JD Hancock via Compfight

Tuesday I visited urgent care. I still had not been feeling all that well, and called in sick. I lost my voice starting Friday, which was horse on Saturday and almost non-existent while in Seattle on Sunday. Monday, the return, I barely spoke and felt congestion. When I woke up Tuesday morning, it couldn’t speak at all and felt extreme chest pain every time I coughed.

So, I went to see the doctor. I didn’t want to catch pneumonia, which I could be susectible to since having my tonsillectomy. They did the usual checks, such as temperature (not as seen above, but with an under the tongue scanner), and ordered some x-rays. After being there about a hour, it was determined that I do not have pneumonia. I have a viral upper respiratory infection. This means that I can return to work, but that there’s no medicine to help me get better quicker. I’ll just be weakened and not Genius-level (at least in action, but still there in thought) for the next seven to ten days.

My doctor’s advice was to stay home and get better. Don’t work as I need the rest. So I went home and rested Tuesday. Then Wednesday (today at the time of my writing), I was still extremely exhausted and whispering to communicate, so I stayed home yet again. Today (Thursday) will be my first day back in the office. I expect that I will have quite the bit of work to catch up on, as well as watering Jerry (I got a Rose of Jericho and named it Jerry).

Other than that, I don’t really have material prepared for today. I thought I could give this update and link to the YouTube video I did of the trip, so there you go, and here you go:

Can't see the video in your RSS reader or email? Click Here!
PS – if you didn’t catch it the first time, replay and watch the giraffe. You’ll discover that it’s pooping during the scene. My 3-year-old son (Offspring 1.0) had to point that one out to me…

What did you do for Memorial Day weekend? What are your plans this upcoming weekend?

You just finished reading Under the Weather! Consider leaving a comment!

Have you read the SG Terms of Service? It covers privacy, FTC disclosures, and more. Check out the Legal section of SG to get the skinny today. SG is an Independent News Media and Blog.

Editor’s Note: This race report is made possible by SELCO Credit Union.

Start of the Cat 3 race | Photo © Brian Nelson, www.541images.com

SELCO’s sponsorship makes this
race report possible.

We returned to the dirt Sunday for the 6th race in the Oregon XC Mountain Bike Series over in Sisters, OR. The 3rd Annual Sisters Stampede went off with a bang Sunday morning as riders where led out via a cowboy on horseback to complete either a 13 mile or 27 mile loop.
The course conditions were some of the best all year.

With wet weather leading up to the race the trails where firm and fast with minimal dust, a rare occurrence in Central Oregon. This year’s race saw a new course that provided more room for passing and eliminated the Pro/Cat 1 groups from lapping the rest of the field, which caused congestion in the past. The new course seemed to be well received by racers. While many felt the hurt of the new double track climbs, all pain aside, it was a much appreciated change.

Many local racers found their way to the podium on Sunday. In the pro category the belt buckles for 1st place both went to local racers. Serena Bishop-Gordon took the top podium spot for the women and Carl Decker took the top spot for the men.

I was able to catch the race director for a little Q and A to provide some insight on this young event. Joel Palanuk is the one who makes this race happen each year.

Que pero este Chihuahua
Photo © Brian Nelson, www.541images.com

Now in its 3rd year Palanuk started the race to promote the newly built trails on the Peterson Ridge trail network and to bring a big bike race to Sisters. Not only has the Sisters Stampede become one of the most highly attended mountain bike races in the State it has also changed the way the town of Sisters looks at promoting tourism.

Bike Around Bend: So you have been the race promoter for 3 years. Do you have any other events that you promote?
Palanuk: So far, just the Stampede (which was my first event). I will also be hosting some weekly hill climb time trials up Three Creeks Road on Wednesdays through June called the Sisters to Summit

Bike Around Bend: When you aren’t working on the Sisters Stampede what are you up to?
Palanuk: I work in the communications/data industry, and keep 911 emergency systems operational throughout the region.

Bike Around Bend: What are your hopes/goals with the Sisters Stampede moving into the future?
Palanuk: To turn it into a two day event which includes music, beer, and bike demos. If I can get help, then that may happen next year.

