"A Shining Light Across America" Simulcast Across U.S.

As part of the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th Anniversary, Istrouma Area Council Scouts watched a broadcast Saturday night of the Centennial Celebration Show from the 2010 National Scout Jamboree at LSU at the Bo Campbell Auditorium. The broadcast took place simultaneaously across the country.

During the event called "A Shining Light Across America" Lt. General Russel L. Honoré, U.S. Army (Ret.) shared his experiences with Scouting throughout his years in the Army and with his own sons, especially recalling the two National Jamborees he coordinated in 2001 and 2005, said Cathie Louis, Council Activities Chair.

Honoré stressed that the qualities that Scouts learn today will help them through the rest of their lives.

He also shared some important steps towards preparedness that he covers in his book, "SURVIVAL: How Being Prepared Can Keep You and Your Family Safe."

The event marks the first time in BSA history that the entire Scouting community joined together in an interactive jamboree arena show. The show was broadcast via satellite to locations nationwide and Webcast worldwide on the Internet.

“We’re thrilled to bring this incredible experience to the Istrouma Area Council," said Louis. "It promises to build pride in our current membership, and also to spark fond memories in former Scouts and alumni who will join us for the broadcast. I hope it will also interest those who may be interested in learning more about our organization.”

Hundreds of “Shining Light” events took place across the country on July 31 as part of the organization’s historic nationwide broadcast of the Centennial Celebration Show. The show was performed live in front of an estimated 60,000 Scouts, Scouters, and visitors at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree at Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia.

"A Shining Light Across America” is a major program the Boy Scouts of America is undertaking as part of its 100th Anniversary Celebration. For a century, the organization has brought families and communities together to prepare America’s youth to live, work, and play with character and integrity. The 100-year activities, activated at the local level, aim to drive engagement, recruit new members and volunteers, and enhance the awareness of the value of Scouting in an inspiring, purpose-driven celebration.

More information about 100 Years of Scouting can be found at http://www.scouting.org/100years

Check out the article at the The Advocate.

Well, it was a great show! I'm sure that it was that much more impressive for my boy and the other 40,000+ Scouts who were in attendance!

If you missed the show, you can watch it online at: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/8639388. The actual nationwide broadcast actually begins around the 2:33:00 mark - everything before that is lagniappe.

Check out these Jamboree links:

• Jamboree Troop 1528 Blog
• Boy Scouts of America's photostream
• Official Jamboree Website
• Scouting Magazine Blog
• Boy Scouts of America Facebook
• "A Shining Light Across America" recorded arena show broadcast from 7/31/10

2010 National Jamboree Opening Arena Show!

The jamboree officially began on Monday, but Wednesday's opening arena show made it feel like the party was just getting started.

This morning's show at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree boasted an impressive guest list, great entertainment, and a spirit of patriotism. It all took place on a 395-foot-wide stage outfitted with three huge screens, dozens of lights, and powerful sound.

After a welcome by Anthony Thomas, the 2 millionth Eagle Scout, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates took the stage. Gates, a Distinguished Eagle Scout and past president of the National Eagle Scout Association, told about serving as a troop leader and director of the CIA at the same time.

That had its challenges, said Gates, pictured above addressing the crowd.

"I think the edge gets taken off the wilderness experience when 100 yards away there are three large black vans, a satellite dish, and armed security guards," he said, drawing a laugh from the massive crowd. "It's a challenge no scoutmaster ever anticipated."

Gates said he's thankful for the Boy Scouts of America for guiding him through his career's early stages.

"When I joined the CIA at age 22, I had no connections and didn't know a soul," he said. "The only thing in my life that led me to believe I could make it was my Eagle Scout badge. It was the only thing that distinguished me from most high school kids."

Gates was hardly the only noteworthy name in attendance at the arena show. Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca addressed the crowd, telling a story about how traveling in his BSA uniform led him to meet so many interesting current and former Scouts and Scouters.

Before Mazzuca's speech, the show opened with a tandem of reality TV stars: Alex Boylan, winner of the second season of "The Amazing Race," and Burton Roberts, who was a popular contestant on the Pearl Islands season of "Survivor." Boylan and Roberts kept the Scouts entertained while the arena quickly filled with people.

Later, the crowd got pumped up by members of the WWE, sponsored by the National Guard. Included among the WWE personalities was Sgt. Slaughter, who offered this advice to the boys: "As you go through life, never, ever let your enemy eat your breakfast."

The Scouts and Scouters also offered a warm welcome to Bob McDonnell, the governor of Virginia, and Caressa Cameron, the current Miss America. Cameron offered some high praise to the BSA, speaking on behalf of her fellow Miss America contestants.

