AZ Outdoors Network: September 2008

Friday, September 19, 2008

Arizona Astronomy (broadcast Friday, September 19th, 2008)

The Witch's Broom Nebula Adam Block, Mount Lemmon SkyCenter

With dark skies and world class telescopes, Arizona is close to heaven for amateur astronomers. In this segment, we'll help you get the best view of the night sky, with two of the regions top star gazers. So even if you can't pick the Big Dipper out of a crowd, grab a telescope, a pair of binoculars -- or even just your own two eyes -- and get ready for a skywatching how-to. We're broadcasting from Tucson, Arizona this weeek, as the guests of Arizona Public Media. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests

Adam Block
Astronomer
Mount Lemmon SkyCenter
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

Douglas Isbell
NOAO Associate Director, Public Affairs & Educational Outreach
Co-Chair of the US Program Committee, International Year of Astronomy 2009
Kitt Peak National Observatory
Tohono O'Odham Reservation, Arizona

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Arizona Geological Survey released the first calculation of potash resources

The Arizona Geological Survey released the first calculation of potash resources in the Holbrook basin of east-central Arizona, indicating there may be more than 2 billion tons present. [right, isopach map of potash in the Holbrook basin from the report]

Calculating tonnage for the entire deposit, assuming 6% and 20% grades, as reported by exploration programs, yields 682 million metric tons to 2.27 billion metric tons, respectively.
...

The Potash Corp. of Sasketchewan (PCS) says potash prices have more than tripled to more than $1,000 a tonne this year and inventories are at record lows. The PCS CFO said yesterday that potash producers are unable to supply 8 to 10% of world demand this year. He predicts a potash shortage for the next five years. A year ago, potash spot prices were about $200 per tonne and three years ago were in the $50-100 range.

http://arizonageology.blogspot.com/2008/09/arizona-potash-resource-estimate.html

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month – Arizona is joining a nationwide campaign sponsored by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign to encourage individuals, families and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies.

During monsoon season, many of us experience a power outage at one point or another. For most, the power service is restored within hours. However, have you thought about what you would do if power could not be restored within hours? Do you have a family communications plan in place? Do you have an emergency supply kit? Do you have nonperishable food supplies for 72 hours?

Please join me this month in taking these important preparedness steps: Get an Emergency Supply Kit; Make a Family Emergency Plan; Be Informed about the types of emergencies and their appropriate responses; and Get Involved in your community’s efforts.

Take that important first step to begin preparing yourself and your family for an emergency. To learn more about family preparedness kits, click here.

AZDOHS National Preparedness Month Prepare, Plan, Be Informed and Be Involved

1. Prepare
	Begin preparing for emergencies by assembling an emergency supply kit. Your kit should contain supplies to survive at least three days. Click here for items to include. Emergency Pantry Chart Instructional Videos on Emergency Preparedness

2. Plan
	Making a family emergency plan is easy. Create a disaster plan with your family so you will all know what to do in the event of an emergency. Be prepared to stay or be prepared to go. Click here for a checklist of items to include in your plan.

3. Stay Informed
	Learn all you can about emergencies that could occur in your community by visiting www.az211.gov or your local county emergency management office.

4. Be Involved
	Find out about local National Preparedness Month events in your area by visiting the ready.gov event calendar and selecting Arizona. Please click on the links for training and volunteer opportunities through local Citizen Corps Councils and other emergency preparedness organizations.

Science Friday, Sept 12th, 2008 Stalking the Wild Mushroom

Stalking the Wild Mushroom
Friday, September 12th, 2008

The Fabulous Fungi

In this hour of Science Friday, we'll take a look at all things fungal -- from shiitakes to mold, and everything in between. audio available video available (more)

Sport Beans by Jelly Belly formulated for sports performance

Sport Beans® Pink Campaign

Pink Campaign From Sport Beans Jelly Beans
To Support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

FAIRFIELD, CA. ---To help find a cure for breast cancer, dedicated packages of Fruit Punch flavor of Sport Beans® jelly beans by Jelly Belly will benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. The new "pink ribbon" packaging includes a pledge to donate 5% of the sales (up to $40,000) of Fruit Punch Sport Beans energizing jelly beans to the non-profit group.

The pink ribbon Sport Beans packages in the campaign are available in 1-oz. single serving packets and 5-pack value boxes dedicated to the campaign. Timed to launch when runners, triathletes, cyclists and sports enthusiasts take to the tracks to train and compete, the specially marked pink ribbon bags are in stores now.

