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Trump administration, Michael Flynn, and dodgy nuclear deals with Saudi Arabia

White House May Share Nuclear Power Technology With Saudi Arabia, The overture follows an intense and secretive lobbying push involving Michael Flynn, Tom Barrack, Rick Gates and even Iran-Contra figure Robert McFarlane. Pro Publica by Isaac Arnsdorf, The Trump administration is holding talks on providing nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia — a move that critics say could upend decades of U.S. policy and lead to an arms race in the Middle East.

The Saudi government wants nuclear power to free up more oil for export, but current and former American officials suspect the country’s leaders also want to keep up with the enrichment capabilities of their rival, Iran.

Saudi Arabia needs approval from the U.S. in order to receive sensitive American technology. Past negotiations broke down because the Saudi government wouldn’t commit to certain safeguards against eventually using the technology for weapons.

Now the Trump administration has reopened those talks and might not insist on the same precautions. At a Senate hearing on Nov. 28, Christopher Ford, the National Security Council’s senior director for weapons of mass destruction and counterproliferation, disclosed that the U.S. is discussing the issue with the Saudi government. He called the safeguards a “desired outcome” but didn’t commit to them.

Abandoning the safeguards would set up a showdown with powerful skeptics in Congress. “It could be a hell of a fight,” one senior Democratic congressional aide said.

The idea of sharing nuclear technology with Saudi Arabia took an unlikely path to the highest levels of government. An eccentric inventor and a murky group of retired military brass — most of them with plenty of medals but no experience in commercial nuclear energy — have peddled various incarnations of the plan for years.

Many U.S. officials didn’t think the idea was serious, reputable or in the national interest. “It smelled so bad I said I never wanted to be anywhere close to that,” one former White House official said. But the proponents persisted, and finally found an opening in the chaotic early days of the Trump administration, when advisers Michael Flynn and Tom Barrack championed the idea……

In 2008, the Saudi government made a nonbinding commitment not to pursue enrichment and reprocessing. They then entered negotiations with the U.S. for a pact on peaceful nuclear cooperation, known as a 123 agreement, after a section of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. A 123 agreement is a prerequisite for receiving American technology.

The talks stalled a few years later because the Saudi government backed away from its pledge not to pursue enrichment and reprocessing, according to current and former officials. “They wouldn’t commit, and it was a sticking point,” said Max Bergmann, a former special assistant to the undersecretary of state for arms control and international security at the time those negotiations occurred……..

The Obama administration held firm with the Saudis because it’s one thing to cap nuclear technology where it already exists, but it’s longstanding U.S. policy not to spread the technology to new countries. As Saudi Arabia and Iran — ideological and religious opponents — increasingly squared off in a battle for political sway in the Middle East, Republicans argued that the Obama administration had it backwards: It was enshrining hostile Iran’s ability to enrich uranium while denying the same to America’s ally Saudi Arabia.

One such critic of Obama’s Iran policy was Michael Flynn, a lieutenant general who was forced out as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2014. Flynn quickly took up a variety of consulting assignments and joined some corporate boards. One of the former was an advisory position for a company called ACU Strategic Partners, which, according to a later financial disclosure, paid Flynn more than $5,000.

Flynn was one of many retired military officers whom ACU recruited. ACU’s chief was a man named Alex Copson, who is most often described in press accounts as a “colorful British-American dealmaker.” Copson reportedly made a fortune inventing a piece of diving equipment, may or may not have been a bass player in the band Iron Butterfly, and has been touting wildly ambitious nuclear-power plans since the 1980s. (He didn’t answer repeated requests for comment.)

By 2015, Copson was telling people he had a group of U.S., European, Arab and Russian companies that would build as many as 40 nuclear reactors in Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Copson’s company pitched the Obama administration, but officials figured he didn’t really have the backers he claimed. “They would say ‘We have Rolls-Royce on board,’ and then someone would ask Rolls-Royce and they would say, ‘No, we took a meeting and nothing happened,’” recalled a then-White House official.

In his role with ACU, Flynn flew to Egypt to convince officials there to hold off on a Russian offer (this one unrelated to ACU) to build nuclear power plants. Flynn tried to persuade the Egyptian government to consider Copson’s proposal instead, according to documents released by Rep. Elijah Cummings, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Flynn also tried to persuade the Israeli government to support the plan and spoke at a conference in Saudi Arabia. (The trip would later present legal problems for Flynn because he didn’t report contacts with foreign officials on his application to renew his security clearance, according to Cummings. Cummings referred the information to Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Trump’s associates and Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. Flynn’s lawyer declined to comment.)

Copson’s outfit eventually splintered. A retired admiral named Michael Hewitt, who was to head up the security services part of the project, struck out on his own in mid-2016. Flynn went with him.

Hewitt’s new company is called IP3 International, which is short for “International Peace Power & Prosperity.” IP3 signed up other prominent national security alumni including Gens. Keith Alexander, Jack Keane and James Cartwright, former Middle East envoy Dennis Ross, Bush Homeland Security adviser Fran Townsend, and Reagan National Security adviser Robert “Bud” McFarlane.

IP3’s idea was a variation on ACU’s. Hewitt swapped out one notional foreign partner for another (Russia was out, China was in), then later shifted to an all-American approach. That idea resonated with the U.S. nuclear-construction industry, which never recovered from the Three Mile Island disaster in the 1970s and was looking to new markets overseas.

But nuclear exports are tightly controlled because the technology is potentially so dangerous. A 123 agreement is only the first step for a foreign country that wants to employ U.S. nuclear-power technology. In addition, the Energy Department has to approve the transfer of technology related to nuclear reactors and fuel. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses reactor equipment, and the Commerce Department reviews exports for equipment throughout the rest of the power plant.

IP3 — whose sole project to date is the Saudi nuclear plan — never went through those normal channels. Instead, the company went straight to the top.

At the start of the Trump administration, IP3 found an ally in Tom Barrack, the new president’s close friend and informal adviser and an ultra-wealthy investor in his own right. During the campaign, Barrack wrote a series of white papers proposing a new approach to the Middle East in which economic cooperation would theoretically reduce the conditions for breeding terrorism and lead to improved relations.

Barrack wasn’t familiar with nuclear power as an option for the Middle East until he heard from Bud McFarlane. McFarlane, 80, is most remembered for his role in the defining scandal of the Reagan years: secretly selling arms to Iran and using the money to support Nicaraguan rebels. He pleaded guilty to withholding information from Congress but was pardoned by George H.W. Bush.

Nevertheless, Barrack was dazzled by McFarlane and his IP3 colleagues. “I was like a kid in a candy shop — these guys were all generals and admirals,” Barrack said in an interview. “They found an advocate in me in saying I was keen on trying to establish a realignment of U.S. business interests with the Gulf’s business interests.”