"You guys are the type of men in this world that we are looking for," she said. "There might be a future husband of a Miss America in this crowd."

Check out the article at the Scouting Magazine Blog.

Looks like it was an awesome opening arena show!!! There's my boy there in the middle, standing in front of the Stryker. Talked to him the other day and he's having the time of his life!!!

Check out these Jamboree links:

• Jamboree Troop 1528 Blog
• Boy Scouts of America's photostream
• Official Jamboree Website
• Scouting Magazine Blog
• Boy Scouts of America Facebook
• "A Shining Light Across America" live arena show broadcast - 7/31/10 @ 8pm ET

BSA Grand Centennial Parade

Cyclists, tourists and the occasional jogger stood out in the sea of Boy Scout troops wearing tan shirts, green shorts and thick green-and-red socks -- some rolled hastily down to their ankles. Spectators lined the sizzling sidewalks along Constitution Avenue in clusters wherever they could find shade.

The troops and accompanying bands were all smiles and appeared to be unaffected by the heat as they marched to celebrate the group's 100th anniversary.

The Grand Centennial parade marked the first time since 1937 that Boy Scout troops had marched through the District. The last time, President Franklin D. Roosevelt invited them to convene on the Mall for their first jamboree after a polio outbreak led to its cancellation in 1935.

On Sunday, troops young and old marched in the parade, and some stood cheering. Among them was Ted Parker, 71, of Oakton. He joined Troop 1956 as a child in Portsmouth, N.H., and said he made lasting friendships while learning values that served him throughout his life.

Parker said most of the troops marching Sunday were probably too young to understand the importance of the program's moral teachings -- such as being honest, respectful and open with others. Time, Parker said, would unveil the importance of these values to the young men.

"They grow up and they're confronted with various issues throughout life, and I think they see the meaning," he said. "As I come here and watch, it's sort of generational in many ways."

Bob Hoffman, 46, of Ijamsville, Md., stood on Constitution Avenue next to his 11-year-old son, Hunter -- a third-generation Boy Scout -- wearing a matching uniform. Bob looks forward to guiding Hunter toward appreciating the values his father passed on to him when he was Hunter's age.

"It teaches young men and women how to think for themselves, how to work as teams," Hoffman said. "It really gives them a good tool set for handling things in the future."

Hunter, a member of Troop 268 in New Market, has been scouting since kindergarten and moved up from Cub Scout to Boy Scout in March.

"In Boy Scouts, you're more independent than in the Cub Scouts," Hunter said. "With Cub Scouts, your parents help you earn badges and stuff. But in Boy Scouts, you earn them on your own."

Boy Scouts can earn as many as 124 merit badges for mastering certain skills.

To Bob Mazzuca, chief scout executive for the Boy Scouts of America, there was no place better than the District for troops to celebrate 100 years of service, even if they had to do so in blazing heat, oppressive humidity and then a thunderstorm.

"This is where it's at," he said. "We're part of the fabric of American society and have been for 100 years. So there's no more appropriate place to proclaim that than the capital."

A 30-foot-long U.S. flag was one of the first displays crowds saw marching down the parade route from Seventh Street to 17th Street NW on Constitution Avenue. The giant flag was followed shortly by 50 marching scouts who each waved smaller flags in one hand while waving to the crowd with the other.

The Grand Centennial parade kicked off this year's Boy Scout National Jamboree, a 10-day meeting of about 50,000 troops at Fort A.P. Hill near Fredericksburg.

The event was pushed back by one year so it could coincide with the organization's 100th anniversary. The National Jamboree has grown to include troops from Asia, Europe, and South and Central America, Mazzuca said.

Check out the article at The Washington Post.

What an awesome event! I'm proud to say that my son is up there with Jamboree Troop 1528! They wrapped up their Philly and DC touring this weekend and are heading to the first day of Jamboree first thing in the morning!

Check out these links:

• Jamboree Troop 1528 Blog
• Boy Scouts of America's photostream
• Official Jamboree Website
• Scouting Magazine Blog
• Boy Scouts of America Facebook
• "A Shining Light Across America" live arena show broadcast - 7/31/10 @ 8pm ET

F-18 Hornet Crash Photos!

A pilot managed to eject from his jet moments before it crashed in a ball of flames Friday during practice for the Alberta International Airshow in Canada, the Vancouver Sun reported.

Capt. Brian Bews was piloting the Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter when the crash occurred just after noon at the Lethbridge Regional Airport.

Witnesses told the Calgary Herald that Bews managed to pull his parachute and eject from the plane only moments before it erupted into flames on impact with the ground.

