What I’m reading: Vol. 84.

Happy Friday, my darlings!!

If you follow me on social media, you know that I spent much of my week trying to get the broken air conditioning system in my house fixed. It’s been 90 degrees here, and that’s not so much fun when your bedroom is on the third floor. Thankfully, air conditioning repair company #2 came to our rescue this morning and the House of DitL is once again pleasantly temperate.

Continue reading What I’m reading: Vol. 84. at Diamonds in the Library.

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Best Scuba Diving in Malta

Sitting in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, the Maltese Islands offer fantastic diving that is easily accessible from all over Europe. It’s especially popular with U.K. divers, as it’s only a three-hour flight away. Around the three islands — Malta, Gozo, and Comino — the water ranges from 60 to 77 F (16 to 25 C), and offers some of the best year-round visibility anywhere in the world. Divers would consider 98 feet (30 m) an average day. We can sum up the diving in four words: wrecks, reefs, cliffs, and more wrecks (okay, five words). It’s a wreck-diver’s paradise, offering a window into history for both recreational and technical divers. There are so many great dive sites here, it’s especially difficult to pick out the best, but nonetheless we’ll try. Here are the sites we chose to represent the best scuba diving in Malta.

Um El Faroud wreck

Where it is: South coast of Malta
Depth: Maximum 121 feet (37 m); average 91 to 98 feet (28 to 30 m)
What makes it special: At 377 feet (115 m) long and weighing 10,000 tons, it’s an impressive wreck that you can explore time and time again.

The oil tanker Um El Faroud caught fire while in dry dock in Malta in 1995, sadly killing nine dockyard workers. The fire-damaged wreckage sat at the dock in Valletta for three years before becoming an artificial reef in 1998. The wreck currently sits upright in two pieces after a heavy storm tore it in half in 2005. The top of the bridge is at 59 feet (18 m), and the main deck starts at 82 feet (25 m), so you must have an advanced certification, and it’s best to dive on nitrox. A technical dive increases your NDLs even more. Qualified wreck divers will find some great penetration points, but be aware that the wreck is degrading inside, and in some areas electric cables now dangle precariously.

Cirkewwa

Where it is: North coast of Malta
Depth: From the shore, down to a maximum of 118 feet (36 m) on the wrecks. Average depth of 82 feet (25 m).
What makes it special:  The northernmost point of Malta, Cirkewwa has something for everyone: a reef, a statue of Madonna and two, yes two, wrecks to explore — the P-29 patrol boat and the MV Rozi tugboat.

At 170 feet (52 m) long, the P-29 started life as an East German minesweeper, but was sold to the Maltese Maritime Squadron in 1997 as a patrol boat to fight smuggling. It was scuttled as an artificial reef in 2007. The wreck sits on the sea bed at 101 feet (31 m), but you should be able to take it all in with a maximum depth of about 82 feet (25 m).
Before also being scuttled as a wreck, the Rozi was a tugboat operating first in Bristol, England and then in Malta. Sunk at Cirkewwa in 1992, it sits intact on sand at 118 feet (36 m), not far from the P-29. Both wrecks are in good condition.

The local dive club placed the Madonna statue at the entrance to a swim-through, one of those things you must see just to check it off your list.

The reef at Cirkewwa features an arch, formerly part of a collapsed cavern. The top sits at 39 feet (12 m) and goes down to the sand at 65 feet (20 m). The reef is great for a lazy, shallow dive, and even better as a place to do an extended safety stop or decompression stop after coming back from the wrecks. Because of their depth, you’ll need advanced certification for the wrecks and nitrox is best. Cirkewwa is also great for decompression and rebreather divers.

HMS Maori

Where it is: 328 feet (100 m) offshore in Valetta
Depth: Maximum 46 feet (14 m)
What makes it special: Bombed by German aircraft in World War II, this is a must-dive.

HMS Maori was a Tribal-class destroyer that performed numerous duties in WWII before the Germans sank it while it was moored in Valetta in 1942. Only the bow section made it to the shallow sand during the tow to its current resting place. Although it has degraded significantly due to both its age and its location in shallow waters, it is still a very impressive wreck. There’s also a lot of marine life sheltering in and around the wreck. Morays and octopus are common, as is the occasional seahorse. This site is suitable for open-water divers, and is accessible most of the year.

Gozo wrecks

Where they are: On the south coast of Gozo
Depth: Maximum 151 feet (46 m); average depth 114 to 131 feet (35 to 40 m)
What makes them special: Three — count them, three — wrecks, all accessible from shore.

You will definitely need to do this dive more than twice. In fairly close proximity are the car ferry the MV Xlendi, sunk in 1999, the MV Karwella, sunk in 2006, and the MV Cominoland, sunk at the same time as the Karwella. The Xlendi rolled over during its sinking, and now sits upside-down. But the Karwella and Cominoland stayed upright. The Karwella is especially famous for its photogenic stairway on the main deck inside.

They are all impressive wrecks with plenty of opportunities for penetration. But the depth of these wrecks, averaging over 100 feet, means that you’ll need the deep-specialty certification. A sidemount or a twinset on best-mix nitrox would help you get the most out of your bottom time.

The Blue Hole

Where it is: On the west coast of Gozo
Depth: Maximum 197 feet (60 m); average depth 49 feet (15 m)
What makes it special:  A great shore dive for divers of all levels

Don’t be fooled by your entry point — this dive site is stunning. On descending to 33 feet (10 m), you will immediately see why. The archway leading out to the open sea is around 50 feet (15 m) wide, and is as beautiful as any of the world’s top dive spots. The water is dark blue and crystal clear. Next to the blue hole is a coral garden, where you might see parrotfish, bream, moray eels, lobster, or octopus. Don’t miss the chimney, a vertical crack you can ascend from 59 to 13 feet (18 m to 4m) before exiting the water.

