May 2021 - Page 3 of 17

Best Places to Rent a Houseboat in Arizona

No matter if it’s summer or winter, you can’t go wrong with a houseboat vacation. Although there are plenty of lakes in the Southwest, below are the best places to rent a houseboat in Arizona.

Lake Powell

With a max length of 186 miles and just about 2,000 miles of shoreline, Lake Powell is an ideal place to rent a houseboat in Arizona because of its sheer size alone. In fact, it’s the second largest man-made reservoir by maximum water capacity in the U.S. behind Lake Mead (which also made this list). Lake Powell is located on the border of Utah and Arizona; however, you’ll spend most of your time on the Utah side.

Houseboating on Lake Powell is popular because of its ideal conditions all year long. During the summertime, water temps are around 70 to 80 degrees, perfect for swimming and other recreational activities. There are also plenty of places to anchor and explore. A popular place to hike at Lake Powell is Rainbow Bridge National Monument.

Lake Mead

Lake Mead is another great houseboating destination in Arizona. Bordering the southern tip of Nevada, Lake Mead is 110 miles long with over 550 miles of shoreline. People head to this lake each year to enjoy boating, swimming, fishing, and the sun! Popular attractions nearby include the Historic Railroad Trail, Goldstrike Canyon, Arizona Hot Springs, plus many more paved and unpaved trails throughout Lake Mead Recreation Area. It is also known as a great bass fishing lake, hosting the U.S. Open each year.

Lake Mohave

A bit smaller than the other two lakes on this list, Lake Mohave spans 67 miles from top to bottom with over 230 miles of shoreline. Houseboaters enjoy this lake because it offers stunning canyon views and tons of sandy beaches to park and play. Lake…

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EPIC v. Drone Advisory Committee: Divided Appeals Court Endorses Secrecy of Key Working Groups

drone privacy

EPIC v. Drone Advisory Committee: Divided Appeals Court Endorses Secrecy of Key Working Groups

A divided panel of the D.C. Circuit, ruling today in EPIC’s case against the FAA Drone Advisory Committee, held that the committee can keep the records of its controversial working groups secret. EPIC filed suit in 2018 against the industry-dominated body, which ignored the privacy risks posed by the deployment of drones even after identifying privacy as a top public concern. As a result of EPIC’s lawsuit, the committee was forced to disclose hundreds of pages of records under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. But a lower court ruled in 2019 that the records from the committee’s working groups could be withheld from the public—a decision that the D.C. Circuit affirmed today. Judge Robert L. Wilkins, writing in dissent, accused the majority of “doing violence to the text” of the FACA and argued that the decision “undermines FACA’s purpose and greenlights an easily abusable system[.]” Noting the “obvious privacy concerns that drones present” and the fact that the DAC was “stacked with industry representatives,” Wilkins warned that “[w]e should look with suspicion upon agency efforts to circumvent FACA by using subgroups.” The case is EPIC v. Drone Advisory Committee, No. 19-5238 (D.C. Cir.).

From The Herb Garden: You Must Consider Comfrey!

Comfrey is an herb worthy of consideration in gardens of all sizes. Its usefulness in the apothecary, in the compost or as a fertilizer makes this herb one of the most valuable plants that any gardener could grow.

The common comfrey, Symphytum officinale, is a perennial plant in the borage family, native to Europe but now widely naturalized throughout western Asia as well as most of North America. Spread by seed, it can quickly overtake an area, especially if not harvested or properly managed.

A hybrid, Sympytum x uplandicum, or Russian comfrey, has gained in popularity amongst gardeners and permaculturists alike. It’s a sterile plant that does not produce seeds, so you propagate this Russian variety through root division or by stem cuttings.

Using Comfrey in the Garden

Even just a handful of plants will provide the gardener with endless value. Rich in silica, nitrogen, magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron, add comfrey leaves to compost bins as a natural activator. Or you can shred them and utilize as a nutrient-dense mulch around fruit trees, tomatoes and other garden crops.

The long, dark taproots dig deep into the soil. They extract nutrients inaccessible to many other garden crops.

You can also brew the leaves into a potent liquid fertilizer often referred to by gardeners as simply “comfrey tea,” which is easy to make!

