Annapolis Guide » Annapolis

How to Buy a Sailboat – Part II

Rob — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:43:20 +0000

Once you know exactly how, where and when you will use your dream boat, the next question to answer is “what are the characteristics of a boat best suited for how I will sail the boat?” I believe this question is best answered across five dimensions: Rig type, sail plan, keel type, interior accommodations and overall hull design. Many great books are available to discuss these considerations in any level of detail you would like. Here is a quick overview.

Rig type and sail plan go hand-in-hand. Typically, there is a trade off between ease of sail handling and safety/flexibility. For example, a cat rigged boat with one large mainsail and no headsail (think Laser) is very easy to handle by one person, since there is only one sail. If you are day sailing in a small lake or close to shore where you can take cover if things heat up, this is a great rig—simple, easy to handle, quick to set up. However, it is not a very flexible design, since the sail can’t be reefed in big blows. A standard Marconi sloop is one step above in flexibility since it adds a second (head) sail that can be changed in size to accommodate wind velocity changes. In addition, these rigs today almost invariably offer roller-furling of at least the headsail, if not both sails, making on-the-fly adjustments simple and easy. This is certainly a rig with enough flexibility for stronger wind.

The tradeoff is that you have now added a second sail to handle, change, and furl. Moreover, the sloop is still pretty limited in terms of the changes you can make to sail plans. The cutter rig is the next step up in flexibility with 2 headsails and typically a much smaller mainsail. This configuration allows for significantly greater variations in sail configuration and a much wider spectrum on wind ranges within which the boat can comfortably be sailed. The tradeoff is a third sail to manage. Finally, the double-masted designs—ketchs and yawls—provide the greatest level of flexibility and therefore the greatest range of wind velocities to comfortably sail through. The obvious disadvantage is complication—2 masts, 4-6 sails. For my money, the sloop wins for Bay, Great Lakes and Coastal sailing, while I would want at least a cutter rig for ocean passages, with the ketch and yawl being that much better.

Keels are the next consideration with two primary questions—how deep and what kind. Deep keels allow for more stability (less heel) and greater angles to weather (into the wind), but limit the places you can safely sail without running aground. For me, the depth question is easy—racers should opt for the deepest keel practical for their sailing area, the difference on windward legs can be dramatic. I would recommend deep keels to anyone else who spends a lot of time beating to windward (whoever that may be). For everyone else, the shallower the better—more cruising grounds, more safe anchorages and less chance of hitting something as you go. As for type, if you are doing offshore passages or even long coastal passages, I recommend a full keel—the boat tracks better and gets much better “holding” than a shallow keel. Alternatively, if you do a lot of close quarters maneuvering, I would NOT get a full keel and instead opt for the fin keel.

Interior accommodations range from practically nothing in race shells, to full blown luxury (microwave ovens, flat panel TV’s, DVD players). The simple rule is to match the sailing type to the interior type. My guess is for all but the hard core racer, budget will dictate here (more on this in Part III).

Finally, consider the overall hull type. I examine two dimensions: SA/D (sail area to displacement ratio) for overall speed estimate and D/L (displacement to length ratio) for overall stability and maneuverability. Neither is a perfect measure and manufacturers have a tendency to fudge the numbers (but that is a different article), but they are a good general reference point.

In summary, the first step in buying a sailboat that will make you happy is to know exactly and in great detail how you will use the boat. The second step is to identify the characteristics of a boat that will best match your usage and start looking for boats with those characteristics.

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Hello From Nova Scotia – Part 11 – The Mackinnon-cann Inn: Where Home And Garden Television Meets The Travel Channel

