Jul
30
2010
Ski resorts can be found in most of the fifty states and in British Columbia and Alberta Canada. The larger ski resorts that offer challenging on and off piste four season alpine sports are California, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, Vermont, New York, Connecticut. However small ski resorts and surroundings can offer the same products for outdoor enthusiasts with less crowds.
Backcountry and slope side opportunities are abundant since ski resorts are established on mountain ranges and often in high altitude. Winter opportunities such as slope side and off piste alpine skiing, snowboarding and off trail showshoeing and cross country skiing is abundant. For the other three seasons it’s “choose your passion” whether it be mountaineering, hiking, climbing, mountain biking, trail running, backpacking, camping or just plain exploring. Whether in bounds or out of bounds is your comfort zone a vast multitude of outdoor opportunities await you in and around ski resorts.
Getting to nature and nearby ski resorts depends on your choice of outdoor enjoyment. If you would prefer to be playing on the slopes and they are not within reach then air travel and renting a car may be your choice of travel. However, if tent camping, or roughing it and being in the throes of nature sounds more appetizing with backpacking then a car with a rack may serve you best. And if you prefer more amenities so that you can spend more time in nature with the kids then consider renting a truck camper or pop up camper or full size recreational vehicle. Ski resorts are year round and are there for nature’s enjoyment in the winter and for spring, summer and fall.
Using ski resorts as geographical landmarks can get you to nature in the warm months when the skiing is over. Getting to the alpine may take a little effort, but the connection with nature is worth it.
Jul
29
2010
When did people discover that western red cedar was one of the best woods to make so many items from? That question dates back over 3,000 years.
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) became a common forest species in southwest British Columbia about 6,000 years ago. The Aborigines people began using red cedar more than 3,000 years ago. Everything that the Aborigines people needed came from the red cedar tree. The red cedar tree was so important to them that they named it their “Tree of Life.”
They stripped the bark from the trees in different widths to use for roofing materials. When they stripped the bark from the tree, they made cuts at the base of the tree and then peeled the bark upwards. They never stripped all of the bark from a tree because the tree would die, but the tree could live with only part of its bark missing. The fibrous inner bark of the tree was used to make rope, clothing and baskets while they used the roots to make cradles.
To make a canoe or a totem pole, it took several hundred people several days just to fell one red cedar tree. Before choosing the right tree, they would cut a rectangular hole into the tree to test for its soundness before cutting it down. The best type of Red Cedar to use for their canoes was a large diameter tree with clear grained wood. Lewis and Clark also used the red cedar trees to make five canoes while they traveled in the Northwest in June of 1805.
It is quite interesting to hear how the Aborigines people took down a large Western Red Cedar Tree. First, they would remove the bark from around the base of the tree. They would then create a wide triangular cut at the base and the area above and below this cut would be coated with a mixture of wet moss and clay. They would then pack the cut with kindling and burn it. They would alternately cut and burn until the cut was almost all the way through. They were careful about having the cut in the right place so the tree would fall in the best direction for them to transport it. Some artists still take down the cedar trees in this manner for sculpting into totem poles.
The Native Americans were also very good at making canoes from a single trunk. Sometimes their canoes would be 20 to 25 feet long and they could carry a load of about 2 tons. They also crafted much larger and stronger canoes that they called voyaging canoes. These canoes would have up to 3 masts and could hold 40 people.
There are many trees still present in the forests of British Columbia today that have had their bark stripped by the ancient Aborigines people. These trees that were scarred due to a First Nation’s cultural activity are known as culturally modified trees. The trees that were culturally modified prior to 1846 are considered an archeological find and are protected under the Heritage Conservation Act. Some other interesting facts about the forests of British Columbia are that 29 million acres are protected, 10 million acres are old growth protected, and 32 million acres are specially managed. More than half of the forests in British Columbia will never be logged.
On February 18, 1988, the British Columbia Tree Council chose the Western Red Cedar as their official provincial tree stating that the tree has played a vital role in the lives of the west coast Indians. Most of the western red cedar grows in forests along the coast where the soil is much more humus. The trees that grow in the drier interior forests of British Columbia, Washington, Idaho and Montana are much smaller. They don’t usually grow in stands by themselves, they grow among other trees.
A western red cedar was discovered in 1988 located in Mt. Maxwell Provincial Park on the east shore of Cheewhat Lake on Vancouver Island. The circumference of this tree was 62′. They have one of the longest lifespan of any North American softwood tree. Specimens of red cedar trees were found on Queen Charlotte Island which are 900 years old.
A chemical by the name of Thujaplicin is found in older, more mature red cedar trees and serves as a natural fungicide. This chemical prevents the tree from rotting. The chemical lasts for about 100 years after the tree has been taken down. That’s why red cedar outdoor furniture stays beautiful and lasts for so long.
So, how old is your outdoor patio furniture and where did it come from? Did it come from the western red cedar tree? If it did, I hope the information in this article was of interest to you. If you have another type of outdoor furniture, then I hope this article was so interesting that you want to know more about the history of western red cedar.
Jul
28
2010
The shortage of nurses has greatly affected various hospitals and medical centers across the nation. Because of this, travel nursing is continuously becoming popular as a solution. Travel nursing puts nurses in touch with wherever they want to be. They can choose to help patients from the bustling cities to the rural towns. For nurses who are contemplating to travel, then maybe this is a favorable option. Or for nurses who are already burned up with the usual scenario in the hospital and wanted to earn more, travel nursing is a sure way.
Travel nursing basically involves taking short term positions anywhere where nurses are needed and usually, hospitals are willing to pay top dollar for the nurse’s service. The positions often last a month or a year and because of this, benefits like housing and other basic expenses are covered by the employer.
If you take pleasure in working in new environments and loves to travel for a cause, travel nursing career might just be the job for you. In this kind of job, once you do well, you may even turn a temporary position into a permanent one. But if you prefer being just a traveling nurse, then there are just huge opportunities that await you like having to experience international destination for traveling nurses.
As stated above, travel nursing is truly a great way to explore the world and still have the freedom and flexibility to work. Here is some of the top international destination for traveling nurses.
• Hawaii
- Of course this destination is no surprise. Nurses are lining up for an opportunity to work and play an important nursing role in this paradise. Hawaii offers beauteous beaches and outdoor opportunities, so no wonder it is on top of the list.
• Alaska
- Most travel nurse are intrigued by this place. Alaska is basically a huge wilderness with breathtaking sceneries. Huge travel nursing assignments are offered here. Whether you are willing to work in the winter darkness under the northern lights or the magnificent spring and summer where it’s daytime most of the time.
