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Your Very Next Step newsletter for July 2010

www.yourverynextstep.com

“I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity.”

– Albert Einstein

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

– Lao Tzu

“Your Very Next Step” newsletter, published by Ned Lundquist, is a cooperative community, and everyone is invited, no…encouraged, no…urged to participate.

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Contact Ned at lundquist989@cs.com.

*** In this issue:

*** Travel News

*** YVNS Sport Ned Has Never Heard Of: Rock Paper Scissors World Championships

*** Travel, Outdoor and Adventure Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities

1.) Assistant Child Ski Center Director, Bee Ferrato Child Ski Center, Diamond Peak Ski Resort, Incline Village, Nevada

2.) Trail Crew Leader, Baxter State Park, Millinocket, Maine

3.) Associate Director, Great Basin Institute, Reno, NV

4.) President and Chief Executive Officer, Outward Bound USA, The Bridgespan Group, Golden, Colorado

5.) Development Director, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, Park City, Utah

6.) Head Climbing Instructor, Peak Experiences, Inc., Midlothian, VA

…and much more…and it’s all FREE!!!

*** Do you have a travel adventure to share?

Send me your stories and I’ll post in the “Your Very Next Step” and on the YVNS website (http://www.yourverynextstep.com/).

*** Here’s the YVNS Travel News for July:

*** WSJ compares global alliances:

Alliances battle to keep business travelers loyal

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704545004575353221719220624.html?KEYWORDS=airlines

*** Best Time to Book Flights With Mileage Points?

Read more: http://www.frommers.com/community/forum.cfm/tips-tools-deals/air-travel/optimum-time-book-airline-seats-using-frequent-flyer-points#ixzz0tB5CBfWI

*** Exploring Ecotourism:

Stones in the Road by Ron Mader …identifies 8 factors and solutions that have an impact of the level of success of ecotourism initiatives. For example, the author suggests that agencies employ better online and offline communication strategies…

http://www.comminit.com/en/node/209710/306

*** Do you want the good news or the bad news?

New Tarmac Rules Cause Spike in Terminal Delays, Flight Cancellations

http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/7/15/15524/4214/travel/New+Tarmac+Rules+Cause+Spike+in+Terminal+Delays%2C+Flight+Cancellations

*** 10 Death Defying Rooftop Hotel Pools

http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2010/6/27/125953/845/hotels/10_Death_Defying_Rooftop_Hotel_Pools

*** Shall We Gather 'Round the Campfire'?:

Zimbabwe's Approach to Conserving Indigenous Wildlife by Carolyn Fischer, Edwin Muchapondwa, and Thomas Sterner …from 2005, this article examines a nationwide programme in Zimbabwe, which directs shares of the profits from hunting and benign tourism toward the local community. Research shows that CAMPFIRE (Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources) involved local people not only in benefit sharing but also in decisionmaking…

http://www.comminit.com/en/node/316712/306

*** 20 Reasons to Hate the Airlines

A brief history of the industry's 30-year campaign to nickel-and-dime us nearly to death

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,2002620,00.html

*** Jet Lag?

Fly Safe, Fly Smart: How to Beat Jet Lag

Read more: http://www.frommers.com/articles/6887.html#ixzz0tw1Sevkp

How to Avoid Jet Lag – General Travel Tips

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/HowtoAvoidJetLag.shtml

Beating Jet Lag

Make the Most of Your Travels

http://www.gorp.com/weekend-guide/travel-ta-beating-jet-lag-sidwcmdev_115471.html

*** BA, American, Iberia Alliance Gets US Nod

The Journal of Commerce Online

DOT gives final approval for trans-Atlantic cargo, passenger alliance

http://www.joc.com/air-expedited/ba-american-iberia-alliance-gets-us-nod

*** From Dennis Dean:

Ned,

The pinnacle of Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) road racing is there national championship Runoffs, which takes place at Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI in late September. Lots of info here http://www.scca.com/event.aspx?hub=1&event=15558 . It's a marvelous event that I've worked many times. Scheduled to be one of the Assistant Chief Stewards there this year.

The other great SCCA event is their Solo II Nationals, which is an autocross “parking lot” type event. I think it's still billed as the largest amateur motorsports event in the world. On the order of 1200 competitors. See more at http://scca.com/event.aspx?hub=3&event=15171 also in Sept. Some people manage to do both events!

Cheers,

Dennis

*** Here’s what it looks like down at the end of the road and beyond the gate:

Ned –

For a two-minute look at what life is like at the end of the road, check out this video (starring yours truly):

http://www.youtube.com/user/barefootmotors#p/u/3/YJnGTEv6CQI

Barefoot Motors is located in Ashland and produces electric work vehicles. I support their efforts by testing the equipment….and starring in promotional videos.