Rob — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:57:25 +0000

I had spent a wonderfully rejuvenating night wrapped up in the soft high-thread-count sheets and comforters of my temporary home at the MacKinnon-Cann Inn in Yarmouth. After an exciting drive down the Evangeline Trail yesterday that included a very informative tour of the Bear River First Nation Heritage and Cultural Centre, followed up by an early-evening walking tour to admire Yarmouth’s Victorian heritage areas, I had definitely needed a good rest. But a new day had broken and I was ready for more adventures.
First on the plan was of course breakfast, so I got myself ready and walked downstairs into the tastefully decorated dining area of the MacKinnon-Cann Inn. Neil Hisgen, one of the co-owners, was working in the kitchen to prepare breakfast and occasionally dropped by to see how the guests were doing. I caught him for about ten minutes to find out more about this property and his own personal background.
Neil is originally from Racine, Wisconsin, and hails from a family with six children. He spent six years in the navy following which he briefly returned home, only to move to Fort Lauderdale in Florida where he started his hospitality career. He started working at the front desk at the Marriott Hotel and for the next 18 years worked in various hotels and restaurants, gaining experience at the front desk and in the kitchen. He capped his employed career after 15 years with a general manager’s position of a major hotel.
Neil met his business and life partner Michael Tavares at the end of 1997. Neil had made a good return on the sale of his first house and decided to invest it in a bed and breakfast. At the time Michael owned a 200-acre property on a peninsula near Yarmouth which they used as a vacation home. Michael had invited him to spend about a month at his farm near Yarmouth and Neil loved it. Being from the mid-west, he had always enjoyed the change of the seasons.
Neil and Michael were thinking about what they wanted to do and decided they were ready for a change, so they went ahead and opened a bed and breakfast in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia where there was a beautiful Victorian residential district waiting for them with many restoration opportunities. At this point Neil unfortunately had to go back in the kitchen to continue working, but Michael, his co-owner, joined me at my table to give me a more in-depth overview of their projects and his own life story.
Michael is originally from Boston and grew up in the southern part of the city. During college he majored in education, but after school he went into real estate and started his own brokerage firm. He was always fascinated by old buildings and illustrates this with a story from his childhood: at 12 or 13 years of age there was an old farm house nearby, and Michael always wondered who had owned it and lived there. So he talked to his mother about it and she took him to the land registry office to do a title search, obtaining a record of all previous owners of the property.
With these documents in hand he approached the current owners and gave them the historic ownership records of the property. They absolutely loved it, and from that point forward Michael was hooked on the mystique of historic properties. In his words, he loves to “peel back the layers of time” and started to buy and restore his own historic buildings. Over several years he completed eight restoration projects in the south end of Boston.
After Boston he moved to Key West and became a tropical landscape architect. He spent five or six years living and working in Key West, completing many garden design projects for the local gay community. In the 1980s he finally bought a 200 acre farm as a vacation property in Nova Scotia together with several friends. This was when his love affair with Yarmouth began. Michael moved his permanent residence from Key West to Fort Lauderdale where he met Neil in 1997 at a fundraising event. They lived together for a year and Neil helped Michael in his landscaping business. In the summer of 1998 Michael invited Neil to his property in Nova Scotia because he wanted Neil to share this part of his life. So for the last eight years Neil and Michael have been residing in Nova Scotia. Their first Yarmouth property was a run-down Victorian brick mansion which they lovingly restored in 1999 and turned into the present Charles C. Richards House, a historic bed and breakfast with three guest bedrooms decorated in the 1930’s Art Deco Period. Each room at the Charles C. Richards House features a private bath, cable TV with DVD players and period furnishings.
The MacKinnon-Cann Inn where I was staying was built in 1887 and is an example of the Italianate Victorian style. The house was built as a duplex for two female cousins, and to this day the inn features two staircases side by side. Michael and Neil rescued the property in 2000 and took it from a condemned state to the stunning mansion that it is today. All seven guest rooms are uniquely decorated in a style reflecting a different 20th century decade, from the 1900s to the 1960s. The main floor features five lavish parlours and Michael pointed out the beautiful patterned wood floor that was installed at great expense throughout the dining area. Neil is a talented glass artist, and many stained glass windows throughout the MacKinnon-Cann Inn and the Charles C. Richards House feature Neil’s artwork.