• Montana
- This state is famous for its scenic surroundings. River trips, camping and fishing, historic places, snowy mountain ranges, and waterfalls are what you will enjoy in this place. Travel nurse assignments here are huge and if you are among who want to break free from the city grind, this place is the ideal one.
• Maine
- The splendor of this place is simply irresistible. Travel nurses are offered with so many opportunities here. Aside from that, travel nurses are confronted with great adventure getaways like embarking on outdoor adventures such as skiing and snowmobiling or horseback riding or if they prefer the comfortable and fresh ambience of antiquing, strolling or horseback riding on miles of sandy beaches, Maine is truly a place to behold.
• California
- The humid weather and the famous beaches of California is what makes the place among the top international destination for traveling nurses. California is home to various wildlife parks, safe havens for endangered animals, and secluded wilderness. This only means that the place is unspoiled thus, a fresh environment is guaranteed.
• Colorado
- The world-class winter skiing and summer music festival offered by Colorado are just the two main reasons why traveling nurses prefer this place. Showcasing its spectacular seasons, the place is where travel nurses get to discover the state’s 18 million acre of state and national forest parks and monuments for biking, hiking, fishing, kayaking, mountain climbing, and many others.
• Arizona – If you just love the outdoors, then the Grand Canyon State of Arizona might just be the destination of your dreams. Most traveling nurses choose this place because of its charming landscapes and tall mountain ranges, swift rivers, and all natural sceneries.
Jul
27
2010
Are you an enthusiastic swimmer waiting to explore some new places which will surprise you? Then, discover some of the best hot spots around the world. A swimming hole is a place in a river, stream, creek, spring or water body that is deep enough to swim in and fun for any recreational swimmer. If you want to know more about the best swimming holes across the globe, read on to find the best spot to swim outdoors. There are a lot of swimming holes and here is a guide to find some of the top swimming holes.
Chickasabogue Park Alabama is a multi-use outdoor recreation facility with various activities such as camping and hiking. Mountain biking and fishing are available, but above all swimming is the major recreation attraction. Next, the Fantastic beach at Alberta is a well-known swimming hole with few people and resembles an evergreen forest. For those of you, who want a place especially and solely dedicated to swimming; visit the Fantastic Beach at Alberta. Swimmers in San Francisco can opt for the Aquatic Park, a small lagoon in the San Francisco Bay. This Aquatic Park is open to everyone and people who start a vacation with a budget can choose this great hot spot.
1.5 Miles to the coast highway 101 and a mile along the beach side is where the Beach Trail at Torrey Pines California is located. For those of you who prefer swimming in the deep ocean, this is the place. There are many swimming holes in Texas, and one among them is the Devils Water Hole, which is close to Austin. Apart from the Devils Water Hole, there many other swimming holes, such as Barton Springs Swimming Hole, Hidden Beach, and McCowan Valley COE Park.
Our guide not only includes the above mentioned places to swim, but contains the best swimming holes in the US including some in Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Washington, and many more places. If you want to know more about or share the top swimming holes in your hometown or nearby, all you need to do is visit Backcountry Secrets. Backcountry Secrets will help you find the best place which to satisfy your outdoor needs and guide you to enjoy complete happiness while sporting.
Jul
27
2010
History
Main article: History of Santa Monica, California
Attractions and cultural resources
Santa Monica Pier entrance
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, designed by Welton Becket in 1958. Home of the Oscars award ceremony from 1961 to 1968.
The Monica, on 2nd Street, remains a highly popular art house/independent film theater.
The Santa Monica Hippodrome (carousel) is a National Historic Landmark. It sits on the Santa Monica Pier, which was built in 1909. The La Monica Ballroom on the pier was once the largest ballroom in the US, and the source for many New Year’s Eve national network broadcasts. The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium was an important music venue for several decades and hosted the Academy Awards in the 1960s. McCabe’s Guitar Shop is still a leading acoustic performance space, as well as retail outlet. Bergamot Station is a city-owned art gallery compound that includes the Santa Monica Museum of Art. The city is also home to the Santa Monica Heritage Museum.
Santa Monica is the home of the Third Street Promenade, a major outdoor pedestrian-oriented shopping district that stretches for three blocks between Wilshire Blvd. and Broadway (not the same Broadway in downtown and south Los Angeles). Third Street has been closed for those three blocks and converted to a pedestrians-only stretch to allow people to congregate, shop and enjoy street performers. Santa Monica Place, the indoor mall designed by Frank Gehry, is located just to the south. It’s been closed for redevelopment, and is expected to reopen in spring 2010 as a modern shopping-entertainment complex with more outdoor space.
Santa Monica hosts the annual Santa Monica Film Festival.
The oldest movie theater in the city is the Majestic. Also known as the Mayfair Theatre, the theater which opened in 1912 has been closed since the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The Aero Theater (now operated by the American Cinematheque) and Criterion Theater were built in the 1930s and still show movies. The Santa Monica Promenade alone supports more than a dozen movie screens.
Palisades Park stretches out along the crumbling bluffs overlooking the Pacific and is a favorite walking area to view the ocean. It features a camera obscura. For 48 years local churches and the Police Association assembled a 12-tableau story of Christmas in Palisades Park. The sheds were open on the street side, protected by chain-link fencing (for years there was no fencing because vandalism was not yet a large problem). Inside were dioramas of the Holy Family made from store mannequins; critics argued that many of them did not resemble real people, were damaged, or were otherwise inappropriate. In 2001 the city decided to temporarily end the practice of allowing private groups to place displays in city parks, but in 2004 the Christmas displays returned.
The Santa Monica Steps, a long, steep staircase that leads from north of San Vicente down into Santa Monica Canyon, is a popular spot for all-natural outdoor workouts. Some area residents have complained that the stairs have become too popular, and attract too many exercisers to the wealthy neighborhood of multimillion-dollar properties.
Natives and tourists alike have enjoyed the Santa Monica Rugby Club since 1972. The club has been very successful since its conception, most recently winning back-to-back national championships in 2005 and 2006. Santa Monica defeated the Boston Irish Wolfhounds 57-19 in the Division 1 final, convincingly claiming its second consecutive American title on June 4, 2006, in San Diego. They offer Men’s, Women’s and a thriving children’s programs. The club recently joined the Rugby Super League.
Every fall the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce hosts The Taste of Santa Monica on the Santa Monica Pier. Visitors can sample food and drinks from Santa Monica restaurants. Other annual events include the Business and Consumer Expo, Sustainable Quality Awards, Santa Monica Cares Health and Wellness Festival, and the State of the City.
