TM
Pure Essence of an Australian Holiday
Working Your Trade Show Booth CAUTION Oversea’s Construction HOUSING IN A GER
What’s Camo Girl Up To?
Bridge Work
Railean American Rum
Texas Deer Season Schedule
EXPERIENCE
2
CONTENTS
STAFF Robert & Teffany Kahn Founders
Solaro Estate
4
Dove Hunting
5
Robert Kahn Co Editor / Marketing and Events
Texas Deer Season Schedule
6
Railean American Rum
7
Remember, You’re Not the Only One Hunting
8
Working Your Trade Show Booth
9
Teffany Kahn Co Editor/ Contents and photography Bill Megenhardt Art Director/ Illustrator Kimberly Hillenbrand Graphic Artist Kendall Kahn Contributing writer and staff Rodd Daigle Industrial Content Consultant Butch Ramirez Wild Life Photographer Jim Baines Wild Life Photographer
A Shot of Texas Magazine ©2012
Keller’s Riverside Store / Universal Plant Services
10
The Infinity Group
11
Oversea’s Construction - Housing in a GER
12
CAUTION Bridge Works
14
INTECSEA
15
Camo Girl
16
Enjoy the Ride
18
Stars of Texas
19
Pure Essence of an Australian Holiday
20
Aerial Lift
22
Scribbles Red Wing Shoes
23
Hunted While Hunting
24
Enviro•1 / Texas Citizens Bank
26
Ron Carter Dealership
27
3
Solaro Estate
Strengthening Texas wine with supreme sophistication. By Molly McManus. Tucked away in Dripping Springs lies an exquisite piece of land projecting perfection, class and innovation to the world of wine in Austin’s backyard. The 160 acres of Solaro Estate encompass rows upon rows of cascading grapevines descending in to the beautiful Barton Creek—a state-of-the-art winery with cutting-edge technology and an immaculate tasting pavilion where visitors can enjoy fine wine with breathtaking views for an outcome of some of the best wines found across the globe. Texas is not the first state often thought of when the topic of wine is brought in to conversation, and it may be surprising to find Texas wines winning one of the largest and most prestigious wine competitions in North America. The Finger Lakes International Wine Competition is judged by 60 of the world’s most renowned wine experts in a blindfolded tasting. More than 3,000 wines are presented by wineries representing 19 countries. This year, Solaro took home not one but four wins. Solaro’s 2009 miscela sangiovese/syrah blend and 2010 arancia orange muscat secured silver medals while bronze medals were awarded to the 2009 tempranillo reserve and 2009 mourverde grenach tempranillo. None of this could have been accomplished without the diligent work of Solaro’s owner, Barbara Haderlein, a driven woman with a fervent passion for wine striving for perfection in her harvest. Haderlein never compromises her patience for excellence, making small-lot, limited-production, reserved and unfiltered wine. The result: sheer purity in production and distinct taste.“ We make great wines with what’s available,” Haderlein says of Solaro’s landscape and the winery’s environmentally conscious approach to winemaking. One of the only Texas wineries to produce all its own wines, Solaro harvests two types of grapes and sources the rest from Texas farmers to back local, sustainable practices. Haderlein praises the community that continues to help Solaro’s advancement, from sharing equipment to involving volunteers during the harvest. With the support system being vital to operate, Haderlein has tirelessly worked to develop and cultivate these relationships in her fight for a successful winery. “All I’ve ever heard was ‘you’ll never make it,’” Haderlein reminisces with seriousness as she proudly sits in front of Solaro’s awardwinning bottles adorning their respective medals. Twenty years ago, women rarely could enjoy fine wine, experiencing it only in the company of their husbands. Haderlein has witnessed a shift in the appreciation and demand for wine coming from women, now bringing their husbands and boyfriends along to the winery instead of the other way around. She is honored to be a part of this trend, the progression of women’s presence in the workforce. “Wine is a lifestyle,” says Haderlein. It’s one that’s come naturally to her family, who has owned and cultivated Solaro’s land since 1909. Expect to be warmly greeted upon arrival by Haderlein, her partner, Robert Fritz, or their 12 year-old daughter, Erika, who all make their guests feel like old friends they long to entertain. Even though Solaro is busy 12 months a year, there is a surrounding sense of ease in an atmosphere of relaxed comfort. There is an overwhelming impression of devotion and care portrayed by the family, their world-renowned wine and the comprehensive style of Solaro. With this winery conveniently located outside Austin, a little slice of Europe is right at your fingertips. Now in their third crush and second harvest, Solaro is only beginning to leave its mark. Texas and the rest of the world highly anticipate the future of the Solaro Estate Winery.