Sport Beans jelly beans are a sponsor of the Danskin Women's Triathlon Series, where samples and pink water bottles are given out at fuel stations. The company also sponsors the Team Sport Beans™/NTTC professional triathletes and the Jelly Belly Professional Cycling Team.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is in October every year, and there's no time like the present to get in shape and start donating to this important cause.

Sport Beans jelly beans are formulated for sports performance and contain 25 grams of carbohydrates, electrolytes and vitamins. Each 100-calorie packet includes consumer information and tips. Scientifically formulated, the new energy product helps maintain hydration and replenish nutrients. Seen in the New York Times, Associated Press, ABC World News, Runner's World and other major news outlets.

Jelly Belly Candy Company introduced Sport Beans jelly beans in 2005
http://www.sportbeans.com/

Sunday, September 14, 2008

What kind of reviews are you interestred in ??

We head out once in a while to test our gear, and we take pictures and stuff.. and I would be curious to hear what kind of reviews, pics, testing, etc people would like to see us do to our gear

We typically weigh it and use it, but I bet there could be other tests we could do too

What would you like to see?

Meteorites at this years Gem Show

Just found this, with some good info about meteorites at this years Gem Show

http://cs.astronomy.com/asycs/blogs/astronomy/2008/02/19/fallen-stars-in-tucson.aspx

Friday, September 12, 2008

DIY Fire Safety

Home Depot offers free Fire Safety Clinics on Saturdays in October. The free interactive clinics have been developed with Red Cross expertise and are designed to teach you about preventing and preparing for family fires. Get tips, how-to advice, and see appropriate equipment and materials.
Sign up for a clinic today >>

Red Cross Responder: eNews and Stories from the American Red Cro

Red Cross Responder: eNews and Stories from the American Red Cro

Save a Life Saturday for Families

Come One, Come All to Save a Life

Saturda

This free, fun, family event is to help families stay healthy and to be safe and prepared for all kinds of emergencies.

Saturday, September 20, 8am - 12pm
DoubleTree Hotel Tucson at Reid Park, Grand Ballroom, 445 S. Alvernon Way. See Map>>
Pet adoptions courtesy of Petsmart!
Register to win a Wii and more!
Donate your unwanted cell phone & receive another chance to win!
Get a free prescription discount card!

Visit over 30 educational and interactive booths, stage demonstrations and helpful services. Event details >>

Red Cross Responder: eNews and Stories from the American Red Cro ss

We Started our Arizona Outdoor Blog

Welcome to our new Arizona Outdoor Blog.. looks like most of the pictures stopped working in our first set of posts, we'll add them a different way next time.

More reviews, photos along with our thoughts on the way..

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Communication Sub-Pack

Communication Sub-Pack
Posted By: Bubba
Posted: Tue Aug 26 2008
Many people maintain an emergency bag with essential gear. I use smaller bags inside my main emergency pack so that it is eas ...Click Here for full article

Many people maintain an emergency bag with essential gear. I use smaller bags inside my main emergency pack so that it is easy to find and there is less chance of loose gear falling out of the pack in the dark, on the move, etc. One of the sub-packs contains communication and signaling items. Here is a breakdown ot the gear I have selected for this pack. Inside an old military pouch I have; 1- The bag, 2- Ranger Pace Beads, 3- GI Compas Pouch (for compass and pace beads), 4- GI Compass, 5- Rhino GPS / Radio, 6- Scanning CB Radio, 7- Digital Camera, 8- NBC decontamination wipe case, 9- Pocket Police Refrence Guide, 10- CB Radio 12 volt power supply cord, 11- GI M-16 magazine pouch (For the CB Radio), 12- Light Sticks

Electric Poles Knocked Over in East Tucson, AZ

Electric Poles Knocked Over in East Tucson, AZ
Posted By: Crescent Security
Posted: Sat Jul 26 2008
The wind and rain hit a street on Tucsons south east side one night in July 2008. Many electric poles were broken and dropped ...Click Here for full article

The wind and rain hit a street on Tucsons south east side one night in July 2008. Many electric poles were broken and dropped their power lines onto the houses and sidewalks below. We went out the next morning to take these photos of the aftermath. All different types of crane and lifts and work crews were working on most of the power poles all at the same time. Various cranes and lifts were there to do different jobs like holding damaged power poles off homes and lifting electric company crew to heights to make repairs

Paper Wasps in the Desert

Paper Wasps in the Desert
Posted By: Saguaro
Posted: Sat Jul 26 2008
Mustard yellow paper wasps (Polistes) are more slender than bees and have a severe constriction between the thorax and abdome ...Click Here for full article

