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Landing the job of your dreams in 10 easy steps
BY: MEGHAN FEIR
Whether you just quit a job you’ve been working at for 28 years, or you just left the arms of your alma mater, there comes a time in a human’s life when interviewing for a job is necessary. Weaving through the expectations, sifting through the stressful questions and attempting to look like the best your city has to offer can weigh heavily on anyone’s shoulders. These surefire tips to success are guaranteed to get results, or your money back! (Please read disclaimer, conveniently placed at end of article.)
Before the big interview… 1
Be prepared to show ‘em what ya got (have, actually – what you have). Be unique. Be different. Try really hard to act like someone they’ve never hired before. Be a little cocky. After all, why shouldn’t you brag about the trophy you won in a third-grade science fair? You earned it.
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Emulate every Abercrombie & Fitch store by wearing gallons of cologne – enough to where office evacuation may be necessary upon your arrival. Why? They’ll certainly remember you, which will give you an edge over the competition.
During the big interview…
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Interrupt them as they’re halfway through asking you a question by finishing the query you think they’re about to ask you. By taking the words right out of their mouth, you will impress them with your intuitive nature. “It’s like he’s a mind reader, or something. Hire him!”
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Just as the most successful relationships are built on games, play hard-to-get during your interview. Add a lump of apathy to your recipe for success. Yeah, sure, you care about getting the job, but not THAT much. When they ask you why you would be a great fit for their company and the position, emphasize, emphasize, emphasize that this is definitely not your first choice, but that, out of the goodness of your heart, you know
they need you. If you do decide to go with this option, forgo step No. 10. route you could take is to be the 5 Another over-attached, obsessed fan. When was the last time you saw someone tattoo the State Farm logo on their forehead? Yeah, exactly. Showing intense devotion to the company will flatter you into the position. They may act weirded out, but that’s all in jest. Don’t sweat it.
After the big interview… you’ve finished answering their last query, 6 After following the “Well, I think we’ve asked all we
need to, at this point in time,” or whatever, let out a ginormous – I’m talking HUGE – sigh. Take a large gasp of air, hold it in for a few seconds, and release all the tension you built up as a parting gift to your interviewers.
releasing your pent-up stress-ball of 7 After air, hug the interviewer(s) as you bid them
farewell. If you find this slightly uncomfortable, just remember this: When in doubt, hug it out.
8 Grab
your things quickly, shake their hand exuberantly and dash out of the office. If you’re capable of sprinting, like in your 100-meterdash, glory days of high school, go for it.
9 Once you’ve reached your car, bike or extra
pair of legs, peel out of the parking lot. Make another scene. They’ll love it.
10 Call them an hour after the interview to see if they have reached a verdict on the position. Once again, this will show them you care (but not too much).
Disclaimer:
Money-back guarantees are out of the question. Don’t follow any of the advice in this article. I have no money to give you. I repeat. I have no money to give you. At all.
JULY/AUGUST 2014
VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 1 CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dawn Siewert dawn@urbantoadmedia.com PHOTOGRAPHY Darren Losee darren@urbantoadmedia.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Soo Asheim Jessica Ballou Cantrell Meghan Feir Paul Hankel
PUBLISHED BY Urban Toad Media LLP www.urbantoadmedia.com /urbantoadmedia READ AN ISSUE ONLINE: issuu.com/thegoodlifemensmag
celebrating one year!
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ADVERTISING SUBMISSIONS Urban Toad Media LLP 624 Main Avenue, Suite 7 Fargo, ND 58103 701-388-4506 | 701-261-9139 The Good Life Men’s Magazine is distributed six times a year by Urban Toad Media LLP. Material may not be reproduced without permission. The Good Life Men’s Magazine accepts no liability for reader dissatisfaction arising from content in this publication. The opinions expressed, or advice given, are the views of individual writers or advertisers and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of The Good Life Men’s Magazine.
I JUST WANT TO FLY:
Area Skydivers Jump for Thrills, Friends
FATHERS
How To Be A Good Dad Despite Separations
LOCAL HERO
Not All Heroes Wear Capes
Landing the Job of Your Dreams In 10 Easy Steps
Hot Cars, Hot Nights: Cruise Nights Are Back!
Cigar Basics
Some Basic Tips To Help You Better Enjoy Your Cigar
Living Life In High Gear
Ben Schroeder Makes Heads Turn With His Approach Toward Real Estate
Bugs Be Gone!