Keenan Reynolds and Cameron Beard (Bend Endurance Academy)
Photo © Brian Nelson, www.541images.com

Bike Around Bend: I am assuming you ride bikes… If so where is your favorite place to ride?
Palanuk: It would have to be riding up the back side of Mckenzie pass on my road bike. It is a toss up on the mountain bike: either in Oakridge, the Mckenzie River Trail, or the Elkhorn Crest Trail.

Bike Around Bend: All good choices! After a long ride what is your favorite Central Oregon micro brew to enjoy?
Palanuk: Hmmm…The “Ridge Trail Ale” by Three Creeks Brewing of course!

Bike Around Bend: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Palanuk: I think it is amazing to see how cycling culture has changed in Central Oregon in the last 12 years! Groups everywhere are creating fun for everybody (even kids), and really showing the rest of the country that this is the place to be if you ride. I am thankful to all of the area trail groups, and volunteers who give their time for the evolution of the sport.

Racers capped the day of racing off with ice cold pints of Three Creeks Ridge Trail Ale and music in the event tent. As if playing the double life of Clark Kent, racers pull on their recovery tights and hang their bikes as they prepare to return to their day jobs. Cheers to another great weekend of racing in Central Oregon.

###

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1. Race Report: Short Track XC Mountain Bike Races in Bend (Week 4) Editor’s Note: This race report is made possible by ....
2. Race Report: Cascades Chainbreaker XC Editor’s Note: This race report is made possible by ....
3. Race Report: Short Track XC Mountain Bike Races in Bend (Week 1) Editor’s Note: This race report is made possible by ....

Editor’s Note: This race report is made possible by SELCO Credit Union.

Cameron Beard leading the 4/5 race | Photo © Brian Nelson, www.541images.com

SELCO’s sponsorship makes this
race report possible.

With all this talk of dirt and knobby tires one mustn’t forget about the tarmac and slick tires. The temperamental weather we saw over the last few days here in Bend was beginning to make many think we would have a repeat of the 2011 Bend Don’t Brake Road Race. Fortunately the sky’s parted just in time Saturday morning for the 3rd annual Bend Don’t Brake Road Race.

The wind was still out in force but the sun warmed the high desert as racers gathered for the Men’s start Saturday morning just east of town. Many Bend riders found their way on to the podium on Saturday. Bruce Rodgers took 1st and Todd Schock 3rd, in the Masters 40+ Category. In the Masters 50+ race Scott Seaton took 2nd. The Cat 3 race saw Doug Laplaca, Ausin Line, and TJ Paskewich take 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and over in the Cat 1/2 race Karsten Hagen had success with his 3rd place finish. That wrapped it up for the morning races and then it was on to the women for the afternoon.

The wind continued to howl and the sky’s began to darken. Many started to worry that the weather was about to turn south. Luckily mother nature held out and wind remained the only element for the women. In the Cat 1/2 race local, Brenna Lopes-Otero, took home 2nd with Leia Tyrell from Corvallis, OR taking 1st and Heather VanValkenburg from Vancover, WA taking 3rd on the podium. Mary Ramos of the BMC Total Care team took a 2nd place finish in the Womens Cat 3 race.
So we have heard about the racers, how about the women behind the mask? Amanda Atwill is the women behind scenes making this race happen. Atwill started the race 3 years ago after she was tired of constantly commuting to the valley for races. After wondering why there weren’t any day options for road racing in Bend she decided to take action and create an event.

An early break in the Master Men's race
Photo © Brian Nelson, www.541images.com

The course is flat giving those that are not climbers a chance to shine a bit since most of the courses used during the season are hilly. It is also a very beginner friendly course and Amanda encouraged beginner racers to come out with a pre-race talk about tactics, nutrition, and rules.

I was able to catch Atwill this past week as she prepped for the race to ask her a few more questions about the race and herself.
Bike Around Bend: How did you get into race promotion Amanda?
Atwill: I had no idea what I was doing but I had a great mentor in Gina Miller and Bill Warburton to get my feet on the ground. Without them this race would be a lost cause.

Bike Around Bend: What other races do you promote?
Atwill: This is it! There is a lot of preparation that goes into one race so in order to keep my day job, I can only do this one!