Michael explained that he is very active in Nova Scotia’s heritage community and mentioned that he is a member of two historic organizations: he serves on the Board of Directors of the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia whose mission it is to preserve and protect the heritage properties in the province. Both the MacKinnon-Cann Inn and the Charles C. Richards House are provincially registered heritage properties. Michael is also a member of the Provincial Heritage Owners Association of Nova Scotia which encompasses 265 provincial heritage properties. Both inns have won several awards, including the 2005 Restoration Award from the Yarmouth County Historical Society and the L.B. Jenson Award as a contribution to the development and economic health of the Yarmouth Heritage Community.
In addition to the two inns, Michael is also currently renovating the property right next door to the MacKinnon-Cann Inn, another Victorian heritage property which he is thinking of turning into a restaurant that will serve the tourists and local community of Yarmouth. The fourth recently renovated property owned by Michael and Neil is a blue-coloured Victorian heritage property located right between the MacKinnon-Cann Inn and the Charles C. Richards House. In essence, Michael and Neil have single-handedly transformed an entire street block, rescued four historic properties and turned them into stunning examples of architectural revival.
As an astute tourism marketer, Michael Tavares is also the President of the Nova Scotia Association of Unique Country Inns, a collective marketing and branding group that promotes upscale heritage tourism in unique historic properties. Michael is generally responsible for the inn’s marketing while Neil’s responsibilities focus more on hospitality and innkeeping.
Michael’s restoration mindset is based on a commitment to the preservation of buildings and a respect for the historical integrity of the property. He approaches his projects with a certain humility which he says many renovators today are missing since they are only looking for the highest return on investment. He is a strong believer that the cultural renaissance and economic revival of a town begins with heritage restoration and then trickles down to Main Street.
At the same time he also recognizes the need for protecting his investments, and as a member of the local Yarmouth Town Planning Council he has a chance to participate in shaping the future of this town. Michael and Neil have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless thousands of hours in their heritage properties and business ventures. Their efforts make a significant contribution to the economic well-being of the town.
The beginning was not easy since Michael was an outsider with new ideas in a town with long-standing traditions and established power structures. He was the new kid on the block. In addition, it took some time to gain acceptance, particularly as a gay couple in a rather conservative community. Conflict arose originally since Michael was also very outspoken and questioned the old ways of doing things.
However, his commitment to the community became evident in his renovation projects. Michael would call together all the contractors for each project, such as electricians, plumbers, carpet layers, etc. and told them that he would deal exclusively with them as local merchants instead of choosing a big box home renovation store as his main supplier. This commitment to local merchants has earned him a lot of respect and goodwill in the surrounding community, and today many people call him for his opinion before a debate of important issues that will affect the town.
After I completed my delicious fruit salad and omelet breakfast, Michael took me on a tour of all four properties. We started off with the smaller Victorian house currently under renovation where the entire first floor has currently been stripped down to the bare walls. As with his other projects, Michael is going to do the vast majority of the project himself and will call in specialized contractors only where needed. He is one of those people who have that special gift of spotting a diamond in the rough and taking it from a derelict hovel in danger of collapsing to a stunningly updated and stylish historic jewel with all modern conveniences.
We then went over to the recently restored blue Victorian mansion that was renovated by the previous owners according to Michael’s recommendations since Michael and Neil were going to purchase the property. We capped the visit off with the Charles C. Richards House, a stunning Victorian brick mansion with gorgeous architectural details, built for a wealthy local businessman. It was started in 1893 and took two years to finish and was the first brick house of this class to be built in Yarmouth. Most of the special building materials, i.e. the brownstone, granite and brick, were imported from the United States and make this house unique. Michael told me that it took him a whole season to strip the many layers of paint on the ornately carved porch and 32 weeks to repaint it, using eleven different colours.
I admired the wonderful details and stylish décor of the various rooms, including the flower-filled conservatory. Michael and Neil posed for me in front of the intricately carved wooden staircase that leads to the upstairs bedroom and this was the fitting ending for my introduction to architectural preservation and heritage tourism in Yarmouth. I thanked them both for their welcoming hospitality and got ready for my next item on the itinerary: an exploration of Yarmouth history at the Yarmouth County Historical Museum, located right across the street from the Charles C. Richards House.
For the entire article including photos please visit
http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/mackinnon_cann_inn.htm