Santa Monica is an international mecca for skateboarding culture.[citation needed]
Santa Monica has two hospitals: Saint John’s Health Center and Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center. Its cemetery is Woodlawn Memorial.
Santa Monica has several newspapers and magazines, including the: Santa Monica Daily Press, the Santa Monica Mirror, the Santa Monica Observer Newspaper, Santa Monica Magazine, and the Santa Monica Sun.
Education
Elementary and secondary schools
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District provides public education at the elementary and secondary levels. Private schools in the city include the Crossroads School, New Roads School, Concord High School, Pacifica Christian High, St. Anne Catholic School, Lighthouse Christian Academy and Saint Monica Catholic High School. Notable primary schools include the Carlthorp School and Santa Monica Montessori School.
Post-secondary
Santa Monica College is a community college founded in 1929. Many SMC graduates transfer to the University of California system. It occupies 35 acres (14 hectares) and enrolls 30,000 students annually. The Frederick S. Pardee RAND Graduate School, associated with the RAND Corporation, is the U.S.’s largest producer of public policy Ph.D.s. The Art Institute of California Los Angeles is also located in Santa Monica near the Santa Monica Airport, though many are misled to believe the institute is in the city of Los Angeles because of its name.
Universities and colleges within a 15-mile (24 km) radius from Santa Monica include Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles Southwest College, Los Angeles Valley College, Loyola Marymount University, Mount St. Mary’s College, Pepperdine University, California State University, Northridge, California State University, Los Angeles, UCLA, USC, West Los Angeles College and West Valley Occupational Center.
Transportation
The Santa Monica Freeway (Interstate 10) begins in Santa Monica near the Pacific Ocean and heads east. The Santa Monica Freeway between Santa Monica and downtown Los Angeles has the distinction of being one of the busiest highways in all of North America. After traversing Los Angeles County, I-10 crosses seven more states, terminating at Jacksonville, Florida. In Santa Monica, there is a road sign designating this route as the Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway . State Route 2 (Santa Monica Boulevard) begins in Santa Monica, barely grazing State Route 1 at Lincoln Boulevard, and continues northeast across Los Angeles County, through the Angeles National Forest, crossing the San Gabriel Mountains as the Angeles Crest Highway, ending in Wrightwood. Santa Monica is also the western (Pacific) terminus of historic U.S. Route 66. Close to the eastern boundary of Santa Monica, Sepulveda Boulevard reaches from Long Beach at the south, to the northern end of the San Fernando Valley. Just east of Santa Monica is Interstate 405, the “San Diego Freeway”, a major north-south route in Los Angeles County and Orange County, California.
On the other hand, City of Santa Monica has purchased the first ZeroTruck all-electric medium duty truck. The vehicle will be equipped with a Scelzi utility body, it is based on the Isuzu N series chassis, a UQM PowerPhase 100 advanced electric motor and is the only US built electric truck offered for sale in the United States in 2009.
Bus
The city of Santa Monica runs its own bus service, the Big Blue Bus, which also serves much of West Los Angeles and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). A Big Blue Bus was featured prominently in the action movie Speed.
The city of Santa Monica is also served by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s bus lines. Metro also complements Big Blue service, as when Big Blue routes are not operational overnight, Metro buses make many Big Blue Bus stops, in addition to MTA stops. It currently has no rail service but Metro is working on bringing light rail to Santa Monica in the form of the Exposition Line. Since the mid-1980s, various proposals have been made to extend the Purple Line subway to Santa Monica under Wilshire Boulevard. However, to this day, no plans to complete the “subway to the sea” are imminent, owing to the difficulty of funding the estimated $5 billion project. In the past, Santa Monica had rail service operated by the Pacific Electric Railway, until it was dismantled in the 1960s.
Airport and ports
The city owns and operates a general aviation airport, Santa Monica Airport, which has been the site of several important aviation achievements. Commercial flights are available for residents at Los Angeles International Airport, a few miles south of Santa Monica.
Like other cities in Los Angeles County, Santa Monica is dependent upon the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles for international ship cargo. In the 1890s, Santa Monica was once in competition with Wilmington, Calif., and San Pedro for recognition as the “Port of Los Angeles” (see History of Santa Monica, California).
Medical services
Two major hospitals are within the Santa Monica city limits, UCLA Santa Monica Hospital and St. John’s Hospital. There are five fire stations providing medical and fire response- Fire Units 121-125. Santa Monica Fire used to be dispatched from within the city. However, SMFD is now incorporated into the Operation Command Dispatch (OCD) system for Los Angeles City Fire Department. Ambulance transportation is provided by Gerber Ambulance Services.
Geography
Santa Monica beach and pier viewed from the end of Santa Monica Pier. Note that the bluff is highest at the north end, to the left of the image
Santa Monica is situated at 341’19″ North, 11828’53″ West (34.022059, -118.481336).
The city rests on a mostly flat slope that angles down towards Ocean Avenue and towards the south. High bluffs separate the north side of the city from the beaches.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 41.2 km (15.9 mi); 21.4 km (8.3 mi) of land. Its borders extend three nautical miles (5.6 km) out to sea, and so 19.8 km (7.7 mi) of it is water for a total area that is 48.08% water.
Climate
Palm trees line Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica Downtown at twilight
Santa Monica enjoys an average of 310 days of sunshine a year. Because of its location, nestled on the vast and open Santa Monica Bay, morning fog is a common phenomenon in May, June and early July (caused by ocean temperature variations and currents). Locals have a particular terminology for this phenomenon: the “May Gray” and the “June Gloom”. Overcast skies are common for June mornings, but usually the strong sun burns the fog off by noon. Nonetheless, it will sometimes stay cloudy and cool all day during June, even as other parts of the Los Angeles area enjoy sunny skies and warmer temperatures. At times, the sun shines east of 20th St., while the beach area is overcast.
As a general rule, the beach temperature is from 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (3 to 5.5 degrees Celsius) cooler than it is inland. A typical spring day (Mid-April) is sunny, pleasant and about 68 F (20 C). In the summer, which stretches from May to late October, temperatures can reach the mid-80′s Fahrenheit (about 30 C) at the beach. The average temperature for August is 71 F (21 C). September is the warmest month of the year in Santa Monica, with an average of 73.2 F (22 C). It is also in September that high temperature records tend to be broken. In early September 2004, 92 F (33 C) to 98 F (33 C to 37 C) were recorded.