Enjoy. Walk in Peace – Jack

*** “WildOhio Cookbook”

Wild Game Gourmet Recipes

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/Wildlife_Cookbooklandingpage/tabid/6470/Default.aspx

*** Less than 10% of Fliers are Logging Onto Wi-Fi in the Air

(From Bernie Wagenblast’s TCN)

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-07-06-airlinewifi06_ST_N.htm

*** Are we on the rebound:

Virtually all major U.S. airlines are posting profits.

Announcing $233 million in net income, Continental Airlines on Thursday (July 22) joined in the chorus of second-quarter profits reported by all legacy carriers but American Airlines. Including American's $10.7 million net loss, the legacy airlines collectively pulled in nearly $1.25 billion in profits for the quarter—the most profitable in years.

http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Airline-News/Articles/Continental-Cautiously-Joins-In-Quarterly-Profit-Song/

*** Peanuts Will Not Be Banned from Airplanes After All

Earlier this month, the US Department of Transportation announced that they were planning on possibly banning all US airlines from distributing the customary free in-flight peanut snack to passengers. Why? Because every so often, a passenger comes along who is severely allergic to nuts and thus creates problems for the entire flight, medical and otherwise.

Do you know someone with a severe allergy like peanuts who can have a potential fatal reaction if exposed to airborne peanut dust?

If you did, you might have an opinion about this issue.

http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/6/24/18432/8655/travel/Peanuts+Will+Not+Be+Banned+from+Airplanes+After+All

*** The real deal?

Sabre Preps 'Total Pricing' To Include Fees In Airfare Shopping

http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Airline-News/Articles/Sabre-Preps–Total-Pricing–To-Include-Fees-In-Airfare-Shopping/

*** The July YVNS sport Ned has never heard of:

Okay, I’ve heard of this game, but never thought of it as a sport.

Rock Paper Scissors World Championships

Rock Paper Scissors is a playground game used to break stalemates and determine teams. This game, which is based mostly on luck, is not just for school kids, and now even has a world championships. The 2005 RPS World Championships was again held in Toronto Canada, and involved 495 competitors from 27 U.S. States, Norway, Northern Ireland, Cayman Islands, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Canada. The winner received $7,000 canadian dollars, second place received $1,500 and third $500.

Rules

The players count together to 3 counts, most commonly either using the name of the game (e.g. Rock! Paper! Scissors! or Ro! Sham! Bo!) or simply numbers. At the end of the third count, the players simultaneously change their fists into any of three “objects”, which they then “throw” by extending it towards their opponent. The three objects are 'paper', 'scissors' and 'rock'. The objective is to defeat the opponent by selecting a weapon which defeats their choice under the following rules:

•Rock (a clenched fist): wins against Scissors (break them), loses to Paper (gets wrapped up) and stalemates against itself

•Paper (all fingers extended, palm facing downwards, upwards, or sideways) wins against Rock (wraps it), loses to Scissors (gets cut) and stalemates against itself

•Scissors (forefinger and middle finger extended and separated into a “V” shape) wins against Paper (cuts it), loses to Rock (gets smashed) and stalemates against itself.

In International competition, the weapon is thrown on the fourth count (“1 … 2 … 3 … THROW”). This is called “International Style.” In “American Style,” the throw comes on the third count (“1 … 2 … THROW”). Typically, the game is played in a “best 2 out of 3” match.

http://www.worldrps.com/

*** Trail Volunteer opportunities:

*** Bear Creek Lake State Park Adopt-A-Trail

How would you like to help park guests enjoy the great outdoors by adopting one of our trails. We have several trails varying in length from a quarter mile to almost 2 miles. Help us maintain the trail by keeping it pruned, graded, and free of litter.

Bear Creek Lake State Park

22 Bear Creek Lake Road

Cumberland, VA

On site phone: (804) 492-4410

Contact Info: Laura Moss

(804) 492-4410

laura.moss@dcr.virginia.gov

https://ec.volunteernow.com/recruiter/index.php?class=OppSearch&recruiterID=1098

*** The Ice Age Trail:

The Ice Age Trail runs through 30 counties in Wisconsin and is built and maintained by 21 local volunteer chapters.

More than 12,000 years ago, an immense flow of glacial ice sculpted a landscape of remarkable beauty across Wisconsin. As the colossal glacier retreated, it left behind a variety of unique landscape features. These Ice Age remnants are now considered among the world's finest examples of how continental glaciation sculpts our planet.

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a thousand-mile footpath — entirely within Wisconsin — that highlights these Ice Age landscape features while providing access to some of the state's most beautiful natural areas.