Bike Around Bend: Day job, so when you aren’t promoting races what are you up to?
Atwill: I work as a financial advisor for professional athletes. I moved up to Bend from San Francisco with my job and continue to work for my company remotely.

Men's Cat 3 winner, Doug LaPlaca
Photo © Brian Nelson, www.541images.com

Bike Around Bend: Sounds cool! So what are your hopes/goals with this race moving into the future?
Atwill: I run this race to give back to the cycling community. When I moved to Bend, I didn’t know a soul, and the community has given me so much that I can’t give enough back. I hope in the future we’ll be able to donate more funds to get kids on bikes, keep cyclists safe, promote women’s cycling, and expand Bend’s repertoire as the Best Bike Town in the US!

Bike Around Bend: I know you ride bikes… Where is your favorite place to ride?
Atwill: This is a tough one. We recently did the Twickenham loop out by the John Day River. And we did a ride out from Antelope to Fossil. Oh, and I just rode out in Maupin and then went fishing in the Deschutes. I love rides that are remote and off the beaten path.

Bike Around Bend: And I know you may be partial to PBR, hence the race logo, but what is your favorite local micro brew?
Atwill: I’m partial to GoodLife Brewery’s 29er India Brown…and anytime I have a tough day on a bike, I crave a Ninkasi Total Domination IPA.

Thanks to Amanda for taking the time out of your busy week to share a little about yourself and the race.

###

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For those who play USTA pacific northwest tournaments, I thought you might find this interesting.
4A
Boys Singles
1 Michael Chamerski, Jackson
2 Mitch Stewart, Federal Way
3 Hundson Barnhart, Wenatchee
4 Kent Andreasen, Skyview
5 Mitch Williamson, Jackson
6 Brian Pinkard, Puyallup
7 Clint Vidano, Wenatchee
8 Alex Vogt

Now this just sounds like a lot of fun, coming up in a couple of weeks:

Kick off summer vacation at the Summer Shootout Marble Tournament, Saturday, June 16, 2012, at the Des Chutes Historical Museum. The event begins at 10 a.m. In addition to tournament play, there will be marble free play throughout the day, lawn games and other fun activities for families. Marble enthusiasts and beginners are all welcome to play and compete for a chance at the title of Marble Champion 2012.

Marble competition will be in two categories: children ages 7 to 11 will compete for a brand new bicycle from Hutch’s Bicycles, while 12 and older can register to compete in the Young at Heart category to win an Xbox. Previous marble playing experience not needed! A warm-up and marble ‘shooting’ lessons will be provided prior to beginning of tournament play.

Tournament registration is open and can be done up to the morning of the event, with an early bird discount. Registration is $10.00 per person prior to June 12, $15.00 per person after. Registration information and forms are available by going to the Museum’s website, www.deschuteshistory.org.

Admission to the museum will be free to all participants with the chance to win great prizes. In addition to the marble shootout and Museum activities, families will have the opportunity to visit booths provided by Sunriver Nature Center, the High Desert Museum, Art Station, Girl Scouts, and Wabi Sabi to learn about fun summer programs happening around Central Oregon.

Sponsored by The Peak, Lite 95.1, and The Bulletin, all proceeds from the event benefit the Des Chutes Historical Museum’s educational programs. The Des Chutes Historical Museum is located at 129 NW Idaho Ave, between Wall and Bond. Please visit the Des Chutes Historical Museum website at www.deschuteshistory.org or call 541-389-1813 for more information.

The Museum is also looking for volunteers willing to help with the event. If interested in volunteering, please email the Museum at info@deschuteshistory.org.

Artist Aaron Trotter sketches Deschutes Brewery (left) for one of his custom-illustrated Bend playing cards (right). Aaron will be signing & selling his cards at First Friday Art Walk June 1.

It’s shaping up to be an incredible First Friday Art Walk this week, and Visit Bend is thrilled to be part of it.

First off, artist Aaron Trotter will be on hand signing and selling copies of his custom-illustrated playing cards featuring 52 Bend landmarks. You might remember Aaron from our earlier blog post about his awesome Bend playing cards. They’ve been selling super-fast, and this is your chance to snag some for yourself or as gifts.