Harvest comfrey leaves until you have enough to fill a 5-gallon bucket.
Allow the leaves to wilt in the sun for one or two hours, then pack them into the bucket.
Fill the bucket with water and loosely cover.
Allow to ferment for several weeks, stirring every few days.
Strain out the plant material and dilute the ‘tea’ with water at a 10:1 ratio.
Use as a foliar spray on your garden plants.

Comfrey in the Apothecary

Herbalists have made use of comfrey for centuries, prescribing the herb for a wide range of ailments.

Modern practitioners avoid internal use due to the herb’s high pyrrolizidine alkaloid content. (The compound which is considered toxic and potentially damaging to the liver.) But topical applications are still commonly used.

You can craft a simple herbal salve from comfrey leaves to treat all manner of external ailments, including:

cuts
scrapes
insect bites
bruises
sore joints

You can easily make this product by infusing dried comfrey leaves in olive or sunflower oil. Then just blend the herbal oil with melted beeswax. (If you’d like to go deeper into herbal salves, I provide more detailed information in my book The Artisan Herbalist.)

Growing Comfrey

Comfrey is easy to grow and very vigorous. It does well in full sun or partial shade. Once established, in fact, you might struggle to fully remove it!

Even the smallest piece of…

6 Tips for Choosing a Quality Hunting Rifle

When it comes to hunting, it’s important that you pick a firearm that’s reliable and efficient in any condition or climate. Whether you are new to firearms or have been a lifelong carrier, you need to spend ample time comparing brands and knowing which rifle best fits your needs.

However, it doesn’t take much to choose. You just need to focus on the most basic features and other considerations. Here’s what you need to know when picking a hunting rifle.

6 Tips for Choosing a Quality Hunting Rifle

Know your hunting style

How do you describe your strategy for hunting down big game or fowl? Are you more into concealment or are you focusing on precision? Whatever the case may be, you need a rifle that matches your style. This is an important point of assessing if a rifle helps you achieve optimal mobility and accuracy.

If you’re willing to go beyond your comfort zone, you can try different rifle actions and cartridges. A little research will go a long way, but it’s always advisable to stick with rifle types you are at home with instead of investing in a rifle that won’t exactly suit your style of hunting.

Know your game

Apart from your hunting style, you also need to consider the game you are hunting. This is important as not all rifles are optimal for hunting certain game.

If you are hunting bears, for instance, enthusiasts would suggest anything in the mold of a Marlin 1895 or a Remington 700. You can also opt for any rifle that accommodates 7mm and .338 caliber rounds. For duck and other fowl, you can look towards a Winchester Model 12 or a Benelli Vinci.

When it comes to small game, you might want a firearm that can accommodate the more common .22 caliber ammunition. You can shop for the best 22LR rifles that are ideal for hunting squirrels, rabbits, and turkeys.

For most preppers, however, an all-around rifle would be ideal in any situation and against any game. The trick is to mix and match rifles with sighting systems and cartridges. Remember, this is all a matter of taste. If you are planning to get an all-purpose rifle, be sure to get advice from experienced hunters.

Consider the type of action you want

In choosing a rifle, you will be asked about the action that fits your needs. In most cases, a bolt-action rifle would be preferable for any type of game or condition.

When it comes to long-range shooting, bolt-action rifles win by (literally) a long shot. Despite using only a few rounds, these types of rifles are incredibly accurate and durable. More importantly, it’s easier to clean and maintain. The only downside to these rifles is their low rate of fire.

Another favorite among…

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Bringing Farms to the School System

Many parents and educators support bringing farms to local school systems. Even the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to make farm-to-school programs a priority.

Just a few months ago, the Trump Administration announced a USDA award of $12.1 million in grants to back these programs. Evidently, America is finally beginning to take a hint from Italy, Spain, and other European countries that serve nutritious, locally grown produce.

Ultimately, these programs benefit students, communities, and farmers across the country. Exploring the impact of bringing farms to school systems provides a deeper understanding of just how vital these programs are.

The Importance of Farm-to-School

As agtech, like artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles, becomes more commonplace, human connection is beginning to disappear. Farmers are cutting staff and relying on machines to sort, harvest and package produce. Gone are the days of hand-planting and picking each berry and ear of corn. Most farmers don’t even sell their own crops anymore, instead opting to ship them off to supermarkets.

Consequently, people are losing touch with their food’s origins. Many children are unaware that milk comes from cows and 41% don’t even know eggs come from chickens. This troubling disconnect often translates to childhood obesity, malnourishment, and a lack of appreciation for planet earth and its resources.