The Ice Age Trail Alliance (formerly Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation) is a volunteer- and member-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to create, support and protect a thousand-mile footpath tracing Ice Age formations across Wisconsin — the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Ice Age Trail Alliance staff and volunteers work cooperatively with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, National Park Service, local governments, businesses and private landowners to shape the Ice Age Trail into one of the premier hiking trails in the United States. Your support as a new member, volunteer or sponsor is always very welcome.

Each year, hundreds of volunteers donate tens of thousands of hours toward making the Ice Age Trail a premier hiking trail. Volunteers are the heart, soul, hands and backbone of the Ice Age Trail Alliance. Thanks to their enormous efforts, over 600 blazed Trail miles exist so far. But a great deal of work remains before the Ice Age Trail is complete.

Ice Age Trail volunteers build trail, bridges and boardwalks, restore and manage prairies and savannas, coordinate fundraisers, lead hikes and field trips, hold monthly meetings, handle local community relations, monitor easements, remove invasive exotic plants, create and post signs and perform a host of other important duties along the Trail.

If you're ready to help out, there are two primary avenues for getting involved: local chapter events and statewide Mobile Skills Crew projects.

Chapter Events

Just about every weekend of the year, you'll find Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteers out working to build and maintain the Ice Age Trail. Often, these volunteers are doing work as part of a project organized by one of the 21 Ice Age Trail Alliance volunteer chapters throughout the state. To find out how to get involved with your local chapter, visit our chapter pages.

Mobile Skills Crew Projects

Another way to get involved is to attend one of our Mobile Skills Crew (MSC) events. MSC events offer a great opportunity to give back to the outdoors while spending quality time in it. Volunteers at MSC events work hard, learn standardized trail building, develop lasting friendships with each other and, perhaps most importantly, have fun.

Each year, MSC leads six or more trail-building events at Ice Age Trail locations throughout Wisconsin. The program’s vision is to build a statewide cadre of volunteers who are trained in advanced crew leadership and trail construction techniques. MSC-trained volunteers, in turn, apply their knowledge and experience to local trail-building projects. This process allows us to continuously refine the Ice Age Trail into one of the premier hiking trails in the United States.

Previous trail construction background is not necessary to participate. And you are welcome to lend a hand for whatever time period your schedule permits, without having to commit to the entire multi-day project. We need in many other areas too, including food preparation, community outreach, publicity, administration and entertainment.

MSC events start on a Thursday morning and conclude the following Sunday at noon. Meals are provided, along with a place to pitch your tent. Bring leather work gloves, water bottles, hiking/work boots and appropriate clothing for the weather. Advance registration is highly encouraged to help plan food and crew needs.

The MSC season typically starts in May and winds down in October. Check out our online calendar for info on upcoming MSC events, or view a printable version of our 2010 slate of projects.

Below are some of the documents associated with Trail project planning, design and construction that illustrate our procedures and commitment to excellence.

Sound like fun? You betcha! Our volunteers work hard, but events are designed to be safe and enjoyable. Many long-term friendships, even marriages, have begun on the Ice Age Trail.

For current volunteer opportunities, visit our online calendar, contact your local chapter or learn about our Mobile Skills Crew trail-building initiative.

For Your Information… For the most recent National Park Service “volunteer year” (10/01/08-09/30/09), 2,281 different volunteers dedicated 58,225.3 hours of their time to the Ice Age Trail. At the $20.25 Independent Sector rate for a volunteer hour for that period, that's a contribution worth more than $1,179,000!

http://www.iceagetrail.org/becomevolunteer.htm

*** Join the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Team!

•Participate in citizen science activities such as: Habitat At Home, WildlifeMapping, Frog and Toad Call Survey, Breeding Bird Survey, Christmas Bird Count, 4th of July Butterfly Count, and others.

•Become involved in your local community through civic, conservation, and sportsmen's organizations.

•”BE WILD” — “Grow Wild, Live Wild, and Vote Wild” (plant native plants, do your part to conserve natural resources in your life, and vote for sound conservation of our natural resources)

http://bewildvirginia.org/help/

*** Travel/Adventure/Outdoors employment opportunities:

1.) Assistant Child Ski Center Director, Bee Ferrato Child Ski Center, Diamond Peak Ski Resort, Incline Village, Nevada

Located on the beautiful north shore of Lake Tahoe & known for its family friendly environment, uncrowded slopes & stunning views of the Lake. The Bee Ferrato Child Ski Center provides children ages 3 – 7 private & small group ski lessons.

Now hiring dedicated & self-motivated person to assist with planning, directing & coordinating day-to-day operations; including instructor training/scheduling; teaching lessons & generating reports. Season approximately November thru April.