He had been practicing for the air show, rehearsing low-level maneuvers.

He was about 100 feet (30 meters) from the ground when he ejected and came to rest near the exploding jet.

The experienced pilot was taken to Chinook Regional Hospital with minor injuries.

Witness Ryan Giffin told the Calgary Herald he could tell the plane was in distress as he watched it from his office desk near the airport.

He said: "Oh my god, it's crashing. Everybody looked and it was already hitting the ground. There was a massive fireball."

"You could tell something was going wrong. It was going way too slow. There was a sputtering sound and two puffs of smoke from the engines.

"It started to nose dive, banked to the right, and the pilot ejected."

The CF-18 Hornet was to take part in the two-day air show in Lethbridge, beginning Saturday.

Check out the article at Fox News.

Awesome crash photos!!! I'm glad nobody was hurt.

Before anyone tries to knock the F-18 Hornet, keep in mind that it is one of the most reliable military aircraft in the world, with a top-notch safety record. It is worth noting that the pilot was trying a very difficult maneuver, the High Alpha Pass, 100 feet off the ground traveling at a very low rate of speed. In those extreme conditions, one stall is all it takes.

Makes you wonder why the Navy has gone with the F-35 Lightning, with its single engine, as the future replacement carrier aircraft. At least if the F-18 is over water and has an engine problem, the pilot still has another engine to limp back to the ship on - the F-35 in the same condition will end up as an artificial reef. I'm just sayin'

Saints Get Super Bowl Rings!

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints aren’t finished celebrating last season’s Super Bowl title quite yet. Team members gathered at a downtown New Orleans hotel Wednesday night to receive their championship rings from their victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV last February.

Several players who were released or signed elsewhere after last season, such as Philadelphia running back Mike Bell and free agent defensive end Charles Grant, returned to New Orleans for the ceremony.

Running back Pierre Thomas, who has skipped recent organized team activities over a contract dispute, also showed up.

Quarterback Drew Brees called the ring’s design “perfect.” They were custom designed and produced by Tiffany & Co., with players, coaches and ownership helping with the design.

Handcrafted in yellow gold with the fleur-de-lis set with round diamonds, the ring prominently features the words “World Champions” with eight diamonds adorning the top of the ring.

The team’s fleur-de-lis logo, musical notes and New Orleans landmarks — including the Superdome and the distinctive St. Louis Cathedral spires — are on the rings. Also featured are the Super Bowl XLIV logo, date of the game, final score and player’s name and number.

The NFL pays for 150 rings at a cost of up to $5,000 each (plus adjustments for increases in gold and diamonds) although the club can purchase more.

“We feel that the entirety of the greatness of the moments surrounding the Saints’ Super Bowl XLIV victory have been captured in the design of the Super Bowl rings,” team owner Tom Benson said in a statement.

“The intent all along was to commemorate the uniqueness of New Orleans and what the Super Bowl championship meant to this town and region, as well as the recognition due to the outstanding jobs of the coaches, players and staff that all played a role in our championship season.”

While attending a news conference earlier Wednesday afternoon to promote his upcoming book, “Home Team,” Saints coach Sean Payton said he plans to wear his ring for a little while anyway.

After declaring “Ring Week” at the Saints practice facility this week, Payton said he was wearing the NFC Championship ring he won with the New York Giants in 2000. However, they lost to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV.

“I took it out this week,” Payton said. “I’m going to wear it until (the Saints’ ceremony) and that’s the last time that one will get any playing time. I’m not even going to take out the insurance on it any more.”

As far as his new ring, Payton said, “I’ll wear it awhile, but at some point in time, I’ll put it away because I don’t dress up a lot.”

Guard Carl Nicks said earlier this week that he couldn’t wait to get his ring, which he said was a size 14‰ or 15‰, on his finger.

“Oh man, I’ve been talking about this ever since we won the Super Bowl,” he said. “‘When do we get ’em? When do we get ’em?’ It’s a dream come true.”

Nicks told reporters that he’ll wear his for two months straight.

“I might wear it to take a bath, I might wear it to the sauna,” he said. “I’m going to wear it and then put it away.”

Check out the article at The Advocate.

WHO DAT?!?!?

'Mass Die-Off' Possible as Animals Flee Oil Spill

GULF SHORES, Ala. — Dolphins and sharks are showing up in surprisingly shallow water just off the Florida coast. Mullets, crabs, rays and small fish congregate by the thousands off an Alabama pier. Birds covered in oil are crawling deep into marshes, never to be seen again.

Marine scientists studying the effects of the BP disaster are seeing some strange phenomena.