Mustard yellow paper wasps (Polistes) are more slender than bees and have a severe constriction between the thorax and abdomen. Their legs are narrow and cylindrical. Wasps are predators and feed on other insects and spiders. However, they can sting if threatened. These Wasps live in this can.. I found the hive after I kicked the can (of course) lucky for me they had no reason to sting me so I stuck around and took a few pictures. From a few feet away it's almost impossible to see the small hive.. I should stop kicking cans, next time I might not be as lucky

Cheap but effective Survival Kit Tools

Cheap but effective Survival Kit Tools
Posted By: Wills Auto Repair
Posted: Sat Jul 26 2008
We took a look at some inexpensive tools at the local import tool shop. These simple tools can really be useful in an emergen ...Click Here for full article

We took a look at some inexpensive tools at the local import tool shop. These simple tools can really be useful in an emergency situation. This two pry bar kit was under $4 and offered two small sized pry bars (one 11inch, one 9 inch). Good for lots of jobs in a pinch. Here is a quick review of a few tools we liked. This larger pry bar was sold on it's own for under $2. Worth the extra price / weight? Perhaps for your kit, but I'll stick with the two smaller pry bars pictured above 12 inch Twisted barb saw. A great tool for survival (it even says so on the package). At $7 it's a bit pricey, so I'll wait for it to go on sale or a coupon

Michael Perry Park in East Tucson
Posted By: Above and Beyond Pools
Posted: Sat Apr 12 2008
Michael Perry Park borders the Pantano Wash and is accessible from 22nd Street. This 35-acre park has little league fields wi ...Click Here for full article

Walking around Tucson in the evening

Walking around Tucson in the evening
Posted By: Bubba
Posted: Sun Mar 23 2008
Going for a walk around Tucson can be hot, but not if you walk in the evening. I went for a walk to a local park and took a f ...Click Here for full article

2008 Big Fish Tournament Schedule

2008 Big Fish Tournament Schedule
Posted By: Saguaro
Posted: Mon Mar 17 2008
Saguaro Tackle
2008 Big Fish Tournament Schedule

You do not need to be a professional fisherman to fish ...Click Here for full article

2008 Tucson Rodeo Parade

2008 Tucson Rodeo Parade
Posted By: Kinney Village Townhomes
Posted: Fri Feb 22 2008
The Tucson Rodeo also known as the La Fiesta de los Vaqueros starts off with the Tucson Rodeo Parade each year.

Click Here for full article

Weather in Tucson December 2007

Weather in Tucson December 2007
Posted By: JiveOne
Posted: Tue Dec 25 2007
December 2007 has been a great month for weather in Tucson, AZ. Here are some pictures we took this month around town ...Click Here for full article

Tucson Websites

Tucson Websites
Posted By: Bubba
Posted: Tue Nov 27 2007
Tucson Websites.com is an internet website community
Our network provides recreation, hobby, entertainment
and ...Click Here for full article

Molino Canyon Vista

Molino Canyon Vista
Posted By: LibertyWatch
Posted: Sat Nov 24 2007
There is a small nature trail at the side of the road on the way up Mt Lemon near Tucson, Arizona. There is a short paved pat ...Click Here for full article

Molino Basin Trail no 11

Molino Basin Trail no 11
Posted By: LibertyWatch
Posted: Fri Nov 23 2007
This is the 2 or 3 mile trail (depending on where stop along the way) that connects the trailhead at Prison Camp and the Moli ...Click Here for full article

Tour de Tucson 2007

Tour de Tucson 2007
Posted By: Firebird Towing
Posted: Tue Nov 20 2007
This years Tour de Tucson was the largest yet. We visited the 66 an 81 Mile Starting lines. Here are some pictures of this ye ...Click Here for full article

Border Patrol Truck

Border Patrol Truck
Posted By: LibertyWatch
Posted: Fri Nov 2 2007
These trucks are 4 wheel drive air conditioned jails. A unique truck for the Border Patrol in the southern Arizona deserts ...Click Here for full article

Bellota Trail near Tucson, AZ

Bellota Trail near Tucson, AZ
Posted By: LibertyWatch
Posted: Thu Oct 25 2007
This is the portion of the Arizona Trail that heads east from Molino Campground on Mt. Lemmon ...Click Here for full article

Three Day Pack / Bug out Bag review

Three Day Pack / Bug out Bag review
Posted By: Bubba
Posted: Wed Oct 24 2007
In preparation for a natural or man made disaster, its a good idea to have some supplies ready around the house. In case you ...Click Here for full article

