peril. Public debate about the U.S. role in the world has finally begun in earnest, and The Empire Has No Clothes delivers penetrating arguments, exposing the imperial motives behind an interventionist foreign policy, questioning the historical assumptions on which it is based, and advocating a return to the founders’ vision of military restraint overseas.
“In short, the U.S. empire lessens American prosperity, power, security and moral standing,” Eland writes. “It also erodes the founding principles of the American Constitution.”

About the Author
Ivan Eland is recognized as one of the leading experts in U.S. defense studies and foreign policy. He is Senior Fellow and Director of the Center on Peace and Liberty at the Independent Institute. He resides in Washington, D.C.

Buy The Empire Has No Clothes (Updated Edition) for $13.50 (softcover)

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Margot's News & Views: Preparing Your Sea Craft for Winter

Margot's News & Views: Preparing Your Sea Craft for Winter: "Organizing Routine Maintenance: The high priority tasks to organize are seaworthiness and safety. The first jobs are almost always the ..."

Preparing Your Sea Craft for Winter

Organizing Routine Maintenance:

The high priority tasks to organize are seaworthiness and safety. The first jobs are almost always the same and must be done as soon as possible after the boat is hauled out.

First check the bottom. This is easier when the hull is still wet. Scrub with an old broom dipped in sand and gravel, then hose off the loosened debris. A high-pressure water hose is ideal for this, but be careful to not wash away paint and wood fibres.

All boats, particularly those with varnished or painted topsides need to be covered and the awning should be properly secured so as not to work loose. Then clean the topsides and apply a coat of boat polishing wax for protection during the winter.

For boats riding at the moorings, place a marker at the hull. This will give you a reference point to determine the amount of bilge water.

Check the exterior for lifted varnish and exposed wood. Bare wood should be varnished with a thick varnish. Brush on or apply with a rag, working well into the grain.
Arrange an awning, with the help of a friend to watch the props for the first few minutes and to warn you if they move.

Many boat owners consider that a dry winter berth is unnecessary and haul out on alternate year, especially those who own fibreglass boats. A mud berth can provide a satisfactory winter berth for round and flat-bottomed boats but should be tidal, allowing the boat to float on an average high tide.

If the boat winters afloat, remember that corrosion and fouling will continue through the winter and early beaching and cleaning at the beginning of the new season may be necessary.

Before leaving the boat for winter, remove all items that might be stolen, including the propeller. Everything removable should be taken to ashore to allow maximum circulation of air.
Remove cushions, mattresses, curtains, carpets and any other movable and valuable pieces. Remove floorboards, drawers, etc. and pump the bilges dry. Stop holes in the hull after cleaning out any accumulated marine growths.
Shut all sea cocks and disconnect and drain water hoses, including the toilet, engine water jacket, heat exchanger, etc. Plug sea cocks or refit hoses for safety and wash all deck fittings, rigging screws, etc. with fresh, warm water and coat with petroleum jelly..

Disconnect the batteries and take ashore. Smear the battery leads with petroleum jelly. Empty water tanks, top up diesel fuel tanks. Remove the gas cylinder and brush paraffin over the jets and burner of the stove to protect the vulnerable brass and steel parts.

Don’t lock stale air in the boat.
Everything removable should be taken to ashore to allow maximum circulation of air. Open cabin and locker doors and wedge to allow air to circulate and prevent them from swinging. It is particularly important to arrange for air circulation at the ends of the boat. Lock the fore-hatch slightly open.

Winterizing the Engine :
When the temperature falls below freezing, if there is water inside your engine or gear case, the result can be a cracked block or housing and a repair bill that runs into the thousands.
Before hauling out: Drain oil sump, refill with recommended lubricating oil, which contains a rust-inhibiting additive if you are laying up a motor for very long periods. This will prevent condensation from forming inside the tank. Add antifreeze to the sealed water cooling system and run the motor to ensure that the antifreeze is thoroughly mixed. If the motor has been overheating, the cooling system should be drained and cleaned.

To protect cylinder head and valves, mix a small amount of petrol with oil [3-1] , feed into the fuel line to coat the carburetor and cylinder head. Pour a little oil into the air intake with the engine running. Clean or replace filter and strainers. Remove rocker cover, oil rockers and springs, and replace. Clean engine by wire-brushing rusty parts and then with a rag dipped into methylated spirits. Remove carburetor, plug inlet with an oily rag, remove spark plugs and pour about one teaspoon of oil into each cylinder. Replace plugs finger tight and rotate the flywheel several times to distribute oil.

Draining the cooling system:
Open seacocks and check valves, then drain. Release upper-most flexible hose and blow down it until air can be hear gurgling out of the water inlet and outlet. Shut seacocks to exclude the seawater. Open all other pet cocks and drain plugs completely. Close and flush with fresh water hose inserted into the water inlet.
Open all drain plugs to make sure they are clear. Poke with a stiff wire if necessary. If blocked, disconnect hoses and plug the exhaust , keeping the seacocks closed if the boat is to winter afloat.
If it is possible that water is trapped in the raw water cooling system, fill with a mix of water and anti-freeze poured into a top hose. Bleed drain plus and pet cocks and top up if necessary. Paint rusted engine parts.

Stabilize the fuel:
Some boaters prefer to store the tanks full to minimize the potential for condensation. A cupful of water in the tank in the spring is a lot smaller problem than 50 gallons of bad gasoline, but if you want to leave the tank full, pour in an appropriate amount of gasoline stabilizer to combat the formation of passage-clogging gums.

Store engine upright because laying the engine down risks water draining where it shouldn’t. An engine stand is easy enough to cobble together.

Source: The Boat Repair Manual by George Buchanan
Consultant Editors: Allan Boyd, Harry Spencer, and George Chandler.

By Margot B