Your Guide To Keeping Backyard Pests Under Control
Build It In Your Garage With A 6-Pack Build A Flip-Down Bar For Your Garage
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BY: PAUL HANKEL | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
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ne of West Fargo’s premiere summer events, West Fargo Cruise Nights, is back again and bigger than ever. The event, a classic car and hot rod show which started in July of 2010, gives area residents the chance to come out to West Fargo and show off their classic and custom cars and motorcycles. Attendees can head to Sheyenne Street, park their cars between Main Avenue and 7th Avenue, and enjoy an
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evening of sunshine, cars and motorcycles, and food and drink. Cruise Night is hosted by Toppers Car Club, a local classic car club, and also sponsored by WDAY, the City of West Fargo, and others. Cody Wendelbo, a Toppers Car Club member and one of the event’s organizers, promises that this year’s festivities will be even bigger and better than previous years.
• Third Thursdays of the month • 4:30pm to 9:00pm on Sheyenne Street, West Fargo • Both cars and motorcycles on display • Food and beverage vendors
The Good Life: What is the goal of West Fargo Cruise Nights? Cody Wendelbo: The goal is for everyone to bring their cars out and have a good time. GL: Is Cruise Night a car competition? CW: No, it’s not a contest. We just want people to show up, bring their cars and have a good time. They don’t have to be perfect. GL: What types of rides will we see at Cruise Night? CW: All types of cars and motorcycles. Everyone has their own idea of what’s cool. All types of cars are welcome. For the past four years, the numbers of cars and motorcycles that participate in the event has continued to swell, as has the number of people whom attend. Newer features include a motorcycle corral which, last year, included over 100 motorcycles. CW: We’ve had anywhere from 450 to 1200 cars and motorcycles at certain ones (Cruise Nights). It’s hard to believe! GL: Is this a family friendly event? CW: Absolutely. We have food and beverage vendors and try to maintain the family atmosphere. We do serve alcohol, but we keep everything under control.
As an underlying reason for Cruise Night, Toppers Car Club uses the event as a platform to give money to various local charities that are in need. CW: Toppers has an indoor car show every year. We raise money at that and then give that money away to local charities at each of our Cruise Nights. GL: What’s the easiest way to sign up for Cruise Night? CW: The easiest way is to just show up, park your ride and come to the event tent to fill out a window card. We just need the year, make and model of your ride and that’s it! This year’s Cruise Nights events kick off on June 19 and are held on the 3rd Thursday of every month from 4:30pm to 9:00pm on Sheyenne Street in West Fargo. If you can’t make it to the event, The Jay Thomas Show live broadcasts from 2:00pm to 5:00pm from each Cruise Night event on 970 AM and, this year, WDAY TV will be broadcasting live from Cruise Night on August 21st. West Fargo Cruise Nights is one of the many events that showcase what this area is all about: celebrating the short summer months by getting together, having a good time, and raising funds for worthy causes in our area. So, shine up your ride, head out to Sheyenne Street and come join the fun!
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5:00pm to 9:00pm Broadway, Downtown Fargo Thursday, August 7 Thursday, September 4
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PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
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FATHERS
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AWAY BUT NOT APART: HOW TO BE A GOOD DAD DESPITE SEPARATIONS BY: CAREY CASEY | WWW.FATHERS.COM
o you find yourself often separated from your children? Whether it’s due to job demands, divorce, military service or some other challenge, this is a growing issue for today’s fathers … including me. I travel a lot for work; I’m away from home much more than I would like to be, although my family knows that I have a calling on my life. Still, I have to accept the fact that as a road warrior dad, my absence can add to today’s crisis of fatherlessness. For all of you guys who love your kids and can’t be there as much as you would like, you can be “away but not apart.” Here are 3 thoughts that have helped me stay connected at home. I know many of you have other tried-and-true strategies that work. 1. Have a heart-to-heart talk with your family members. 10
Is your absence weakening your relationships? You might be ignoring some warning signs or losing touch with your wife and children more than you realize. Sometimes I’ll ask Chance, “Son, am I gone too much?” And he’ll say, “No, Dad, I’m okay. I know what you’re doing.” Ask your bride, too. That feedback also helps you to keep your priorities straight when you are together. Your time and attention becomes more focused. Also, dad, be open to the possibility that changes may be necessary. If your family relationships are suffering or even dangerously at-risk, it’s worth checking into a different position at your company or even changing jobs. That might seem like an extreme option, but it’s much easier than a divorce, if you’re married, or seeing your children go through major struggles without you (or because of your absence). 2. Find ways to stay in touch while you’re apart. Invest
Action Points some extra effort and expense, whether that means texting, video conferencing, or your preferred way of staying in touch. Set up regular times for phone calls, so everyone can be available and expect your call. Be creative and find new ways to connect. 3. Conduct yourself with integrity. This might seem totally separate from your role as a father or a husband, but it’s all connected. Doing what’s right when you’re away from your children makes you a better man, which makes you a better father. Your self-discipline and character will make a difference in you life in many ways, and will spill over to your kids. Even when you aren’t with your children or you have legal challenges with their mom, do the right thing and keep your poise. You will bless your kids by maintaining a high reputation and a virtuous life.