If children understand where their food comes from, they may be able to reverse these negative trends and consequences. More importantly, the school system would raise up a generation of healthy, earth-conscious individuals who support local farms and the community as a whole.

How to Make the Connection

As a farmer, reconnecting kids with the earth and those who harvest rests on your shoulders. Even as the federal government grants schools money to support this connection, many educators don’t know where to begin when creating farm-to-school programs.

Moreover, unless they know about you and your farm, they won’t reach out to partner with you. Therefore, it’s important to take the initiative and begin making connections with the community you serve.

Participate in Farmers Markets

If you export most or all of your produce or livestock, consider shifting to a more local approach.

Collaborate with other farmers in the area and open a farmers market or community-supported agriculture program to encourage the consumption of more locally sourced foods. Hold community food events and network with organizations that focus on feeding kids and educating them about nutrition and conservation.

You might also partner with local schools to sell produce during sporting events or set up a farmers market in the parking lot on weekends. Doing so will allow kids to sample new foods and participate in hands-on education. Plus, you’ll create an opportunity for the school to begin using your produce in cooking classes or serving it to students for lunch.

Connect With Parents

As you participate in farmer’s markets and partner with schools, you’ll inevitably make connections with parents. Once they notice healthier behaviors in their kids and changes to school…

12 Tips for Buying Remote Land & 15 Questions to Ask Before You Do

[] 12 Tips for Buying Remote Land & 15 Questions to Ask Before You Do – 1; } /* Disable tracking if the opt-out cookie exists. */ if ( __gtagTrackerIsOptedOut() ) { window[disableStr] = true; } /* Opt-out function */ function __gtagTrackerOptout() { document.cookie = disableStr + ‘=true; expires=Thu, 31 Dec 2099 23:59:59 UTC; path=/’; window[disableStr] = true; } if ( ‘undefined’ === typeof gaOptout ) { function gaOptout() { __gtagTrackerOptout(); } } window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if ( mi_track_user ) { function __gtagTracker() {dataLayer.push( arguments );} __gtagTracker( ‘js’, new Date() ); __gtagTracker( ‘set’, { ‘developer_id.dZGIzZG’ : true, }); __gtagTracker( ‘config’, ‘UA-141700564-1’, { forceSSL:true,link_attribution:true, } ); window.gtag = __gtagTracker; ( function () { /* https://developers.google.com/analytics/devguides/collection/analyticsjs/ */ /* ga and __gaTracker compatibility shim. */ var noopfn = function () { return null; }; var newtracker = function () { return new Tracker(); }; var Tracker = function () { return null; }; var p = Tracker.prototype; p.get = noopfn; p.set = noopfn; p.send = function (){ var args = Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments); args.unshift( ‘send’ ); __gaTracker.apply(null, args); }; var __gaTracker = function () { var len = arguments.length; if ( len === 0 ) { return; } var f = arguments[len – 1]; if ( typeof f !== ‘object’ || f === null || typeof f.hitCallback !== ‘function’ ) { if ( ‘send’ === arguments[0] ) { var hitConverted, hitObject = false, action; if ( ‘event’ === arguments[1] ) { if ( ‘undefined’ !== typeof arguments[3] ) { hitObject = { ‘eventAction’: arguments[3], ‘eventCategory’: arguments[2], ‘eventLabel’: arguments[4], ‘value’: arguments[5] ? arguments[5] : 1, } } } if ( typeof arguments[2] === ‘object’ ) { hitObject = arguments[2]; } if ( typeof arguments[5] === ‘object’ ) { Object.assign( hitObject, arguments[5] ); } if ( ‘undefined’ !== typeof ( arguments[1].hitType ) ) { hitObject = arguments[1]; } if ( hitObject ) { action = ‘timing’ === arguments[1].hitType ? ‘timing_complete’ : hitObject.eventAction; hitConverted = mapArgs( hitObject ); __gtagTracker( ‘event’, action, hitConverted ); } } return; } function mapArgs( args ) { var gaKey, hit = {}; var gaMap = { ‘eventCategory’: ‘event_category’, ‘eventAction’: ‘event_action’, ‘eventLabel’: ‘event_label’, ‘eventValue’: ‘event_value’, ‘nonInteraction’: ‘non_interaction’, ‘timingCategory’: ‘event_category’, ‘timingVar’: ‘name’, ‘timingValue’: ‘value’, ‘timingLabel’: ‘event_label’, }; for ( gaKey in gaMap ) { if ( ‘undefined’ !== typeof args[gaKey] ) { hit[gaMap[gaKey]] = args[gaKey]; } } return hit; } try { f.hitCallback(); } catch ( ex ) { } }; __gaTracker.create = newtracker; __gaTracker.getByName = newtracker; __gaTracker.getAll = function () { return []; }; __gaTracker.remove = noopfn; __gaTracker.loaded = true; window[‘__gaTracker’] = __gaTracker; } )(); } else { console.log( “” ); ( function () { function __gtagTracker() { return null; } window[‘__gtagTracker’] = __gtagTracker; window[‘gtag’] = __gtagTracker;…