In early November, it is about 68 F (20 C). In late January, temperatures are around 63 F (17 C). It is winter, however, when the hot, dry winds of the Santa Anas are most common. In mid-December 2004, temperatures soared to 84 F (28 C) in Santa Monica, for a few straight days, with perfectly sunny skies. In contrast, temperatures exceeding 10 degrees below average are rare.
The rainy season is from late October through late March. Winter storms usually approach from the northwest and pass quickly through the Southland. There is very little rain during the rest of the year. Yearly rainfall totals are unpredictable as rainy years are occasionally followed by droughts.
Santa Monica usually enjoys a cool breeze blowing in from the ocean, keeping the air fresh and clean. Therefore, smog is less of a problem for Santa Monica than elsewhere around Los Angeles. However, in the autumn months of September through November, the Santa Ana winds will sometimes blow from the east, bringing smoggy inland air to the beaches.
Climate data for Santa Monica
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Record high C (F)
29
(84)
32
(90)
32
(90)
37
(99)
31
(88)
33
(91)
33
(91)
35
(95)
40
(104)
37
(99)
38
(100)
32
(90)
40
(104)
Average high C (F)
18
(64)
17
(63)
17
(63)
17
(63)
18
(64)
19
(66)
21
(70)
21
(70)
22
(72)
21
(70)
19
(66)
19
(66)
22
(72)
Average low C (F)
10
(50)
11
(52)
11
(52)
12
(54)
13
(55)
15
(59)
17
(63)
17
(63)
17
(63)
15
(59)
12
(54)
11
(52)
10
(50)
Record low C (F)
1
(34)
2
(36)
1
(34)
4
(39)
6
(43)
7
(45)
11
(52)
11
(52)
7
(45)
6
(43)
3
(37)
1
(34)
1
(34)
Precipitation mm (inches)
77.7
(3.06)
83.6
(3.29)
65.0
(2.56)
13.5
(0.53)
6.4
(0.25)
1.0
(0.04)
0.3
(0.01)
3.3
(0.13)
4.3
(0.17)
9.1
(0.36)
25.9
(1.02)
47.9
(1.89)
338
(13.31)
Source:
Environment
The city is well known as one of the leading sustainable cities in all of the US.[who?] Three of every four of the city public works vehicles run on alternative fuel, making it among the largest such fleets in the country. All public buildings use renewable energy. In the last 15 years, the city has cut greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 10 per cent, a feat in car-crazy Southern California. City officials and residents have made the ongoing cleanup of the Santa Monica Bay a priority an urban runoff facility catches 3.5 million gallons of water each week that would otherwise flow into the bay. Other environmental features include miles of beaches, extensive curbside recycling, farmer markets, community gardens, and the city bus system.
Demographics
Historical populations
Census
Pop.
%
1880
417
1890
1,580
278.9%
1900
3,057
93.5%
1910
7,847
156.7%
1920
15,252
94.4%
1930
37,146
143.5%
1940
53,500
44.0%
1950
71,595
33.8%
1960
83,249
16.3%
1970
88,289
6.1%
1980
88,314
0%
1990
86,905
1.6%
2000
84,084
3.2%
Est. 2008
87,664
4.3%
Santa Monica City Hall, designed by Donald Parkinson, with terrazo mosaics by Stanton MacDonald-Wright
Santa Monica’s population has grown from 417 in 1880 to 87,664 in 2008. For population statistics by decade, see History of Santa Monica, California.
As of the census of 2000, there are 84,084 people, 44,497 households, and 16,775 families in the city. The population density is 3,930.4/km (10,178.7/mi). There are 47,863 housing units at an average density of 2,237.3/km (5,794.0/mi). The racial makeup of the city is 78.29% White, 7.25% Asian, 3.78% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 5.97% from other races, and 4.13% from two or more races. 13.44% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 44,497 households, out of which 15.8% have children under the age of 18, 27.5% are married couples living together, 7.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 62.3% are non-families. 51.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 1.83 and the average family size is 2.80.
The city of Santa Monica is consistently among the most educated cities in the United States, as measured by the percentage of residents with graduate degrees.
The population is diverse in age, with 14.6% under 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 40.1% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% 65 years or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females, there are 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.3 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city is $71,796, and the median income for a family is $100,657. Males have a median income of $55,689 versus $42,948 for females. The per capita income for the city is $42,874. 10.4% of the population and 5.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.9% of those under the age of 18 and 10.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Government and infrastructure
The Santa Monica City Council, a Council-Manager form of government, with seven Council members elected at-large, is the current governing body of the city. Mayor Ken Genser died on January 9, 2010, and Pam O’Connor assumed the title of temporary mayor. In the state legislature Santa Monica is located in the 23rd California State Senate District, represented by Democrat Fran Pavley, and in the 41st California State Assembly district District, represented by Democrat Julia Brownley. Federally, Santa Monica is located in California’s 30th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +20 and is represented by Democrat Henry Waxman.
Economy
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Headquarters of Activision
Santa Monica is home to the headquarters of many notable businesses, including Lions Gate Films, Experian subsidiary LowerMyBills.com, the RAND Corporation, investment firm Dimensional Fund Advisors, search engine company Business.com, and film / television production company and record label The Playtone Company, headed by actor Tom Hanks and producer Gary Goetzman. Major companies with branch offices in Santa Monica include: Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Universal, MTV and Edmunds.com. The Design Center California for Volkswagen, formerly located in Simi Valley, moved to the former site of the Museum Of Flying at the Santa Monica Airport in 2006. Volkswagen’s only styling studio in North America has been responsible for many notable automotive designs, including The New Beetle and The Audi Road Jet concept seen at the Detroit Car Show. The offices for the Comedy Central show South Park are located in Santa Monica. Supermarine, now Atlantic Aviation, is at the Santa Monica Airport.[citation needed]
A number of game development studios are based in Santa Monica, making it a major location for the industry. These include:
Activision
High Impact Games (Work with the PSP system and creators of Ratchet: Size Matters)
Insomniac Games (Creators of Spyro the Dragon (19982000), Ratchet & Clank and Resistance franchises)
Naughty Dog (Creators of Crash Bandicoot (19961999), Jak & Daxter and Uncharted franchises)
SCE Studios Santa Monica
Studio Santa Monica (An in-house studio of SCE and creators of God of War)
Former Santa Monica businesses include Douglas Aircraft (now merged with Boeing) and MySpace (now headquartered in Beverly Hills).[citation needed] In December 1996, GeoCities was headquartered on the third floor of 1918 Main Street in Santa Monica.