McFarlane followed up the meeting by emailing Flynn in late January, according to six people who read the message or were told about it. McFarlane attached two documents. One outlined IP3’s plan, describing it as consistent with Trump’s philosophy. The second was a draft memo for the president to sign that would officially endorse the plan and instruct his cabinet secretaries to implement it. Barrack would take charge of the project as the interagency coordinator. Barrack had discussions about becoming ambassador to Egypt or a special envoy to the Middle East but never committed to such a role. (McFarlane disputed that account but repeatedly declined to specify any inaccuracies. IP3 declined to comment on the memos.)

Flynn, now on the receiving end of IP3’s lobbying, told his staff to put together a formal proposal to present to Trump for his signature, according to current and former officials.

The seeming end run sparked alarm. National Security Council staff brought the proposal to the attention of the agency’s lawyers, five people said, because they were concerned about the plan and how it was being advanced. Ordinarily, before presenting such a sensitive proposal to the president, NSC staff would consult with experts throughout government about practical and legal concerns. Bypassing those procedures raised the risks that private interests might use the White House to their own advantage, former officials said. “Circumventing that process has the ability not only to invite decisions that aren’t fully vetted but that are potentially unwise and have the potential to put our interests and our people at risk,” said Ned Price, a former CIA analyst and NSC spokesman.

Even after those concerns were raised, Derek Harvey, then the NSC’s senior director for the Middle East, continued discussing the IP3 proposal with Barrack and his representative, Rick Gates, according to two people. Gates, a longtime associate of former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort, worked for Barrack on Trump’s inaugural committee and then for Barrack’s investment company, Colony NorthStar.

By then, Barrack was no longer considering a government position. Instead, he and Gates were seeking investment ideas based on the administration’s Middle East policy. Barrack pondered the notion, for example, of buying a piece of Westinghouse, the bankrupt U.S. manufacturer of nuclear reactors. (Harvey, now on the staff of the House intelligence committee, declined to comment through a spokesman. In October, Mueller charged Manafort and Gates with 12 counts including conspiracy against the U.S., unregistered foreign lobbying, and money laundering. They both pleaded not guilty. Gates’ spokesman didn’t answer requests for comment.)

Ultimately, it wasn’t the NSC staff’s concerns that stalled IP3’s momentum. Rather, Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior aide tasked with reviving a Middle East peace process, wanted to table the nuclear question in favor of simpler alliance-building measures with the Saudis, centered on Trump’s visit in May, according to a person familiar with the discussions. (A spokesperson for Kushner, asked for comment, had not provided one at the time this article was published; we’ll update the article if he provides one later.)

In recent months, the proposal has stirred back to life as the Saudi government kicked off a formal process to solicit bids for their first reactors. In October, the Saudis sent a request for information to the U.S., France, South Korea, Russia and China — the strongest signal yet that they’re serious about nuclear power.

The Saudi solicitation also gave IP3 the problem its solution was searching for. The company pivoted again, narrowing its pitch to organizing a consortium of U.S. companies to compete for the Saudi tender. IP3 won’t say which companies it has signed up. IP3 also won’t discuss the fees it hopes to receive if it were part of a Saudi nuclear plan, but it’s vying to supply cyber and physical site security for the plants. “IP3 has communicated its strategy to multiple government entities and policy makers in both the Obama and Trump administrations,” the company said in a statement. “We view these meetings and any documents relating to them as private, and we won’t discuss them.”

The Saudi steps lit a fire under administration officials. Leading the charge is Rick Perry, the energy secretary who famously proposed eliminating the department and then admitted he didn’t understand its function. (It includes dealing with nuclear power and weapons.) Perry had also heard IP3’s pitch, a person familiar with the situation said. In September, Perry met with Saudi delegates to an international atomic energy conference and discussed energy cooperation, according to a photo posted on his Facebook page. Perry’s spokeswoman didn’t answer requests for comment.

Other steps followed. Soon after, a senior State Department official flew to Riyadh to restart formal 123 negotiations, according to an industry source. (A State Department spokeswoman declined to comment.) In November, Energy and State Department officials joined a commercial delegation to Abu Dhabi led by the Nuclear Energy Institute, the industry’s main lobby in Washington. Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Edward McGinnis said the administration wants to revitalize the U.S. nuclear energy industry, including by pursuing exports to Saudi Arabia. The Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and the Energy Department are organizing another industry visit in December to meet with Saudi officials, according to a notice obtained by ProPublica. And in the days before Thanksgiving, senior U.S. officials from several agencies met at the White House to discuss the policy, according to current and former officials.

The Trump administration hasn’t stated a position on whether it will let the Saudis have enrichment and reprocessing technology. An NSC spokesman declined to comment. But administration officials have begun sounding out advisers on how Congress might react to a deal that gives the Saudis enrichment and reprocessing, a person familiar with the discussions said.

Senators have started demanding answers. At the Nov. 28 hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ford, the NSC nonproliferation official who has been nominated to lead the State Department’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, testified that preliminary talks with the Saudis are underway but declined to discuss the details in public. As noted, Ford wouldn’t commit to barring the Saudi government from obtaining enrichment and reprocessing technology. “It remains U.S. policy, as it has been for some time, to seek the strongest possible nonproliferation protections in every instance,” he told the senators. “It is not a legal requirement. It is a desired outcome.” Ford added that the Iran deal makes it harder to insist on limiting other countries’ capabilities.

Sen. Ed Markey, the Massachusetts Democrat who led the questioning of Ford on this topic, seemed highly resistant to the idea of the U.S. helping Saudi Arabia get nuclear technology. “If we continue down this pathway,” he said, “then there’s a recipe for disaster which we are absolutely creating ourselves.” Markey also accused the administration of neglecting its statutory obligation to brief the committee on the negotiations. (The White House declined to comment.)

Any agreement, in this case with Saudi Arabia, would not require Senate approval. However, should an agreement be reached, Congress could kill the deal. The two houses would have 90 days to pass a joint resolution disapproving it. The committee’s ranking Democrat, Ben Cardin, suggested they wouldn’t accept a deal that lacked the same protections as the ones in the UAE’s agreement. “If we don’t draw a line in the Middle East, it’s going to be all-out proliferation,” he said. “We need to maintain the UAE’s standards in our 123 agreements. There’s just too many other countries that could start proliferating issues that could be against our national interest.”