• If at all possible, shorten your work trip. Can you squeeze in a late meeting and then fly home late instead of waiting another day? • Before a business trip, be sensitive to your wife’s feelings and find ways to lighten her load in some way. Also, do a few special one-on-one things with each of your kids. Build up a reservoir of time so your absence isn’t quite as difficult. • Tell your children about why you’re leaving — what you hope to accomplish and the bigger-picture benefits it will bring to clients, consumers, or families. • Leave your family members small gifts or notes of encouragement that they’ll find when you’re gone. • Put some planning into your re-entry back home. The first few minutes after you walk in the house can make a big difference. (And save discipline issues and bills until later.) 11
CIGAR BASICS Some basic tips to help you better enjoy your cigar. BY: CANTRELL
Choosing a cigar. Mild cigars are recommended for beginners, since the more full-flavored cigars will taste too strong to a new smoker. Each wrapper gives a unique taste and flavor to a cigar. Darker wrappers tend to have a fuller flavor, while paler cigars tend to be milder. Start by choosing several single cigars. Sample a few before committing to a full box. Cigars tend to dry up in less than 24 hours after removal from a humidor. The easiest way to know if a cigar is fresh is to gently squeeze the cigar. The wrapper should be tender and free of cracking.
How you light your cigar is important. First clip off the end with a cigar cutter – about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch. Never light a cigar with paper matches or a gas burning Zippo. It will give the cigar a bad chemical taste. Instead, use wooden matches or a butane lighter. Hold the cigar horizontally and slightly above the flame and rotate it slowly so it becomes evenly charred. Next, hold the cigar closer to the flame and draw in to ignite it. Avoid flicking ashes off the end of the cigar. A long ash helps the cigar burn correctly. The enjoyment that you get from smoking a cigar is taking your time to experience the flavor and the taste without having to inhale.
Where to purchase. The best place to buy cigars is a well-established tobacconist, preferably one with a walk-in humidor, or one that stores its cigars in a good-sized humidified cabinet. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most tobacconists are pleased to help you out.
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HUMIDOR
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PHOTO BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
1
CIGAR CUTTER
3 BUTANE LIGHTER
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PREMIUM CIGARS
1 Store your cigars in a humidor to keep them fresh and ready to smoke. Humidors come in a wide variety of styles and prices. 2 A must-have tool for an accurate cut and the perfect draw. There are many types of cutters from punch cutters to cigar scissors. 3 Cigar lighters are a essential for any true cigar aficionado. Don’t forget the butane! 4 Don’t skimp on your cigar. You don’t have to spend a fortune, but smoking a low grade cigar may lessen the experience.
LIVING LIFE IN HIGH GEAR
BEN SCHROEDER MAKES HEADS TURN WITH HIS APPROACH TOWARD REAL ESTATE
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BY: MEGHAN FEIR | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
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here you are, ready to meet your Realtor®, when a guy in a blacked-out Corvette (resembling the Batmobile) pulls up. Exiting the car like a man who knows how to make an entrance, he’s donning a wardrobe that looks like he could’ve stolen it straight off a mannequin from The Buckle, complete with leather, man bracelets. While that scene may sound like it was stolen from a movie, it’s actually a frequently repeated clip from the life of Ben Schroeder – a father, husband, self-proclaimed, soft-hearted “wild man” and Realtor®. For six years, Schroeder has been making heads turn with his approach toward realty at Park Company Realtors, gaining popularity in the land of buying and selling, not only for his knowledge, but his personality. Schroeder is part free bird and part workaholic, but he has made these two traits shake hands in a partnership that has made him a smashing hit in Fargo. He doesn’t just own a fast car; his whole life is in high gear, and he prides himself on being the “fastest response in town.” Let’s take a closer look into the mind of one of Fargo’s most wellknown realtors.