Next up, Visit Bend will be unveiling a new featured artist for the Pillars of Art program at the June 1 Art Walk.

Visit Bend launched the Pillars of Art program to introduce tourists to Bend’s unique arts and culture scene, and to support emerging local artists. We pick one local artist every three months to create unique chalk drawings on the cement pillars in our lobby. The artist also has his or her framed work displayed and sold in the visitor center, including First Friday Art Walks.

Sam Fisch is the new featured artist for Visit Bend's Pillars of Art program.

Our new artist kicking off his show at the June 1 Art Walk is Sam Fisch.

A native of Ithaca, New York, Sam moved west when he was five and spent most of his life in northern Idaho and Eastern Washington. He’s been drawing since he had the coordination to pick up a pencil or marker, but got serious about his artwork as life experiences taught him to use it as a form of soulful expression. He began working primarily in pen and ink, but has spent the last four years exploring color with paint. He works with watercolor, oil, and acrylic, though oils are his favorite medium. He’s lived in Bend for the last two years and is a student at Central Oregon Community College.

Here’s what Sam had to say about art, nature, and what it’s like to be an emerging young artist in Bend:

Visit Bend: What artistic training have you had, and what do you plan for the future?

Sam: I have been developing my artistic abilities all of my life. As a child, I took private painting lessons, and growing up, I have made a point to take art classes all throughout school. I am taking as much art as I can in college, and I plan on transferring to an art school to get a Masters in Fine Arts.

Visit Bend: How would you describe your artwork, and what’s your favorite medium?

Sam: I enjoy working in oil paint a lot, but recently I have been experimenting with three dimensional art, and it has opened a whole new world to me. It is my hope to work with more 3D mediums in the future. My artwork is hard for me to categorize because I like trying so many different styles. I used to be really into realism, but lately I have been exploring a variety of other modes of expression. I enjoy using lots of color, and I try to make every new piece of art I make different from the last. I don’t ever want to get stuck into only making art in just one way because it feels safe. I try to always keep my mind open to new ideas.

Sam puts the finishing touches on one of the pillars.

Visit Bend: Who are your artistic influences?

Sam: I am most inspired by nature and the universe. Life is beautiful. I am most inspired by the one who made the universe, which is my personal favorite work of art. Music, math, science, and psychology are my biggest inspirations. I enjoy the work of many other artists as well, like Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gough, Alex Grey, Chuck Close, and Claude Monet.

Visit Bend: As an artist, what do you like best about living in Bend, and does it influence you from an artistic standpoint?

Sam: I love Bend; the mountains, trees, and clouds here are wonderful. I love the quality and angle of light here in Bend. I see rainbows, and perihelions (sun dogs), and moon rainbows all the time here in Bend.

Visit Bend: What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t painting?

Sam: When I am not making art I am spending most of my time in class at COCC. When I finally get enough free time from school I love getting into the outdoors. I love backpacking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, rockclimbing, running, biking, spelunking, and spending time on the coast.

Visit Bend: Tell us your impressions of the Bend art scene, and how Pillars of Art fits with that.

Sam: I am grateful to live in a town that has such a great art scene as Bend. There are lots of opportunities for artists. I have had a First Friday showing last year, and multiple showings in the COCC gallery. I have had some great opportunities to participate in public art during Winterfest and Springfest here in Bend. The Pillars of Art at the Bend Visitor Center is the best opportunity that I have had to show my art here in Bend.

Thanks so much, Sam!

And for the rest of you, don’t forget to stop by the Bend Visitor Center at the corner of Lava Ave. and Oregon Ave. between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday, June 1. See you there!

Bear with me while I share a little about myself and my business (it’s with you in mind, of course.)

In that four years, I’ve:

• Rebranded four times (yep, FOUR.)
• Changed my focus at least four times
• Revamped my website at least five times
• Written and produced a content-rich, super useful multi-media program under a brand I changed almost immediately, rendering the lovely program unusable in its current form.
• Produced a DVD home-study workshop based on a live workshop I facilitated again under a brand I no longer use. The whole thing, in its current form, is also unusable.
• And, of course, plenty more… (but let’s not belabor this too much… hmph.)

