Category Archives: Personal

Personal

Free Online Commercial Cannabis Permitting Workshop

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

One of the great things about California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife and California’s Department of Food and Agriculture is that they offer some great classes, workshops, and information that is really well presented.

Take this latest workshop for instance. The CDFW, CDFA and the State Water Resources Control Board are teaming up to host a free online commercial cannabis cultivate permitting workshop. I like the program because it’s open to those interested in, new to, and existing commercial cannabis cultivators.

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Patriotism, Writing

What does NaNoWriMo mean to me?

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

This morning I received an email soliciting funds from NaNoWriMo. 

NaNoWriMo was an annual writing challenge that took place every November. As it’s popularity has grown, it’s created NaNoWriMo, Camp NaNoWriMo and other annual, Internet-based creative writing contests that takes place throughout the year. The challenge is to a novel (50,000 words is the minimum length of a novel) between a scheduled start date and end date. The winner (anyone who writes the minimum number of words) gets an internet badge they can put on their website or facebook page or whatever. I have several on my site here, as I have often participated, supported, and won the challenges.

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Activities, Beagles, Hiking - General

Review: Santiago Oaks Regional Park

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Located on the very eastern edge of the city of Orange, Santiago Oaks Regional Park runs alongside Santiago Creek, Orange County’s main tributary to the Santa Ana River.

This secluded 1,269 acre park – located close enough to most east Orange neighborhoods to walk to, including Orange Park Acres and Villa Park – offers family-friendly nature well within the reach of everyone. There is a mature forest, Santiago Creek, wildlife, and trails for virtually every level of hiker, mountain biker, and equestrian.

Unlike nearby Irvine Regional Park, Santiago Oaks is less of an ‘entertainment’ destination park; you won’t find a zoo, trains, or large open maintained grass areas for parties. It’s a wilderness park. Santiago Oaks calls to the adventurer’s spirit within; the park does offer a cozy amphitheater, BBQs, picnic tables, playgrounds, and an interpretive programs/nature center, but the draw – the beauty – of Santiago Creek are the trails. A vast interconnected series of trails stretch throughout the park offering technical trails for all skill levels, and rewarding the hiker, biker, or equestrian with inspiring views of Orange and the unspoiled foothills surrounding the city. The park trails also connect with the Anaheim Hills Trail System.

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Beagles

Why are Beagles so popular as pets despite their low intelligence?

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The question was asked:

Why are Beagles so popular as pets despite their low intelligence? According to The Intelligence of Dogs by Stanley Coren, beagles have the “Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence”.

According to American Kennel Club, they are the fourth most popular breed used as pets: AKC Dog Registration Statistics

Why do people choose beagles as pets? Doesn’t their low intelligence cause problems?

My answer is simple:

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