4
Dove Hunting
Dry Conditions Could Boost Dove Hunting Prospects New Online Map Allows “Virtual Scouting” of TPWD Dove Areas
AUSTIN — Dry conditions don’t necessarily equate to bad dove hunting, wildlife biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department suggest. An extended drought across much of Texas could be beneficial for dove hunters as birds will have to rely upon limited resources. Water, especially in close proximity to dove feeding areas, should be at a premium heading into the Sept. 1 dove season opener. “Dove hunting over a water source should be excellent,” said Corey Mason, TPWD dove program leader. “Additionally, dove may be concentrated on food sources, so if you can find a stand of sunflower, goat weed, etc., hunting should be productive. Native food sources are going to be more important this year because agricultural crops aren’t as good as years past.” Biologists say the drought will have some impacts on dove populations, with the greatest being on juveniles. However, they do not expect significant impacts to what hunters will see this fall. Texas boasts fall dove populations in excess of 40 million birds and its 300,000 dove hunters harvest about 6 million birds annually or roughly 30 percent of all doves taken in the United States. Texas dove season in the North and Central Dove Zones will run from Thursday, Sept. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 23 and reopen Friday, Dec. 23 through Sunday, Jan. 8, with a 15-bird daily bag and not more than two white-tipped doves. The South Zone dove season will run Friday, Sept. 23 through Sunday, Oct. 30, reopening Friday, Dec. 23 through Monday, Jan. 23 with a 15-bird daily bag and not more than two white-tipped doves. The Special White-winged Dove Area will open to white-winged dove afternoon-only (noon to sunset) hunting the first two full weekends in September running from Sept. 3-4 and 10-11 and reopen when the regular South Zone season begins on Friday, Sept. 23 through Sunday, Oct. 30 and again from Friday , Dec. 23 through Thursday, Jan. 19. The Special White-winged Dove Area season takes four of the allowable 70 days, so when the regular season opens, this area must close four days earlier than the rest of the South Zone. During the early two weekends, the daily bag limit is 15 birds, to include not more than four mourning doves and 2 white-tipped doves. Once the general season opens, the aggregate bag limit will be 15. Dove hunting also has a major economic impact, contributing more than $300 million to the state economy, according to published reports. Dove hunting provides an entry into the sport of hunting because it is relatively economical and accessible. Through its Public Hunting Program, TPWD offers affordable access to quality hunting experiences with the purchase of a $48 Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit. Permit holders have access to more than 100 hunting units leased from private landowners specifically for dove and small game. A new online map feature allows for “virtual scouting” of these areas. By clicking on the locator points, you can follow links to detailed aerial maps with highlighted boundaries and links to information pages from the APH information map booklet. A downloadable Google Earth file (.kml) is also available that contains all the boundary information along with links to the corresponding APH map booklet pages. Hunters are reminded that in addition to a valid Texas hunting license, a state Migratory Game Bird Stamp, and certification in the Harvest Information Program (HIP) is required. HIP certification is offered when you buy your license and involves responding to a few simple questions about your migratory game bird harvest during the previous season. Hunting licenses expire annually on Aug. 31. SL 2011-08-16
5
DEER SEASON - TEXAS
White-tailed Deer
Archery - September 29 - November 2, 2012 General Special Youth Season - October 27-28, and January 7-20, 2013 North Texas (212 counties) - November 3, 2012 - January 6, 2013 South Texas (30 counties) - November 3, 2012 - January 20, 2013 Special Antler Restrictions (117 counties) - 13� inside spread or one unbranched antler
Late Antlerless and Spike North Texas (106 counties) - January 7-20, 2013 South Texas (30 counties) - January 21 - February 3, 2013 Muzzleloader (57 counties) - January 7 - 20, 2013
Mule Deer
Archery - September 29 - November 2, 2012 General Panhandle (39 counties) - November 17 - December 2, 2012 Southwestern Panhandle (11 counties) - November 17-25, 2012 Trans-Pecos (19 counties) - November 23 - December 9, 2012
6
Americans now have a choice! In a market dominated by mass-produced, imported rum, RAILEAN is the first women-owned distillery to produce American Rum™ certified as “Made in USA”. This Houston/Galveston distillery handcrafts each batch of the rustic, pirate style spirit using unsulfured, Grade-A sugarcane molasses from the Gulf Coast. Crafted with quality over quantity in mind, the smooth, clean spirit is enhanced by aging in new, double-charred American oak barrels to extract maximum color, aroma and flavor. Armed with a fascination for pirate lore and a passion for rum, founder Kelly Railean is a pioneer in the American Craft Rum Revolution, producing four unique styles of American Rum including an unaged White Rum, barrel aged blended Reserve XO Rum, single barrel Small Cask Rum, and a Spiced Rum.