Crime
In 2006, crime in Santa Monica affected 4.41% of the population, slightly lower than the national average crime rate that year of 4.48%. The majority of this was property crime, which affected 3.74% of Santa Monica’s population in 2006; this was higher than the rates for Los Angeles County (2.76%) and California (3.17%), but lower than the national average (3.91%). These per-capita crime rates are computed based on Santa Monica’s full-time population of about 85,000. However, the Santa Monica Police Department has suggested the actual per-capita crime rate is much lower, as tourists, workers, and beachgoers can increase the city’s daytime population to between 250,000 and 450,000 people.
Violent crimes affected 0.67% of the population in Santa Monica in 2006, in line with Los Angeles County (0.65%), but higher than the averages for California (0.53%) and the nation (0.55%).
Hate crime has typically been minimal in Santa Monica, with only one reported incident in 2007. However, the city experienced a spike of anti-Islamic hate crime in 2001, following the attacks of September 11. Hate crime levels returned to their minimal 2000 levels by 2002.
In 2006, Santa Monica voters passed “Measure Y” with a 65% majority, which moved the issuance of citations for marijuana smoking to the bottom of the police priority list. A 2009 study by the Santa Monica Daily Press showed that since the law took effect in 2007, the Santa Monica Police had “not issued any citations for offenses involving the adult, personal use of marijuana inside private residences.”
Gang activity
While gentrification has transformed much of the city, some areas of Santa Monica experience gang activity. The city estimates that there are fewer than 50 gang members in Santa Monica, although some community organizers dispute this claim. Gang activity has been prevalent for decades in the Pico neighborhood, particularly the portion of the area running roughly from 14th Street to just east of Cloverfield, and between Pico Boulevard and Colorado Ave. This war has sporadically spilled into the halls of Santa Monica High School and impacts daily life for students at Olympic High School (at the corner of Ocean Park Blvd and Lincoln Blvd). These various feuds have claimed dozens of lives over more than two decades.
Culver/Pico feud
One of the most violent feuds was between Latino Santa Monica 13 gangs and the rival Culver City 13 gang. In 1998, five shooting deaths occurred in a two week period between these two gangs.
In October 1998, alleged Culver City 13 gang member Omar Sevilla, 21, of Culver City was killed. A couple of hours after the shooting of Sevilla, German tourist Horst Fietze was killed. Several days later Juan Martin Campos, age 23, a Santa Monica City employer and former gang member was shot and killed. Police believe this was a retaliatory killing in response to the death of Omar Sevilla. Less than twenty-four hours later, Javier Cruz was wounded outside his home on 17th and Michigan, a violence riddled pocket of the Pico area.
In 2006, there was a double homicide in the Westside Clothing store on Lincoln Boulevard. During the incident, Culver City gang members David “Puppet” Robles and Jesse “Psycho” Garcia entered the store masked and began opening fire, killing Anthony and Michael Juarez. They then ran outside to a getaway vehicle driven by a third Culver City gang member, who is now also in custody. The clothing store was believed to be a local hang out for Santa Monica gang members. The dead included two men from Northern California who had merely been visiting the store’s owner, their cousin, to see if they could open a similar store in their area. Police say the incident was in retaliation for a shooting committed by the Santa Monica 13 gang days before the Juarez brothers were gunned down.
Aside from the rivalry with the Culver City gang, Black and Latino Pico gang members also feud with the Venice and West Los Angeles gangs. The main rivals in these regions include Venice 13, and Venice Shoreline Crips gangs located in the Oakwood area of Venice, CA. The Sotel 13 gang located in West Los Angeles has long been the main rival of Santa Monica’s Latino gangs.
In popular culture
Film and television
Hundreds of movies have been shot or set in part within the city of Santa Monica. One of the oldest exterior shots in Santa Monica is Buster Keaton Spite Marriage (1929) which shows much of 2nd Street. The comedy It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) included several scenes shot in Santa Monica, including those along the California Street incline, which led to the movie’s treasure spot, “The Big W”. The Sylvester Stallone movie Rocky III (1982) shows Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed training to fight Clubber Lang by running on the Santa Monica Beach, and Stallone’s Demolition Man (1993) includes Santa Monica settings. Henry Jaglom’s indie Someone to Love (1987), the last film in which Orson Welles appeared, takes place in Santa Monica’s venerable Mayfair Theatre. Heathers (1989) used Santa Monica’s John Adams Middle School for many exterior shots. The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996) is set entirely in Santa Monica, particularly the Palisades Park area, and features a radio station that resembles KCRW at Santa Monica College. 17 Again (2009) was shot at Samo High. Other movies that show significant exterior shots Santa Monica include Fletch (1985), Get Shorty (1995), and Ocean’s Eleven (2001).
The documentary Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001) and the related dramatic film Lords of Dogtown (2005) are both about the influential skateboarding culture of Santa Monica’s Ocean Park neighborhood in the ’70s.
The Santa Monica Pier is shown in many movies, including They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969), The Sting (1973), Ruthless People (1986), Beverly Hills Cop III (1994), Clean Slate (1994), Forrest Gump (1994), The Net (1995), Love Stinks (1999), Cellular (2004) and Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009).
A number of television series have been set in Santa Monica, including Baywatch, Three’s Company, Pacific Blue, and Private Practice. In Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the main exterior set of the town of Sunnydale, including the infamous “sun sign”, was located in Santa Monica in a lot on Olympic Boulevard.
The movies The Doors (1991) and Speed (1994) featured Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus.
The city of Santa Monica (and in particular the Santa Monica airport) was featured in Roland Emmerich’s disaster film 2012 (2009). An earthquake destroys the airport and the surrounding area as a group of survivors escape in a personal plane.
Literature
Raymond Chandler’s most famous character, private detective Philip Marlowe, frequently has a portion of his adventures in a place called “Bay City”, which is modeled on depression-era Santa Monica. In Marlowe’s world, Bay City is “a wide-open town”, where gambling and other crimes thrive due to a massively corrupt and ineffective police force.
The setting on a certain portion of Mitch Albom’s book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, has similarities to the Pacific Pier located along the Santa Monica beach. In the book, it is named Ruby Pier. Mitch Albom even acknowledged the Pacific Pier for its cooperation.
Music
The band “Linkin Park” was named after the Lincoln Park in Santa Monica.
The modern rock band Theory of a Deadman’s song titled “Santa Monica”, is a first-person account about a girl leaving her significant other to start a new life in Santa Monica.
The band Everclear released a song titled “Santa Monica” in 1995, which became their first mainstream hit.