Loans

Hello From Nova Scotia – Part 16 – The Town Of Lunenburg – A Unesco World Heritage Site

Rob — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:45:06 +0000

A delightful rest at the Lunenburg Inn after a very compressed and hectic day along the Lighthouse Trail yesterday got me ready for another day of adventures. At about 7:30 I made my downstairs in anticipation of a filling breakfast. Sure enough, a freshly baked morning glory muffin was served to quench my immediate hunger. I had two breakfasts to choose from: a hot breakfast featuring poached eggs with bacon or turkey bacon, or a cold breakfast featuring a choice of two items of either cereal with fruit / fat-free yoghurt / fresh toast with jam or stewed rhubarb. I opted for the cereal with fresh fruit and the stewed rhubarb which was delicious. The breakfast at the Lunenburg Inn was so generous I wasn’t even able to finish my entire portion. Appropriately strengthened I was now ready for a full day of discoveries.
At about 8:30 I made my way on foot into the town of Lunenburg, an extremely charming and scenic settlement that is home to about 2500 full-time residents and many thousands more during tourist season. Lunenburg is one of Nova Scotia’s favourite travel destinations, and for good reason. In 1995, Lunenburg was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its unique architecture and civic design as it represents one of the best preserved examples of a planned British colonial settlement in North America.
The town was founded in 1753 and earlier inhabitants included the Mi’kmaq Natives as well as Acadian settlers. Lunenburg was named in honour of the Duke of Braunschweig-Lunenburg who had become the King of England in 1727. The settlers brought in by the British Crown were known as the foreign protestants, mostly farmers who had been recruited from areas in the southern and central parts of Germany, Switzerland and France. They were deliberately chosen for their potential loyalty to the British Crown. Over the years this farming community turned into a successful seaport and shipbuilding centre, and even today High Liner Foods still has a fish processing plan in town.
I strolled down to the waterfront on Bluenose Drive on a brilliant early fall morning, with not a cloud in the sky. Several restaurants and inns line the street on the north side, and the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic which houses the popular Old Fish Factory restaurant is located on the south side of the street. The little town stretches up from the water on a fairly steep hill with long streets running east west, and shorter streets connecting straight up to the crest of the hill.
This was a quiet Friday morning, and the locals and tourists alike were still lying low. As I strolled up the hill I started to see shop-owners who were opening their doors and putting out their merchandise for sale. Lunenburg has a myriad of antique stores, small galleries and craft stores, and most of the houses are in excellent repair and colourfully painted.
The town presents a very unified image of clapboard covered homes, and the historic local architecture includes a charming range of styles including the Cape Cod Style, Neo-Classical or Georgian homes, a Scottish style which includes five-sided Scottish dormers, Gothic Revival, Second Empire and Queen Ann Revival styles. A typical feature of Lunenburg architecture is the “Lunenburg Bump” which features a projecting Scottish dormer, also referred to as the bump.
Lunenburg is an extremely charming town. The centre of the town is located near St. John’s Anglican Church, the most well known ecclesiastical structure in town. This church was built in 1754 and gothicized in 1870 to 1875. Just recently, on Halloween night in 2001, the church was gutted by a spectacular blaze under mysterious circumstances. The community was dismayed, but they raised the money and the church was rebuilt in its entirety.
Further up the hill is Lunenburg’s most prominent landmark: the Lunenburg Academy, an elementary school for grades one to five, is located at the top of Gallows Hill, overlooking the town. It was built from 1894 to 1895 and each floor has six entrances, six classrooms and six staircases connecting up to the next level.
From the top of the hill I walked back into the town’s centre and came across a monumental red brick building, the town’s courthouse and city hall. A beautiful park located on an upslope is adjacent to city hall and just outside the building is a memorial commemorating Norwegian soldiers that were trained here as gunners in Lunenburg during World War II. Norway had the third-largest ocean going merchant fleet in 1940 with 1100 ships, and when the Nazis invaded Norway, the King and government ordered these ships to proceed to allied ports. From 1940 to 1941 Norwegian whaling and sealing vessels ended up in the port of Lunenburg when Norway was occupied by the Germans. More than 1000 Norwegians were trained here for military service at Camp Lunenburg, and many of their vessels were converted into naval vessels and armed freighters.
Strolling further down the hill I arrived back at the waterfront where I decided to pay a quick visit to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Lunenburg historically was a proud shipbuilding centre, and the world famous schooner Bluenose as well as her daughter, the Bluenose II, were built here. The Bluenose was a fishing schooner as well as a racing ship and was launched in Lunenburg in 1921. Fishing schooners had become obsolete after WWII and despite efforts to keep the Bluenose in Nova Scotia, it was sold as a freighter in the West Indies. In 1946 finally it ran aground on a Haitian reef.
The Bluenose II was launched at Lunenburg in 1963 and built to original plans by many of the same workers who had worked on the original Bluenose. The costs of $300,000 were financed by a local family as a marketing tool for their brewery operations in Halifax and Saint John. As a result of her popularity, the Nova Scotia government bought the vessel, and it has become a goodwill ambassador and symbol of the province. The Canadian ten cent coin features the Bluenose and the Nova Scotia license plates also feature this famous vessel.
I entered the Fisheries Museum and was lucky to just catch the 10 am lobster presentation in the aquarium. A resident expert was demonstrating the various body parts of a lobster and talking about the lifecycle of these crusty creatures. Fortunately this specimen had its pincers tied since it did not seem to be too happy about being included in this presentation. The presenter went on to educate us about lobster fishing, demonstrating the different types of lobster traps in use.
Following this educational presentation I went outside and set foot on two different vessels that are permanently moored in front of the Fisheries Museum. The Theresa E. Connor is a schooner that was built in Lunenburg in 1938 and fishing the banks for 26 years until technology changed from hook and line fishing to fishing with big trawler nets.
The Cape Sable, built in 1962 in Leiden, Holland, is anchored right next to the Theresa O’Connor. It is a steel-hulled side trawler, the generation of boats that replaced the old-style schooners. The Cape Sable retired from service in 1982 and now teaches visitors about the lifestyle of fishermen.
I then went inside the museum which features a myriad of displays about the fishing industry on three different levels. The second floor holds a Fishermen’s Memorial room, paying tribute to all the fishermen who lost their lives at sea. Fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations and many fishermen have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The first floor features the Aquarium, the Gift Shop as well as a Fish Demonstration Room, the Hall of Inshore fisheries, a Marine Engine Display, an exhibit about Whaling and Whales as well as a Boatbuilding Shop. The Second Floor holds the Bank Fishery Age of Sail Exhibit as well as a Vessel Gallery and the afore-mentioned Fishermen’s Memorial Room.
The Third Floor has an exhibit on Rum Runners, individuals who daringly smuggled alcoholic beverages during the prohibition years from 1920 to 1933. Other exhibits on businesses related to the fishing industry and life in fishing communities round out the informative displays. The Ice House Theatre has a capacity of 85 people and offers a variety of films related to the fishing industry.
Every day the Fisheries Museum presents an extensive program that includes a lobster presentation, fishermen’s stories on the Theresa E. Conner and the Bluenose Saga. Practical skills such as net mending, trawl rigging and rope work, rope splicing and knots are demonstrated. Presentations such as “A Whale of a Tale” and “The Scoop on Scallops” are also held on a daily basis.
This was an extremely interesting experience, but if I wanted to make my way back to Halifax in time, I would have to leave the museum and make my way back to the Lunenburg Inn where I would have a chance to sit down and chat with the owners prior to continuing my drive along the Lighthouse Trail towards Peggy’s Cove and Halifax..
For the entire article including photos please visit
http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/lunenburg.htm