7
Remember, you’re Not the ONLY One Hunting Finding areas to hunt coyote is relatively easy, the coyote is widespread, and found in all of North America. With such a large area to hunt with so many different terrains, it is impossible to suggest any one area that is most suitable for coyote hunting. No matter the area you are planning on hunting, coyote do prefer cover, they will move out from cover for a meal, but they generally will not travel in the open. Look for areas that offer a combination of dense to moderate cover, but that offers you the ability to see for a good distance in all directions. If you can’t find this perfect combination, it is more important to see a good distance than to have moderate cover immediately around you. Locating coyote is fairly easy; tracks and scat are dead giveaways, as is talking to local farmers and others who work in or around the woods. You can also locate coyote by simply driving around possible areas at dawn and dusk and listening for coyotes calling to each other. Stop every mile or so and listen for 5 – 10 minutes, if you here coyote calling, mark the location on a map and keep going. With a bit of practice you can pinpoint the probable location of the pack. Remember, public land is getting increasingly rare, check with the land owner before hunting. Chances are they will let you hunt coyote on their land, even if they did not let you hunt deer. It seems nobody likes coyote, especially deer hunters and cat owners.
Good Luck and Happy Hunting
8
Working Your Trade Show Booth I am amazed at the lack of enthusiasm at trade shows. I recently attended the OTC here in Houston and decided to do some research and pass it on to my fellow sales people. I took a straw poll, my goal was to see where the action was and to study which displays had the most traffic. The first thing I noticed was some glaring examples of lack of enthusiasm. By lack of enthusiasm I mean folks that were manning $100,000 plus booths that barely had their eyes open and transfixed in thoughts of going home or packing up to go home. Not unusual to report very little or no action here. Now mind you all the trinkets were stacked neatly on the table so all the retirees could swing by and grab a handful of pens or flashlights for their grand kids. A big stack of brochures had been placed neatly in elaborate cases and many cases stayed full. I may be a dinosaur when it comes to these matters but I have never attended a trade show where I didn’t walk away with a full-fledged new client or project. The least you should strive for is to get your moneys worth for attending the show as an exhibitor. The 7 rules to remember when working your booth effectively: 1. Make eye contact with everyone with 100 feet of your booth. 2. Smile until it hurts. 3. Do not sit down. 4. Stand in front of your table and never behind it. 5. Have brochures or trinkets in your hands not stacked on the tables. Keep the trinket where they can see it in your hand. I promise that they will continue the conversation when they know there is a prize at the end. 6. Wear black running shoes to help you stay on your feet with less pain. 7. Ask people to stop and talk to you. After the eye contact, try “how are you today come on over and let me show the greatest (you fill in the blank) in the entire world. The last one always gets a smile simply because enthusiasm is always greeted that way. Good Selling! Robert Kahn, is the owner of Texstar Marketing and co-editor of A Shot Of Texas Magazine based in Georgetown Texas. Email comments to rob@texstarmarketing.com
9
Keller’s Riverside Store The link and QR code below will take you to a recent radio ad from Keller’s Riverside Store located on the beautiful Llano River in the heart of Texas. This is truth in advertising you will only find in Texas! You have to give the guy points for honesty. http://biggeekdad.com/2011/10/kellers-riverside-store/
The biggest names in the industry are turning to UPS for millwright and field machining services. Superior craftsmen. Superior results. Decision makers throughout the industry are turning to Universal Plant Services (UPS) to keep their operations online and running smoothly. UPS is the premiere non-OEM service provider with nearly a quarter century of experience delivering top-level solutions around the clock and within budget. At UPS, we continually strive to provide manpower, equipment, parts and expertise that reflect the same high standard of quality that you demand within your own organization. To discover what our unequalled dedication to safety, training, innovation and excellence in Millwright, Field Machining and Parts Services can do for your organization, contact UPS today.