The band Savage Garden also released a song titled “Santa Monica” off their #3 US album Savage Garden (1997).
The ska/reggae band, Bedouin Soundclash has a song entitled “Santa Monica”.
One of the few songs that musical satirist Tom Lehrer has recorded since the 1970s is a tribute to the holidays of the Jewish calendar entitled “I’m Spending Hanukkah in Santa Monica”.
Santa Monica is referenced throughout Jack’s Mannequin’s debut album Everything In Transit.
In 1968, British singer-songwriter Noel Harrison released a song and album titled Santa Monica Pier.
In 1948, bandleader Kay Kyser released a 78 record of the novelty song “When Veronica Plays the Harmonica (Down at the Pier in Santa Monica).”
Gaming
Santa Monica is featured in the video games True Crime: Streets of LA (2003), Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines (2004), Grand Theft Auto San Andreas (2004) , Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland (2005), and Midnight Club: Los Angeles (2008).
See also
Los Angeles portal
List of City of Santa Monica Designated Historic Landmarks
List of people from Santa Monica, California
Muscle Beach
Santa Monica neighborhoods
References
^ a b c Santa Monica, California (City-Data.com)
^ Martha Groves, Hopes high for low-profile mall, Los Angeles Times, March 5, 2007.
^ Ben Tracy (February 18, 2009). “Santa Monica’s Disputed Steps”. CBS News TV report. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4811826n. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
^ http://evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=21244
^ “US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990″. United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
^ “Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Los Angeles, California, United States of America”. Weatherbase.com. http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=159227&refer=. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
^ “Santa Barbara.com: June Gloom”. SantaBarbara.com. http://www.santabarbara.com/community/weather/junegloom.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
^ “Santa Monica Average Weather”. http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/achesandpains/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USCA1024.
^ City Mayors: The greenest US cities
^ Environmental Programs Division (EPD) – City of Santa Monica
^ “American FactFinder”. United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
^ CNN Money – 25 Most Educated Cities
^ Santa Monica city, California – Fact Sheet – American FactFinder
^ “Santa Monica Mayor Ken Genser dies at 59″. Los Angeles Times. 2010-01-10. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-santamonica-mayor10-2010jan10,0,6224860.story.
^ “Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest?”. Campaign Legal Center Blog. http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
^ “INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT.” Lions Gate Films. Retrieved on November 3, 2009.
^ “Advertising and Sponsorship Information.” GeoCities. December 19, 1996. Retrieved on April 30, 2009.
^ a b “Santa Monica CA Crime Statistics (2006 Crime Data)”. http://santamonica.areaconnect.com/crime1.htm. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
^ a b “Crime Statistics for Santa Monica”. http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Santa_Monica-California/community-info/. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
^ Schley, Reeve T. (September 25, 2002). “Santa Monica Crime Rate Is Highest in Los Angeles County”. Santa Monica Mirror. http://www.smmirror.com/volume4/issue15/santa_monica_crime.asp. Retrieved August 25, 2009.
^ “Sustainable City Progress Report”. http://www.smgov.net/Departments/OSE/categories/contentFullPage.aspx?id=6261. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
^ “Measure Y: Lowest Enforcement Priority for Adult, Personal Use of Marijuana City of Santa Monica”. http://www.smartvoter.org/2006/11/07/ca/la/meas/Y/. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
^ Emma Trotter (July 31, 2009). “Two years of toking it up”. Santa Monica Daily Press. http://www.smdp.com/Articles-c-2009-07-31-61013.113116_Two_years_of_toking_it_up_.html. Retrieved August 25, 2009.
^ Police Chief Calls for Regional Approach to Gang Violence
^ Death of gangster Omar Sevilla.
^ NBC Los Angeles report on the capture of Fietze’s killer
^ Gang Bullets Pierce Santa Monica’s Image
^ Violence in Pico
^ Suspects Charged in Westside Clothing Store Shooting
^ ‘Gangster’s Paradise Lost’
^ a b www.imdb.com
^ Various authors, “Sets and Locations”, The Ultimate Buffy and Angel Trivia Guide (updated 2007).
^ Hiney, Tom (1999). Raymond Chandler. Grove Press. p. 92. ISBN 0802136370, 9780802136374.
^ Steve Harvey, “Only in L.A.”, Los Angeles Times, February 9, 1990.
^ YouTube video of recording, “When Veronica Plays the Harmonica”, Kay Kyser.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Santa Monica, California
City of Santa Monica
Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau
Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
Santa Monica Little Leagues
Santa Monica travel guide from Wikitravel
Santa Monica, California at the Open Directory Project
Coordinates: 340106 1182925 / 34.01833N 118.49028W / 34.01833; -118.49028
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Jul
26
2010
Travelers who want to enjoy the rustic charm of Yellowstone National Park can choose from a wide selection of lodging options ranging from luxury to budget-conscious accommodations.
Yellowstone National Park is the first national park of United States. Located in the states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, Yellowstone National Park spans an area of 8,987 square kilometers consisting of lakes, canyons and mountain ranges. It is home to the Old Faithful Geyser, a very popular tourist attraction. With its massive size, Yellowstone National Park also houses a wide variety of wildlife including hundreds of species of birds, fish and reptiles. Since the mid-1960s, at least 2 million tourists visit the Yellowstone National Park every year.
Tourists going to Yellowstone can choose from the great lodging options available in the park. One of the popular hotels here is the Brandin Iron Inn Hotel, a family owned inn that boasts of three generations of Yellowstone hospitality. Located on Canyon Street in West Yellowstone, Montana, two blocks from park entrance, the inn has 79 upscale and spacious rooms that all have modern amenities. Each room has in-room coffee, refrigerators and data ports for guests with laptops and PDAs. Guests staying in the hotel can also enjoy its deluxe oversized Jacuzzi. Aside from lodging, Brandin Iron Inn Hotel also offers luxury snowcoach tours, snowmobile rentals, park tours, car rentals, and RV Park. It is the best place to stay for people who love to bike, hike, fly fish or snowmobile.
Another great lodging option is Travelodge Yellowstone West. It is located three blocks from the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park, and offers convenient lodging for budget-conscious travelers who want to experience the joys of Yellowstone. The two-story hotel features a seasonal outdoor pool and spa tub and has 83 rooms. Each guestroom is provided with cable television, coffeemakers and complimentary local telephone calls. Other amenities include laundry facilities, fitness equipments, and RV and truck parking.