The Good Life: What gives you an edge over other people? Ben: When I first started real estate and took the same approach as everyone else, I didn’t do very well. I was to the point where I said, you know, I’m either going to be genuine and it’s going to work, or I’m going to be out of this industry. I did just that, and ever since then, it’s taken off. If people know that you’re being genuine, I think they respect that, whether they agree with it or not. If you’re not genuine, they’re gonna pick up on that. GL: How would you describe yourself? Ben: I would say I’m a combination of Phil Dunphy from “Modern Family” and “The Wolf on Wall Street.” I think Phil is a bit too PG, but I’m not the wolf either. PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: BEN SCHROEDER 15
GL: So, you’re probably rated PG-13? Ben: It depends on which country you’re in. I’m a wild man, but I guess I’ve always had a big heart. I always look for the best in people, no matter what I’ve heard, and I sympathize with them. GL: What constitutes “wild” in your mind? Ben: I wouldn’t say it’s a bad thing. If I want to do something, I’ll weigh the pros and cons, but more than likely, I’m going to do it. GL: Would you consider yourself high-maintenance? Ben: Yes. GL: Besides your highlights, what places you in that category? Ben: Maybe not high maintenance. I just have a high self-image. My dad’s nickname for me in high school was “catalogue boy.” I always wanted to look good. I probably have more hair-care products than most women. 16
GL: If you could give one piece of advice to potential home buyers, what would it be? Ben: Do your homework. A lot of people don’t know you can interview agents. I would pick someone who you can feel comfortable with, whether it’s their personality or the way they do business. There’s so much information available. Take advantage of that. GL: With your constantly on-thego schedule, don’t you ever get tired out? Ben: The only thing that tires me out is when I don’t have control over things. There are a lot of outside factors that can affect a real-estate transaction – lenders, appraisers, home inspectors, buyers and sellers. That’s probably what I lose sleep over – when something happens to people who I’m representing and there may not be anything I can do about it. I don’t think the public realizes the things that can happen in a real-estate transaction.
GL: What is your recipe for happiness? Ben: Being myself. I’ve learned through other professions that trying to be someone else is just exhausting. If you’re just genuine, that’s what they love about you. I think it’s cool that I’ve been fortunate enough just being myself. In any career, that’s really hard to do because, usually, you have to fit some mold to be successful. For me, I’m just me, I love what I do and it’s worked well for me.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: BEN SCHROEDER
GL: What does living the good life mean to you? Ben: Just being happy. Too often, people work to live or live to work. When I got into real estate, I just decided to do my own thing, be happy and enjoy life. As long as I continue to do that, I really don’t worry about the other stuff. Schroeder’s favorites: Hair-care product: Rusk hairspray TV show: The Ultimate Fighter Beer: Bell’s Two Hearted Ale Superhero: Batman – millionaire playboy who has all the coolest gadgets – yeah.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: BEN SCHROEDER
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BY: JESSICA BALLOU | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
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What do an electrician, a college professor and a plumber have in common? They all like to fly without an airplane. Hans Nielsen said Skydive Fargo, the only drop zone in the state of North Dakota, sees a wide variety of people jumping at the West Fargo Municipal Airport. A lot of people are regulars, but a good number come just one time, too. There are mostly men in the club, but there are about a handful of women as well. The oldest person he’s seen jump was 76 years old, and the youngest is 18 years old, due to safety regulations. “We get people from all walks of life: plumbers, college professors, IT people, electricians, the federal government, flight instructors, college students and more,� he said. 19
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: TERRY PEOPLES
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: TERRY PEOPLES
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The aircraft they use to skydive is a Super Cessna 182, which climbs to 12,000 feet above the ground in about 15 minutes. Jumpers go up in groups of four at a time on the aircraft, which could include four solo jumpers or two tandem sets. Jumpers must weigh less than 230 pounds for either tandem or static line jumps.
