DANGEROUS, POLLUTED WATERS IN TEXAS FORCE DISTANCE SWIMMER TO RELOCATE TO PUBLIC POOL Training for 35-mile Yucatan Channel swim on Aug. 5 continues . . . with limitations
AUSTIN, Texas (ContentDesk) July 2, 2004 -- Paul Ellis of Austin, the 61-year-old grandfather preparing to swim Mexico's Yucatan Channel on August 5, has been forced to relocate to "a confined and claustrophobic" 50-meter public pool to continue his daily six to seven-hour training regimen. "It's ironic that my quest to draw public attention to the perils facing the coral reefs and the critical need to protect our ocean resources has been interrupted by torrential rains in Texas," noted Ellis, a former U.S. Marine Corps pilot and Chairman of Austin Business College. "Barton Springs, area lakes and rivers are filled with treacherous currents, dangerous debris and polluted water." (Ellis photo at www.swim4thereef.com/images/common/paulEllis.jpg.More than 14 inches of rain pummeled the Austin area in June, the second heaviest rainfall in about 65-years of official recordkeeping, according to the National Weather Service. Much of the Lone Star State has endured the same soggy conditions, with flooding and run-off even resulting in the closing of popular beaches along the Gulf coast due to high bacterial counts.Ellis, who has been training for "the swim of my life" for more than four years, has logged more than 5,000 miles in both freshwater and saltwater.
Now he's limited to Austin's Northwest Park pool for 2 ? hours a day, after which the pool is re-oriented to its width, 25 yards. He then goes again, maneuvering around the kids and other swimmers. "Unfortunately, the only pure water left around her is in containment areas called public swimming pools," he quipped. "It is mind-numbingly hard to do and difficult to draw a positive focus for a distance swim. I go crazy with the walls in front of me.
This is a real test!"The public Barton Springs Pool, a normally clear, beautiful and inviting oasis near the heart of the Central Texas city, was a raging torrent of murky currents Wednesday, with water almost as high as the cliffside lifeguard chairs. It is not expected to reopen for another eight days. News reports of his effort to swim from San Miguel, Isla de Cozumel to Cancun on mainland Mexico circulated worldwide on June 24. An Associated Press story (www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/news/local/8993441.htm) was carried coast-to-coast in U.S. dailies and has appeared in newspapers and at web sites in Australia, Denmark, England, The Netherlands, Russia and other countries.
"I considered returning to the shores of North Carolina or going on to Cozumel (www.islacozumel.com.mx/). Both will be warmer than the Springs' 68-degree temperature," he laughed. "But I'm in the crucial phase of my mental and physical conditioning for what may require 15-hours or more of endurance, and my support team is here."The environmentalist, sports enthusiast and longtime civic activist will ease into the Caribbean Sea at 2 a.m. on Aug. 5, 2004.
He will brave 35 miles of open waters from Cozumel Island to mainland Cancun, 14 miles longer than a crossing of the English Channel. Ellis will be as much as 15 miles offshore in water that is 4,000 feet deep.He will be accompanied by three vessels, one a patrol boat from the nearby National Marine Park of Cozumel, which protects the Meso-American reef, among the largest living organisms on earth and northernmost barrier reef in the world. Still, the dangerous enterprise includes sharks, jellyfish, currents, winds, and even passing cruise ships and their dangerous wakes. "I am not a daredevil. I'm an educator," he repeatedly declares, although the 5-foot-10, 195-pound, graying athlete has ridden a motorcycle cross country and dodged enemy gunfire as helicopter medi-vac pilot during the Vietnam War.
"The steps we take now may not have an impact for decades. The steps untaken, however, may well doom a major portion of our planet and an untold number of species." His comments reflect much of the language of concern embodied in the President's U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, released in April.Ellis has dedicated himself to "inspiring millions of world citizens still uncommitted to get in the water! Get informed. Take Action. Tell others." His primary objective is to get "one million persons to join an organization dedicated to our common goals and to work in their communities and their civic and political circles on behalf of clean water issues." www.swim4thereef.com is a not-for-profit 501(c)3."Every living system on earth is in decline, and that rate of decline is accelerating.