Why am I telling you this? What does this have to do with you?

Well, I have a hunch you may have experienced (or be experiencing… or starting to experience) some of what I have experienced in my own journey as a soul-inspired business person.

It’s part of the plight of those of us doing the somewhat “squishy” work of changing lives with our message. There are so many ways we can approach our work in the world, so many different kinds of people we could help. And often, we want to help them all.

You start digging in and it can get really messy – very confusing. And really quite anxiety-provoking.

I spent so much of my time in my first few years searching for the “right” way to grow my business, my gut tied into a knot wondering if I was making the “right” decisions, choosing the “right” tagline, creating the “right” offer, producing the “right” program. I bought marketing programs, hired coaches with big promises and spent so many conflicted hours trying to be present with my daughters while I was totally obsessed with what “to do next” in my business.

Maybe you know what kind of anxiety I’m talking about…

This is the kind of anxiety that makes you feel stuck yet urgent, uncertain and antsy. The kind that makes you take action – any action – just to ease that inner edge, to release some of the tension.

The kind of anxiety that makes you listen too intently to what others think you should do, to forget that you are the expert on your life and your business.

The kind of anxiety that muffles your inner knowing.

You need your Inner Knowing clean, clear and carrying a megaphone.

It’s true that it isn’t easy. There is a lot to “figure out” and trial and error are a normal part of that learning process.  But the angst – the anxiety and fear – that part doesn’t have to own the process. In fact, now I know that…

What’s the antidote to this dangerous creature that may be wasting your time, money and precious life as you try to grow your soul-inspired business?

Inner Peace. Peace. Peace, inside. Ease, flow… knowing, trusting, centered faith.

When you really give yourself the grounding – the time and space – to calm your inner world, to listen deeply, and to remember that you have what you need right now to do the next thing (even if the next thing is to seek guidance or support from a great coach or program)… everything changes.

You remember why you made this bold, beautiful move of stepping out on your own into your business.

You give yourself the precious thing that we are all looking for underneath all of the other things we do (business and personal)… Inner Peace.

When you let go of that unnecessary anxiety… When you let your heart, your clear mind, and your peaceful spirit guide your business, you’ll make decisions easier.

You’ll know what to do sooner (and when not to do anything yet.)

You will save time, money and precious energy.

You’ll preserve your spirit.

You’ll help more people, sooner and more powerfully.

I want so much to do what I can to help you get that inner peace you need to do your great work in the world. I created this *free* daily dose of Inner Peace for just this reason in the 10-Day Stuckness Cleanse. You can have it. Right. Now. (Just go here. It’s free – really. Please take it.)

Don’t forget – if you have not yet gone through the 10-Day Stuckness Cleanse (which is really just a daily dose of inner peace), go here and start now. And if you have gone through it, please email me and let me know how it’s going for you. I’d love to hear your stories of ways you’ve implemented the exercises in your life.

 Much peace and thanks to Tamari 09 for this peaceful, spirit-bursting image.

 If you like this article, I bet you’ll also like…

• Got Public Speaking Anxiety? Of Course You Do – And That’s Okay
• Your Why Trumps Your How (& Final Days to Get My eBook Free)
• Will you please do me a favor? I want to *really* understand soul-inspired business owners' needs.
• How to decrease your public speaking anxiety
• Your Sanity Matters – Project: Inner Peace

Sportvisionbend, an iconic company in downtown Bend for 24 years, has moved and is celebrating at its new location on Bond Street with a two-day Grand Opening on Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2.

   Owners Todd and Roberta Johnson are inviting all of Central Oregon to help celebrate the new location at 1002 Bond Street from 5-9 pm on Friday in conjuction with First Friday Gallery Walk and a prize-filled Family Day on Saturday from 2-5pm sponsored by Oakley, Smith Optics and VonZipper with support from Thai on the Fly and Twist Cocktail Catering.

   The volcanic stone building with the see-through windows will host free food samples from Thai on the Fly, a no-host bar featuring summer cocktails from Twist Cocktail Company and raffles every hour with prizes provided by VonZipper on the patio deck on Friday night. The party highlight will be a raffle for an Oakley watch valued at $500 (winner must be present).