Deeper wrecks

Technical divers can choose from numerous deeper wrecks, each with a lot of history:

HMS Southwold: A Type-II British Hunt-class destroyer, sunk in March 1942. It lies in two sections 984 feet (300 m) apart in 236 feet (72 m) of water.

HMS Stubborn: A British S-class submarine, it was sunk for target practice in 1946. It sits upright in 187 feet (57 m).

SS Polynesien: A German torpedo sank this French passenger ship in 1918. It sits upright in 207 feet (63 m).

Malta should be on any diver’s bucket list, with new wrecks discovered all the time. Even if you’re not keen on wreck diving, marine life, such as moray eels, octopus, and nudibranchs, populates each structure. There are numerous dive operators all over the Island that offer a range of prices; one of the best is Divewise Malta, run by husband and wife Alan and Viv Whitehead in St. Julian’s. Diving is generally good year-round, but January to March is the coldest and windiest, which can limit access to some of the dive sites.

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ASWB Completes Practice Analysis, Will Launch New Social Work Licensing Exams in 2018

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) has released its 2017 Analysis of the Practice of Social Work. Changes to licensing exams will take effect January 2, 2018.

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The World’s Top Five Marine Reserves

Marine reserves and marine-protected areas (MPAs) are vital to ocean health. They prevent (or severely limit) human activities in defined areas, allowing commercially important fish, and other marine life, to increase in diversity and numbers. While we currently only protect 3 percent of the world’s ocean, new marine reserves appear each year. Some existing reserves have been particularly successful in their conservation efforts. Here are our picks for the top five marine reserves and why they’re working so well.

Palau

Palau, in the western Pacific Ocean, designated 193,000 square miles (499,868 square km) of its waters as a marine reserve in 2015, banning all fishing and mining activity within the area. With an area larger than California, it became the world’s sixth-largest marine reserve at the time. Palau’s president is committed to increasing the number of fish available to feed local communities. Further, the nation’s economy relies on environmental tourism, so healthy marine life is essential.

Palau has no military to enforce the reserve rules; instead, the Council of Chiefs placed certain reefs off limits to fishing. The local communities have a strong conservation culture, which was also key to the reserve’s success. A 2017 study demonstrated that the protected waters near Palau’s populated areas have twice the number of resource fish, and five times the number of predatory fish, as unprotected waters.

Pitcairn Islands

The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Global Ocean Legacy project has worked with Pitcairn Islanders since 2011 to establish a marine reserve in their remote southern Pacific Ocean waters. The project came to fruition in March 2015, when the U.K. government announced the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve. The reserve covers 320,465 square miles (830,000 square km) and is more than three times the size of the United Kingdom. Locals can fish coastal areas for sustenance, but the reserve disallows all commercial fishing. The reserve is home to more than 1,200 species of marine mammals, seabirds and fish.

The remote location makes enforcing the reserve rules challenging and potentially expensive. Administrators have used new technologies to monitor the area for illegal fishing and develop the reserve’s enforcement plan, including Project Eyes on the Sea, a low-cost integrated platform. It analyzes fishing-vessel behavior in the area remotely and is being used to develop long-term surveillance plans for the reserve. The project not only confirmed that the Pitcairn Islands has a low level of illegal activity in its waters, but also paved the way for new, inexpensive surveillance techniques for use in marine reserves worldwide.

Cabo Pulmo, Mexico

Local fishermen were instrumental in starting Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park on the east coast of the Baja California Peninsula. Designated as protected in June 1995, the park is home to a 20,000-year-old coral reef; the oldest of only three on the west coast of North America and the most northern in the east Pacific.

Although they’d heavily fished the area for years, local fishermen began to realize that they had to go further and further from shore to catch fish. The community decided to take the fate of the area into their own hands and moved from fishing economy to scuba diving and tourism. Local communities supported this move from fishing to sustainable ecotourism, and the area soon became a no-take zone. Following the action of the locals, the Mexican government designated the area as a marine reserve. It also became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The marine life biomass increased by more than 400 percent from 2000 to 2010 and continues to flourish. Work continues to protect this unique environment, as proposals for nearby coastal developments threaten the reef.

Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand

New Zealand has 37 marine reserves, including the Poor Knight Islands. This group of islands features a unique marine ecosystem with both endemic marine plants and animals as well as tropical species. The islands became New Zealand’s second reserve in 1981 thanks to this diversity and abundance of marine life. The reserve also has cultural importance, serving once as the home of an ancient people, the Ngātiwai.

All fishing is prohibited in the reserve, as is landing on the islands and taking or disturbing any marine life. Penalties range from imprisonment to vessel seizure and large fines. Strict enforcement of the regulations and best environmental practices by tourism companies have successfully created a reserve rich with abundant marine life.

Ross Sea, Antarctica

The Ross Sea Marine Protected Area became the world’s largest marine reserve when it received international protection in October 2016. It covers 598,000 square miles (1.5 million square km) off the coast of Antarctica. It came about through the unanimous decision of 24 countries, including New Zealand, the United States and European Union. Environmental groups, scientists and countries had campaigned for protection of the Ross Sea for decades.

The Ross Sea, or “Last Ocean,” is mostly untouched by humans and has not been heavily fished or affected greatly by shipping pressures. The waters are the Antarctic’s most productive and contain over 16,000 species, including emperor penguins, leopard seals and various species of whale. There will be no fishing in the reserve as of December 1, 2017. This new reserve is a great example of how the world can cooperate to protect our last remaining wilderness areas.