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Good Meal Ideas That Keep Well on a Houseboat

If you are thinking about renting a houseboat for your next vacation, then you know that you will have to take into account additional logistics. From packing extra gear to make your stay more fun and extra safe to learning how to operate the houseboat, it’s an experience that differs in many ways from a traditional land vacation.

Another thing that you will want to consider prior to your houseboat vacation is your meals. At Forever Houseboats, we know that meal planning is an important part of planning your next houseboat vacation.

Here are a few meal ideas you may want to try:

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic Italian dish that is known for its affordability and its ease. This is a simple dish that only requires three ingredients — spaghetti noodles, meatballs, and a spaghetti sauce. It doesn’t take much to make a heaping pile of spaghetti that everyone on the houseboat will enjoy.

Sausage, Potatoes and Beans Tin Foil Meal

In a sense, houseboating is like camping on the water. Tin foil meals have long been a favorite among avid campers, and this one is particularly popular. Simply wrap grilled sausage, chopped potatoes and green beans in tin foil, and cook the concoction on the grill.

Hamburgers and Hot Dogs

This quintessential summer meal makes for one of the easiest and tastiest houseboat meals. You can grill hamburgers and hot dogs right on the boat, and everyone can top them with their favorite fixings. Simple sides like potato salad and corn on the cob can be brought on board.

Tacos

Tacos is another simple meal that is easy to make for a group. Cook up a couple of pounds of ground beef, add seasoning and serve to the masses. People can choose their favorite toppings, and chips plus salsa make…

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Massachusetts AG Presses Pharmacies About Collection and Use of Vaccine Patient Data

COVID-19 medical record privacy

Massachusetts AG Presses Pharmacies About Collection and Use of Vaccine Patient Data

The Massachusetts Attorney General, following up on a letter from EPIC and a coalition of civil society groups, wrote to major pharmacies today seeking details about their collection and use of personal data from COVID-19 vaccine recipients. The federal government is coordinating with retail pharmacies to facilitate vaccine distribution. But as EPIC and coalition partners warned last month, some pharmacies “are requiring patients seeking access to the vaccine to register through their existing customer portals, which in turn exposes patients to broad personal data collection and marketing.” The Massachusetts AG letter calls on pharmacies to explain what personal data they collect from vaccine patients, what disclosures they make, whether the pharmacies will use the data for commercial purposes, and whether the data is being stored separately from general customer information. “[A]ccess to life-saving vaccines should not be conditioned on a consumer’s consent to provide personal data not necessary for the vaccination administration,” the AG’s letter explains. “Nor can consent to such data collection or marketing be presumed based on a consumer’s desire to obtain a vaccination.” The CDC recently issued a directive prohibiting health providers “from using any data gathered in the course of their participation in the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program, including any Protected Health Information or other Personally Identifiable Information, for commercial marketing purposes.” EPIC and coalition partners also asked officials in California, Illinois, New York, and the District of Columbia to investigate and prevent pharmacies from putting vaccine patient data to commercial use.

Everything to Know About .22 Rat Shot (Snake Shot)

Ever hear of .22 rat shot (also known as snake shot)? People will often ask me what this seemingly odd cartridge is good for. Let’s take a look, but first – the shells themselves:

Also, if you find this article informative, consider my book:
Rimfire Rifles: A Buyer’s and Shooter’s Guide.

Now, on to…

My Chipmunk Problem

It was a mid-March morning. Spring had nearly sprung. The day dawned clear and cold, but the sun was still strong enough to ease the chill. Stepping out onto my front porch, a few robins had reappeared and the taste of spring was indeed in the air. Life was good – that is, until I spied… “The Hole.”