www.universalplant.com 800.479.6881 10
A Legacy of Performance
• General Mechanical
• Civil & Environmental
• Electrical & Instrumentation • Maintenance & Turnarounds
Quality With Integrity 622 Commerce Avenue Clute, Texas 77531 (979) 388-8579 2301 S. Battleground Rd. La Porte, Texas 77571 (281) 478-4828
14401 Highway 73 Prairieville, Louisiana 70769 (225) 677-7947
Definitive Service to the Chemical, Petrochemical and Refining Industries 11
Oversea’s Construction
HOUSING IN A GER
I would love to give you some facts on my everyday life out here. This place never ceases to amaze me. With all the different wild life to see, the extreme temps to prep for, the very remote environment and surroundings, as well as the multinational language to adapt to, this place keeps me guessing and on my toes at all times. To tell you the truth, the only thing that has kept me in check and helped me survive the last two years out here is the fact that I’m a good ol’ Texas country boy with both West Texas and Hill Country roots. I find that ALL the Northerners (Yankees) do not last out here and usually drag up within a few months. With
12
that said, have you ever heard the expression “No Country For Old Men”??? Well, that is definitely the saying out here, but with a Yankee twist thrown in there – ha ha ha ha. A normal day for me goes like this. I wake up at 5:00 am and roll out of bed, put on my workout clothes then head to the Camp Gym for a quick 45 minute cardio session. Next, I head back to my ‘Ger’ for a quick shower and get dressed. Dressing for the day’s weather is important is the
temperature can be as low as -45 degrees! Next, I head over to the camp kitchen for a quick breakfast. I usually arrive at my office between 6:30am-6:45am. I spend the first 30-45 min of the morning answering emails that my contractors or colleagues sent me during the night. As we have engineering offices and executing offices all over the world and in so many times zones, we are on email and phone alert at all times. After checking email, I usually sit down with my Manager for a 5 - 10 minute briefing, then jump into my Land Rover and head out of the main gate and security check point to go and meet with JDCC who is our Chinese Pipeline Contractor. I take a 42 mile drive through some very remote terrain following the 36” buried pipeline to our
Northern Bore Fields to see what JDCC is up to and making sure their managers and supervisors are on top of their game early in the day. Keep in mind that we have over 1,500 Chinese working on this Raw Water Pipeline alone. I usually have lunch up at the North Camp in the local kitchen which always consist of the wildest variety foods such as fish heads, goat, mutton, whatever the daily catch is. Once ALL my daily inspections and pipeline meetings are over, I head back 42 miles south to our main mining site and camp. I spend most of the afternoon answering phone calls and emails and making several trips to the field to consult on and
solve engineering or construction problems. On occasion, I assist our Contracts Group with negotiations and price adjustments within field cost relations. My day usually ends between 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm, then I head down to the camp kitchen for a quick bite. After dinner, I might head over to a buddies ger, where several of us will gather for a evening chat and perhaps a beer or glass of wine. These little gatherings are always interesting as we all talk about our lives and daily
happenings. Once I get back to my ger, I shower and relax by either reading some political book, getting on Facebook or just watching a movie. Right before I completely hang up my hat for the night, I always spend 15 minutes writing in my daily journal. I’m now on my 9th journal since starting my first one on an overseas gig in Aruba back in 2001. Lastly, I always say my prayers and thank the good Lord above for blessing me with this life and road less traveled.
13
CAUTION Bridge Work Bridges provide us with a way to travel over water, across highways, railroad tracks and the like. Whether it’s a bridge repair, replacement or new construction, do you know what the number one hazard to workers is? Concrete or steel, a long or short span, the greatest danger during bridge construction is the possibility of failing from one level to another. Here are some things to think about: Before you step out on the form work, walk a steel beam, climb a sheet pile, or work
14
on a scaffold, think about the exposures there are. PREVENT FALLS - watch your step, wear your fall protection equipment, use it correctly and always tie off. WATCH FOR FALLING OBJECTS - always wear your hard hat, be aware of cranes moving material and equipment in and out of the area, and watch out for pinch points and crushing areas. HOUSEKEEPING - clean up and remove trash and scrap promptly. LADDERS – use a safe one, make sure it is
the right size for the job and is always secured before climbing. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - must be worn including hard hats, eye protection, fall protection, even special foot wear may be required.. Bridge work changes every day -- what was there yesterday may have changed dramatically today. Keep a sharp eye out for the unexpected. Don’t take chances. Safety is everyone’s business.