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Fighting back against prolific online harassment in the Philippines

In the past decade, more than 800 journalists have been killed in the course of their work according to UNESCO, while hundreds more have been assaulted, imprisoned or harassed.

The nature of the threat is changing as the virtual world spills into the physical. The experiences of Filipino journalist Maria Ressa show how reporters now face targeted online harassment campaigns designed to discredit and silence them. Julie Posetti reports.

Read more ...

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Just Send Love to IT - An Original Song About Today's Society

What do we do when we are blue about the events of the day? Dr. Jules Gilliam performs her original song (with music by Robert Hitz) that says when a tragedy happens in the world, you can just send love to it.

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Top Trends in Healthcare: Supply Chain in the C-Suite

As debate over how to view, and fund, health care through governmental reform progresses, it creates more budgetary pressures on healthcare facilities trying to manage an erratic stream of payments from disparate sources. However, things evolve, payment pressures will not abate, which is why having the supply chain involved at the decision-making level makes fiscal sense.

The supply chain represents 40 to 45 percent of hospital or healthcare system operating expense, second only to labor costs. This mix is expected to keep shifting, with the supply chain potentially overtaking labor costs within the next 5 years. Creating successful supply chain strategies requires a top- down approach with knowledgeable stakeholders involved at the highest levels.

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Self-Care, A-Z: Re-Fired - Grade “A” Living Into Possibilities of Self-Care

None of us do self-care perfectly; yet, we often try to live up to an expectation of perfection. Instead, let’s commit to live into the possibilities of self-care!

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Fantastic finds from Fortuna Summer Fine Jewels Sale.

Goodness gracious, the Fortuna Summer Fine Jewels Sale has some fantastic lots! It’s tomorrow, so if you fall in love with any of these pretty pieces, you’d better get your bidding muscles ready.

Let’s look at some of my favorites.

Lot 131: Tony Duquette Jade Pendant Earrings / Lot 458: A Pair of Etruscan Style Gold Earrings.

I adore statement earrings for summer, and the Fortuna Summer Fine Jewels Sale is bursting with options.

Continue reading Fantastic finds from Fortuna Summer Fine Jewels Sale. at Diamonds in the Library.

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The World’s First Action Camera for Divers

The Paralenz Dive Camera is an action camera designed specifically for scuba divers, developed with the help of divers from around the globe and built by a team of design engineers who share a passion for scuba diving and the underwater world. Designed to be as easy to use below the surface as it is above, Paralenz has developed the ultimate action camera for divers, with a no-compromise attitude to quality or functionality.

The team at Paralenz asked the international dive community what they would like to see in an action camera for divers. As a result, almost 250 divers from 38 countries helped develop the Paralenz Dive Camera. The result is a small, tough camera with some ground-breaking new features, never seen before on an underwater action camera.

Designers created a product that would allow anybody — regardless of their diving experience or photographic expertise — to record high-definition footage and take quality underwater pictures.

“Being able to get opinions from so many divers has been invaluable,” says Martin Holmberg, CEO at Paralenz.

“It made it possible to prioritize what was important in a camera for divers, and which problems we had to solve. On top of this they have tested the camera more rigorously than we could ever have done.”

Some of those key features include:

• Temperature and pressure sensors that log your dive and display this information in your videos
• Automatic depth-controlled color-correction, eliminating the need for lens filters
• Long battery life allows recording of 4K video at 30fps for over two hours
• Paralenz Dive App allows you to display dive-profile information alongside recorded footage and share it with other divers
• The camera has a 650-foot (200 m) depth rating with no additional housing — a first in the recreational-dive market

The camera is built from well-known and extensively tested technology, both in terms of software and hardware. But this is the first time these elements have been combined in a diver-friendly design.

“We wanted to focus on divers and give them the ultimate action camera specifically for diving,” says Martin Holmberg, one of the camera’s developers.

“This goal had a tremendous impact on the decision process along the way. This is not just about having a top-notch resolution and sharpness, the best components and the newest technology. It is about how we combine these elements in an intuitive design, with dive-specific functionalities, such as the dive log, share and camera in one.”

Paralenz Dive Camera Features

The camera that logs your dive

The easy-to-use camera gives you the freedom to focus on your dive. At only 5.6 ounces (161 g), the Paralenz is lightweight enough to mount on your mask strap. And, just like a dive computer, depth and temperature sensors log your profile from the moment you hit the water.

Once you surface, the free Paralenz Dive App compiles your dive log and tags all your photographs and video recordings with the time and depth where they were taken. You can scroll through your dive profile while displaying the relevant footage, which you can easily share through the app with your friends and dive buddies.

Paralenz World Compilation 2 from Paralenz on Vimeo.

No need for color filters

Due to the absorption of light underwater, photographs and video recordings are either tinted green or blue unless you use color-correcting lens filters or electronic white balancing. The Paralenz Dive Camera has a unique depth-controlled color-correction feature that automatically corrects the colors to match the depth at which you are diving — a world first for underwater cameras.

Longest recording times

There’s nothing so disappointing as running out of batteries halfway through a dive. The Paralenz Dive Camera’s high performance battery and low power usage means you can record in 1080p at 30fps for 3½ hours, and 4K/30ps for 2 hours and 15 minutes. That’s enough battery power to see most people through the diving day without a recharge. Thermo-foam insulation means the batteries will last almost as long in cold water.

Built like a cannonball

The Paralenz Dive Camera looks and feels like regular camera, and it’s made from military-grade aluminum and polycarbonate. It is lightweight, small and compact, but can withstand being run over by a car or crushed by a scuba tank. The depth rating of 650 feet (200 m) puts it far beyond the scope of any recreational dive camera on the market — and it doesn’t need a separate housing.