Static line and tandem jumps There are two different types of instructional jumps that people can participate in: static line and tandem, both of which are $235. There are no deposits required, but payments must be received before jumping. After completing a tandem jump, the price for a static line course drops to $185 if taken before the end of the calendar year. Likewise, after completing a static line jump, the tandem fee also drops to $185 if done before the end of the calendar year. “Our prices literally reflect the cost of the drop, and we have the lowest price around because of that,” Nielsen said. A static line jump is made from about 3,500 feet in the air. Static line jumpers climb outside the airplane, hang from the strut below the wing and drop. A static line is attached to the airplane and the parachute container on each jumper’s back. As the jumper descends, the static line pulls open that parachute container and extracts a pilot chute, which extracts the canopy, and a few seconds later, the parachute will open. With guidance via radio from a coach or instructor into a receiver mounted on the helmet, the jumper then flies the parachute and lands in the open field near the airport. To make a jump, you must first take the static line first-jump course, which is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday and 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday. Weather permitting, the first load of students will then jump around 10 a.m. that day. A tandem jump involves two people (one jumper plus the instructor) who are harnessed together in freefall landing under a single parachute built for two. Tandem jumpers exit the plane at 10,000 feet and free fall for almost a mile before opening the parachute. The instructor wears the parachute and is strapped to the other jumper’s back. “If they want to be students of the sport, I’d recommend static line, but if they just want to do it once, I’d say do tandem,” Nielsen said. Not many people pass out while doing tandem, but it does happen from time to time, which can make for a bit of a less than graceful landing. To make a tandem jump, about 30 minutes of briefing and gear-up is required.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: TERRY PEOPLES
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Safety precautions Skydive Fargo is a not-for-profit club, so Nielsen said they don’t offer group discounts as they’re not a business. Everyone who jumps is required to become a club member. Annual dues of $50 are included in the price of a person’s first jump, and membership expires at the end of the calendar year. Club renewal dues are $25 after the first year. Annual dues include gear rental, instructor services, pilot services, gear repack, altitude and manifest services. Skydiving can be a dangerous sport, as jumpers can fall at speeds of 120 mph to 180 mph or even faster. Because of the risky nature, every single movement is practiced on the ground before going up in an airplane. “Some aren’t prepared for the rigorous, rule-following way that we do it,” Nielsen said. “But we also have an enormous amount of fun.” They take numerous safety precautions every time they jump, and drinking is prohibited. If anyone sees you even holding a beer, you can’t jump that day. Students can’t jump if the winds are 14 mph or higher due to safety regulations from the Unites States Parachute Association (USPA), the governing body of the sport.
That can be frustrating at times, Nielsen said, because new people can go through six hours of training, then the wind can be too high and they have to go home and come back a different time to do the actual jump. Every year Skydive Fargo holds a safety day in March where club members examine all accidents from the past year that resulted in death or injuries to figure out how they can do better. Weather permitting, jumpers will be at the drop zone some evenings and weekends during the summer when the weather is partly cloudy with winds less than 20 mph (14 mph for students). Some jumpers also participate there year round. Normally the temperature in the sky is about 30 degrees cooler than on the ground, and Nielsen said this is why they do very few jumps in January. Skydive Fargo recommends people call before they come out to the airport, which is approximately four miles west of I-29 on 19th Avenue North Hanger No. 8. Jumpers are asked to wear regular clothing and avoid sandals, boots with hook laces and jewelry. Skydive Fargo provides jumpsuits that fit over your clothing, helmets and goggles.
‘The greatest experience ever’ Sean Maki has been involved with skydiving for about six years, and he enjoys the freedom of the sport. He’s done 488 jumps so far. He’s also becoming a skydiving instructor who helps students learn how to do a static line jump.
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He said skydiving is fairly calming for him now, but it’s challenging so he’s always learning something new. “Every jump is awesome,” he said. Justin Wageman has been skydiving for only about two years, but he’s made great strides in the sport so far. A friend invited him to do tandem at 12,000 feet in the air in May of 2012, and he called it “the greatest experience ever.” After following Skydive Fargo’s curriculum, he became a licensed instructor in August of 2012. 24
“The thrill and adrenaline wear off after a while. I want to become as good as I can,” he said. All of his training has certainly paid off, as he was named Skydiver of the Year last year at Skydive Fargo. “It’s definitely been a life changing experience,” Wageman said. “And I never, ever thought I would do it.” When asked about the first time he jumped, he said: “Oh my goodness, it was incredible. It’s loud and the
‘You’re always learning’ Chris Gourde has been jumping for 18 years. He wanted to just try it once, but then he got hooked, and now he’s done nearly 1,900 jumps. “It’s always a challenge. It doesn’t matter how good you are, you’re always learning,” he said. “Every jump is an adventure.” He said he’s landed in a variety of strange spots while descending, including the driving range of a golf course, the West Fargo stock yards, someone’s backyard and the track of a horse park, just to name a few. When taking his first jump, he remembers thinking, “This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done. Anyone who says they’re not afraid is lying.” One of the main reasons he likes the sport is because you meet a lot of people you would probably never really meet or find anywhere else. Derek Cash has been jumping for about three years, and he has about 300 jumps under his belt so far. He remembers his first jump clear as day. “When the door opens, it gets real. You get a wave of adrenaline and fear. Then all you could see was blue earth, and it was beautiful.” Skydive Fargo isn’t a commercial business, since they don’t sell equipment or anything, and the club members said that’s a rarity in this sport now. Mike Ceynar got his start in skydiving in 1984 when a friend signed him up. He jumped about 2,500 times before retiring four years ago. “You need to make a commitment if you want to be good. You’re playing with your life,” he said. “The commitment is more intense. You can’t be a once in a while skydiver; that’s not safe.” “If it’s on your bucket list, do tandem. It’s the greatest thing you’ll ever experience,” he said.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: TERRY PEOPLES
air’s rushing, and it’s a cooler temperature up there. It was the most freeing experience. That sky is just expansive. It’s just unbelievable.” Nielsen, who has been jumping since 2010, said his favorite part of skydiving involves just being in the moment. “That first big step, falling out of an aircraft and everything is in flux,” he said. “You can’t be worried about the past; you can’t be worried about the future. You have to be absolutely in the moment.” Once you hit terminal velocity, you don’t feel like you’re falling anymore, he said. Terminal velocity usually hits around 10 seconds after jumping, once you’ve descended about 1,000 feet. He said they’ve had people do tandem dives and mark the occasion by proposing. Some people land in the sewage lagoons near the airport, although that’s only happened twice to Nielsen’s knowledge, and one of those times was four years ago.