   On Saturday, the famous VonZipper Gorilla will be erected on the storefront corner and the 12-foot inflatable will kick off a day of family fun that includes a Hula Hoop trick contest provided by Hoop Dazzle of Bend. Instructor Molly Hogan will serve as the guest judge with prizes awarded every hour and a grand prize provided by Smith Optics and valued at $200 awarded at 5pm. The contest is open to all ages.

   The VonZipper Gorilla, featured at industry trade shows across the country, will make its debut in Central Oregon and be available for family photo opportunities throughout the celebration on Saturday only.

   The focal point of the two-day celebration is the 1960′s vintage building that was extensively remodeled, giving Sportsvisionbend a “large display case” appearance with its see-through windows. Come and celebrate the move and join the family fun as Sportsvisionbend celebrates 24 years serving Central Oregon.

   Further information: Contact Roberta Johnson: roberta@sportsvisionbend.com

In May 2012, the U.S. Commerce Department approved a new tariff on solar panels manufactured in China.

Tariff on solar panels manufactured in China

SolarWorld Industries America Inc. launched the complaint that resulted in the announcement of tariffs on Chinese companies for accepting government subsidies and dumping products at unfairly low prices.  According to the LA Times:

More than 60 Chinese firms, includingSuntech Power Holdings Co., the world’s largest solar panel maker, and Trina Solar Ltd., face a 31% duty on their exports to the U.S., retroactive to shipments made in February. All other Chinese exporters of solar cells will be hit with a tariff of 250%.

JA Solar Holdings Co., the world’s biggest solar cell manufacturer, is a Chinese company that will be hit hard by the new tariffs.  It is now searching Western states for potential plant locations, with Oregon emerging as a lead contender.

Imposition of the new tariffs are intended to slow or stop the “dumping” of solar cells and panels by Chinese manufacturers into the U.S. market.  From 2009-2011, U.S. imports of Chinese solar cells were up from $640 million to about $3.1 billion, comprising about half of the U.S. market for solar panels.  As a result of the flood of solar panels from China into the market, U.S. manufacturers took a hard hit.  At least four companies filed for bankruptcy in the past year.

Following the tariff announcement, investors and market experts began speculating about the impact on solar panel prices, demand, reduction in solar panel jobs, and the potential that some companies might move manufacturing from China to America to avoid the hefty tariffs.  In addition, the new tariff on solar panels manufactured in China may spark a trade war between the countries.  China is now challenging import duties on solar panels it alleges are unfairly priced.

While the long term effects of the solar panel tariff are yet to be seen, some experts are cautioning that the impact on prices of solar panels for consumers will be minimal.  Mike Sheppard, a photovoltaics analyst at IHS, predicts a 75% drop in solar panels imported from China, which may boost prices for consumers by 12%, resulting in a lower average return on investment for a solar panel system by up to 2.5%.

Time will  only tell how much the tariff on solar panels from China will affect property owners considering solar, and the cost of solar panels in the future.  For now, the Department of Commerce’s initial ruling must be affirmed by U.S. Trade Officials in the fall.

Will there be a spike in demand for solar panels at their current, very low prices?

Come out and join the Footzone family and friends and COTA for an evening work event at the Tumalo Creek trail. We will meet at the Footzone and carpool to the work site.

COTA is now providing food and soft drinks at ALL work events with Deschutes Brewery donating beer! (You have our many wonderful sponsors to thank for that!)

Please bring a hydration pack with water and a snack.
Be sure to bring appropriate layers to accommodate whatever the weather may be.

All COTA trail work events require the following safety measures:
All participants are required to have the following protective clothing and equipment:

• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Gloves
• Eye protection with clear or light colored lens
• Long pants

Due to COTA’s insurance requirements and the inherent dangers of trail work, we must implement the following policy regarding children at work events:

• For anyone 14 years of age or younger, we require one parent, guardian, or responsible adult for supervision of every four kids attending any COTA trail work events.
• All minors under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian available to sign our waiver.

Anyone who arrives for a work event may be turned away if he/she cannot meet the above requirements.