Real-time snap editing

Gone is the hassle of browsing through several hours of footage with heavy-duty editing software to put together a few short clips. The Paralenz has a snap-record function, which allows you to record and mark short video sequences during your dive. As soon as you’re back on the surface, you can view the clips directly on your smart phone and pick and choose the best of them to share on social media.

Comparison and testing

The differences between current action cameras and the Paralenz are noticeable. The top three action cameras on the market within the same price range are Sony’s FDR-X3000, the GoPro Hero5 Black and Garmin’s Virb Ultra 30.

When you compare the specifications and informational material from this range of cameras, the Paralenz Dive Camera demonstrates what a unique piece of equipment it is.
“Action cameras are made for every purpose, but diving is a one of a kind sport and divers place the most extreme demands on their gear,” says Michael Trøst, CIO at Paralenz. “We needed a camera that was actually made for diving — so we built one, and we hope it will make a difference to divers across the globe.”

Pricing and availability

The Paralenz Dive Camera became available in North America, Europe and Australia on June 1. It will hit the Asian market later this year. The camera retails for $599.00 USD or €649.00. Visit the company’s Facebook page for the latest information.

 

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Preserving journalism's legacy

As journalism faces numerous threats – from declining trust to the spread of disinformation –  the fight back needs to be intensified for humanity ahead to inherit a trusted legacy, Guy Berger, UNESCO’s Director for Freedom of Expression and Media Development, told attendees at WAN-IFRA’s World News Media Congress in Durban, South Africa, earlier this month.

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Curtain Do’s and Don’ts

Out of all the window treatment choices out there, curtains are possibly the most famous. They offer versatility that suits any window in your home, and they are available in a wide array of colors and textures. Despite how adaptable they can be, there are still do’s and don’ts to follow when hanging curtains.

Image Source: Flickr

DO hang high
The higher the rod, the taller the window will appear, so fix your curtain rod closer to the ceiling than the top of your window. The rule of thumb is that they should sit 4-6 inches above the window frame.

DON’T go too short
Unless you are using cafe-style curtains, the fabric should fall to the floor. These are the highwater pants of curtains and not a good look. A little puddling can be nice if you want a romantic feel but if you don’t want to worry about them dragging and getting dirty, then stop the fabric just before they hit the floor — a little under an inch is good. Source: ApartmentTherapy

DO consider the light. Which room are you curtaining? If it’s the bedroom, do you like to be woken by the first rays of daylight or do you prefer total darkness? Make sure your curtains comfortably clear the sides of the window if so and think about blackout linings or blinds behind.

DON’T be exclusive. Just because you’ve decided to hang curtains doesn’t mean getting rid of blinds. In some rooms different window treatments can complement each other. Source: InsideOut

DON’T forget the hardware. Curtain rods and finials should “match” the fabric. Heavier drapes such as velvets should be on a large and somewhat decorative rods while light silks and sheers can sit on light-weight and more dainty rods. That said, they should also “match” the rest of the room. Make sure they connect to something in the room.

For instance, if you’ve got Lucite lamps or chairs, a Lucite drapery rod might be in order.

DO consider what fabric is best. Cotton is versatile and easy to clean; velvet is luxurious and private but can be a bit heavy for some rooms; sheers are light and graceful but don’t offer much in the way of privacy; and wool is heavy but strong enough to hold embellishments like tassels and fringe. Source: TheSpruce

Get to know more about the curtains that will best fit your home when you contact us!

 

Contact:
Universal Blinds 
601 – 1550 W. 10th Ave
Vancouver, V6J 1Z9
Canada
Phone: (604) 559-1988

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Self-Care: A-Z: Re-Fired - Grade “A” Living Into Possibilities of Self-Care

by Erlene Grise-Owens, Ed.D., LCSW, LMFT, MSW, MRE, lead co-editor of The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals 

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Locals Take a Stand over Ray Mutilation and Slaughter

Local divers and ocean lovers are fighting to end illegal ray mutilation and slaughter in Melbourne, Australia’s Port Phillip Bay. Some local recreational fishermen are landing the rays as bycatch, mutilating them, and then throwing them back into the water alive. Back in the water, the rays can take multiple days to die.

The issue

Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city, surrounds Port Phillip Bay, which multiple species of ray call home. Fishermen are targeting two particularly, the banjo ray and the smooth ray. Banjo rays are similar in size to a medium-build dog. Beautiful, vibrant patterns cover their bodies. They startle easily and avoid humans when they can. Curious, friendly smooth rays can grow up to six feet wide. Divers often encounter these rays when the animals swim in close to have a look.

Over the last few years, unfortunately, local fishermen have slaughtered an increasing number of native rays and left them to slowly die on the seafloor. In recent months, divers have found large groups of banjo rays still alive, with their heads split open. They often take up to three days to die. Fishermen have also hacked smooth rays to pieces and thrown them into the water to suffer a similar fate.

Recreational fishermen using the wrong fishing tackle often catch the rays by mistake. It’s thought that they then either mutilate them in anger or kill them purposely so that they no longer catch them. It is legal to catch a ray for personal consumption in Australia, but it is illegal to catch them for another purpose.  The law states that they must be released unharmed back into the ocean. Failure to do so carries a fine of $300 AUD.

Local advocacy groups step in

Local advocacy group Project Banjo has started a campaign to #raysawareness. This includes a Facebook page, evidence gathering and an online petition calling for tougher and more defined penalties for people perpetrating animal cruelty. The petition has brought the issue into the spotlight, encouraging other groups to help act against this slaughter. Local activists have also been out campaigning and trying to educate people about these ray species while simultaneously collecting evidence of where and when the slaughters are taking place.

The Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body is committed to preventing this slaughter, and is anxious to help educate local fishermen. The state fisheries agency has also started listening. It is looking at educational programs, better definition on current laws, and stricter penalties for offenders who are caught by undercover fisheries officers who regularly enforce bag and catch limits.

By guest author Matt Testoni

 

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Self-Care Summer 2017 - Be a Part of It!

You can participate in The New Social Worker's Self-Care Summer 2017 project. Here's how.

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Enriching the Point of Care Experience through Meaningful Technology — Meet IQvitals® Zone™

As independent, outpatient medical practices have become part of integrated health systems, networks have struggled to establish standardized processes. This is a problem. Simply put, disconnected processes and devices at the point of care can have a big impact on costs and outcomes.

Manual vitals acquisition alone produces wasted time that can cost up to $1,600 per year per medical assistant. For health systems with hundreds of medical assistants, those costs add up—and the impact on clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction can be even greater. Studies have also shown that manual data transcription produces a 6.5 percent rate of error on average. Assuming a caregiver sees 20 patients a day, that’s eight errors just capturing vitals.

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Best Diving in New Caledonia

Tiny New Caledonia, in the South Pacific, is a divers’ paradise. The New Caledonian Barrier Reef is one of the largest double-barrier coral reefs in the world, stretching for 930 miles (1,500 km). It encloses a lagoon 9,300 square miles (24,000 square km), and has an average depth of just 82 feet (25 m). Dive sites are suitable for both beginners and advanced divers; expect clear waters and plentiful marine life including large pelagic fish species, dugongs, sharks, manta rays and macro life. There are also numerous shipwrecks, cave diving, dive sites outside the barrier reef. In short, the best diving in New Caledonia offers something for everyone.

The water temperature varies from 71 to 78 F (22 to 26 C) from May to September and from 81 to 86 F (27 to 30 C) from October to April. Divers will need a 3mm to 7mm wetsuit, depending on the time of year and cold tolerance. Visibility is usually good, though can vary from 30 to 100 feet (10 to 30 m). There’s good diving year-round, but March through September offer the best chance to spot mantas and sharks. Here are our top picks for the best places to dive in New Caledonia.

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Prony Needle

Where it is: Prony Bay, south mainland

What makes it special: From Prony Bay you can see the remains of Prony Village, a former penal work camp, along one of the inlets, nearby waterfalls, banyan forests and hot springs. The hot springs have created a tall pinnacle, the Prony Needle, which rises 131 feet (40 m) from the ocean floor to just 6.5 feet (2 m) below the surface. This pyramid-shaped pinnacle is ideal for all divers and makes for an excellent night dive as well. Expect to see plentiful corals, oysters, scorpionfish, macro life and a variety of reef fish. Spanish dancers are visible at night and the lucky diver might spot a pearly nautilus.

Details: Average dive depth is 82 feet (25 m) and those with time for a second dive should consider drift diving the Canal Woodin, where you can sometimes spot whales and sharks.

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La Pointe aux Cachalots (Sperm Whale Point) 

Where it is: Accessible from Hienghene 

What makes it special: Those looking for an isolated and remote dive experience can visit Babou Coté Océan, where they can stay next to a small tribal village while diving sites such as Sperm Whale Point. This cave and arch site features unusual topography, with cracks in the wall reaching to the surface and creating unique light conditions for photography. Divers can expect to see moray eels, conger eels, gorgonian fans and scorpionfish. Other dive sites in this lesser-visited area include the protected Hienga Island and Doïmen Reef. Divers visiting in November can also experience the annual coral spawn.

Details: Average dive depth at Sperm Whale Point is 100 feet (30 m), with visibility of over 65 feet (20 m+) and no current. The dive sites in this area are suitable for all experience levels.

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Shark Pit

Where it is: Accessible from Grand Sud, Goro

What makes it special: The Shark Pit is a well-known dive site in New Caledonia. It offers steep drop-offs, a sandy bottom, hard corals and the opportunity to see marine life such as barracuda, skates and grey reef sharks. A shipwreck lies tucked between Néaé Island and the reef.

Details: The current is strong at this site, which means it’s suitable for experienced divers only. Bring a dive guide.

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Dumbea Passage 

Where it is: Accessible from Noumea

What makes it special: This dive sites offers two potential dives. Canyon Fossil has varied and abundant plant life, a drop-off, gorgonians and often features hundreds of migrating groupers that congregate in small caverns during their mating season. You can make a second dive on the opposite side of the passage at M’Bere Reef, where there’s abundant fish life alongside black corals, steep canyons and a large World War II submarine mine. It is rare to dive this passage without encountering sharks, including grey reefs, whitetips, leopard sharks, hammerheads and blacktips.

Details: This very popular dive area varies seasonally. There are lots of grey reef sharks in June and the groupers lay their eggs during October and November. You’ll find the groupers in caverns at about 42 feet deep (13 m). The dives are often drifts with reasonable currents, and are suitable for experienced divers.

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Amédée Island

Where it is: Accessible from Noumea

What makes it special: Amédée Island is a 45-minute boat ride across the lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is home to the Amédée Diving Club. This center was the first to operate in New Caledonia. There are 10 dive sites to explore here, all within 20 minutes of the island. Some of the best include the Dieppoise and Toho 5 shipwrecks. A French warship sunk in 1988, the Dieppoise is home to barracudas, nudibranchs and jacks. The interior of the ship, with dining tables and chairs, is clearly visible and you can swim through the pilot house. The Toho 5, a Japanese longliner sunk in 2000, is already home to groupers and jacks.

Another nearby site, Boulari Pass outer reef, is famous for its manta rays and other large pelagic species. You may see humpback whales from July through September.

Details: The Dieppoise and Toho 5 are both at a depth of 85 feet (26 m). The Boulari Pass averages around 49 feet (15 m), with a maximum dive depth of 98 feet (30 m). Dives from Amédée Island are suitable for both novice and experienced divers.