After retiring, Ceynar sold his equipment and started cooking for people. He comes out to Skydive Fargo a few times a year to catch up and serve food on his homemade grill. He also brings a trailer and unloads a table, chairs and a couch so people can be comfortable while they all chat. He said they’re a tight knit group, and once you get your equipment, he said you can go to any drop zone in the world and be immediately accepted as family. “Maybe it’s something about life and death. When you trust your life to someone, you tend to trust them more,” he said with a smile. When asked what the good life meant to him, Nielsen had a simple yet fulfilling response.
“The good life is full and complete, doing worthwhile things in good company,” he said. “Skydiving at Skydive Fargo perfectly fits my view of a good life.”
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Bugs Be Gone! Your Guide to Keeping Backyard Pests Under Control
Mosquitoes
Let’s be blunt: nothing ruins an evening spent Limit the amount of standing water in your yard. outdoors faster than being The most common swarmed with mosquitoes and attractants for mosquitoes other summertime pests. Bug zappers, and other pests are the pools of water that smelly bug sprays, foggers and candles form in backyards, often from over watering the are the most common and widely used grass or from heavy rain. defenses. However, there are some Even a small puddle, no more than a few inches deep, can be simple steps you can take that will large enough for mosquitoes to lay eggs in. The same is true of help strengthen your defenses large collections of water, such as against summer’s peskiest kiddie pools and water barrels. Drain items that contain water after usage, or critters. store with a cover, in order to deny pests access to the water within. Keep your grass and plants trimmed. Mosquitoes rest in shrubs, grass and plants. They rest mainly during the day and become most active at dusk. Places in your yard like tall grass and areas shaded by trees are going to have higher concentrations of mosquitoes. Trimming your grass and plants weekly helps limit the amount of overall resting space available to pests and also denies them a cool spot to rest during the heat of the day. Refrain from wearing fragrances outdoors. Mosquitoes are attracted to bright colors and strong fragrances. Opt for scent-free personal care products and perfumes. Also, when selecting a bug repellent, choose a scent-free version. They are just as effective as scented sprays, and you won’t smell like chemicals!
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BY: PAUL HANKEL
Household pets are also susceptible to bug bites. Consider having your pet sprayed for bugs, fleas and ticks to ensure that they are happy and healthy while outdoors. Use citronella or eucalyptus candles. An irritant to mosquitoes, these two plants are essential for mosquito repellent. Any box store or outdoor store will have a wide variety and price range of candles, sprays and foggers for you to choose from. Again, try to ensure that the only scented ingredient is citronella or eucalyptus.
Ants, Wasps, and Bees Other pests can become attracted to your yard by things like sugared drinks and foods being left out in the open. Ants and wasps are the most common, as well as flies and gnats. Make sure to clean up your yard after grilling out, and be sure to purchase ant and wasp killer if you see a large amount of ant hills or wasp nests forming on your property. If you are having fly problems in areas such as your garage or work shed, consider trying fly paper. It’s a cheap, fast, and effective way of getting rid of them.
Garden Slugs The bane of gardeners everywhere, the garden slug is a very common but easily dealt with summer pest. Consider sprinkling eggs shells around the perimeter of your garden or flowerbed. This will keep the slugs out. If you find your plants or veggies overrun with slugs, the safest bet is to pick them off by hand. If the problem persists and you continue to see more and more slugs, you may need to invest in a chemical treatment. There are many different homemade sprays that gardeners use (including some that include beer as an ingredient!), as well as store bought chemical sprays and treatments. In our last issue, we gave you all the tips you need to step your grill game up this summer. Combine those grilling tips with these simple pest control ideas and you’ll be all set to enjoy your time outdoors this summer.