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Hello From Nova Scotia – Part 19 – Arrival In Halifax And A Stunning Musical Performance – Drum!

Rob — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:59:21 +0000

Slowly but surely my Nova Scotia discoveries were coming to an end. I only had one evening and one full day left after discovering the South West portion of this province over the last four days, following my last stops along the South Shore in Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove. As I rolled into town late in the afternoon I noticed the landscape: lots of lakes and waterways interspersed with low-lying hills. One of my first impressions was that many of the neighbourhoods had beautiful houses with well-kept gardens and established trees. Halifax presented itself as a very picturesque city. I did not have a Halifax city map on me, but I figured if I only headed east I’d hit the oceanfront sooner or later, which I did right near Pleasant Point, one of Halifax’ largest public parks. A friendly local gentleman redirected me to downtown Halifax to Barrington Street which is where my abode for two nights, the Delta Barrington Hotel, was located.
With his directions I was able to make my way downtown and had no problem finding my hotel. I breezed through check-in and went upstairs to my room to relax for a bit and take advantage of the in-room high-speed Internet connection. After refreshing myself I was ready for an evening of discoveries and I started to stroll down to the waterfront.
With its strategic location on the Atlantic Ocean, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia and Eastern Canada’s most important seaport. With an estimated population of roughly 385,000 residents throughout the metropolitan area, Halifax is Atlantic Canada’s largest population centre and a major economic centre on Canada’s east coast. Major employers include the Department of National Defense (Halifax has had a military role for several centuries due to its strategic location), the Port of Halifax, various government services and private sector companies. Several universities are located here including Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s University and Mount Saint Vincent University.
Halifax dates back more than two and a half centuries: it was founded in 1749, as the shire town of Halifax County and the provincial capital. It was originally established by the British to provide a counter-balance to the French presence in Quebec and Acadia (present-day New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island and the Gaspé Peninsula). Today’s Halifax Regional Municipality includes the neighbouring cities of Dartmouth and Bedford since amalgamation in 1996.
The coastline of the Halifax Regional Municipality encompasses about 400 km and is heavily indented with numerous deeps inlets protruding into the countryside. The topography is varied and ranges from lush farmland in the outlying regions to forested rolling hills. The climate is more moderate than in Central Canada and temperatures generally vary between about -5 degrees Celsius in the winter and 23 degrees Celsius in the summer.
Halifax is well-known for its cultural offerings which are enhanced by the large concentration of post-secondary students. Its music scene in particular is very vibrant and in recent years, Halifax has also become an important film production centre. The city itself is the largest growing area in the Maritimes and is connected to the rest of Canada and the world through a major airport. Via Rail’s eastern terminus is located in Halifax.
I headed straight east from my hotel via Duke Street to the waterfront to a complex called “Historic Properties” – a collection of historic buildings that was restored and redeveloped in the early 1970s. Many of the buildings in this complex are former warehouses of the privateers, pirates who were licensed by the British crown to raid enemy vessels. They brought back plentiful bounty that was stored in these warehouses. One of the most famous of these privateers was a fellow name Enos Collins, who started the Halifax Banking Company, the first bank in Nova Scotia.
Right at the foot of Duke Street, next to the Metro Transit Ferry Terminal that takes you over to Dartmouth, I discovered one of Halifax’ treasured icons: Theodore Too is a tugboat modeled after a popular character in a Canadian children’s television show named “Theodore Tugboat”. Today the Theodore Too is available for harbour tours, private charters, birthday parties and school groups.
I headed further south along the waterfront along “Harbourwalk”, Halifax’s famous Waterfront Trail. The sun had already set and the moon was shining over the picturesque Halifax Harbour. My destination was Pier 20, location of the celebrated show “DRUM!”, a musical presentation of Nova Scotia’s four founding cultures. I reached the location about half an hour before show time and people were already lining up in the common areas outside the theatre.
Right around 8 pm I took my seat and fortunately I was located right in the front row on the right side of the stage. The idea behind DRUM! is to shine a light on Nova Scotia’s four principal cultures: Black, Acadian, Aboriginal and Celtic. The evening began with a dramatic performance of aboriginal musicians playing their drums and singing an introductory song in their native Mi’kmaq language.
They were joined by an entire ensemble of musicians, dancers and singers who came on stage to share their music and from that point forward the entire evening was a beautiful carousel of music and song from four different cultures. The sophisticated lighting, video images and narrated poetry underscored the symbolic content of this performance that challenged the senses on every level.
DRUM! was originally conceived as a 45 minute tourism promotion piece as the main stage show at Tall Ships 2000, a special racing event that featured sailing vessels from all over the world. In 2004 DRUM! was turned into a full-length production and performed for ten nights in its specially designed theatre at the Halifax waterfront. The current run of DRUM! in Halifax will be followed by a tour through the United States starting in Florida and finishing in Utah. A tour of Ontario and Saskatchewan will follow in May, and the production will return to the Halifax waterfront in September of 2007.
The performance unfolded as one heart-pumping combination of music, dance, poetry, video, rhythm and song. At one point three of the female performers got up on stage and sang a-capella in the most beautiful harmonies one can imagine. My breath was taken away by their performance. Acadian washboards, Celtic fiddles and bagpipes, Aboriginal drums and sultry black voices came together to celebrate FOUR CULTURES….. FOUR RHYTHMS…..ONE HEART.
The sold-out audience was captivated by these talented performers, the beauty of their music and their message. After the last extended standing ovation I left the theatre elated, moved and inspired, ready for another final day of discoveries in Halifax. DRUM! was breathtaking in its theatrical beauty and its musical performance, and its message still resonates with me. I ended up buying the CD of this production to take this beautiful music and its spirit home with me to Toronto.
Here at Travel and Transitions we celebrate cross-cultural connections and understanding, and DRUM! was as perfect a musical representation of this spirit as I have ever seen. DRUM! communicates a message to the world: “We can hold on to who we are and still share a song, a stage, a country, a world.”
It doesn’t get any better than that….
For the entire story including photos please visit
http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/halifax_arrival.htm

Travel Tips

Maryland Dui Law â?? What are the Penalties?

Rob — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:49:50 +0000

DUI laws vary by state, so it is important to understand the laws specific to where you have been charged when going about your defense. Most states assess different penalties depending on your level of intoxication. The state of Maryland is no exception.

There are three different types of drug and alcohol related charges you can be convicted of in Maryland. The penalties are more severe for your second offense than they are for your first offense.

In order to determine whether or not you are intoxicated, the police officer will perform a series of field sobriety tests on you. If he suspects that you are impaired, he will ask you to submit to a breath test. If you refuse the breath test, your license will automatically be suspended for 120 days and it will be considered an admission of guilt in court.

If your blood alcohol level (BAC) is between .07 and .08, you will be charged with Driving While Impaired (DWI). The penalties for a first offense DWI are:

Â· Maximum 2 months in jail

Â· $500 fine

Â· 8 points on your license

Â· Suspension of your license

The penalties for a second offense DWI are:

Â· Maximum one year in jail

Â· $500 fine

Â· 8 points on your license

Â· Suspension of your license

If your BAC is .08 or greater, you will be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI). The penalties for a first offense DUI are:

Â· Maximum one year in jail

Â· $1,000 fine

Â· 12 points on your license

Â· 45 day suspension of your license

The penalties for a second offense DUI are:

Â· Maximum two years in jail, minimum five days if both convictions are within a five year period

Â· $2,000 fine

Â· 12 points on your license

Â· 90 day suspension of your license

You do not need to be drunk to get a DUI. You will be charged with Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled or Dangerous Substance if you are impaired by something other than alcohol or common non-prescription medication. This covers impairment from illegal drugs as well as prescription medication that inhibits your ability to drive.

The penalties for a first offense are:

Â· Maximum one year in jail

Â· $1,000 fine

Â· Suspension of your license for up to a year

The penalties for a second offense are:

Â· Maximum three years in jail

Â· $3,000 fine

Â· Revocation of your license and referral to the medical advisory board

The penalties for each of these offenses are greater when you are transporting a minor. Your first and second convictions will be misdemeanors. On your third conviction, all subsequent DUI infractions will be felonies.

If you have been charged with a DUI, you have ten days to request a hearing with the Motor Vehicle Association (MVA) to keep your driverâ??s license. If you fail to request your hearing in this time period, your license will automatically be suspended.

A DUI conviction may also cause problems with your insurance company. Many insurance carriers will either drastically raise your rates or possibly cancel your policy once they become aware of your conviction.