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The 3 Keys to a Successful New Construction Project

In the modern healthcare environment, both IDNs and hospital systems strive for a few things in particular: improved quality of care; outstanding patient satisfaction, growing capacity meant to provide better integrated healthcare, and cutting costs. Because of this, it is likely that healthcare facility expansions or new construction are likely an option for you, whether now or in the near future—which means forward thinking and planning leads will be needed.

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Top 5 Pieces of Underwater Photo Gear for the Summer

The dive season is in full swing. And when it comes to underwater imaging, SeaLife has you covered. Here are our picks for the top five pieces of underwater photo gear for the summer.

DC2000 camera

Capture your summer adventures in high-res with the SeaLife DC2000 camera. Featuring a large 20MP Sony 1-inch sensor, RAW and JPEG format, full shutter and aperture controls, this compact camera is all you’ll need underwater. On your dives or at the beach, the DC2000 has everything you need to showcase the sights, both topside and underwater. The camera is waterproof to 200 feet (60 m) with the housing and to 60 feet (18 m) without the housing.

Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual Beam

Night dives are always a treat. But you’ll be even more amazed by what you see with the Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual Beam. Developed by Fire Dive Gear and SeaLife, the Sea Dragon Fluoro-Dual Beam turns the reef and sea creatures into a fluorescent landscape like no other fluoro light. You never know what underwater alien you’ll find with this unique light.

DC2000 Pro Duo

Get the best out of every dive with the DC2000 Pro Duo. The versatile set includes not only a camera, but also the Sea Dragon 2300 Auto Photo/Video Light and the universal Sea Dragon Flash. The 2300 Auto light features Auto Flash Detect Mode, which automatically turns off the light momentarily when detecting the firing flash.

Micro 2.0 Pro 2500

If you’re traveling light, the Micro 2.0 Pro 2500 is the best camera set for you. Compact and lightweight, this camera set packs a punch. It’s got a permanently sealed body, featuring 64GB of internal memory, high capacity battery, and Wi-Fi. Coupled with the powerful Sea Dragon 2500, this photo/video light has 2500 lumens and a wide beam angle of 120 degrees, complementing the Micro 2.0’s field of view.

Sea Dragon Lights and Flash

Whether using a SeaLife, GoPro camera, or Olympus, lighting is key when it comes to revealing brilliant colors underwater. That’s why SeaLife made their Sea Dragon Lighting line universal and easy to use. Next time, you won’t miss that dream shot. Choose from a selection of hand-held lights to a full-featured set up that offers double the power.

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Is Your Website a True Reflection of Your Business...?

The look and feel of websites change almost as quickly as fashion, and updates in Google’s algorithms can penalize static sites. There’s also the self-evident point that your website will become boring if it remains the same.

If any fashion brand offered the same collection one year to the next, the brand would suffer and go obsolete. It’s the same with your website. No matter the industry, a dated look implies a dated company.

REASONS WHY YOU NEED TO UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE
1.The Content is Out of Date
If your site refers to events that are old or hosts out-of-date information, it will look dated to the visitor. Time sensitive material that’s old gives the impression your business is stagnating.

2. To take Advantage of New Features
Website technology is evolving fast. In recent years, it has become increasingly important to have features on your site that integrate with social media because of how much traffic it can send your way.

Online booking has become imperative for 24 hour availability of quick in time booking. 

3. The Look May Be Out of Date
Today’s most successful sites embrace simplicity and clean lines. If your website looks anything other than current it needs an upgrade intervention.

4. It’s Not Responsive for Mobile
More searches are taking place on mobile devices than on computers, this has changed the Google algorithm to benefits sites optimized for mobile.

The Wall Street Journal reported on how the leading search engine had tweaked its algorithm for mobile searches to “favor sites that look good on smartphone screens.” If the content of a site is too wide for a phone screen and links are too small your site will be negatively affected.

Most all websites built today use responsive design, so it displays cleanly on multiple devices. A fully responsive site that can adapt to any device or screen begin at $2,000.

Does your salon website look “homemade”? Does your website need a make over? Are you putting a fresh face forward to potential clients?

A beautifully branded, professional online appearance is a must-have to stand out of the crowd. A consistent brand experience across all touch points convince potential clients you deserve their trust. Little things matter big when it comes to the image you portray - from grammar to the proper imagery - your reputation is virtually on the line.

A visually stunning website is what we do best at BeautyMark. We love creating a strong web presence through clean design, easy functionality, and in-tune navigation for an engaging and pleasing experience for your customers. A fresh modern look attracts more potential salon guests and keeps them coming back.

Your website design maybe something you have overlooked, but it can be THE factor that helps you stand out. BeautyMark’s designs reflect the essence and uniqueness of your beauty business in a way that gets noticed. 

Websites come in many shapes, sizes and colors. But our websites come with a touch of flair, that “je ne sais quois” that makes beauty brands stand out. BeautyMark’s web designers will express your brand in a unique and artistic way.

A website for your salon business allows you to be “open” 24 - 7. With just a click potential clients can easily book an appointment, find information about your salon, services, team members, and location. Websites can be designed to incorporate client procuration tools such as online promotions with coupons, email marketing, online appointment booking, and electronic gift certificates. Hiring a professional design company will allow you to use these modern marketing tools to boost your business.

The next step is to “lead” potential guests to your business website utilizing the power of both social media and search engine optimization. Leverage social media to expand your influence beyond the salon doors. Showcase your salon’s expertise in hair care, wellness and beauty. Share articles from notable beauty, hair, style and fashion sources. Create a constant flow of fresh content through blogging to improve search engine ranking in search with more online content. Share the scoop about your business such as events, “before and afters”, and client selfies.