Bob Corker, the committee’s chairman, has been a stickler on nonproliferation in the past; he criticized the Obama administration for not being tough enough. Corker isn’t running for reelection and has criticized Trump for being immature and reckless in foreign affairs, so he’s unlikely to shy away from a fight. (A spokesman declined to comment.) “The absence of a consistent policy weakens our nuclear nonproliferation efforts, and sends a mixed message to those nations we seek to prevent from gaining or enhancing such capability,” Corker said at a hearing in 2014. “Which standards can we expect the administration to reach for negotiating new agreements with Jordan or Saudi Arabia?”

December 1, 2017 - Posted by | politics, Saudi Arabia, secrets,lies and civil liberties, USA

1 Comment »

  1. I haven’t even been able to find the official record of this, though it must be what Senator Markey was referring to: “Now the Trump administration has reopened those talks and might not insist on the same precautions. At a Senate hearing on Nov. 28, Christopher Ford, the National Security Council’s senior director for weapons of mass destruction and counterproliferation, disclosed that the U.S. is discussing the issue with the Saudi government. He called the safeguards a “desired outcome” but didn’t commit to them. Abandoning the safeguards would set up a showdown with powerful skeptics in Congress. “It could be a hell of a fight,” one senior Democratic congressional aide said.”

    Comment by miningawareness | December 3, 2017 | Reply

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Numenta Logo

A Framework for Intelligence, A Commitment to Open Science

Subutai AhmadSubutai AhmadVP of Research
A Framework for Intelligence, A Commitment to Open Science

As some of you know, we recently posted a major new paper titled “A Framework for Intelligence and Cortical Function Based on Grid Cells in the Neocortex”. We were very fortunate to receive coverage in the New York Times. The article was written about Jeff, our team, and the unusual nature of the research being done at Numenta. Cade Metz, the reporter, did a great job of summarizing, for the layman, the science behind the theoretical framework. The scientific material can be hard to understand, so I appreciated the clear description.

However, the article left some scientists with the impression that we were a closed door research lab, isolated from the rest of the scientific world. While it is true that Numenta is different, the notion that we are secretive and detached could not be further from the truth.

A Commitment to Open Science

I wanted to take this opportunity to lay out the framework for Open Science and collaboration that we have been developing over the last five years. Some of these are standard practices at Universities, but some are highly unusual:

  • We have published several peer reviewed journal publications, with more underway. We are committed to open access journal publications, and ensure that all our peer reviewed papers are freely available. We also publish non-peer reviewed papers on arXiv and bioRxiv.
  • We regularly participate and present at scientific conferences. In 2018, this includes Cosyne, CNS, the EITN Dendrites Workshop, Grid cell workshop, Bernstein, and the upcoming SfN. For each of these, we make our slides and poster PDFs available.
  • We make regular visits to university and research labs. We also regularly host professors and researchers from universities and other labs.
  • We decided to open source our software (NuPIC) in 2013. On github, NuPIC today has over 5,600 stars, and more than 80 individuals have contributed to it.
  • In 2014 I announced that even our day to day research code would be open. I still don’t know of any other lab that does this!
  • We make a diligent attempt to ensure our published results are reproducible. This is not a trivial task, and requires careful attention to versioning. For many of our papers, it’s now as easy as “pip install”. (Note: this is work in process. We are still working on putting some of our older papers in that repository.)
  • We host an active discussion group to discuss our codebase, theories, neuroscience, and anything else related. There are over 1,500 people on the forum. Jeff Hawkins, myself, and other Numenta folks regularly participate in the discussions.
  • Matt Taylor, our Open Source guru, hosts monthly Hackers Hangouts to discuss our codebase and research. He also hosts a YouTube channel with scientist interviews, HTM School (accessible video introductions to our research), etc.

Numenta is indeed unique in many ways. We are a small lab, but I am immensely proud of our strong commitment to openness and being a part of the broader scientific community. I can’t think of another lab that is as open as we are, and am hopeful that our experiments with Open Science can be a framework and inspiration to others.

Subutai Ahmad, PhD VP Research

Follow me on Twitter for OpenScience, Neuroscience, and AI related tweets:

Subutai AhmadSubutai AhmadVP of Research

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text:
Johnson & Johnson Notes on NursingGetting Real: Today’s Nurse

Logged On & Linked In

Final The Modern Nurse Image.jpg
“Nurses are used to being on the front lines of patient care in communities, and we now have the opportunity to connect with patients in their online communities by logging in and sharing our voice online." - Pamela Ressler, BSN, RN, HN-BC

Social media is an integral part of how people communicate, and in healthcare, social media plays a growing role in patient and provider's lives. Apps can calculate a patient’s insulin levels, hospitals host Facebook pages, recruiters search for résumés on LinkedIn, patients discuss symptoms in online forums and healthcare organizations rely on Twitter during disaster relief.

Pamela Ressler, BSN, RN, HN-BC, believes all nurses can (and should) be a part of the online healthcare discussion. Ressler is an adjunct lecturer of public health and community medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine in Medford, Mass., adjunct professor at the University of Massachusetts-Boston and the first nurse to have been selected to serve on Stanford University’s Medicine X executive leadership board. According to Ressler, exploring social media can be an opportunity for nurses to engage in the conversation and discuss healthcare trends.

“Nurses are used to being on the front lines of patient care in communities, and we now have the opportunity to connect with patients in their online communities by logging in and sharing our voice online," she said.

Ressler became aware of the power of social media when her teenage son was diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer in 2000. When he was admitted to the hospital, he still wanted to keep in contact with his friends. Ressler connected his computer to a landline dial-up and describes how – for a moment – while chatting over instant messenger, her son felt like a kid again.

“The experience opened my eyes to the isolation patients can feel when they are facing a chronic illness,” said Ressler. “I realized how the internet can become a tool of connection for patients who are suffering or in pain. It can connect them to the outside world and it can connect them to other patients.”

Many patients look online when seeking health information, but social media can be especially helpful for chronic disease patients seeking relief from the feeling of isolation. Social media can be a way for patients to exchange treatment information, discuss symptoms, share experiences and encourage each other.

“Sometimes people dismiss social media as trivial,” said Ressler. “But they’re missing the big picture. For many patients, interacting online creates a sense of being part of a real, vibrant community.”Even with all of the benefits of engaging on social, Ressler does urge caution for nurses using social media.

“I see social media as a wonderful place to share knowledge, track trends in healthcare and engage in dialogue with a large audience, but we must always remember the public nature of all social media platforms, and remember that confidentiality and privacy policies follow us into our online conversations just as they do in our face-to-face conversations. There can be legal consequences to nurses who violate HIPAA and other employer policies about privacy and confidentiality of patient information.”

For more information about the future of nursing, listen to an interview with Pam Ressler on the Campaign’s podcast, “ Nursing Notes Live .” To learn more about how to become active on social media, check out Ressler's tips below. Ressler's tips are also featured in the new Student Nurse Section, which has even more information about how to use social media to launch a job search, establish a "personal brand" and navigate the web.