We are losing our forests, fisheries, coral reefs, topsoil, water, biodiversity and climate stability. Our land, sea and air are being transformed from life-supporting systems into repositories for waste," Ellis emphasizes. "The reefs form an amazing ecosystem, the source and resource for all living organisms. We've lost more than 25% of the world's coral reefs. At the present rate of destruction, 60%...
will be destroyed by 2034."Week-long International Reef PartyRobert Cudney, Director of the National Marine Park of Cozumel will speak at the "Celebrate Cozumel International Reef Party," a week-long (Aug. 1-9) event to celebrate the environmental success and the stunning marine life of the park. The park is a clear example of how business and environmentalists can work together for a common cause.Special dive, air and hotel packages are available through FunJet Vacations (www.funjet.com) and El Cid La Ceiba Hotel (www.elcid.com), headquarters for the Swim4theReef video documentary team (e-mail protected from spam bots)."I want my children and grandchildren to know, it's never too late to make an impact," Ellis said.For more details, map of swim route, digital images of Ellis, project updates and sponsor information or ways you can get involved, go to www.swim4thereef.com.FOR INFORMATION, INTERVIEWS OR SPONSORSHIPS:Preston F. Kirk, APR, The Chrisman Group, Austin TX, 830-693-4447; e-mail protected from spam bots Jacque Chrisman, 512-345-8969; e-mail protected from spam bots.
A Roofing Enigma
For all of those who suffer from the giant ice growth at the eaves in the winter.Ice and Water ShieldThe onset of the ice & water shield usage in the northeast after the great ice storms of the early 90's has brought with it a mentality that has made for the profession a strange enigma. The experience that is forever embedded on the minds of those that dwelled under the massive influx of water resulting from ice dams has caused the mandate of ice and water shield usage in the installation of new roofing systems. This is much like a doctor that treats the symptom, rather than offering a cure. Ventilation is almost always the way to cure such problems. The costliness of doing the job right often involves a redesign of the situation.
Many times, with a little education, more can be done with the proper approach that can afford a lasting roofing system, and a healthier environment for those living inside the dwelling. Visit us at: http://www.fourseasonsroofingandsiding.com The enigma...
A Roofing Enigma
Water > A Roofing Enigma
Indoor Gardening Tips for Jerry Seinfeld
"I have no plants in my house. They won't live for me.Some of them don't even wait to die, they commit suicide"~Jerry SeinfeldCome on, admit it....is your thumb not as green as you want it to be? Are you having trouble keeping your house plants alive and healthy? Can you relate to Jerry on this one? Relax?.you're not alone! Many of us (myself included at times) have felt that fake plants were our only option because we seemed to have the "touch of death" when caring for plants. Read on to find out how 10 simple changes will make you feel like a "natural born gardener"!Top 10 Indoor Gardening Tips for Jerry Seinfeld?and the rest of us!1. Plants will "reach" toward a light source, so rotate your plant occasionally to promote straight growth.2. Pay attention to the lighting requirements for your indoor plants.
If your plant isn't getting enough light it will appear "thin and leggy" looking. You can alleviate this problem...
Indoor Gardening Tips for Jerry Seinfeld
Water > Indoor Gardening Tips for Jerry Seinfeld
Natural Home Remedies for Indigestion
The process of Digestion:
A clear understanding of the digestive processes that go on in the human body is vital to the understanding of the disorders from which digestion suffers. The major disorder is week digestion, dyspepsia or slackness of digestive processes, which are known, in indigenous medicine as being caused by what is called mandagni.
A three-fold process of digestion, absorption and assimilation accomplishes incorporation of food in human body. Digestion begins the moment food enters the mouth. It mixes with the saliva and is made more permeable for the gastric juice, which exudes from the openings of the tiny glands of the stomach.
The gastric juice consisting of pepsin and rennin breaks down the proteins into smaller molecules. The churning of the stomach mixes the food with the gastric juices and hydrochloric acid and when it becomes soluble it passes through the pylorus, an orifice at the lower end of the stomach, into the bowel....
Natural Home Remedies for Indigestion
Water > Natural Home Remedies for Indigestion
Acapulco, One of Mexico?s Top Travel Destinations
Today's AcapulcoAcapulco is probably Mexico's oldest established resort town but, thanks to a recent renaissance, this remarkable town has maintained its status as one of Mexico's top travel destinations and the place to be to enjoy a magnificent Mexico vacation.It's easy to see why Acapulco attracts travelers of all ages. During its endless sunny days, this Pacific coast town offers beaches that are second-to-none. Visitors can enjoy amazing water adventures or lie in the warmth of the sun and soak up the rays in this city that boasts sunshine nearly every day of the year, with average temperatures in the 80s.
Delightful!Renovations have made the beaches even more accommodating. Old hotels and resorts have been updated and improved and the waters around Acapulco have become pollution-free, thanks to the city government's commitment to maintaining a balance of nature.With this commitment, the city has invested over $1 billion in public and private infrastructure improvements...
Water > Acapulco, One of Mexico?s Top Travel Destinations
Medical Supplies and Equipment for Daily Living
Medical Supplies & Equipment Company, LLC selects the highest quality of used medical equipment and products.
Medical Supplies & Equipment Company,
LLC can assist patients and caregivers find the precise used medical equipment prescribed. The equipment for diabetics includes:
Insulin Traveling Cases - to hold and organize diabetic supplies;
Glucometers - to measure blood glucose levels.
Medical Supplies...
Water > Medical Supplies and Equipment for Daily Living
Do They Really Need a Dog Bed?
When Lucky was starting to show signs of aging, we were concerned about her comfort. She would have a hard time getting up in the morning. Her legs would shake and she would take five minutes just to get up, where once she could pounce up in a second.Her hips were really thin and her muscle mass was decreasing rapidly.What we found out was that we could help her by getting an orthopedic dog bed. The sad part is, we probably could have helped her avoid this by getting it for her when she was younger.See,...
beds
Water > Do They Really Need a Dog Bed?
Nursing Scholarships
Nursing is a field in great demand. With growing needs, the health services and other agencies require highly qualified and trained nurses each year. But whether you are studying to be a nurse or qualifying yourself further, funding is a great challenge.
What you need to do is get your facts right and find out what your options are. The first option is to approach FAFSA at the institution where you want to study or are already studying. This is on a first-come first-served basis,...
Water > Nursing Scholarships
Eda's Candy Contest at SugarFreeKitchen.com
Be first to guess the exact number of Eda's candies in the jar and win the jar and candy. (www.sugarfreekitchen.com) Winner is the first, closest guess that does not exceed the number of candies in the jar. "Please enter only once per week, now through Sunday, 30 May 2004," asks SFK president Alan Watts. Visit sugarfreekitchen.com for details and to enter. No purchase necessary.Anyone who faces daily sugar concerns by necessity or...
candy
Water > Eda's Candy Contest at SugarFreeKitchen.com
New Trend in Maternity Fashion Makes Finding the Perfect Jeans Possible for Every Mom
Cherokee, IA (ContentDesk) June 17, 2006 -- One small business woman has stepped up to the challenge of providing custom maternity garments for moms-to-be across the country, filling a need for many.???Baby Bumple-Bees e-Botique was created early this year as an online resource for long-legged expecting moms. The service has now expanded to all shapes and sizes of mothers who wish to continue to wear their favorite designers and name brand jeans throughout pregnancy. Carrie Lux, the owner...
New Trend in Maternity Fashion Makes Finding the Perfect Jeans Possible for Every Mom jeans Water
Water > New Trend in Maternity Fashion Makes Finding the Perfect Jeans Possible for Every Mom