For Yellowstone explorers who want to enjoy lodging with a Western touch, the Anglers Inn is the best choice. It is located less than three blocks northwest of Jackson Hole’s town square. The two-storey hotel with its modern Western architecture has 28 rooms that are tastefully decorated with hand-made lodgepole furniture, knotty pine accents, wrought-iron lamps, and Western art. The rooms include standard amenities such as refrigerators, microwaves, coffeemakers, hair dryers, and complimentary local calls and wireless Internet. Although the hotel lacks its own restaurant, there are several nearby restaurants that guests can enjoy. Other amenities include parking, ski shuttle and tour assistance. The hotel, however, does not allow pets.
Sitting majestically on the Shore of Yellowstone Lake, the Lake Yellowstone Hotel is Yellowstone’s oldest hotel. This classic hotel, with its 1920s ambiance, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel is popular for its ‘Sun Room’, which offers guests an elegant view of the Yellowstone Lake. Lodgings range from deluxe, presidential suites to comfortable frontier cabins. The hotel also offers a casually elegant restaurant. Other hotel features include a deli, a lobby bar, gift shop, and ATM.
Other hotels in Yellowstone are the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Days Inn West Yellowstone and Stage Coach Inn.
Jul
25
2010
Switzerland is a great all year round holiday destination. Whether you’re in search of a winter skiing holiday, a summer sightseeing vacation or a city break, you will have an enjoyable time in Switzerland.
This European country is brimming with beautiful ski slopes and stunning scenery, and boasts pretty alpine villages and fascinating cities, as well as a wealth of culture and history and a whole lot more (not forgetting, of course, the delicious chocolates and cheese!).
Switzerland also offers a good selection of holiday property rentals, so it’s perfect for a self-catering holiday.
For those looking for fun and adventure, you need look no further than Switzerland, which is a skier’s paradise. It offers superb skiing facilities for all abilities – and it doesn’t matter whether you’re looking to learn to ski or if you’re an experienced skier.
Switzerland has some fantastic areas where you can take to the slopes. The popular resorts include Arosa, Champery, Crans Montana, Davos, Grindelwald, Gstaad, Klosters, Lenzerheide, Murren, Saas Fee, St Moritz, Verbier, Villars, Wengen and Zermatt.
The Valais region offers some good skiing facilities, as well as a host of other activities, attractions and things to see and do. For example, the lovely town of Nendaz, which is in Switzerland’s Valais region and in the heart of the Four Valleys ski area, is a great destination to visit both in summer and winter.
In the summer months you can enjoy many leisure pursuits here such as walking, hiking, mountain biking and climbing. If you like the outdoor life, this area will definitely appeal. There is also a sports centre, which offers a variety of sporting activities, such as tennis, squash, football and swimming.
A great way of exploring this area is by foot. You can walk along a network of lovely paths (Bisses) which run along the irrigation canals. Nendaz boasts 98km of walks along 8 bisses. Not surprisingly, there are some amazing views of the valleys, villages and mountains when you pass along this route.
Mountain biking is another way of seeing the sights in Nendaz. You can hire a bike and take to one of the trails available, whether you’re an experienced cyclist or just a beginner, there’s something here for you!
Paragliding is another popular pastime in Nendaz. You can also play golf in nearby Sion. There are also courses at Crans Montana, Verbier and Villars.
Nendaz has a good variety of shops, supermarkets, banks and plenty of restaurants as well as bars, so it’s ideal for a holiday property rental. The town is also a perfect base from which to tour, as there are many attractions and sights to see around the surrounding of Nendaz.
Meanwhile, in the winter Nendaz is a haven for skiers. It is located in the Four Valleys ski area, with its 412km of pistes and 92 ski lifts. There are some great skiing opportunities for all ages and abilities of skier in this area. It’s a good family holiday destination too, as there are facilities for children, including a snow garden, ski schools, a nursery, as well as various activities. You can also take part in a variety of winter sports in this area, such as snowboarding, sledging, snowtubing and ice skating.
So if you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, why not make Nendaz (or indeed another area of Switzerland) your next holiday destination? It has something to offer everyone, whatever your age, taste or type of vacation. It’s a fantastic all year round holiday location and an ideal for a self-catering break too. This is just a taster of what is available in this beautiful European country – there is so much more to see and do here. Why not check it out soon?
Jul
24
2010
One of the best advantages of being a traveling nurse is to travel to different destination and at the same time earning a rich practical experience in the career of travel nursing.
In order to find the best traveling nurse job, it is better to get registered in some travel nursing companies. These highly beneficial travel nursing companies contribute in getting the best job, salary and place of working to nurses.
The best place needs to be selected to have a travel nursing career in as per the activities, salary, facilities offered, cost of living and weather. The top ten travel nursing destinations that are a must consider ones include:
Hawaii- It is no surprising fact that Hawaii offers more than 500 travel nursing inquiries every month. At this great destination, the nurses can easily explore and enjoy the sandy beaches, hiking trails, green plush ranchlands and snow-capped mountains.
Alaska- The travel nurses in Alaska are intrigued greatly by the chances of this destination’s rugged mystery. The place is huge wilderness featuring great travel nursing projects offering a large amount of time to do and see what the nurses like.
Montana- Fishing, snowy mountains, waterfalls and river trips are what all one will discover in Montana. The travel nursing companies offer assignments that appeal to all those nurses who require time to spend time in the beauty and merriment of this place.
Maine- Travel nurses at this place cannot resist working here due to its great outdoor activities of snow bowling and skiing. This destination is legendary for providing exceptional experiences in the field of travel nursing.
California- World-renowned beaches and warm weather of this place makes it a favorite for travel nursing jobs.
Washington- It is in the hot list of the nurse travelers. The culture is simply diverse with outdoorsy and sophisticated environment, loaded with rich history, botanical gardens, museums, parks and resorts.
South Carolina- Countless adventure and sights make South Carolina the favorite spot for the travel nurses.
Colorado- Summer musical festivals and winter skiing are the top reasons why travel nurses wish to be in Colorado.
Tennessee- This destination is admired by many travel nurses due to its excellent tourist joints.
Arizona- Travel nurses visiting this place take pleasure in its swift rivers, sand dunes, mountain ranges, cactus forests and grasslands.
Jul
23
2010
Choosing Yellowstone as your next travel vacation is a good choice. Experience a unique vacation in a natural environment that offers a peaceful retreat from a city life. Appreciate the beauty and serenity of this place rich in wildlife.
There are hotels in Yellowstone that guarantee discounts for accommodation.
Moose Creek Inn
Moose Creek Inn is one of the hotels providing big discounts. It is conveniently located in the center of West Yellowstone. Shopping malls and restaurants are just around the corner.