Here’s the news in Oregon beer for Wednesday, the 30th of May. As usual I’ll be updating this post periodically throughout the day so check back often for the latest updates. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get it updated.

The Green Dragon (Portland): Tonight they have a Green Dragon Brew Crew Release starting at 5pm featuring an appropriately seasonal beer, a Maibock. “Inspired by the uMedviku brewery (Prague, CZ) bier comes this wonderful Maibock or Helles Bock. A blend of German Pilsner, Vienna, and Munich malts tempered with Carafa II and acidified malts produce this complex, malt forward beer. Brewed as a stonger version of a Helles, the beer has a firm malt forward character with a bit of spice in the aroma and finish supplied by Czech Saaz hops.” It’s 6.7% abv and sounds tasty.

McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse (Hillsboro): As I mentioned yesterday, tonight they are holding their Roadhouse Beer Invitational featuring “The Unique Side of Beer” from 6 to 9pm: “We will feature a unique ale from our own Cornelius Pass Roadhouse brewers and three guest ales from other McMenamins brewers. We will compare the four choices, talk beer with the guest brewers and even award a people’s choice award to the best brew of the night.” The beers in question sounds pretty awesome: Professor’s Malted Milk Balls Porter, Crazy Christina’s Caramel Corn Ale, Black Jack Russian Imperial Stout, and Golden Graham Cream Ale. I’m wondering how I can squeeze a roadtrip into the end of my day…

Continue reading “Oregon Beer News, 05/30/2012” »

Sermon from our worship service at Grace Bible Church of Bend. Teaching on “Armed for Battle” (Part 3) from Ephesians 6:17

Video can also be found at  [https:]]

Sermon Audio Download

Or Pocast at  [itunes.apple.com]

http://www.survivalcommonsense.com

One of my favorite parts of writing and managing blogs and websites is viewing the readers’ feedback. The comments and suggestions helps me keep in touch with what you want to read, and gives me direction in what topics should be researched and written about. It also keeps me humble – any mistakes, misspellings or whatever are quickly pointed out!

Here are some of the comments you sent in recently, and the posts that inspired them.

 “Old blue jeans have multiple uses in survival kits”

Charcloth, made from used denim, will catch any spark and should be included in every survival kit! The finished product should be completely black, but flexible and not brittle. (Pantenburg photo)

From Karla: I cut the legs off of some old wide leg jeans and made storage pouches for my long-handled BBQ tools.

From Survival topics: Use the legs as snorkels for warmer breathing while sleeping in your bag during winter backpacking trips.

From Michelle: You can also use old jeans to make patches for jeans that are in better shape. A nice section of denim and some embroidery thread can make a heavy duty patch that’s even a little fashionable. Your kids will appreciate the effort.

Denim also makes nice wicking for watering your plants. You can bury one end into the soil near your plantings’ roots and the denim will help wick water toward the roots.

From Sean: I like this article and the idea of using the pockets to make small bags.

From Paul:  Just to re-iterate what you say about charcloth: it’s a good tinder as it catches even relatively small and cold sparks such as those created by a traditional flint and steel. Modern sparking devices such as the Swedish Firesteel generate much larger and hotter sparks.

The main thing to remember about charcloth is to keep it dry and as free of moisture as possible. Unlike some emergency fire-lighting materials that are pretty impermeable to moisture, the effectiveness of charcloth will be diminished if it becomes damp.

Keep up the good work!

“Book Review: Surviving a Wilderness Emergency” (published on the AmericanPreppersNetwork.com)

Peter Kummerfeldt gathers water from a vine. (Kummerfeldt photo)

From Dan: Having attended just one of Mr.Kummerfeldt’s seminars I may not be the best judge of his abilities. But the seminar, class whatever you call it, seemed to be directed more to promoting the products he sells rather than solid survival information.

Some of his material is helpful and of use but I would not want to rely on his information in a wilderness survival situation. His material seemed more text book than actual. In the class I attended he brought one of the attendees in front and proceeded to make him look less than competent. He also demonstrated the reason not to use a “space blanket’ however he demonstrated the very small version that no one I know would ever carry. He did not mention the heavy duty space blanket that is resistant to tearing and works quite well.

He shows various fire starters but never mentions the age-old “flare” that will start a fire ANYWHERE.