Ressler's Quick Social Media Tips

  • Join LinkedIn to find professional opportunities. As a nurse, it’s important to create a professional profile on -- no matter what stage you are in your career. The profile gives you a chance to articulate your skills and define your professional goals. LinkedIn also serves as a great resource for networking with other nurses and finding a job. I recommend joining specialty groups on LinkedIn that fit your interests, like pediatric nursing, as well as national nursing organizations.
  • Maintain a professional online presence. It is important for nurses and other healthcare professionals to always keep their tone and language appropriate when engaging in social media. Employers tend to look at candidates’ social media profiles to gauge the personality of potential employees.
  • Take a seat at the table. Use social media to collaborate with others around an area of interest. Through Tweet chats or by networking on LinkedIn, you can find colleagues around the world who are passionate about similar issues in particular specialties. Social media can help you step out of a nursing silo and collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
  • Even in private forums, consider everything on social media to be public. Always remember that you are nurse, and confidentiality and privacy are important. In the same way you wouldn’t forget you’re a nurse if you were in an elevator in your hospital, don’t forget you’re a nurse when posting on social media. As a nurse, I don’t post anything that I wouldn’t feel comfortable being available to the public.
  • Maintain HIPAA regulations. It’s important to refrain from diagnosing and giving specific, individual medical advice online to comply with HIPAA regulations. For more information about staying in compliance with HIPAA rules, read the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s “ Guide to Social Media .”
  • Listen first, engage second. Social media is not a broadcast tool, it’s a conversation. Observe the discussion thoroughly before entering the conversation to ensure it is one you want to be part of.
  • Remember that you aren’t expected to become tech-savvy overnight. If you are new to social media, begin with creating a LinkedIn profile to dip your toe into the water and have a professional presence online. You don’t need to jump in the deep end and do everything at once!
  • Share your voice! Nurses are well-positioned to be leaders and advocates in the health and wellness of our society. We need to articulate those skills and put ourselves in the same space as other leaders in other industries! Social media is one vehicle that allows us to add the nursing voice to the healthcare conversation in a truly powerful way.
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By Kevin Klatt @nutrevolve

The concept of food addiction is of particular relevance to field of nutritional sciences. The conversation in popular media describes food addiction as though there is scientific consensus surrounding the topic. However, its lack of inclusion in the DSM-V leaves many evidence-based practitioners skeptical about using this kind of terminology. To understand this disconnect, I reached out to Jennifer Nasser, PhD, RD, to hear a researcher and clinician’s perspective on this controversial topic.

Dr. Nasser is an associate professor in the Nutrition Sciences Department at Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. Her research focuses on the neurobiological aspects of food intake and preference. Her current research uses the non-invasive functional near-infrared spectroscope (fNIR) to measure brain activity under varying nutrient and metabolic conditions.

Q: Documentaries like FedUp, books such as Wheat Belly and seemingly countless articles circulating the internet throw around the term ‘food addiction’ as if it’s fact. What are your thoughts on the term ‘food addiction’?

A: The problem with the term “food addiction” is two-fold. One problem is that it is defined differently by different groups of people interested in the topic, i.e. the lay consumer uses addiction to describe “loss of control” over anything, but especially their favorite foods; the clinician uses the term to couple “loss of control” and feelings about “loss of control” with social and health consequences; and the behavior pharmacologists don’t use the term because of its clinical associations, rather they focus on the behavior and neurobiology associated with the five domains that characterize “drug addiction”:
Dependence = how difficult to quit
Withdrawal = presence and severity of symptoms in absence of substance
Reinforcement = ability to promote use over other substances i.e. “loss of control” over use
Tolerance = how much is needed to satisfy increasing cravings and level of stable need
Intoxication = mind altering stupefaction, excitement or euphoria that renders a person unable to act competently.
These domains are all based upon the principle that there is no “natural” satiety system for drug use and no beneficial need for “addictive” drugs. This brings us to the second and more important problem with the term “food addiction”, namely that there is a built in system meant to control food intake in the body and there is an obligatory need to consume food. Consequently, any determination of “food addiction” must be made while controlling for the contribution of the natural control system and need for food and nutrients.

Q: What is the neurobiological basis of this?

A: Many neurobiological systems are involved in controlling food intake. There are different orexigenic and anorexigenic peptides (with brain and gut sources) involved as well as neurotransmitters in the brain that contribute to the desire for food. Examples: orexigenic peptide- ghrelin, some endogenous opioids and endocannabinoids; anorexigenic peptides- leptin, glp-1, cck, amylin; neurotransmitters- dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, endogenous opioids and endocannabinoids, gaba, glutamate.

Q: Is there a gold standard technique in this research? What lines of evidence will be required to prove/disprove that individuals may struggle with food addiction-related behavior?

A: The DSM-V committee that focused on addiction declined to add “food addiction” as a recognized mental illness stated that there is not definitive evidence for its addiction. One important piece of missing information is which nutrient(s) form the basis for the addiction. Is there just one “addictive” component to food? Is the addiction to the social associations surrounding food?

With respect to a gold standard technique: reinforcement by operant responding is used to determine the relative reinforcing value of drugs and to get them classified for addiction potential. Some people have published food reinforcement studies, myself included. However, if you compare across these studies you find that some are done when people are fasting and a few are done in the satiated, fed state. The results vary depending upon the feed status of the participants and there’s not agreement yet in the field as to the proper conditions for defining addiction potential of various foods.

Q: I’ve seen many argue that sugar lights up the same areas of the brain as addictive drugs, and, from this, conclude that it too is addictive. Coming from an evolutionary biology background, it makes sense to me that pleasurable nutrients would show this response in the brain. I’m not sure how the primate tree of life would’ve fared if they stumbled onto fruit and thought ‘meh’. How do you distinguish between a normal physiological pleasure response to nutrients and addictive behavior?

A: Good point. As I said above, one way is to compare responses in the fed and fasted state. (See Nasser et al. Obesity 2008 16:1816-1820).

Q: I first heard about loss of control (LOC) eating while reading some nutrigenetic research looking at specific FTO genotypes (rs9939609) and their relationship with this sort of eating behavior. Do you think that certain individuals are more prone to LOC eating?

A: Possibly, in addition to FTO, there’s some evidence that there are differences in the dopamine transporter gene and D2 receptor genes that confer more susceptibility towards LOC.

Q: The whole concept of LOC eating seems to narrow in on processed foods. Do you think this behavior is independent of processed food consumption? The focus on just sugar seems to be a bit unscientific. Dosage and context of the whole diet are always factors in nutrition – is there research to show they matter with LOC eating? I know there has been other research on the same FTO SNP associated with LOC episodes that used higher protein intake to alter appetite.

A: The focus on sugar is backed by scientific evidence with respect to sugar being the important reinforcing component even in sugar/fat mixtures (see Naleid et al 2008). With respect to neurotransmitter release, both sugar and fat have shown dose response in relation to dopamine release. (see papers by Hajnal and Bello). Both of these studies have used rats.

Part of the problem of defining the causative substance still comes down to having an agreement as to whether we’re talking about domains/characteristics of “addictive” like behavior or we’re saying that “activation” of similar brain regions by food and drugs of abuse constitute “food addiction.”

With respect to protein and appetite, I think that again we need to have agreement that experiments to investigate “food addiction” need to use fed, objective calorically satiated participants. Protein is a good satiating and satiety promoting macronutrient. If we agree on a standard physical condition for our participants, we could then look at the relative reinforcing power of various food components with respect to the five domains of “addiction” and get some standardized answers. From there we can then make a collective decision as to whether the reinforcing and/or other domain characteristics seen under standardized conditions rise to a level of concern that needs to be labeled as food addiction.

Q: The IOM recently convened a panel on food addiction. What were the takeaways from this?
A: The IOM is going to release proceedings from their meeting soon, so I think it’s best to wait for the official version of the consensus of the meeting.

Q: If people are interested in this topic, what journals or labs would you specifically recommend following?
A: Journals: Appetite, Physiology and Behavior, AJCN, Biological Psychiatry, Neuroimage, Science to name a few.

There are a lot of people actively working in this field and I don’t want to not mention anyone, so I would suggest doing a PubMed search, and also a RePORTER search on the NIH website to find those funded to work in food addiction, LOC eating and binge eating, as well as addiction in general.

Q: What are your caveats to other scientists and clinicians with interpreting this research?

A: I agree with the DSM-V committee that we need to define the component(s) of food that promote addictive behavior. Additionally I think it’s very important to define “addiction”-related factors as those that occur in the fed, satiated state. Until we satisfy our natural nutrient needs, the concept of addiction is irrelevant. It’s the food intake and accompanying calories that are consumed beyond metabolic need that create the negative health consequences.


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About Us – Network Outfitters

Simply put, Network Outfitters is the fastest, easiest way to get the new, refurbished or pre-owned networking equipment you need at the best possible price. Guaranteed. But that’s just part of the story.

DR4001103-E6 FrontOur founder, Kurt Rawlings has been in the networking industry since 1987.

From 1987 – 2000 Kurt was the Co-Owner and VP of sales and marketing at Computer Recyclers in Utah.

Computer Recyclers was a pioneer in it’s day to start the Ecycling movement.

After several years and many lessons learned, Kurt Rawlings founded Network Outfitters in 2000 because he saw an increased opportunity to provide better value and better service than the market was currently offering.

And it’s working. Our business has grown year over year. That’s because we treat our customers the way we’d want to be treated. Our customers, in turn, have rewarded us through their repeat business and referrals.

We’re able to do what we do because the market for networking equipment is unique. For one thing, pre-owned and refurbished equipment represents an enormous cost savings compared to new, and it is generally unavailable from the manufacturers or their VARS. Not only are we able to provide a lower cost alternative, we can do so without the typical lead times and with much stronger warranty programs than buying direct.

Also, the market for this equipment is fragmented. It can be difficult, time-consuming and often impossible for systems integrators, IT consultants, network architects, government or education network support professionals, and end users to locate needed hardware, let alone a reputable supplier.

ft-logoThat’s where we come in. Through our many combined years in the industry, we’ve developed an extensive source network for pre-owned, refurbished and new networking equipment. Our products are thoroughly tested, backed by an industry leading warranty, and, more importantly, you’ll always know where to find us after the sale. Why spend days or weeks tracking down the hardware you need and gamble on the quality and reliability of the equipment and the vendor? Chances are we have it in stock or can source it for immediate shipment. And we’ll guarantee the quality, and get it to you at a much better price than you could find on your own.

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Though our company has grown over the years, we’re still here every day, ensuring that our sales staff delivers the high standard of customer service we established ourselves from day one. And even though we have fancy job titles on our business cards now, we’re not above personally taking phone orders or sending out quotes. At Network Outfitters, customer service is part of everyone’s job description.

When you are looking for new, pre-owned, or refurbished networking equipment from any of  the  major manufactures, you deserve an easy, hassle-free shopping experience. Our goal is simple: deliver maximum value, impress you with our service, and earn your repeat business.

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Book It!
From: Thira, Santorini
Price:$ 3,995

Based on Double Occupany. Single Supplement applies

Duration: 8 Days, 7 Nights
June 3 - 10, 2019
September 20 - 27, 2019

Or book a Custom Trip

8 Days, 7 Nights
Sea Kayaking
Skill Rating:
Van Supported:
Thira, Santorini
$ 3,995

Based on Double Occupany. Single Supplement applies

Included: Guides, ground transportation, support vehicle, lodging (based on double occupancy, single supplement applies), most meals per itinerary (noted as (B), (L), and (D) below), all kayaking equipment, all instruction, and entry fees into archaeological sites and the National Geological Park of New Kameni (the volcano).
Not Included: Air or ferry to Santorini, lunches, drinks and one dinner, personal clothing and accessories, full medical, baggage and trip cancellation insurance, airport taxes and gratuities. Single Supplement: $775.

The fabled island of Santorini has inspired travelers for thousands of years, and in modern times is renowned as the most romantic of all the Greek islands. Is it lost Atlantis? Many believe it is, but there is no doubt that it's paradise.  And on this one-of-a-kind adventure, you'll learn its secret coves, remote volcanic black sand beaches, and undersea hot springs in a way few ever do - by kayak. During the days, we'll paddle the waters, hike the still-active volcano which is the centerpiece of the caldera, and enjoy the dramatic seascapes topped by white towns on top of the cliffs that combine to make Santorini one of the most beautiful locations on earth. At night, we'll share in the splendid world-class Greek cuisine of Santorini, taste the special wines that this dry volcanic terroir produces, and even have time to explore the shopping opportunities in the towns of Thira and Oia. But these indulgences will pale beside the centerpiece of our trip together - two nights on the rarely-visited island of Thirassia, staying in a cliff-top village that time has missed and that will make you feel that you're the first to discover your very own Greek island.

During this unforgettable trip, we will circumnavigate both the island of Santorini itself and Thirassia, observe the legendary sunsets - and a few sunrises, too, for the early-birds among us - and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Day 1: Our trip officially  begins at 5:00pm at the Sea Sound Hotel with welcome drinks and our first fabulous sunset to inaugurate our first night on the island. Guests who arrive early in the day may choose to hike the scenic and historic footpath overlooking the caldera from Firostefani to the famous town of Oia. D

Day 2: After a delicious breakfast we will commence our circumnavigation of Santorini beginning at beautiful Caldera Beach on the southwest coast. First we paddle west toward the point of Faros, enjoying a breathtaking caldera view with the cliffs of Santorini on our left and the smaller islands of Thirasia and Nea Kameni on our right. We’ll see the colorful doors of traditional Greek boat houses carved right into the seaside cliff walls. We’ll curve back east along the coast to our cappuccino stop at Pigadia Beach. Our lunch stop is at the historic Akrotiri Beach. Our destination for the night is near the southernmost tip of the island of Fira, where our friendly hosts await us in their beautiful oasis-like villas. After a swim and shower we will visit a fine Santorini winery, perched atop one of the many picturesque cliffs, for wine tasting and one of many caldera sunsets. Afterwards we'll head back to a seaside taverna for dinner. B, D

Day 3: After a hearty breakfast by the pool at our hotel, we’ll take to the sea once again paddling north to the world-famous black volcanic sand beach of Kamares, where we'll enjoy a cappuccino stop before ascending by van to the ancient Roman-era site of Thira. We'll explore this fascinating and well-preserved ancient city. Tonight we stay in luxurious  cave houses in the breathtaking town of Oia. You will enjoy welcome drinks and a rock-star sunset view right from your balcony!  In this famous cliff-dwelling town where we will stay for two nights, you will have the opportunity to have the quintessential Santorini experience: sunset viewing, jewelry and art shopping, fine food and drink. The white-washed houses and blue church domes we’ll see here have been captured in countless travel photos of Santorini. B, D

Day 4: After enjoying and elegant and plentiful breakfast spread, we will return to the boats to round the northern tip of Santorini. Our destination is charming and energetic Ammoudi Bay, which sits just below our beautiful cliffside hotel in Oia. Walk or ride up to your room for yet another amazing sunset. Tonight you are on your own for dinner and have the opportunity to explore the town, visit the castle, and enjoy the numerous artisan shops and cafes.  B

Day 5: After breakfast we’ll walk down to Ammoudi Bay and begin our day’s journey into the spectacular Santorini caldera. Our first stop is historic Armeni Bay for our morning cappuccino. We’ll admire the intense contrasting colors of the banded cliffs that show the different layers of volcanic materials. The impossibly warm, luminescent sea against the caldera’s sheer cliffs creates an inviting stage for photographs and swimming. We’ll paddle along the interior of the caldera to the Port of Thira for our lunch stop, which provides opportunities for quick shopping and people watching. After lunch we will cross the caldera to the island of Thirasia, a time-capsule of the Greek islands from decades ago. Tonight we stay at the only inn on the island, where our worldly and charming host, Jimmy, extends his heart and Greek hospitality. From here we can enjoy the glimmering lights of Oia and Thira on the “big” island, and enjoy unique traditional cuisine at a local taverna. B, D

Day 6: We’ll circumnavigate Thirassia and have a picnic lunch along the shore. Tonight our sunset hike takes us to the site of a historic monastery with one of the most spectacular views in the Greek Islands! B, D

Day 7: We’ll say good bye to Thirassia and make our final crossing back to Santorini. On the way, we’ll explore the "new" volcanic islands which have recently arisen in the caldera. The youngest of these, Nea Kameni, or “New Burnt Island” is only 300 years old and is surrounded by hot springs. After a swim in the volcanic springs that empty directly into the sea, we’ll hike to the core of the volcanic crater and have a hearty picnic lunch overlooking the sea. At last, we’ll make our final crossing back to our launching place at Santorini’s Caldera Beach and enjoy a well-deserved celebratory dinner. B, D

Day 8: Breakfast ends our stay on this beautiful and enchanting island. Final partings and transfers to flights or ferries round out our final day. B

This itinerary is subject to change. As with all adventure travel, some activities are dependent on appropriate wind and water conditions. But fear not -we have many alternative activities available in case the weather is not cooperative.

Clothing & Equipment:

This is all you will need - anything else is unnecessary baggage and will only be extra weight to carry.

  • 3-7 T-shirts, some synthetic for paddling
  • 1 shirt, long sleeved
  • 2-3 pair shorts (some quick drying) Sun/rain hat Sneakers/cross trainers hiking; some prefer hiking in Tevas or other sandals with socks
  • Rain gear just in case! (Paddling jacket works well as an alternative) or windbreaker jacket
  • 1 pair sport sandals (Tevas, water socks etc)/ Paddling booties are great!
  • Bathing suit(s)
  • Underwear, socks
  • Casual clothes for evenings (shorts/summer dresses are fine!)
  • Clean change of clothing for the trip home

  • Passport (be sure to check expiration date)
  • Toiletry kit- toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, sunscreen, face cream, nail clippers, moleskin, baby powder, soap, washcloth (most hotels don’t provide them) etc.
  • Personal medication kit- ibuprofen, aspirin, vitamins, band-aids, Dramamine®, cold/sinus meds if prone to colds
  • Daypack/fanny pack for hiking options
  • Collapsible walking stick for optional hikes
  • Sunglasses Chums/Croakies® to keep glasses on your head are imperative
  • Water bottle (optional- bottled water is plentiful and cheap)
  • Small dry bag with carabiner clip (clear ones are very useful)
  • Headlamp for sea caves
  • Camera, waterproof container
  • Paddling gloves (for the tender of palm- not neoprene but any open fingered glove can help e.g. biking gloves etc)
  • Small towel (e.g. PackTowel® works well)
  • Small travel alarm clock

Optional Equipment

  • Guidebooks
  • Mask and snorkel (can be purchased inexpensively)
  • Field glasses – binoculars
  • Paddle/personal PFD- we will supply paddles and PFD’s for group but if you prefer your own paddle and PFD, feel free to bring them along
  • Ziploc® storage bags (to keep stuff extra dry in dry bag)

What is special about this trip?
Incredible coastline, spectacular sunsets, the friendliest innkeepers and taverna owners you’ll ever meet, warm waters in tremendously varied shades of blue and green, never-ending sunshine, phenomenal food, and an opportunity to see the Santorini that few tourists see. Rick Sweitzer, Director of The Northwest Passage, fell in love with the Greek Isles in the late 60’s and has been exploring the back roads and coastlines of these incredible islands ever since. This one-of-a-kind trip allows participants to experience both the well-known thrills of Santorini as well as the often-overlooked charms of the traditional culture, beautiful unpopulated coastlines and the unbeatable pleasure of paddling along the beautiful and dramatic volcanic coastline of Santorini and Thirassia.

How do I get there?
You take a ferry from Piraeus or fly to the small airport on Santorini, code JTR. It is very easy and often more convenient to travel the Cycladic Islands by ferry.

What papers do I need for travel?
All US citizens require a valid passport to enter Greece. A visa is not required for citizens of the United States, Canada, and the European Union. If you are a citizen of another country, please check with your nearest Greek embassy for visa requirements.

Do I need to get any shots before traveling?
No inoculations are required when entering or leaving Greece.

How and where will you meet me?
We will have a copy of your travel itinerary and meet you at the port or airport. A Northwest Passage guide will greet you.

How long will it take me to get there?
The flight to Athens is usually an overnight flight, leaving the U.S. in the late afternoon and arriving mid-day to late afternoon in Athens. Depending on the carrier and connection, you may overnight in another city en-route.

Where should I stay overnight around there?
If you plan on arriving early or staying late, give the office a call for a recommendation on a great place to stay.

What money should I take?
The trip fee covers most of your costs. The only things you will be responsible for are lunches, drinks, one dinner, personal purchases, and gratuities. Lunches generally range 5-10 Euro. Dinner ranges 10-20 Euro. Personal purchases again vary- one can buy unique souvenirs made of olive wood for 5 Euro or get fine jewelry for significantly more… it’s up to you.

What's the currency? Exchange rate? Where can I exchange money?
The Drachma was the Greek currency. However, Greece converted to the Euro in January 2002. For the most current exchange rate, there are several helpful websites. Oanda ( will give you a handy conversion cheat sheet to take with you. You can exchange money at the airport. Exchange rates at the airport may not be the most favorable and they often have higher commission rates and/or minimum commissions. There are ATM’s at the airports which can be handy as there is not a commission, just the ATM service charge.

Do they take plastic there? Are there cash stations?"
Many of the larger shops and tavernas accept major credit cards, but some places only accept cash. ATMs are available in most of the populated areas on Santorini.

How much should I tip my guides?
Within the adventure travel industry, "tipping" is a standard practice, and it is welcomed by our guides. Our highly-trained and competent guides are on duty 24/7 for your safety and convenience, and recognizing their efforts is encouraged. Though it is not required and varies substantially, many participants tip approximately 10%-15% of their trip price.

What's the weather like?
The weather in fall and spring is generally around 80° with lots of sunshine. Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen, including lip protection. A broad-brimmed hat that secures on your head can also be very helpful. Water temperatures in fall tend to be in the mid to upper 70’s. Spring water temperatures are significantly cooler (high 60’s). Air temperatures cool off at night to the point you may want a light jacket. Rain is unusual but does sometimes occur. A light rain jacket can be handy.

What are the accommodations like?
We choose to stay in the nicest family owned inns and hotels. Each has an attached bathroom, and many have balconies with sunset or sunrise views!

What is a Single Supplement ?
A Single Supplement is a charge paid by a solo traveler to compensate the inns or hotels for losses incurred because only one person is using a room. The Northwest Passage partnerships with local inn owners are based on double occupancy. The room will sleep two individuals. If you are a solo traveler and would like your own room for the trip duration the Single Supplement fee is applied. If you are a solo traveler looking to share a room The Northwest Passage will make every effort to pair solo travelers of the same gender together. We pair solo travelers together based on registration date. If you request to share a room and The Northwest Passage cannot pair you with another traveler, the Single Supplement fee is applied. The Single Supplement fee is currently $775 and subject to change at without notification.

What do I need to bring?
Upon registering, we will provide you with a detailed clothing and equipment list to guide you in your packing. Casual clothes are the order of the day- no need for anything fancy. If you bring any items requiring electricity, be sure to bring both a converter and adapter plugs. These can be purchased at Radio Shack®, other electronics stores, travel stores etc. Let the salesperson know you are traveling to Greece and they can help you select the appropriate converter and adapter plugs for your equipment. Note that hair dryers, irons, and any other heat producing devices require a stronger converter than other devices. It is helpful to know the wattage of your particular equipment when purchasing the appropriate converter. While paddling, your needs in the boat will be minimal. A small dry bag with a carabiner clip to keep it attached to the boat is very handy. Clear bags are helpful to be able to find what you need. During the day, you will want to have sunscreen, some Euros for lunch and the cappuccino stop, sunglasses with something to keep them tied on with (Croakies®, Chums®, etc.), water bottle (most folks will buy cold bottled water in the morning, eliminating the need to bring a water bottle), camera, mask and snorkel (if you enjoy snorkeling), small binoculars if you already have some, and a small pack towel. A pair of gloves can be helpful to prevent blisters. You do not need neoprene paddling gloves- these can be too warm. Any open fingered glove (including bike gloves, sailing gloves, golfing gloves) can work well (just figure that they will get quite wet). The key is to protect your palm between your thumb and index finger, as that tends to receive the most friction. The rest of your gear can be loaded in the van in the morning. Packing your gear in flexible bags (e.g. duffle bags vs. hard suitcases) is preferable. A common comment from participants at the end of the trip is that they brought much more than they needed- added extra clothing to what was on the clothing/equipment checklist and regretted it in the end. Simplicity is the order of the day- less is more!

Can I drink the water?
The water is safe to drink in all the areas we visit. However, bottled water is readily available everywhere and quite inexpensive so most folks choose to drink bottled water.

What's the food like?
Breakfast generally consists of fresh Greek yogurt with honey, bread, cheese, juice, coffee or tea, with eggs as an occasional option. Lunches and dinners are ordered off the menu which typically consists of Greek specialties such as moussaka, pastitsio, grilled meats and fish, spaghetti (doesn’t sound Greek but very popular), stifada (generally beef stew), etc. Selections for vegetarians are more limited but previous vegetarian clients have not gone hungry, enjoying dolmades (grape leaves), eggplant, zucchini, tzatziki (yogurt/cucumber/garlic dip), saganaki (fried feta), Greek salads etc.

What time zone will I be in?
Greece is two hours ahead of Greenwich Time, which makes it 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Time, 8 hours ahead of Central Time, 10 hours ahead of Pacific Time.

How can people reach me in an emergency? Can I call home?
We will provide you with a list of our hotels including phone and fax numbers. You should also provide family/friends with The Northwest Passage number (800-RECREATE, 732-7328), as NWP staff will always be notified of any changes in the itinerary. You can call home using a calling card. Many of the hotels will have phones in the rooms. Keep in mind the time difference listed above. It can be helpful to remind family and friends about this also.

How much time do we spend traveling each day? How many miles? Do I have free time?
We will generally kayak 5-6 hours per day. The paddling is broken into multiple sections with plenty of time to explore the coastline, paddle in and out of sea caves and jump in and out of the water to cool off. We generally begin paddling at 8:30 each morning, then take a cappuccino break at a seaside taverna after an hour or so. We stop again for lunch after another hour or so and generally reach our next hotel between 3:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon. Distance traveled varies each day, ranging from 6-24 miles. Once we reach our destination, you will have some free time to shower, relax, and/or explore the town. We will generally offer some additional skill training for folks who are interested at the end of the day. Some participants have wanted to work on Eskimo rolling, paddling techniques, etc. Each day, the van will be following our route, meeting us at the cappuccino stops and lunch stops, offering multiple options. You can paddle to the cappuccino break, then hop in the van to the lunch stop, then paddle again in the afternoon. Or start with a van ride and paddle later in the day. The choices are endless!

What kind of equipment do you use?
We have a combination of hard shell plastic doubles, singles and folding doubles. Some participants prefer to paddle in the doubles the whole time (paddling is a bit easier with two people powering the boat and the doubles tend to be more stable) and some prefer to trade on and off with the singles. We will provide kayaks, paddles, spray skirts and PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices) for all participants. If you prefer to bring your own paddle and/or PFD, you are most welcome to. Please let us know in advance so that we can pack the appropriate gear, especially if you have a particular need or unusual size.

How many people are on this trip? How many guides? Who are the guides? What are their qualifications?
Our group sizes for this trip range from 6 to 16 participants. We generally have two guides on the water and one or two additional staff members as van drivers. Your guides will be knowledgeable Northwest Passage staff members who are highly skilled in all aspects of sea kayaking and wilderness travel and have years of experience leading groups. They all have training and/or certification in Wilderness First Aid.

How can I prepare physically for the trip? How much prior experience is needed?
We have had participants on this trip who have never been in a kayak before and others who have been paddling for years. We have found that all levels of kayakers have enjoyed this adventure. A good level of personal fitness makes the journey more enjoyable. For kayaking, upper body exercises that strengthen your shoulders, back and arms are recommended. Strengthening exercises with free weights can be very beneficial. Upper body stretches and exercises such as rowing are also useful. Keep in mind that we have had folks at all different levels of physical conditioning thoroughly enjoy this trip and the van is always an option! It is extremely important that you know how to swim and are comfortable in the water. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions or concerns about your physical capabilities for this trip.

“This was a fabulous experience. The water, the sea and cliffs are remarkable and beautiful. The route around Santorini and Thirassia was unforgettable.” -Peter C., Washington, DC - Santorini, 2010

“Excellent trip! Fun meter was spinning the whole time – never expected to come home with my own Greek phone number...!” -Cindy L., Sauk Rapids, Minnesota - Santorini, 2011

"Incredible paddling & a rare insight into Greece that few people see, Thank you! The first thing I will do when I get home, after my laundry, is buy a kayak. I'm hooked and ready to train for the next trip!"- Margo M., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - Santorini, 2011

"Rick, Ryan, Elena, You did a wonderful job of rolling with the "windy punches". Without hesitation, I'd recommend you to those who trust me. Warmest regards,"  -Don R., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - Santorini, 2011

"Great trip! Thanks for the many ways you met our needs and desires to make it so." -Bud M., Golden, Colorado - Santorini, 2011

"Dear friends, Thanks for all your great leadership and for introducing us to this marvelous place. We appreciate your flexibility and helping us be so successful with this adventure! Best,"  -BJ M., Golden, Colorado - Santorini, 2011

"Wendy, Matthew and Rick, So many special memories. Each day brought a newness to the trip experience. Your expertise, humor and excellent flexibility are beyond reproach. Thank you for an excellent trip." -Norby and Harold P., Littleton, Colorado - Santorini, 2011

“Sun, sand, surf, serenity, solace, serendipity and some social sipping with special sea-going souls. A surprising surfeit of super times.” -Michael W., Goderich, Ontario, Canada - Santorini, 2011

“Geological Evolution" – Michael Watts – Santorini, 2011

The African Tectonic Plate
Said to Europe “We've got a date !”
I'll subduct your southern shore
and make a brand new ocean floor

this ocean trench between us two
we'll fill with water calm and blue
and call it – well – “the med” will do

Then from the mantle's liquid core
we'll make volcanoes rise and roar
then when they cool off up in the air
they'll be a lot of islands there

these islands in the Grecian seas
we'll call them – well - “the cyclades”
because they'll form a great big ring
around that “Apollo's birth place” thing

And in some far and distant time
will come sailors drinking wine
they'll paddle boats and write in rhyme
a rage of warriors bred in blood
the cycladic north west kayak club"

"Rick, Ryan and Elena. A superb week! An opening to another culture, stupendous geography and scenery and the company of friends and new acquaintances. Great food, wine and beer. What more could one ask for? Challenging paddling, but secure and serene in the capable and reasoning hand of our coach and teammates. Thank you for an unforgettable, life enriching experience." -Don and Catherine C., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - Santorini, 2011

"Wendy, Matthew, Rick - Thank you so much for another Northwest Passage adventure. The sanctuary was amazing, so sacred. See you soon." -Kathy P., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - Santorini, 2011

"Kayaking through the Caldera on calm seas. A dream. The whistle of the monastery in the distance. A blessed trip. Thank you." - Jonathan S., New York, New York - Santorini, 2011

"What an amazing adventure! I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this experience... Believe it or not it was absolute zen for me. Working hard but having the quiet time to recharge. You are truly skilled- paddling yes; but also in terms of your ability to read people, understanding what they need in terms of support and care. I can't wait to do this again! I am seriously looking forward to hanging with you all again ! :) On our last day, without realizing, we had become a true team! Moving kayaks off of the ferry in perfect harmony. I'm gonna miss you guys..."- Isabelle D., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - Santorini, 2011

" Without hesitation I'd recommend you to those who trust me."- Don R., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - Santorini, 2011

“Great group. Super company. I was amazed at the “nose” of Rick. He can find the best places to stay and eat.” -A.O. (Chas) C., Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom - Santorini, 2010

“If you enjoy Greek culture, food and spectacular landscapes, by all means go.” -2010 “I would do a trip with Wendy and Elena any day!” -Dan N., Thunder Bay, ON, Canada - Santorini, 2010

“Undeniably, irrevocably, irretrievably, definitely, certainly, quite the best kayak trip I’ve ever been on -- just like the other Northwest Passage trips.” -Michael W., Goderich, Ontario, Canada - Santorini, 2010

The dramatic cliffs rising up from the Aegean sea tell a story like no other in the Greek islands.  Santorini is what remains of a volcanic island located in the Aegean Sea, about 120 miles from Greece's mainland. While its ancient name of Thera or Thira came back into use during the 19th Century, