Bald Eagles Seen in Southern California – next count coming up!

On Saturday December 21th, the first bald eagle count of the winter was conducted by local Federal and State biologists and volunteers around several lakes in the southern California.

A grand total of 11 eagles (7 adults and 4 juveniles) were observed at the lake areas during the 1- hour count.  Six eagles (2 adults, 4 juveniles) were observed in the Big Bear/Baldwin Lake area; 2 adult eagles at Lake Arrowhead; 2 adult eagles at Silverwood Lake; and 1 adult eagle at Lake Perris.  Juvenile eagles are distinguished by a brown head and tail; adults are recognized by the famous white head and tail – it takes 4-5 years to acquire full adult coloration.  Juvenile eagles are the same size as the adults.

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Trail Life USA – Christian alternative to the Boy Scouts of America launched January 1, 2014

On Wednesday, January 1, 2014, Trail Life USA (TLUSA) officially launched its outdoor adventure program for boys and young men nationwide.  TLUSA is a Christian scouting-like program for boys and young men ages 5-24.  The program focuses on outdoor adventure, character, and leadership and is starting with approximately 500 troops in 42 states.

Trail Life USA is being birthed on the same day that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) officially implements its new membership policy of allowing “open and avowed” homosexual youth in their program. Around 60% of the new members of TLUSA are former members of the BSA and 40% have no BSA background.

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“Youth in Yosemite” Short Film Contest

Yosemite National Park is conducting a “Youth in Yosemite” Short Film Contest.  This contest is open to anyone 25 years of age or younger who is motivated to create a video about their connection to Yosemite National Park.  The deadline to submit the short films is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2014.

Film themes should be focused on Celebrating Nature or What Yosemite Means to Me and be no more than 15 minutes in length.  Each theme is designed to celebrate art, beauty, inspiration, the nature of Yosemite, and a personal connection to the park.  Contest winners will be notified by phone after the deadline whether their film was selected.

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Smashwords Year in Review 2013 – Indie Authors the Stewards of Publishing’s Future

Mark Coker has posted another Smashwords “Year in Review” article over at the Smashwords blog.  From the article:

Welcome to my annual Smashwords year in review.

It was another amazing year.

On behalf of all employees at Smashwords, I want to start by thanking every Smashwords author, publisher and agent that publishes and distributes with Smashwords.  We serve at your pleasure and we appreciate your trust, partnership and support.

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Self-Publishing and The Power of Creative Intention

Orna Ross recently posted a wonderful blog entry about creative intention over at the ALLi Self Publishing Advice website.  From the article:

Planning to write 1000 words a day through 2014? Resolving to definitely get that title that’s been hanging around forever up and out there?

Oh yes, it’s that time of year when indie authors make our resolutions about the books we are going to write (and sell and publish) over the coming months.

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