Sycamore Trail Hike October 2007

Sycamore Trail Hike October 2007
Posted By: LibertyWatch
Posted: Sun Oct 21 2007
Took a hike a few miles up Sycamore Trail then back out to the Prison Camp trail head. Here are pictures and a description of ...Click Here for full article

Mushroom Identification Books

Mushroom Identification Books
Posted By: JiveOne
Posted: Sun Oct 21 2007
These are all books about Mushroom Collecting and Identification. I use some more than others, but these are all interesting. ...Click Here for full article

Books about Arizona Geology

Books about Arizona Geology
Posted By: JiveOne
Posted: Sun Oct 21 2007
These are some of our favorite books that cover geology, rocks, minerals and the sights we see while driving around Arizona. ...Click Here for full article

Lakeside Park in Tucson AZ

Lakeside Park in Tucson AZ
Posted By: Saguaro
Posted: Mon Oct 8 2007
Chuck Ford-Lakeside Park in east Tucson, northwest corner of Stella Road and Sarnoff Drive.

Urban Fishing Lice ...Click Here for full article

Molino Basin Campground

Molino Basin Campground
Posted By: LibertyWatch
Posted: Mon Oct 1 2007
This campground is close to Tucson, AZ The Forest Service Website says: "While most other campgrounds in the Catalina Di ...Click Here for full article

Basket Bridge in Tucson, Arizona

Basket Bridge in Tucson, Arizona
Posted By: Kinney Village Townhomes
Posted: Mon Oct 1 2007
The Basket Bridge is in place south of downtown Tucson. It's a big metal bridge designed by someone in New Mexico? It is ju ...Click Here for full article

Water in the streets of Tucson, Arizona

Water in the streets of Tucson, Arizona
Posted By: SigPro
Posted: Tue Sep 25 2007
These are a few photos taken near the intersection of Broadway and Alvernon in Tucson AZ durring and and then a few weeks a ...Click Here for full article

Big Sheet Web Spider in backyard

Big Sheet Web Spider in backyard
Posted By: JiveOne
Posted: Thu Sep 20 2007
These are some pictures of some a spider found in a backyard in South Tucson. It may be a Sheet web Spider (Family Linyphiida ...Click Here for full article

Sonoran Desert Toad

Sonoran Desert Toad
Posted By: JiveOne
Posted: Thu Sep 20 2007
The Sonoran Desert toads (Bufo alvarius) one of the largest toads native to North America. ...Click Here for full article

Driving around South East Tucson

Driving around South East Tucson
Posted By: Joe F
Posted: Sun Sep 9 2007
These are some random pictures taken while driving around south east Tucson in September 2007 ...Click Here for full article

Photographs of Mushrooms on Mt Lemmon

Photographs of Mushrooms on Mt Lemmon
Posted By: Bubba
Posted: Thu Aug 23 2007
Mushrooms pictures taken while hiking the Meadow Trail on Mt Lemmon. The Meadow Trail is at the top of Mt Lemmon in the pine ...Click Here for full article

Kodak C743 Digital Camera Review

Kodak C743 Digital Camera Review
Posted By: Bubba
Posted: Wed Aug 22 2007
This is another good digital camera by Kodak. It's a compact 7.1 megapixel which produces very high quality pictures. Kodak ...Click Here for full article

Jolt vs Stay Awake Caffeine Gum

Jolt vs Stay Awake Caffeine Gum
Posted By: Joe F
Posted: Mon Jul 30 2007
Caffeine Gum is a scientifically proven method (see articles below) of getting caffeine into your system. So caffeine gum c ...Click Here for full article

Re-Roll your Duct Tape

Re-Roll your Duct Tape
Posted By: Bubba
Posted: Thu Jul 26 2007
Everyone knows how well Duck Tape (Duck Tape, 100 MPH tape, etc) works for so many tasks. Because it is so useful it's a gr ...Click Here for full article

Small LED Light Review

Small LED Light Review
Posted By: Bubba
Posted: Sun Jul 22 2007
We compare and contrast some popular brands

Photon Micro-Light II, Photon X-Light Micro and some cheap Chinese ...Click Here for full article

Gates Pass

Gates Pass
Posted By: Kinney Village Townhomes
Posted: Wed Jun 11 2007
Gates Pass Overlook is a popular observation location. It offers an excellent opportunity to view and photograph spectacular ...Click Here for full article

Ironwood Forest National Monument (IFNM)

Ironwood Forest National Monument (IFNM)
Posted By: Kinney Village Townhomes
Posted: Jun 9 2007
The Ironwood Forest National Monument (IFNM) was established on June 9, 2000 with the signing of Presidential Proclamation 73 ...Click Here for full article