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BUILD IT WITH A SIX-PACK
IN YOUR GARAGE
Build a flip-down bar for your garage.
BY: CANTRELL AND JAY THOMAS | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
MATERIALS NEEDED • • • • • • • • • • •
Full sheet ½” plywood 1” x 2” Board 2-4 Hinges (depending on width of bar) 2 Eye bolts - 1 ½” with washer and nut Chain (length of chain depends on the height of the bar and the ceiling rafter) 2 Chain snaps or Quick links 2 Utility hooks - (for ceiling) Light utility chain - to anchor to wall 3 Eye hooks - (one small, and two larger) Washers and Screws Vinyl covering (optional)
TOOLS NEEDED • Beverage of choice • Drill and Drill bits • Combination wrench • Level • Biggest tool of all - PATIENCE
STEP ONE Bar top: Cut plywood to desired length and width. Cut a second piece of plywood slightly smaller. Secure the smaller piece of plywood underneath for support. 1 Top board 2 Bottom board
*If anything is missing, email Jay Thomas with any questions: jthomas@wday.com
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28 DISCLAIMER: Please drink responsibly and build with caution. We are not responsible for any accidents as a result of this project.
STEP TWO
STEP THREE
Attach support chains: Drill holes in the bar (opposite end of hinges) and attach eye bolts, washers and nuts. Attach chain snap to chain. Attach bar to wall: Attach 1� x 2� mounting board to wall. Screw hinges to plywood and mounting board.
STEP FOUR
STEP FIVE
Attach support chains to ceiling: Screw utility hooks into ceiling beam. Attach other end of chain to ceiling utility hook.
Secure the bar in the folded up position: Attach one end of light utility chain to screw. On the opposite side, screw in small eye hook to the garage wall.
STEP SIX
STEP SEVEN - ENJOY YOUR NEW BAR!
Optional: Cover your bar with some snazzy vinyl!
Add some flair: Decorate the bottom of your bar with your favorite signs, mirrors or clocks.
BAR DOWN
BAR FOLDED UP
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LOCAL HERO
Not All Heroes Wear Capes BY: SOO ASHEIM | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
I
t’s a pretty well understood fact that not everyone in the general public grows up appreciating the responsibilities and often unpleasant tasks of the men and women who wear blue: our law enforcement officers who stand ever vigilant in protecting the majority from the relatively few who would prey upon us. The men and women who provide the “thin blue line” between good and evil within our society who guard us, our homes, towns and cities are rarely appreciated until someone in need or 30
crisis mode calls out. And yet, within the back of our minds we revel in the security of knowing they are always within a moment’s notice willing to help, rescue or simply lend an extra hand to anyone in need as faithful as the having the sunrise every morning. However, as the need for more “street guardians” grows with every new population census, our law enforcement troops do not. In order to field the many needs they are called upon for – such as searching for lost children or sometimes older adults, breaking up spats between compulsive teenagers or inebriated spouses, rescuing individuals from situations not thoroughly thought out, every day traffic accidents, and being the pang of conscience reminding daily commuters the city streets are not for drag racing, police departments are finding themselves short-handed and stretched to the max. However, the constant need to intercept those who bring in addictive and dangerous substances to our communities has certainly not lessened. Our men and women in blue need more help in rounding up heroin and cocaine, meth and mushrooms just to name a few of the more commonly used street drugs available today.
