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Nevada: Viva Las Wilderness

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There are so many beautiful and wild areas in the state of Nevada, and yet many Americans are not aware. Fortunately, there are people who are passionate about protecting these unique areas, despite significant challenges in the form of development, water rights, and numerous other interests.

Here’s a great video from the folks at Nevada Wilderness Project (NWP). A few memorable quotes from the video:

“Wilderness is a place for relaxation and sanity…a place where I have always gone to get my bearings.”

“I love politics, and I love sleeping in the dirt.”

“As Americans we have the right to petition our government for change.”

“When it is about protecting your backyard wilderness, and protecting what’s best about America, we feel like that is one of the finest kinds of patriotism around.”

May the force be with you, NWP!

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Dragon Boat Races

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Dragon_Boat_Races Originating in China more than 2000 years ago, Dragon Boat Racing is one of mankind’s oldest organized sports. Each year there are competitions held in numerous locations around the world in celebration of the Duanwu Festival. In Tampa, there is actually a Dragon Boat Institute. They have a wonderful Vision, which among other things is – To be a model waterfront community.

I was rather surprised to see how many people came out to race and observe. Up and down the channel they went, blades cutting into the water in unison while one individual ruddered and another beat the skin of a drum to keep time. Meanwhile, the Asian Festival was underway on the square of the St Pete Times Forum, and choreographed dances and delicious food were a great complement to the competition.

When people ask me what I like most about Tampa I generally reply, the cultural diversity. Throughout the year there are numerous events surrounding the Cuban, Spanish, Italian, Indian, Greek, African, and American cultures that have shaped everything from the architecture to the events of Tampa Bay.

If you plan to go to next year’s races then stop in to the new Tampa Bay History Center where you will begin to unravel this rich past. What’s more, there is a Columbia Restaurant as part of the Center where you can sit on the deck adjacent to the water, watch the Dragon Boat Races, sip a Mojito, and enjoy Cuban food like they have been preparing since 1905.

In honor of the Dragon Boat Races, there was a fantastic metal statue placed on the promenade of Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park. I just had to take a picture of it for my old whitewater rafting and kayaking friends, especially those that did and do paddle class V. After a little fun with Photoshop, I think it conveys that not-so-subtle feeling one can get above a must make move.

Paddle_or_Die

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Clearwater Beach

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On the weekends, especially in April and May, Clearwater Beach is a scene. Want solitude? Not the place. Want to see and be seen? Bingo.

Clearwater Beach

Top 5 Sightings:

  1. Teeny Weeny Bikinis
  2. Garish Grandmothers
  3. Buff Dudes in Banana Hammocks 
  4. Tattoos Too Many
  5. Crops of Condos

BeachOh, and middle-aged fathers like me contending with their curious, cranky, crazy but OH SO cute kids. My suggestion to all of you parents out there who are ready to roll to the beach with their little bouncing babies – buy a shade tent. It will make your life so much easier and quite possibly liberate you from feeling like you just can’t go to the beach with a young child. Your little one will have a safe play place out of the sun, and if the wind is blowing then it will act as a nice shelter for you and your gear. If you get really lucky then it might even serve as a salubrious spot for a nap.

Eureka makes a decent one that even has little sand bags you can fill and bury for extra stability against high winds. Sets up in just a few minutes and comes with a stuff sack that also acts as a sling you can carry over your shoulder.

Whether you are kicking it on the shores of Lake Tahoe, exploring the beaches of Hawaii, or battling for a spot at your favorite Florida beach the shade tent is a must have.

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Reno-Tahoe Wordcamp a Big Success

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Or so says the Reynolds School of Journalism. And we wholeheartedly agree. Coming on the heels of the Salt Lake City Wordcamp, we were pleased to be a part of another informative and inspiring gathering of the best and brightest WordPress designers and developers. If you missed it, well, there will most likely be another one soon. Until then, enjoy some of our CEO’s Flickr photos of the event, and read the School’s report in full below.

Reno-Tahoe Wordcamp a Big Success

April 27,2009

Matt Mullenweg, founding developer of WordPress and UNR student Colin Loretz, the driving force behind Reno-Tahoe Wordcamp. Photo by David LaPlante.

Matt Mullenweg, founding developer of WordPress and UNR student Colin Lorentz, the driving force behind Reno-Tahoe Wordcamp. Photo by David LaPlante.As Matt Mullenweg described how he came to develop the popular software WordPress, some of the 70-plus attendees in Saturday’s Reno-Tahoe Wordcamp twittered Matt’s geocities page, scrolled through his photo blog and checked out his demo sites on Automattic.

Mullenweg, who wrote the original code for WordPress and is still intimately connected with upgrading and expanding the capabilities of the original idea, previewed upcoming products that allow for multiple users and more social networking.

“We create things and we have no idea how people will use them,” he said. “It’s amazing to hear what people are doing with these tools.”

Saturday’s Wordcamp, sponsored by Twelve Horses and the Reynolds School of Journalism, featured a day-long series of speakers on using WordPress, developing a personal brand and understanding social media.

In his keynote address, Mullenweg described the history of WordPress and how much the process of open-source software development influenced his interest and direction.

In another popular session, David LaPlante, CEO of TwelveHorses, described an epiphany his company had as they watched site useage over the past few years. “People care about people,” he said. “Trust is the first thing we need to do business together. It comes with connecting with you as an individual.”

LaPlante emphasized his view that information is getting more personal, transparent and authentic. He noticed that on the sites they build, “about us” pages that feature personal insights about the individuals in the company attract a lot more page views.

RSJ alumna Annie Flanzraich asked LaPlante how to navigate the online emphasis on personal and transparent disclosure among journalists or bosses who don’t understand – or agree with — this kind of personal divulgence.

“The water is moving that way quickly,” LaPlante said. He described a disequilibrium in the marketplace as we move from one set of expectations to another. He pointed out the fastest growing demographic on Facebook is women over 55. “The stronger your brand, the more  you will connect with some and disconnect with others,” LaPlante said.

RSJ Professor Bob Felten organized the school sponsorship of the event and helped host a welcome breakfast for attendees. “It was an amazing day,” Felten said. “We want RSJ to be at the center of this conversation in the community, and Saturday was a great demonstration of why that’s important.”

Couldn’t make it? Many Wordcamp videos have been posted on WordPress.tv. Copies of the presentations from Saturday’s Wordcamp will be available online in the next few days. Check out http://renowordcamp.wordpress.com for updates.

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The intersection of business and lifestyle. Robert Payne | Seattle, Washington