It is important to consult an experienced DUI attorney immediately after youâ??ve been charged. He will be able to help you deal with hearings and insurance company issues. Proper representation will greatly increase your chances of reducing your sentence. A good attorney can sometimes get you a Probation Before Judgment (PBJ), which would keep your DUI offense off of your driving record so that your insurance company will never know about it.

If you have been charged with a DUI offense in the Baltimore, Maryland area, please contact the law offices of Jimeno & Gray, P.A. today to schedule an initial consultation.

Travel Tips

Maryland Dui Law â?? What are the Penalties?

Rob — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:01:12 +0000

There are three different types of drug and alcohol related charges you can be convicted of in Maryland. The penalties are more severe for your second offense than they are for your first offense.

If your blood alcohol level (BAC) is between .07 and .08, you will be charged with Driving While Impaired (DWI). The penalties for a first offense DWI are:

Â· Maximum 2 months in jail

Â· $500 fine

Â· 8 points on your license

Â· Suspension of your license

The penalties for a second offense DWI are:

Â· Maximum one year in jail

Â· $500 fine

Â· 8 points on your license

Â· Suspension of your license

If your BAC is .08 or greater, you will be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI). The penalties for a first offense DUI are:

Â· Maximum one year in jail

Â· $1,000 fine

Â· 12 points on your license

Â· 45 day suspension of your license

The penalties for a second offense DUI are:

Â· Maximum two years in jail, minimum five days if both convictions are within a five year period

Â· $2,000 fine

Â· 12 points on your license

Â· 90 day suspension of your license

The penalties for a first offense are:

Â· Maximum one year in jail

Â· $1,000 fine

Â· Suspension of your license for up to a year

The penalties for a second offense are:

Â· Maximum three years in jail

Â· $3,000 fine

Â· Revocation of your license and referral to the medical advisory board

If you have been charged with a DUI offense in the Baltimore, Maryland area, please contact the law offices of Jimeno & Gray, P.A. today to schedule an initial consultation.

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Enjoy a Multitude of Memories by Travelling in Nova Scotia

Rob — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:54:16 +0000

Nova Scotia is an ethereal peninsula that juts off of Canada’s eastern coast into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s array of geography from dense, rich forests to windswept, rocky shores and fertile inland orchards make it the perfect vacation spot for those who enjoy scenic travelling.

Nova Scotia’s European settlement was established in 1605 by the French – one of the first settlements in North America but is now home to a vibrant mix of ethnic backgrounds. Only in Nova Scotia can you enjoy such a unique combination of European history as well as a celebration of cultural diversity.

You can visit historical landmarks such as Fort Louisbourg and Halifax Citadel. Step back in time and view the Capital city, Halifax, from the Citadel, a fortress completed in 1856 and in use by British and Canadian Forces until the Second World War. Experience the Victorian age recreations of soldiers training in the courtyard – kilts and all! The Citadel also portrays soldier’s wives and civilians in it’s authentic recreations.

Nova Scotia’s history also plays a role in of one of the largest sea tragedies, the sinking of the Titanic, and is home to the graves of the largest concentration of the victims.

If you enjoy the scenery or want to take an active vacation there are several scenic trails that meander through Nova Scotia’s inlands and coastal areas. There are also hiking, canoe, kayaking and biking routes and tours.

Spring is welcomed with the traditional festivities of the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival in May where you can enjoy parades, celebrations and the breathtaking beauty of some of the loveliest apple orchards in full bloom. The fall is equally admired with the landscape becoming a fire of brightly colored trees painting the hills and valleys with orange, yellow and red.

Enjoy the barren, rocky landscape of Peggy’s Cove and visit the most photographed lighthouse in the world. You’ll also be impressed with the awesome power and beauty of the ocean crashing and spraying over the rocks. Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy is home to the world’s highest tides – so watch out when enjoying the many beaches that cover 100’s of kilometers of coast.

If you enjoy city life, than you’ll love the quaint pubs, shops and the art shops of the historic properties in Halifax. There is also high style shopping on Spring Garden Road or you can take a glimpse of works by up and coming artists at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design – a leading visual arts university in North America for more than a century.

Whatever your pleasure – you’ll find something to love in Nova Scotia!

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Grassroots Leadership Principles Ã¢â?¬” a Review of ItÃ¢â?¬â?¢s Your Ship

Rob — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:47:34 +0000

At the age of 36, Michael Abrashoff was selected to become Commander of the USS Benfold Ã¢â?¬” at the time, the most junior commanding officer in the Pacific Fleet. The immediate challenges that faced him were staggering: Exceptionally low morale with unacceptably high turnover. Few thought that this ship could improve. In many ways, the Benfold was actually an extreme example of the same problems facing many organizations today.

As the new head of his own command Michael only became more resolved. Ã¢â?¬Å?In my induction ceremony, my predecessor left to cheers. The crew was actually clapping as he and his family departed. I knew then that command and control leadership was dead.Ã¢â?¬Â

Ã¢â?¬Å?A lot of people do whatever it takes to secure the next promotion. All I ever wanted to do in the navy was to command a ship. I did not care if I ever got promoted again. And that attitude enabled me to do the right things for my people instead of doing the right things for my career. Along the way, it was my people that created the results that ensured my next promotion.Ã¢â?¬Â

The solution was to establish a system of beliefs that Michael calls GrassRoots Leadership Ã¢â?¬” a process of replacing command and control with commitment and cohesion by engaging the hearts, minds, and loyalties of workers.