Requires Associates Degree (AA); three years related ski industry experience involving children’s program development/implementation, instructor training & one year supervision; or equivalent. Very good guest service, organizational, communication & training skills. Possess valid Driver’s License; certification as PSIA-W Level II Alpine or equivalent.

Compensation based on experience & certification. Plus free ski/snowboard pass, 50% food & beverage discount, free recreation center membership & ski shop discounts.

Submit District application immediately. On-line version at http://www.yourtahoeplace.com/.

Phone: (775)-832-1130.

2.) Trail Crew Leader, Baxter State Park, Millinocket, Maine

Scope of Work

This position involves skilled work building and maintaining trails in Baxter State Park. This work also involves repairing resource damage and protecting soils and plants from heavy hiker traffic. An employee in this class is responsible for the training and supervision of employees and volunteers (usually six to eight persons) engaged in these activities.

Typical Duties

Trains and supervises crew members in safe and proper use of chainsaws, brush saws, wood and rock drills.

Trains and supervises crew members in the construction of rock waterbars, steps, retaining walls, and rip-rap.

Trains and supervises crew members in the building of bridges over major streams and bog bridges.

Mark trails with paint blazes, rock cairns or signs.

Trains and supervises workers in the safe and proper use of manual and engine powered winches along with rigging to move rocks and logs to building sites.

Orients new volunteers to safe and proper work methods.

Responds to requests for information from hikers.

May also assist in search and rescue operations.

Assists in fire suppression.

Required Knowledge and Abilities

Ability to perform the manual labor required of trail work.

Knowledge of trail maintenance techniques.

Experience in building rock structures.

Ability to hike for long distances, often on steep trails with a heavy pack.

Ability to cope with the hardships of living in the backcountry (for up to a week) and in remote areas for the season.

Ability to operate a chainsaw (training required).

Knowledge of hiking, camping and working in the backcountry.

Knowledge of Baxter Park trails system (can be learned on job).

Ability to teach hiking, camping and work skills to crew members.

Ability and willingness to communicate effectively with other members of the trail crew.

Ability to supervise and coordinate a crew of workers on trail projects throughout Baxter State Park.

Possession of valid driver's license.

Knowledge of first aid procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma

Preferred Qualifications

Two years trail work experience and one year in a leadership role.

Housing Information

Housing consisting of a primitive log cabin which is provided at no cost to the employee, which will be shared with other employees, staff and occasional volunteers, and which may or may not be at the actual work site. The employee furnishes his/her own food and propane. (Propane available through the Park.)

Get an Application (PDF- requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Supplemental Questionnaire

Trail Crew Leader Questionnaire – required with Application

The State of Maine does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities in the provision of services, programs, activities, or in employment. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), any qualified individual with a disability is eligible to participate in or benefit from any service, program or activity provided by the State, or any of its departments or divisions. Likewise, the ADA requires equal employment opportunities for qualified individuals with disabilities.

JOB CODE: 9436

PAY RANGE:14

SALARY: Hourly: $12.15/ Bi-weekly: $972.00 (Effective July 1, 2009)

Value of 100% State-Paid Health and Dental Insurance: $356.62 bi-weekly.

Value of 95% State-Paid Health and Dental Insurance: $339.45 bi-weekly (Effective July 1, 2010)

Value of State's Share of Employee's Retirement: 19.96% of base pay.

Minorities encouraged to apply. Baxter State Park is an equal opportunity employer.

Send your application to:

Baxter State Park

Human Resources

64 Balsam Drive

Millinocket, ME 04462

(207)723-9616

http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/miscPages/jobsSeasonal.html#TCL

3.) Associate Director, Great Basin Institute, Reno, NV

http://www.execsearches.com/non-profit-jobs/jobDetail.asp?job_id=20537

4.) President and Chief Executive Officer, Outward Bound USA, The Bridgespan Group, Golden, Colorado

http://www.execsearches.com/non-profit-jobs/jobDetail.asp?job_id=20596

5.) Development Director, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, Park City, Utah

http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/jobs/job_item.jhtml?id=301400051

*** From Mark Sofman:

6.) Head Climbing Instructor, Peak Experiences, Inc., Midlothian, VA

http://careers.outdoorindustry.org/jobs/3430507/head-climbing-instructor

BTW, for YVNS, you might want to point folks to the career center on the Outdoor Industry Association's site, http://www.outdoorindustry.org/careercenter.html

*** Your Very Next Step is a service of the Job of the Week Network LLC

© 2010 The Job of the Week Network LLC

Edward Lundquist, ABC –

Editor and Publisher

Your Very Next Step

7813 Richfield Road

Springfield, VA 22153

Home office phone: (703) 455-7661

lundquist989@cs.com

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