From Leon: I rely on Peter’s information, and for 30 years, so did the U.S. Air Force Survival School. Kummerfeldt’s resume speaks for itself. I have been to several of his presentations and seminars, and consider Peter a good friend.I have never witnessed Peter trying to make anyone “look less than competent.”

Regarding the demo you mentioned – it opened my eyes to the validity of checking out equipment. The mylar blanket he uses in the demo is very commonly found in survival kits, and Kummerfeldt’s intent is to show how useless they are. I have replicated that demonstration several times (and so has navigation expert Blake Miller)  for different survival training groups. In every group there is someone who defends the mylar blankets.

In fact, a company that is no longer advertising on SurvivalCommonSense.com did a video promoting mylar blankets (a product they sell) as survival tools!.

Generally, time forbids mentioning EVERY fire ignition or survival tool. I carry a flare in my gear.

If I could only rely on one source of survival information, it would be Peter Kummerfeldt.

Check out Peter Kummerfeldt’s video: dress to survive

From Phil: You already got me in trouble with this one Leon. I have burned up every cotton ball in the house. Including the ones in the top of the aspirin bottles. I had no idea Vaseline would burn this well!!! I have also always fought with the mag stick by striking AWAY. This is a great tip. Thanks.

From Leon: Learn from my mistakes! Guess how I figured this out?

How to make an Altoids tin pocket survival kit

From Raul: You wrote: But you need to have something in your pockets, in the event you are separated from your gear. Ahh so true and I was almost a statistic in my teenage years. I was camping in the Chiricahua Mountains and decided to go for a hike. No direction, no map, no water and no gear. Yep you probably guessed it, I got lost. The only things I had in my pocket was the car keys and a pen knife. Long story short I did find a road and walked out.

After that day I always carried some items in my pockets just in case. I also started carrying a daypack when hiking with a few things. I do believe an Altoid tin with high quality items could make a difference. Of course it does little good if you do not practice with it. 

http://www.survivalcommonsense.com

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I will admit it (and I may have said this before): Cascadian Dark Ale is not my favorite style. For me it’s too much of a weird clash of dark, roasty, possibly astringent malt character with the floral, herbal bitterness of the hops—and too often, they’re not brewed well enough to get past this discord.

That being said, there are of course examples I like. Turmoil from Barley Brown’s Brewpub is at the top of the list for me. Deschutes Brewery’s Hop in the Dark is a close second. Fortunately I live in Bend so I can get Hop in the Dark when it’s fresh—and more fortunately, Deschutes sent me a bottle recently!

Hop in the Dark is 6.5% alcohol by volume, and 70 IBUs, and Deschutes’ secret to making this beer (everyone has their “secret” I imagine) is to de-bitter the black malts by steeping them in cold water (much akin to cold-steeped coffee). It’s a process that works and one that’s worth exploring from a homebrew angle.

Appearance: Dark brown to black and opaque. Thick bed of tan foam, creamy with very fine bubbles and lace.

Smell: Vinous, resiny hops with a touch of citrusy zest, and a hint of background roastiness (think coffee). Nicely hoppy with no harsh burnt notes or astringent aromas.

Taste: Roasty malts, a touch dry (as in stout), with green, sticky hops that coat the tongue. Nice resiny character, none too fruity—the almost-woody or pitchy hops balance really well with the dark malts. Very clean.

Mouthfeel: The darker malts do make it a touch heavy, otherwise medium-bodied with a lupulin-y aftercoating.

Overall: Well done, very balanced and clean drinking. One of the few Cascadian Dark Ales that is done right.

Hop in the Dark in Untappd. BeerAdvocate: 91/100. RateBeer: 3.73/5, 98th percentile.

A quick note to acknowledge the drinking of the Twilight Summer Ale that was sent to me by Deschutes Brewery, though I didn’t do a formal review of it this year—I figure past reviews from 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 have pretty nailed it.

Suffice to say this is (still) a luscious beer, light in body but with a nice toasty malt profile, and juicy, floral-herbal-catty hop character that’s bright and fresh. Super drinkable, super clean, perfect summertime drinking—particularly here in hop country!