WELLHEAD TO MARKET, ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD INTECSEA is the world’s leading independent deepwater engineering and project management company, providing full service global solutions in the subsea, pipeline, and floating production arenas. www.intecsea.com/careers
Subsea Tieback March 2012.indd 1
15
9/18/2012 9:31:11 AM
CAMO GIRL CORNER Welcome Hunters and Outdoor Enthusiasts! I’m Kendall Rae Kahn alias “Camo Girl”. I will be guiding you through outdoor activities and giving you my opinion on the latest and greatest hunting, fishing and outdoor products. In future issues, I will bring you tips on horse care and riding, accessories for trucks and 4 wheel drive vehicles, outdoor fashion, hot spots for outdoor fun and adventure.
Kendall Rae Kahn AKA
“Camo Girl”
16
Smokin’ Hot Products By Camo Girl
From packaging to performance, I highly recommend the Flexcam! No more toting heavy cameras or video cams through the woods, in and out of tree stands. When my Flexcam arrived, I was thrilled to see the professional, well protective packaging, a must for gift giving. With Flexcam, I can conveniently video all my hunts.
“Flexcam is easy to attach and adjust on my bow and my rifle”
17
Enjoy the Ride! By Jeanine Johnson
My parents both grew up in Chicago, so hunting and fishing weren’t activities they participated in and as such, my sister and I weren’t exposed to those outdoor activities as kids. Our family did enjoy camping and we began riding dirt bikes when I was only 11. I fell in love with riding and have been riding for nearly 44 years now. Riding is a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors and appreciate nature. My husband and I ride cruisers and love nothing more than a leisurely ride through the countryside on a warm, clear day. A little preparation and planning can make for an enjoyable and fulfilling day of riding. We spend some time planning our riding using readily available tools. There are many guides available that map out great rides, but I also find an on-line map such as Google Earth to be a great resource. Using the satellite view, it’s easy to see the topography of the areas where we plan to ride. I look for areas that are somewhat off the beaten path. As you get out of a city area, I look for windy roads, areas with few buildings, houses that have a lot of land around them, lots of trees, even a body of water. These areas make for a pleasurable riding experience, with little or no traffic and beautiful scenery to enjoy. Part of my planning is deciding whether we are heading to a specific destination or just plan to meander. Often, we’ll ride through a lovely countryside area and come out on the other end someplace with restaurants and more civilization. We plan our departure time so that we can stop for a nice lunch mid way through the ride, then return home on a different route. There are several routes that take us to ‘biker’ hangouts, and it’s always enjoyable to see the wide variety of bikes that gather on a weekend with good riding weather. If we just plan to meander, a little more planning goes into the ride. I start the night before by putting a couple of bottles of water in the freezer over night. I make us something easy to take along on the ride - a turkey wrap is one of our favorites as they are easy to transport make good hand held food while sitting along the side of the road or on a park bench. I pack a small insulated lunch bad with the wraps and use the frozen water to keep them cool. The water thaws as we ride and gives us something cold to drink when we stop. Some chips or crackers and we have plenty for a nice roadside lunch. I’m a good navigator having worked for years in a job that required me to follow the old ‘Thomas Guide’ throughout the day, so once I have chosen the route, I spend some time memorizing the streets and turns we’ll make. There are good navigation devices available for bikes now, but I just use my cell phone with a map app and stop if we get into unfamiliar territory. The app shows you where you are and I can always get back on track, but it also works out nicely if you spot a road that looks promising that you didn’t know about. A quick glance and we can see if the road goes someplace we want to follow. You may be surprised at the great riding you find without having to travel very far.
18
Whether you enjoy hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles or bicycles, the important thing is to just get out there and enjoy the great outdoors.
A LONE STAR LIFE
Stars of Texas: A ROUNDUP OF WINES FROM THE HIGH PLAINS
Volume 1
by Anthony Head / photo by Kirk Weddle
T
he Texas High Plains AVA is a blob on the map that surrounds Lubbock and stretches west until it hits the New Mexico state line. At ground level, it’s not what most people would call an “attractive” landscape (pretty flat and dusty), but it’s a sweet spot for growing grapes, and wineries the state over source fruit from Newsom, Reddy, Bingham and other High Plains vineyards. Although many of the following wineries produce the standard American favorites (Cab, Chard, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc—and a lot of sweet wines, which are traditionally popular in Texas), they also craft complex and unique wines that will help define Lone Star winemaking in the coming years. These bottles are made from some of the best varieties for the soil and the climate, and they’re the best of what I’ve tasted from the Texas High Plains so far.