In his book, ItÃ¢â?¬â?¢s Your Ship: Management Techniques from The Best Damn Ship in the Navy, Michael states that, Ã¢â?¬Å?The most important thing that a captain can do is to see the ship through the eyes of the crew.Ã¢â?¬Â

To Michael, this meant interviewing every single person on his ship, from the most senior officer to the newest recruit — an experience that began to generate the most invaluable ideas, often from the most unexpected sources. For example, through one of these meetings Michael was able to address one of the most demoralizing roles of the crew: relentless chipping and painting had always been a standard task for a shipÃ¢â?¬â?¢s youngest sailors, the individuals that Michael most wanted to connect with. One of these sailors simply suggested replacing the rusting hardware with stainless-steel nuts and bolts.

Ã¢â?¬Å?I took our credit card and bought the stainless steel hardware that day,Ã¢â?¬Â Michael commented. Ã¢â?¬Å?Those guys didnÃ¢â?¬â?¢t pick up a paintbrush the rest of the time I was on board.Ã¢â?¬Â Today, the entire navy uses that process Ã¢â?¬” a solution that began from GrassRoots efforts.

GrassRoots Leadership is a philosophy that empowers every individual to share the responsibility of achieving excellence. GrassRoots Leadership has as its core tenets:

Ã¢â?¬Â¢ Lead by Example Ã¢â?¬” GrassRoots Leaders know they must first change their own attitudes and behaviors before expecting their crew to change.

Ã¢â?¬Â¢ Listen Aggressively Ã¢â?¬” GrassRoots Leaders don’t simply listen, they hear what their people are telling them. They know that those on the front lines are the most familiar with how operations can be more effective.

Ã¢â?¬Â¢ Communicate Purpose and Meaning Ã¢â?¬” GrassRoots Leaders help their crew understand (collectively and individually) how their work contributes to the success of the overall mission, as well as understand how that work supports the personal goals they have for themselves.

Ã¢â?¬Â¢ Create a Climate of Trust Ã¢â?¬” GrassRoots Leaders trust and cultivate trust from their crew. Without trust, the barriers that prevent excellent performance will never be lowered.

Ã¢â?¬Â¢ Look for Results, Not Salutes Ã¢â?¬” GrassRoots Leaders maximize performance by making their people grow. They succeed only where their people succeed.

Ã¢â?¬Â¢ Take Calculated Risks Ã¢â?¬” GrassRoots Leaders know that taking prudent, calculated risks is instrumental in maximizing performance.

Ã¢â?¬Â¢ Go Beyond Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Ã¢â?¬” GrassRoots Leaders look at standard operating procedure as a guideline, because SOP doesn’t change as rapidly as the environment and competition. Therefore, they foster a climate that encourages people to come up with better and more innovative ways to accomplish their mission.

Ã¢â?¬Â¢ Strengthen Others/Build Up Your People Ã¢â?¬” GrassRoots Leaders focus on making their people grow and creating an environment where everyone can win, thereby making the entire team stronger.

Ã¢â?¬Â¢ Generate Unity Ã¢â?¬” GrassRoots Leaders work to not only change undesirable behaviors but to alter the underlying attitudes. By working toward a mutual respect for everyone, they level the playing field, permitting everyone to perform at their highest level.

Ã¢â?¬Â¢ Cultivate Quality of Life Ã¢â?¬” GrassRoots Leaders actively integrate fun into the work experience. They want their crew to have as much fun from 9 to 5 as they do at home from 5 to 9; thereby, gaining the passion, enthusiasm and creativity that they usually lock in their car in the parking lot each morning.

By every measure, these principles were able to achieve breakthrough results. Personnel turnover decreased to an unprecedented 1%. The rate of military promotions tripled, and operating expenses were slashed by 25%. USS Benfold became regarded as the finest ship in the Pacific Fleet, winning the prestigious Spokane Trophy for having the highest degree of combat readiness.

His first book, ItÃ¢â?¬â?¢s Your Ship, has sold over hundreds of thousands of copies and is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal Best Seller. While receiving accolades from such business-minded entities as Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and others, perhaps the greatest testament to MichaelÃ¢â?¬â?¢s leadership style is represented by one of his crew, who published the following review of ItÃ¢â?¬â?¢s Your Ship on Amazon.com:

Reviewer: EW3 Holly (Davis) Simpson from Louisville, KY December 11, 2003

I am a plankowner* of the Benfold and admired Capt. Abrashoff’s leadership. His superior leadership brought the morale of our ship from just ordinary shipboard life to a ship that many in the fleet wanted to become a part of. Our ship was a show-piece and we were proud to carry out his orders.

What could have been a horribly desolate six months on deployment, including the holidays spent in the Gulf in 97-98, turned into a memorable experience for all, thanks to Capt. Abrashoff who even made UnRep a grand event! We learned from him that although we had a VERY important job to conduct, we were rewarded with pride in our accomplishments. Capt. Abrashoff was a very approachable Commanding Officer, an experience I had never encountered in the military and has been rare while employed with state government. He made an effort to see that his crew not only did their jobs exceptionally well, but that we enjoyed the festivities he provided for the ship while in port.

I have read his fantastic book, reliving all the memories of my Benfold life and have used his leadership knowledge to become a successful professional in the “civilian” world. To the readers who feel Capt. Abrashoff is “arrogant” in his leadership style–I think if you had as awesome a ship as the Benfold to be a part of, you would be extremely proud of it and the leadership that made it such a fine place to spend a few years of your life.

*a plankowner is a member of the crew of a ship when it’s first commissioned

Michael Abrashoff is originally from Altoona, Pennsylvania and is a 1982 graduate of the Naval Academy in Annapolis. He currently resides in Arlington, Virginia and has recently published his second book, Get Your Ship Together.