That’s how and when the next level of trained “street guardians” are applied. They are generally known as police dogs or the “K-9” units. Their jobs as trained four-legged officers are to sniff out drugs, track people and help apprehend bad guys. It’s rather awesome to realize someone willing to rob a bank or hold hostage an innocent bystander is less afraid of a gun-toting law enforcement agent than they are of an eighty-five pound dog with flesh piercing teeth and a very serious attitude. Yet, time after time it has been proven true with many a tough guy surrendering in lieu of being charged by a police unit K-9. Among the three valued canines within the Fargo Police department is Sargent George Vinson’s partner, Earl. Sgt. Vinson, K-9 Earl, and I met a few weeks ago when I was invited on a morning ride-along. I’ve been in squad cars with other officers who have canine partners and none were nearly as handsome or (eventually) became as friendly as Earl. Within a few minutes of softly speaking to Earl and showing him I was a friend, he became as docile and 31
dogs, there are “multi-use” and “single use” K-9’s, each trained for a variety of commands. K-9 Earl is a ‘sniff and track’ K-9 not an attack canine. And that is what nearly led to his early demise. Earl’s dad is Tazer, a five time award winner and one tough pooch. Earl was among the first of Tazer’s litters and was also among the first for K-9 training. When it became evident Earl was not “aggressive” enough — at least not in the world of K-9 dog’s, it became a concern regarding the rest of his training. K-9 trainers spend as much as twelve weeks constantly training the dogs used for police work. Afterward there is on-going ‘maintenance’ training as well. Typical costs for a K-9 is in the neighborhood of $10,000 for the original training and the on-going training to keep a dog sharp and in ‘tune’ for the work they are expected. When it was decided that Earl would not be a “attack/take down” K-9, the decision was made to concentrate on his keen ability to sniff out whatever was given him and to this day, K-9 Officer Earl has proved time and again he is well worth the expense and time of training him well. K-9 Earl has so far seized over $500,000 in drugs and assets seized due to drug busts. Earl has also helped in finding individuals who have become lost. One example was an elderly person
NOT YOUR MOVIE STANDARD POLICE DOG Originally from Austin, Minnesota, Earl has relatives on both the Fargo Police Department and the Cass County Sheriff’s Department. K-9 Falco and K-9 Bali of the Fargo police department are Earl’s nephews. K-9 Ed, a member of the Cass County Sheriff’s department Canine Unit is Earl’s brother. All three are a breed of canines called Belgian-Malinois. Fairly smaller than a typical German Shepard, K-9 Earl is a deep dark tan color with soft brown eyes and more anxious energy than the Energizer Bunny. Within the world of K-9 32
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY: GEORGE VINSON
sweet as one of my three dogs and he didn’t continue to furiously bark as others I’ve been around. At the same time, Earl would most definitely not be anything I would want hunting me or determining I was his ‘target’ of engagement and take down. Sgt. Vinson and Officer Earl have a very special relationship. They have been together for seven years and when I say “together” they truly are. Earl not only goes to work with Sgt. Vinson, he also lives with Sgt. Vinson and his wife twelve months a year. To say Sgt. Vinson and K-9 Earl are best friends would be an understatement. But Earl’s career almost ended just as it was beginning.
who wandered away from home one afternoon. After hours of searching, K-9 Earl tracked and was able to lead Sgt. Vinson to locate the elderly man, sitting dazed and confused behind a neighbor’s garage. During a drug bust where the police were positive there was contraband or money, the car was towed to impound where the car was literally taken apart all to no avail. But Sgt. Vinson had observed Earl and believed there was definitely something being missed. Sgt. Vinson took Earl to the impound lot and let him go to the torn apart vehicle and there Earl sat and sat and sat. Finally, because the only section of the vehicle that had not been dismantled, it was decided to try reaching inside the gas tank — an area no one normally would place anything for obvious reasons. Inside the gas tank — floating within the gas they found a very well concealed package. K-9 Earl has won several championship awards and in 2010 K-9 Earl won the “National Case of the Year” award for street deployment police work. K9 Earl is the defending Regional champion in drug detection. He beat 83 other K9 teams in Anoka in March 2014 and took First Place Overall. It is one of K-9 Earl and Sgt. Vinson’s biggest
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accomplishments. Earl and Sgt. Vinson are continuing to go to the 5th grade graduation presentations at Fargo’s elementary schools. Needless to say, K-9 Officer Earl is the hit of the class every time. This year marks an anniversary for the two as the first class of 5th graders K-9 Officer Earl and Sgt. Vinson visited are now Seniors and graduating from high school this year. WHEN GOOD DOGS RETIRE Without a crystal ball no one really ever knows with total certainty what the future will bring to any of us. However, Sgt. Vinson believes being a K-9 handler is much more than
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simply having extra responsibilities; or having a well- trained canine for a partner. For Sgt. Vinson, “it’s a life style” which isn’t hard to imagine. He is the person who feeds, disciplines, trains, plays with, takes to the Veterinarian for routine checkups and when K-9 Earl isn’t feeling up to par. Once Earl has retired, Sgt. Vinson expects he will keep Earl with him, as do most of the K-9 Officers who have retired their partners. Sgt. Vinson was told he will not be able to have another K-9 dog. Does this mean Sgt. George Vinson will decide to retire as well and he and Earl will ride off into the sunset together? It’s hard to say. But one thing is for certain, there will be one happy dog meeting him at the door every night after work.
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