duchman 2009 dolcetto, Texas ($14) The important Italian varietal Dolcetto has found a very comfortable home in Texas. Duchman’s youthful, medium-bodied red is ready to drink right now. The raspberry and earth character builds steadily in the glass . . . always growing with very little tannic resistance. WWW.DUCHMANFAMILYWINERY.COM
McPherson Cellars 2010 Reserve Roussanne, Texas ($18) Dry and not too light, this shines with citrus and green tea notes. It lingers on the finish without making a cloying nuisance of itself. Unlike other winemakers who might be tempted to oak Roussanne and mask its natural characteristics, McPherson chose stainless steel, thank goodness. WWW.MCPHERSONCELLARS.COM
Bending Branch nv Tannat, Texas ($24) There isn’t much domestic Tannat being produced, which is a shame considering how utilitarian this red can be. BB’s smooth, almost seamless non-vintage blend is rich with black cherry and earthy flavors. This medium- to full-bodied version of the obscure French grape is soft, and the longer it sits, the closer it inches towards savory. Perfect for sipping on its own and serving with feasts. WWW.BENDINGBRANCHWINERY.COM
llano estacado 2009 Cellar Reserve Tempranillo, Texas High Plains ($20) Tempranillo is undoubtedly the star grape for the High Plains. (It shows up three times on this list.) In Llano’s spectacular ‘09, the traditional Spanish grape demonstrates lushness and firmness with signature notes of plum, red cherry and light tobacco. I value this one far beyond its asking price. WWW.LLANOWINE.COM
landon Winery 2009 Reserve Tempranillo, Texas ($25) Landon demonstrates how to successfully tease broad and appealing plum, cherry, and ripe strawberry flavors from Texas Temp. This medium-bodied wine finishes with fullbodied tobacco and leather satisfaction. WWW.LANDONWINERY.COM
Solaro estate 2010 Arancia, Texas High Plains ($33) This dry Orange Muscat—which is precisely what has been lacking from the summer white wine landscape for as far back as I can remember—is sophisticated and firm, yet with a lifted tropical fruit bouquet. The clean finish is intense with orange rind. WWW.SOLAROESTATE.COM
inwood estates 2008 Tempranillo, Texas ($40) There’s no beating around the bush: Buy this, but cellar it until long past the next rapture scare. Right now, it’s stiff and aggressive, even an hour after decanting. Despite that, the rich dark cherry, plum, and tobacco leaf flavors are already blossoming. (But don’t do it.) WWW.INWOODWINES.COM
19
Pure Essence of an Australian Holiday (Embark – Down-Under Adventures, June 26 - 30, 2012) Historic Sydney
Australia reins in sixth place in size of countries around the world. In order to fully understand the country’s vast magnitude, I referred to the size of the USA’s contiguous 48 States, and we are only slightly larger than Australia. My journey began via Sydney, Australia where I spent several days enjoying the beauty of this city with its many historical surroundings. The Sydney Opera House is a “jaw-dropping” marvelous architectural masterpiece, proudly treasured by the Australians. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, opening in 1973 after a long gestation that had begun with his competition-winning design in 1957. Utzon’s creative structure was awarded the Pritzker Prize, Architecture’s highest honor, in 2003. Sydney has a rich and ancient history dating back to prehistoric times inhabited by Australian Aborigines, whose ancestors came to Australia between 45,000 and 60,000 years ago. Until recently, the history of Aboriginal Australians has been hotly debated. Recent genome sequencing suggests that humans probably dispersed in two waves out of Africa. On record the ancestral lineage of the Aboriginal Australians date back to the first wave of explorers who migrated via Asia around 70,000 years ago. Aboriginal Australians may likely have one of the oldest continuous population histories find outside sub-Saharan Africa today. Aborigines call the beginning of the world the “Dreaming”, or “Dreamtime”. In “Dreamtime” ancestors rose from below the earth to form various parts of nature, including animal species, bodies of water, and the sky. Their culture continues to practice close relationships between humans and the land. As we follow the modern history of Sydney this culture
Houston Si Clu Psents: Bill Engvall Individual tickets and table sales available. For more information, visit houstonsafariclub.org. 20
Pure Essence of an Australian Holiday (Cont’d) began with the arrival of a First Fleet of British ships in 1788, and the foundation of a penal colony by Great Britain. Today, Sydney is Australia’s largest city and a major international capital of culture and finance.