The Hole – again. Time for lethal measures…

At first I thought, I was seeing things, but nope, it was for real. Fresh dirt was strewn around the small garden beside the house foundation, and a cavernous new excavation had materialized – again!

The latest gopher shenanigans had shades of the old Caddyshack film. In theory at least, my hole-digging nemesis had been terminated the previous fall. That hit had taken some planning, too. Turns out chipmunks become elusive once the “wanted” posters go up.

My wife and I exercised our share of tolerance, refilling the fresh hole that appeared like magic several times each day. Although normally more of an aggravation, the overriding concern was its location. Chip’s front door was hard up against the foundation of our house, directly above the flexible water line that runs from our well.

After a week of tolerance, the prospect of a noshed line and expensive excavation nixed what little compassion remained. It was time for Chip to contract Swiss cheese disease. The trick involved avoiding any collateral damage!

Operation Chip Shot

A rat trap or poison would’ve been hard on our loyal Labrador so I settled on a more discriminate solution: the same .22 Marlin Model 39-A lever-action that had served other permanent eviction notices. Why not a modern airgun? That’s a good pick, too, but chipmunks are furtive little rascals that seldom sit still for long.

Also, this one was apparently sneaky, having never been spied in the act. The numerous others on our property caused no harm, so a total chipmunk cleansing was ruled out. Instead, the plan involved a stakeout at the crime scene. The adjacent concrete foundation and a stone walkway did raise concerns over ricochets, so I went with a proven close-range enforcement solution – a shotgun – but for this purpose, the Marlin would stand in – with a particular type of shell.

I positioned a lawn chair on my porch a few yards from Chip’s doorway with a gas grill serving as my “blind.” The next morning, shortly after sunrise, I slipped into position with a .22 LR rat shot cartridge chambered in the Marlin.

B after an hour of shivering, there was no sign…

Investing in the Future of Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture has a bright future for investors as it could quickly become the top industry to feed the world. By 2050, it is estimated that this world will contain nearly 10 billion people — that’s over two billion more people than the population today and over two billion more mouths to feed.

Farming practices today, however, aren’t all up to sustainable standards. As environmentalists advocate for eco-friendly farming, farmers are trying to keep up with the demand to produce sustainably-sourced food. As more agricultural businesses and farms trend towards sustainable measures, investing in the future of sustainable agriculture could be a smart move.

Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture aims to meet society’s present nutritional and textile needs that don’t compromise the future generations of their needs. Anything related to sustainability integrates the environment, the economy, and society. Anyone involved in the food system can help to reach that goal of sustainability in agriculture.

Implementing sustainability into agricultural practices can look like a lot of things. Farmers can decrease the amount of water they use and find ways to use renewable energy to power their farms. Consumers can look for and only purchase foods that were processed sustainably.

The future of sustainable agriculture should be able to feed the growing population. Practices are now increasing the rate of climate change, and climate change is hindering agriculture now, so it is an ongoing cycle. However, changes to create a sustainable agriculture industry overall will have promising results.

Develop Eco-Friendly Machinery

One step towards a sustainable future in agriculture includes machinery built to benefit the environment rather than deplete it. An investment opportunity could consist of putting funds toward sustainable machinery.

Equipment for farms nowadays can do more. One machine could cover many jobs that are necessary to keep a farm running. Sustainable machinery can help farms be more efficient and less expensive than what farmers are purchasing now.

Eco-friendly equipment can help increase productivity so more mouths can be fed with the increasing population. Additionally, less expensive machines will allow farmers to purchase more equipment to increase their production rates. The goal with farm equipment is to have farmers use efficient, less costly, and sustainable equipment.

Invest in Agroecological Farming

Agroecology addresses the root cause of hunger and aims to make the most use of what nature offers for a sustainable future. Part of agroecological farming reduces the need for harmful chemicals. Instead of using hazardous fertilizers and other pollutants, it uses the existing land’s shape and function to manage agricultural systems.

Cover crops and livestock are two ways of farming sustainably. They help restore the land and soil function without the use of chemicals. Chemicals may still be used, but they are used less frequently.

By investing in innovations and research for alternatives to harmful fertilizers or other chemicals, agrochemical companies can move forward in the future of sustainable agriculture.

Encourage Education

Ultimately, to invest in the future of sustainable agriculture, one must…