Fish and other wildlife seem to be fleeing the oil out in the Gulf and clustering in cleaner waters along the coast in a trend that some researchers see as a potentially troubling sign.

The animals' presence close to shore means their usual habitat is badly polluted, and the crowding could result in mass die-offs as fish run out of oxygen. Also, the animals could easily be devoured by predators.

"A parallel would be: Why are the wildlife running to the edge of a forest on fire? There will be a lot of fish, sharks, turtles trying to get out of this water they detect is not suitable," said Larry Crowder, a Duke University marine biologist.

The nearly two-month-old spill has created an environmental catastrophe unparalleled in U.S. history as tens of millions of gallons of oil have spewed into the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. Scientists are seeing some unusual things as they try to understand the effects on thousands of species of marine life.

Day by day, scientists in boats tally up dead birds, sea turtles and other animals, but the toll is surprisingly small given the size of the disaster. The latest figures show that 783 birds, 353 turtles and 41 mammals have died — numbers that pale in comparison to what happened after the Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska in 1989, when 250,000 birds and 2,800 otters are believed to have died.

Researchers say there are several reasons for the relatively small death toll: The vast nature of the spill means scientists are able to locate only a small fraction of the dead animals. Many will never be found after sinking to the bottom of the sea or getting scavenged by other marine life. And large numbers of birds are meeting their deaths deep in the Louisiana marshes where they seek refuge from the onslaught of oil.

"That is their understanding of how to protect themselves," said Doug Zimmer, spokesman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For nearly four hours Monday, a three-person crew with Greenpeace cruised past delicate islands and mangrove-dotted inlets in Barataria Bay off southern Louisiana. They saw dolphins by the dozen frolicking in the oily sheen and oil-tinged pelicans feeding their young. But they spotted no dead animals.v"I think part of the reason why we're not seeing more yet is that the impacts of this crisis are really just beginning," Greenpeace marine biologist John Hocevar said.

The counting of dead wildlife in the Gulf is more than an academic exercise; the deaths will help determine how much BP pays in damages.

As for the fish, researchers are still trying to determine where exactly they are migrating to understand the full scope of the disaster, and no scientific consensus has emerged about the trend.

Mark Robson, director of the Division of Marine Fisheries Management with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said his agency has to find any scientific evidence that fish are being adversely affected off his state's waters. He noted that it is common for fish to flee major changes in their environment, however.

In some areas along the coast, researchers believe fish are swimming closer to shore because the water is cleaner and more abundant in oxygen. Farther out in the Gulf, researchers say, the spill is not only tainting the water with oil but also depleting oxygen levels.

A similar scenario occurs during "dead zone" periods — the time during summer months when oxygen becomes so depleted that fish race toward shore in large numbers. Sometimes, so many fish gather close to the shoreline off Mobile that locals rush to the beach with tubs and nets to reap the harvest.

But this latest shore migration could prove deadly.

First, more oil could eventually wash ashore and overwhelm the fish. They could also become trapped between the slick and the beach, leading to increased competition for oxygen in the water and causing them to die as they run out of air.

"Their ability to avoid it may be limited in the long term, especially if in near-shore refuges they're crowding in close to shore, and oil continues to come in. At some point they'll get trapped," said Crowder, expert in marine ecology and fisheries. "It could lead to die-offs."

The fish could also fall victim to predators such as sharks and seabirds. Already there have been increased shark sightings in shallow waters along the Gulf Coast.

The migration of fish away from the oil spill can be good news for some coastal residents.

Tom Sabo has been fishing off Panama City, Fla., for years, and he's never seen the fishing better or the water any clearer than it was last weekend 16 to 20 miles off the coast. His fishing spot was far enough east that it wasn't affected by the pollution or federal restrictions, and it's possible that his huge catch of red snapper, grouper, king mackerel and amberjack was a result of fish fleeing the spill.

In Alabama, locals are seeing large schools hanging around piers where fishing has been banned, leading them to believe the fish feel safer now that they are not being disturbed by fishermen.

"We pretty much just got tired of catching fish," Sabo said. "It was just inordinately easy, and these were strong fish, nothing that was affected by oil. It's not just me. I had to wait at the cleaning table to clean fish."

Check out the article at Fox News.

This is very sad, indeed! :(

Again, I'm not one of those people who will point at this as a reason to stop offshore drilling… I just think that more things could be done to make it safer. I'm also convinced that these chemical dispersants that BP insists on using are doing more harm than good.

and SHAME ON YOU, OBAMA, for trying to use this catastrophe as an excuse to push your BS Green agenda.

Check out the wildlife oil spill photos from National Geographic.

Check out this informative interactive graphic from AP.