Rainforest at Cairns
After a few days in Sydney my journey continues with a flight north along the magnificent Australian coastline to Cairns. Originally founded in 1876 as a rough frontier outpost for the goldfields, today Cairns has evolved from this previous settlement to a lovely sun drenched, tropical rain forest city. Right from the beginning with my stay at the Hilton Hotel, I found the people of Cairns to be genuine and most hospitable. For those of you traveling to this part of the world, I would highly recommend this hotel for their overall hospitality and professionalism. The staff in its entirety was great! Cairns is located in a rainforest region that sweeps thousands of acres between Cairns, Daintree River and Cape Tribulation. These areas of the rainforest’s have been declared “World Heritage” in order to protect the environment that has been evolving for the past 120 million years, making it one of the oldest rainforests in the world. Exotic. One island group as an example are the Whitsundays, one of Australia’s remarkable collection of Queensland Northern Islands. These clusters of islands are a very popular yachting destination with the ultimate impression of paradise. For approximately 20,000 years the Great Barrier Reef is a clear example of how coral reefs formed on continental shelves. Sea level 20,000 years ago was at least 390 ft. lower than in the 21st century. As the sea level rose, the water and the corals encroached on what had been hills of the Australian coastal plain. By 13,000 years the sea level had risen upwards to 200 ft. and the many hills of the coastal plains had become continental islands. As the sea level continued to rise, water topped most of the continental islands and the corals began to overgrow the hills, forming the present cays better known in today’s world as reefs.
Cooktown
Next, we sail overnight towards Cooktown, arriving in the early morning where John Cook first laid eyes on this beautiful port circa, 1770 and claimed it as a British Colony. ‘Cook Town’ as it was known until 1874 was as a supply port for the gold fields founded along the Palmer River. And as the story is told on the wharf, Captain Cook was landlocked for at least a six month period as he attempted to find a reef that was split so his ship could find its way to the Pacific Ocean to explore more of the Pacific.
Lizard Island
After lunch, the Coral Princess departs swiftly northbound for Lizard Island. This northernmost island in Australia is only approximately four square miles and houses only one exclusive resort. Anchored in this port, everyone departs the boat for a day of hiking, scuba diving and snorkeling. For those who prefer the glass bottom boat, our biologist is on board to explain and name the many living forms beneath the ocean level. The waters are very warm this far north in Australia despite the fact that June is winter in Australia. by Barbara Giacalone
21
AERIAL Lc FTS Aerial lifts include the following types of vehicle-mounted aerial devices used to elevate personnel to work at above ground elevations: 1 Extensible boom platforms 2 Articulating boom platforms 3 Vertical towers 4 Aerial ladders 5 A combination of any of the above
structure, or equipment while working from an aerial lift shall not be permitted. d. Employees shall always stand firmly on the floor of the basket, and shall not sit or climb on the edge of the basket or use planks, ladders or other devices for a work position. e. A body belt shall be worn and a lanyard attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift.
Aerial equipment may be powered or manually operated and are deemed aerial lifts whether or not they are capable of rotating about a substantially vertical axis. Specific requirements: 1 Ladder trucks and tower trucks - Ladders shall be locked in lowered and stowed position prior to highway travel. 2 Extensible and articulating boom platforms a. Lift controls shall be tested each day prior to use to determine that such controls are in safe working condition. b. Only authorized persons shall operate an aerial lift. c. Belting off to an adjacent pole, 22
f. Boom and basket load limits specified by the manufacturer shall not be exceeded. g. The brakes shall be set and when outriggers are used, they shall be positioned on pads or a solid surface. Wheel chocks shall be installed before using an aerial lift on an incline, provided they can be safely installed. h. An aerial lift truck shall not be moved when the boom is elevated
in a working position with men in the basket, except for equipment which is specifically designed for this type of operation in accordance with the provisions of 1926.556(a)(1) and (2). i. Articulating boom and extensible boom platforms, primarily designed as personnel carriers, shall have both platform (upper) and lower controls. Upper controls shall be in or beside the platform within easy reach of the operator. Lower controls shall provide for overriding the upper controls. Controls shall be plainly marked as to their function. Lower level controls shall not be operated unless permission has been obtained from the employee in the lift, except in case of emergency. j. Climbers shall not be worn while performing work from an aerial lift k. The insulated portion of an aerial lift shall not be altered in any manner that might reduce its insulating value. l. Before moving an aerial lift for travel, the boom(s) shall be inspected to see that it is properly cradled and outriggers are in stowed position except as provided in paragraph h. above.