In the business of beauty, competition is fierce. In order for your salon to stand out in the digital world you need a stunning online presence - a unique website design that reflects your salon character and the nature of the business.

Many salon owners mistakenly only implement a fundamental website to save on operating and marketing costs. These website design efforts range from adequate to amateur (DIY to friends or family services) ultimately sacrificing the polished online presence necessary to stand out in a crowd.  

Beauty business owners soon realize the novice efforts at website design are resulting in amateur results. The lack of skill to create a beauty website that is both attractive and interactive becomes apparent. They discover the site is not attracting the business, and that their site is similar to thousands of others - a total “no-no” in all business, but most importantly the business of beauty. 

How do you avoid this problem? Hire a professional design agency. An expert in the field of beauty website design can create an impression that lasts. A professional can translate the essence of your unique business into a savvy, engaging website. The right website will show off your business! Your website allows you to reach out to new customers and stay in touch with current ones. A salon website that reflects your salon is a powerful tool that has the beauty to grow your business.

Website design requires a skilled hand, hair salon websites design requires training and knowledge of the beauty industry. A professional provides the tools, the qualifications, the training and the skills to make your website rock!

Creating a proper hair salon websites design takes time and patience. A professional is paid to create websites and can quickly and efficiently produce a design to meet your specifications. A web designer will make sure your salon brand color palettes, graphic elements, and brand essence is communicated and all links function properly - to make your salon website perfect.

Putting together the ideal hair salon website is not a task for amateurs, hire the right website designer so that you have a website to be proud of - one that reflects your salon business in the right light - beautiful. Ask yourself today, if your website is a true reflection of your business...?

BeautyMark Marketing can create a website that is custom tailored for your salon. We’d love to create one for you! We offer finance options for salons or spas on a budget or just getting started. To learn more about our salon website design and development services please go to http://ift.tt/2dQeh2T

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Social Worker Success & Self-Care Toolbox

With the right tools in your toolbox, you can achieve success and self-care in your social work career.

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Marine Species: Frogfish

What are frogfish?

Frogfish are part of the anglerfish family, which includes several species. “Frogfish” is a common name that covers several distinct species as well, such as the common frogfish, the painted frogfish and the hairy frogfish.

Their most common shared characteristics are their stocky bodies and camouflage abilities. Some species can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm), but they are often quite small. They come in various colors and patterns and are expert at hiding on the reef while waiting for prey to swim by. They are solitary and seldom seen in pairs. Frogfish can swim just fine but are often seen “crawling” on the sea floor using their hand-like pectoral fins.

What do they eat?

Frogfish are predators that feed on small fish and crustaceans. Not only do they excel at hiding and waiting passively for prey, but they also actively lure creatures in with their rod, or illicium, which sits in the middle of their head. Atop the rod is a lure that mimics a small fish or a worm, and once the prey is close enough, the fish strikes with lightning speed. With its expandable jaw, one of these guys can easily swallow prey that’s much larger than itself.

How do they reproduce?

Both sexes look alike and there is no way to tell them apart underwater. There has been very little observation of reproduction. Scientists think that most species are free-spawning, wherein the female releases many eggs simultaneously, close to the surface and the male who has been waiting nearby fertilizes them. The eggs then float around and hatch within a few days, releasing tiny fish (about 1 mm) that will slowly grow into frogfish.

Where do they live?

David Hall / seaphotos.com

Frogfish are common in many oceans, but species vary from one area to another. Their camouflage abilities often make them quite hard to spot. To increase your chances, ask your dive guide what common species and what colors they see most often, and then dive slowly and observe the reef carefully. It might look like a sponge, but if it has a small eyeball, it might be a frogfish. Their grouchy-looking faces make them a favorite among photographers, and some species, such as the hairy frogfish or the psychedelic frogfish, are quite rare, so consider yourself lucky if you see one of these distinctive critters.

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Fun Starts Here

If you’ve ever had fun in a class of any kind, I will guarantee you that much of that was because of the leader, teacher, coach, or whatever their title was on that day.  It’s absolutely true that the fun starts here.

JumpBunch franchise owners just attended our annual conference, and for most the word “conference” is closely related to a sleep aid.  Happy to say that is not our group.  In fact, every year what they look forward to most is what we call a teaching session where they simply get to share great classroom ideas aimed at giving kids more ways to have FUN while learning about sports and fitness.  Now, this isn’t your typical person standing up talking about what they do while everyone vigorously takes notes…or not.  This is a live, interactive, loud, and what’s that word…FUN time!  And it could go on for hours…

Now don’t get us wrong, our franchisees have more tame sessions where they are learning how to be better business owners in many areas of operation.  However, they know that the core of their success is the experience the child has in the classes they lead or they train their coaches to lead.  It’s worth saying again that the fun starts here.  We are proud to have franchise owners that know they cannot stop working at this, and their greatest resource is the creativity and inspiration of each other.  So the next time your child comes home and says they had fun in JumpBunch class, know that is likely the same thing their coach is going home saying as well!

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Treasures of the Vegas Antique Jewelry Show.

I hope you’re ready to see some spectacular treasures from the past, my dears, because I’ve finally got my Vegas Antique Jewelry Show photos ready!

This show isn’t the largest antique show around (I’m pretty sure that’s Miami) but because it’s dealers-only, it attracts some pieces of truly exceptional quality and rarity.  Let’s dive in!

I thought we’d start off big! I fell head over heels in love with this Georgian era necklace from Keyamour. 

Continue reading Treasures of the Vegas Antique Jewelry Show. at Diamonds in the Library.