Terence R. Traut is the president of Entelechy, Inc., a company that helps organizations unlock the potential of their people through customized training programs in the areas of sales, management, customer service, and training. Terence can be reached at 603-424-1237 or ttraut@unlockit.com. Check out Entelechy’s website at www.unlockit.com.
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Enjoy A Memorable Nova Scotia Vacation

Rob — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:46:29 +0000

Nova Scotia can be found on Canada’s eastern coast bordering the Atlantic Ocean. This Peninsula touts dense, rich forests to windswept, rocky shores and fertile inland orchards that make it a perfect vacation spot for scenic viewing and perfect relaxation.

The French first settled in Nova Scotia in 1605 – one of the oldest settlements in North America by Europeans. This is now home to a vibrant ethnic mix of cultures. Nova Scotia offers a unique combination of European history along with its cultural diversity.

On your vacation, visit historical landmarks such as the Halifax Citadel. Go back in time and view the Capital city, Halifax, from the Citadel, a fortress completed in 1856 and in use by British and Canadian Forces until the Second World War. Experience the Victorian age recreations of soldiers training in the courtyard – kilts and all! The Citadel also portrays soldier’s wives and civilians in authentic recreations.

Nova Scotia’s history also plays a role in of one of the largest sea tragedies in recorded history, the sinking of the Titanic, and is home to the graves of the largest concentration of the victims.

Do you enjoy the outdoors? Want to take an active vacation? there are several scenic trails that cut through Nova Scotia’s inlands and coastal areas. There are also hiking, canoe, kayaking and biking routes and tours.

Spring ushers in the traditional festivities of the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival in May where you can enjoy parades, celebrations and the breathtaking beauty of some of the loveliest apple orchards in full bloom. Fall is equally well admired with the landscape becoming a sea of brightly colored trees painting the hills and valleys with orange, yellow and red.

View the barren, rocky landscape of Peggy’s Cove and visit the most photographed lighthouse in the world. You’ll also be impressed with the awesome power and beauty of the ocean crashing and spraying over the rocks. Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy is home to the world’s highest tides – so be aware when enjoying the many beaches that dot the coastline.

There are quaint pubs, shops and the art shops of the historic properties in Halifax. Great high end shopping on Spring Garden Road or take a glimpse of works by up and coming artists at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design – a leading visual arts university in North America for more than a century.

Nova Scotia, a beautiful and diverse local, whatever your taste and enjoyment, there is always something for everyone!

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Charming Chesapeake Bay Vacations

Rob — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:34:59 +0000

Chesapeake Bay is not the kind of place that you’ll see looming in the distance as you head down the highway. You can’t just type the name into a Web site or your car’s navigation system and expect it to turn up a specific point on the map, and when you tell people this is where you’re headed, expect follow up questions. Chesapeake Bay covers an impressive 2,500 square miles just begging to be explored, so narrow your focus and prepare to encounter a geographically unique, endlessly entertaining locale that also qualifies as a state of mind.Located between Maryland and Virginia, Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary on the continent, meaning it’s the meeting place for freshwater rivers and the salty sea. From the Native Americans of yesteryear to the world-weary vacationers of today, this expansive stretch of open water plus the settlements that have sprung up around it have attracted all sorts of people looking to live, work and play in a beautiful place. If you’re interested in the basic facts, the name means “great shellfish bay” because it is home to over 170 species of shellfish. There are also at least 350 kinds of fish and a couple thousand plant varieties. Judging by all this vibrant and exuberant life, there must be something life-affirming about this region. Once you lay eyes on the bay, you’ll start to get a feel for what that is. No matter where you end up stopping off, you’ll instantly absorb the rich history, conservation-themed attitudes, East Coast charm, and a healthy sense of fun that pervades the towns. From Annapolis to Virginia Beach, the restaurants, festivals, and constant array of activities will be more than enough to fill a memory-making vacation for you and yours.Watch the constant flow of ocean-going ships as you walk along the bay each morning. Check out historic districts that claim ties to the likes of long-ago English explorers like John Smith, or take a narrated boat tour that will fill you in on a few juicy tidbits. As you can imagine, fishing is huge here, so investigate the licensing laws and regulations before casting a line in the hopes of reeling in some fresh dinner. Rockfish, drum and trout are just a few of the favorite finds.Also out on the water you’ll find a number of boating opportunities. Yachters and sailors can take up their sport of choice in a prime location, and joining a few fellow wave catchers will add to your joy at being out on the open water. Camaraderie, speed, and beautiful scenery…what more could you need? Marinas and docks are everywhere you look, ready to meet your needs no matter what you decide to do. Special events are plentiful here, especially during the warm weather. Easterners know how to cherish warm days and sunshine, and planning your visit to coincide with a festival will surely be worth your while. Many revolve around seafood; Crab Days and Clam Bakes bring people together for music, dancing, and all sorts of delicious delights. Arts and crafts are also big draws, as are boat fests and regattas and Fourth of July celebrations. As you can see, there’s rarely a dull moment on Chesapeake Bay. You may be tempted to dabble in all the different points of view that the Bay provides; from the head to the mouth goodness knows there’s much to take in. however, in the interest of a leisurely vacation, it would be best to settle into a vacation rental. Give yourself a home base to be proud of, one that will keep you and your companions living in comfort, close to the water and to one or two city settlements where you can find groceries, entertainment and lots of laid-back energy. There are many choices to be made when it comes to Chesapeake Bay, so do a little research now in order to fully enjoy yourself later. Select the spot that tickles your fancy, pick out a Chesapeake Bay Vacation Rental, whose pictures and descriptions intrigue you, and prepare to be immersed in the bounties of the bay.

Visit CyberRentals.com to discover your next fabulous vacation condo, cottage or cabin.
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