23
Hunted While Hunting! Robert or “Bobby” was 13 at the time and was hunting as he had many times before with his dad near the jungle village of Gatun on the Atlantic side . They started out around 6:30 am with their lunch packed for their day in the jungle. It was the dry season, but even then the trail they followed was partially over grown with vegetation. The Panama Canal Zone, a territory once controlled by the United States, was an area of land approximately 10 miles wide by 50 miles long and most folks can’t even picture in their minds what it looks like. Well in fact, that 500 square mile area is rich in jungle vegetation and hundreds if not thousands of wildlife species. Benjamin McConaghy, an American, arrived on the isthmus of Panama in 1910 seeking work as a machinist during the construction era of the Panama Canal. He and many others settled and started their families. They were called “Zonians.” My friend Dr. C. Robert Gibson (a fourth generation “Zonian “ and great grandson of McConaghy), an optometrist, who now resides in Houston, Texas, told me this story as he was dilating my eyes. Had he told me the story first, there would have been no need to use drops to dilate my eyes!
24
Bob Senior carried his Savage model 430 20 gauge over and under shotgun with #4 in one chamber and buck shot in the second. Bobby had his single shot 20 and all was well. The trail they followed went for miles deep into the jungle. The US military, which used the area for jungle training and maneuvers, had cut the path about 5 feet wide. Even then, visibility on many parts of the trail had long been choked off by the jungle. That particular day they were hunting Agouti or “Neque” as the locals called them; however, you never knew what you might encounter in the jungle. The Agouti is an animal that is
kind of a cross between a rabbit and a squirrel. It is plentiful in the jungles of Panama along with other familiar creatures like Peccary, Red Deer, White Tail Deer, Caiman, Capybara and a variety of other animals, many of which were on the hunters menu.
Bob Sr. was in the lead with Bobby about 30 feet behind him as they made their way slowly down the jungle trail. In the dead silence, the young hunter felt as though something was watching him. He was overcome by a feeling strong enough to make him pause in mid stride, his neck hairs raised and at attention. No sound, no motion, just gut instinct to stop. A glance over his left shoulder and at first just shadows of motion like a whisper of wind melted out
of the jungles darkness. The 200 lb Jaguar was less than 40 feet away when Bobby mustered a single gargled word, “Dad”. Bob Sr. luckily experienced the same feeling at the same time. With his son between him and the cat, and partially in the line of fire, he raised his shotgun and fired with both barrels. The big cat roared as it rolled end over end before it came to rest on the jungle floor, growling and snarling as it lay breathing heavily.
after all, you wouldn’t want to damage the hide. A final roar was followed by silence. Now this is where Bob Sr. and I have our differences of opinion. Had it been me, I would have used my son’s gun for a third shot, reloaded, fired and then would have proceeded to beat the beast with the empty shotgun. It turns out that tracks left by the feline had him stalking young Bobby for quite a while. Doc, if we ever hunt together
in the jungle, I’m going first. Oh, and I want one of those masks with the eyes facing backwards too. A Shot Of Texas Magazine wants to express our sincere thanks to Dr. C. Robert “Bobby” Gibson for sharing his story with us.
Bob Sr. quickly loaded a slug and fired once more into the left eye of the Jaguar from close range,
25
Fastest Marketing in the West
• Custom Web Design -Fully Administrable -Firm Price Quote
The Independent, Locally Owned Alternative
-Search engine optimization (White Hat SEO)
• Full Color Printing • Design/Illustration • Promotional Products • Embroidered Apparel
713.948.5799
832-922-1508 rob@texstarmarketing.com 26
Ron Carter Dealerships GMC CHRYSLER CHEVROLET CADILLAC JEEP DODGE RAM FORD MV-1 27
A Shot of Texas Magazine 2951 Marina Bay Dr. League City, TX 77573 4500 Williams Drive, Ste 212-413 Georgetown, TX 78633
PRE-SORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 777 Ontario, CA
Attn: Robert Kahn Teffany Kahn
WE’RE PULLING THE TRIGGER!
You are cordially invited to celebrate
TM
KICK OFF PARTY & NETWORKING EVENT DATE : NOVEMBER 12TH, 2012 TIME : 5:30 PM TIL 9:00 PM Monday Night Football Will Be On The Big Screens! Drinks and Pre-Game Snacks Provided
Drawing for Marlin Bolt Action Rifle!
PLACE : JACKIE’S BRICKHOUSE RESTAURANT AND SPORTS BAR 1053 MARINA BAY DRIVE• KEMAH, TEXAS 78633 (281-433-8228) Please RSVP to: tef@ashotoftexas.net