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Top Five Pieces of Dive Safety Equipment

As you become a qualified scuba diver, you learn the basics of an essential scuba system. A cylinder, weights, an exposure suit, regulators, BCD gauge and timing device, mask and fins are the bare essentials. But what other equipment is worth adding to make your dive trip safer and, consequently, more comfortable, relaxed and stress-free? All divers should consider carrying these top five pieces of dive safety equipment.

Dive Computer

Once seen as a luxury item, the dive computer is now rightly regarded as an essential piece of scuba gear. Professional guides can’t safely do their job without a dive computer. Multiple recreational dives with traditional dive tables on a square profile become extremely compromising experiences on sloping reefs or drift dives. In fact, many dive operations insist that each diver has his own computer. Both PADI and SSI now put additional focus on dive-computer usage in their Open Water Diver training courses.

In simple terms, the dive computer tracks your personal exposure to breathing gases on recreational dives — both nitrogen and oxygen. This allows you to easily plan and execute your dives on a multi-level basis. This, in turn, allows you to maximize your bottom time. The dive computer will monitor your individual movements in the water, re-sampling your depth every few seconds. It tracks your ascent rate, warning if you’ve exceeded safety standards and prompting safety stops, or extending stops if necessary. Most recreational dive computers also provide ‘emergency decompression’ instructions for getting you back to dry land should you erroneously overstay your welcome at depth.

Learn how to use your computer’s functions. Mount it somewhere where you can read it while both inflating and deflating your BCD on descents and ascents. Don’t share it with other divers; each member of a dive team must have their own computer.

Cutting Tool

A cutting tool is a must-have piece of dive safety equipment. You can use it for cutting, prying, or communication by tapping on your cylinder. Historically, the tool would take the form of a knife. Early recreational divers carried large knives strapped to their legs. These days, however, a range of smaller, lighter, less-threatening cutting tools are available. Choose from small knives, line cutters, shears and scissors, depending on preference and environment.

Most cutting tools are made of stainless steel. Many top-end tools are made of titanium to make them corrosion-resistant and super-light for transport. It’s easy to mount them as well, since many modern BDCs have an attachment or mounting point for a cutting tool. Failing that, you can mount the sheath of many cutting tools on one of the regulator hoses.

Needing no more maintenance than a rinse in fresh water at the end of your dive, a cutting tool can save the day. You’ll be able to cut yourself free from an errant fishing line, slice through kelp, or tap on your cylinder to get your buddy’s attention if you have a problem.

Light

We often associate lights only with night dives or wreck penetration. But carrying a light — either a hand-held lamp or strobe on your shoulder — can make your dive more enjoyable and offer safety benefits even during daylight.

Modern LED lamps are small, light and powerful, offering high output and long battery life in comparison with the diving torches of even just 10 or 20 years ago. During daylight, a good dive light can bring color back to coral and illuminate cracks and crevices on the hunt for macro life. You can also use a dive light like an underwater laser-pointer to encircle smaller wildlife. This way you can show your discoveries to your buddy without blinding the animal.

Most importantly, you can use your light as a signaling device if the visibility suddenly drops. Also, depending on the construction of your lamp, you can use it as a makeshift tank-banger. At the surface, you can flash your torch at the boat in lower light to get the crew’s attention.

If you’re diving in low-visibility conditions, a shoulder or cylinder mounted strobe or beacon is often useful as well, to help buddy teams stay in contact.

SMB/DSMB and Reel

An SMB or DSMB and reel are key pieces of diving equipment, and not only when diving in strong currents. The latest Open Water Diver training from both PADI and SSI reflect this change and introduce SMB use in the introductory course.

Each member of the buddy team should have a DSMB and reel. Both of you must learn how to safely deploy one from depth. This way, each diver can safely ascend and signal the boat, even if they become separated from the group.

You can deploy your DSMB on the ascent for your safety stop to ensure that passing boat traffic knows your location. You can also deploy it mid-dive if the current changes direction unexpectedly or becomes stronger or, alternatively, if you’re drifting away from the dive site. Doing so lets you send an early signal to surface support that you may not be surfacing in the expected location. This way, the boat crew can track you from the surface.

Finally, deploying an SMB at the surface allows you to signal to your boat. Sometimes boat skippers even have unique SMB signals at busy dive sites so that you can notify the proper boat that you’re ready for pickup if there are a few around.

As with computers, each member of the buddy team should have his or her own DSMB and reel in case of separation, although some dive operators will accept this.

With a range of DSMB/SMBs and reels on the market, pick the one that works best for you in your environment. Larger, easier-to-handle reels and marker buoys are recommended in tougher conditions where there’s bigger surge and you may be wearing thick gloves. In tropical conditions a finger spool and smaller, oral-inflation DSMB may be more suitable.

Marine Rescue GPS

In remote locations, particularly those with stronger currents, modern technology has helped diver safety leap forward. In such places, Marine Rescue GPS is now commonplace, meaning your boat or another nearby can track your location to within a few feet in case of emergency.

Usually weighing less than 5 ounces (150 g) and measuring only 4 inches (10 cm) long, you can clip GPS marine rescue beacons to your jacket or stow them in your BCD pocket. If you’ve surfaced away from the dive boat or there is an emergency, you simply press a button. The distress signal will go to all AIS-equipped vessels in a 30-mile (50 km) radius, pinpointing your location information to within 3 to 4 feet (1.5 m).

Marine Rescue GPS is not cheap, often costing around the same amount as a dive computer. But in the worst-case scenario or a remote environment, it can mean the difference between life and death. In some locations, liveaboards insist that all guests carry their own GPS for the entire trip, leaving a deposit upon return.

Dive safety equipment is always evolving. But adding some key accessories to your standard diving kit can help keep you safer on your next dive trip.

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