Geocaching, National Forests, National Parks, State Parks

Wilderness Land Navigation Clinic Offered By CDFW

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

A two-day land navigation clinic is being offered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on May 4th & May 5th.

From the CDFW press release:

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will be holding a two-day land navigation clinic as part of its Advanced Hunter Education Program. The overnight workshop will be held at the Camp Whitsett, east of Bakersfield in the Sequoia National Forest, on May 4 and 5.

This two-day clinic is designed to help students learn and practice basic navigation skills using a map, compass and GPS. There will be class work and lab exercises that develop the skills learned. The clinic will cover magnetic declination, the workings of a baseplate compass, map reading, how to stay oriented naturally, and taking bearings. Other topics covered include the use of magnetic bearings, map coordinate systems and GPS. All course materials and equipment will be provided.

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Conservation, National Forests, National Parks

Public Comments Period for the Merced River and Tuolumne Meadows Plans Extended

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Yosemite National Park has announced an extension of the public comment period for the Merced Wild and Scenic River Draft Comprehensive Management and Environmental Impact Statement (MRP) through Tuesday, April 30, 2013. (the public comment period was scheduled to close on Thursday, April 18, 2013).

From the press release:

“The MRP is an expansive document which guides park management actions for many years. We want to make sure the public has a thorough opportunity to review the draft plan and submit comments,” stated Kathleen Morse, Yosemite National Park’s Chief of Planning. Continue reading →

General Aviation

Aviation Awareness Day in California

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has teamed up with the Association of California Airports and other aviation organizations to support the first California Aviation Awareness Day on April 24, 2013.

The even will take place from 11:00am through 1:00pm on the steps of the state capitol building, and will include interactive displays and presentations by the many businesses and organizations that rely on aviation in the state.

From the AOPA press release:

“This is the first time such a broad spectrum of aviation organizations has come together to host an event to educate state legislators, legislative staff, and the general public about the importance of aviation to California,” Pfeifer said.

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Writing

Createspace’s Secret Hardover Option

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Much like the secret menu at In-N-Out Burger (an INCREDIBLE California fast food burger chain), Createspace also has a secret menu. One of the more awesome items is the hardcover book option.

As of the date of this post, the current pricing is:

$99.00 – One-Time Setup Fee
$6.50 – Cost per book
$0.015 – B&W per page cost
$0.15 – Color per page cost
$2.00 – Dust Jacket (optional)

Now, there are some caveats to the Createspace book:

  • The hardcover is set up as a separate title in the author’s account, and gets a separate ISBN number.
  • The conversion takes a ridiculously long time to get done (about 10 days).
  • If there are ANY color images (or text) the ENTIRE book is subject to the color cost per page charge.
  • The book isn’t eligible for any of Createspace’s distribution channels. Really. Only the author can order the book to sell or distribute.

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National Parks

Meeks Creek Meadow Restoration Public Comment Period Open

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit  has opened the public comment period for the proposed Meeks Creek Meadow restoration project.

From the press release:

The project area is located on the west shore of Lake Tahoe near Meeks Bay.  The proposed project would restore approximately 300 acres of meadow habitat, reestablish a natural fire regime, and provide for diverse wildlife habitat.

Proposed project work would include removal of encroaching trees and prescribed fire operations.  Implementation would depend on funding availability.

The comment period is open through Tuesday, April 30, 2013.  Comments may be submitted electronically to comments-pacificsouthwest-ltbmu@fs.fed.us.

For more information, contact Sarah Muskopf at (530) 543-2835 or email smuskopf@fs.fed.us, or visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/MeeksMeadow

You can read the full press release HERE.