A hot muffin breakfast is served at the lobby.
Families can enjoy a barbeque session at the picnic area. The area is provided with many tables and chairs.
Guestroom Amenities:
Fully air-conditioned
Cable television
Coffee maker
Telephone
Bathroom with shower
Complimentary wireless Internet access
2 full-sized beds or one queen bed
Visitors can tour some of the hottest spots nearby:
IMAX Theater
Grizzly Discovery Center
Yellowstone National Park
Traveler’s Lodge
The Traveler’s Lodge is a two-storey hotel with 44 spacious guestrooms. Accommodation rates will suit your budget.
Its location is convenient for outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, fishing and boating.
Hotel amenities include:
Seasonal outdoor pool
Indoor hot tub
Coin-operated laundry
Cable TV
Complimentary local calls
Hair dryer
Iron and ironing board available on request
Vending machines
Tourist spots to see:
Bears Den Cinema
Yellowstone National Park
Grizzly Discovery Center
Yellowstone Country Inn
The Yellowstone Country Inn is a simple hotel with the lowest accommodation rates. It is located in West Yellowstone, Montana.
Guests can visit the Yellowstone Park only a few blocks away from the hotel. Heartwarming meals are served at the in-house restaurant with delicious yet affordable menus.
The heated swimming pool is available from 10:00 A.M to 10:00 P.M. There is also a spa tub and sauna available for use.
The guestrooms are simple but comfortable enough for its valued guests. Among the amenities include:
Kitchen
Telephone
Tub and shower
Cable TV
Microwave oven
Hair dryer
Vending machines
Yellowstone Park Inn and Suites
The Yellowstone Park Inn and Suites is a two-storey property, with 83 guestrooms that are fully-equipped with modern amenities such as:
Cable TV
Coffee maker
Complimentary local calls
Microwave oven
Refrigerator
Bathtub with shower
Hotel amenities include:
Seasonal outdoor pool
Spa tub
Laundry services
Porter / bellhop
Vending machines
Major tourist attractions you can visit:
Yellowstone National Park
Bear and Wolf Discovery Center
Madison River
Gallatin River
Island Park
Big Spring State Park
These scenic natural spots are favorite locations of photographers. Many visitors try the outdoor activities here, like fishing, skiing, boating, and hiking. Stroll along the riverside and be drowned by the beauty of the surroundings.
Jul
22
2010
Is adventure travel getting expensive for the family? The good news for adventure travel and wilderness hiking trails is that the USA has some of the most unique and incredible places to see on earth. Our National, State Parks, Monuments and Wilderness Areas are awesome, but for years there have been reduced number of visitors. Many citizens have said that a four-year program to increase national parks entrance fees to make them more uniform may discourage some Americans from visiting their national parks such as the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Zion and Yellowstone.
The National Parks have been faced with a budget crisis. The parks are struggling to protect the historic, cultural and natural resources that the parks were created for. The parks are short of funds for operating facilities, repairs to roads, bridges, trails and buildings. There was an 814 million dollar shortfall in 2006. There are almost 400 areas of protection covered by the National Parks Service. Almost every park has fewer full time employees now than in 2001, while there were over 273,000,000 visitors to the parks in 2005. The park service needs more funding to provide education, interpretive and for the safety requirements of their visitors. This is a time of controversy about park fees, current plans for oil, gas and mineral exploration in our parks and of course removing the O’Shaughnessy Dam to restore the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite.
Recently the federal government has moved to replace the National Park Service’s $50 annual pass with a new $80 multi-agency pass. Some people think that the fee increases are getting out of line. The park service raised entrance fees at 34 parks over the past two years and plans to raise them at another 124 parks in 2008 and 2009. At Glacier National Park in Montana and Joshua Tree National Park in California, the fees will go up twice, and beginning in 2011, park officials plan to increase fees every three years, based on inflation. There is a proposal to double entrance fees next year at Crater Lake National Park, now $10 per car. Will it drive the local visitors away? In 1997, when the park service began raising fees, the number of national parks visitors has fallen 1% while entrance fee revenue has gone up almost 16%. Many of them are from outside the United States and love to visit the American protected lands.
Will the National Park Centennial Act to rescue our parks before 2016 – the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service? The acts purpose is to eliminate the annual operating deficit and maintenance backlog in the national parks. If it passed, it was to create a check off box on American tax returns to fund the parks. As H.R. 1124 and S 886 it did not get passed in 2006. In spring of 2006 the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report about our National Parks based on research, to the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee that found that funding had not kept pace with need, requiring park managers to reduce services including, reducing visitor center hours, educational programs, basic custodial duties, and law enforcement operations, such as back-country patrolling. Additionally, the park system has been forced to close campgrounds, shorten operating hours, eliminate many interpretive programs, lay off many seasonal rangers, and eliminate many of the parks’ scientific studies programs.
So where’s the good news about our public lands? Being an outdoor writer and avid traveler to our parks and wilderness areas Bob Therrien, President of TrainingPASS Sales, Inc. has created an outdoor recreation message board, he commented “As I’ve visited the outdoors, the hardest part over the years, for me has been the research about which parks, hikes, climbs, locations and activities I want to visit with my family and friends. Exploring federal then state website after site, then mapping the distance from each area of interest is inefficient and many times lacking in information. To solve that inefficiency we have collected all the basic information about our parks, wilderness areas and national monuments and put them into one website. I don’t personally have a problem with the new park fees. It costs me more to take my family to the movies. I’d rather enjoy a full day or two at a place like Denali National Park, the Arches or Canyonlands.
The USA has incredible adventure travel wilderness and hiking trails. To promote these areas AdventureZoneTOURS created a forum for sharing trip reports on National Parks, State Parks, National Monuments and Wilderness Areas.
The Outdoor Adventure Message Board opens up to reveal a listing of U.S. States, separated into travel regions. Click on any state region and there are sub forums for all the parks, monuments and wilderness areas in that region. Many times there are several interesting choices to pick from of federal or state lands, within a state region. For the activity-specific minded, AdventureZoneTOURS.com encourages users to share trip reports for a variety of outdoor activities from hiking, climbing, canyoneering, geo exploring, photography, ghost towns, mines, and cave to water sports such as boating, fishing, jet and water skiing, tubing, rafting, and scuba. Winter travel sports such as snowmobiling, skiing and snowboarding are featured. Hunting locations, ATV and horseback trails as well as the most scenic areas for outdoor photography are also available as individual topic posts. To research or share your favorite adventure travel location, you’re invited to sign up and share today.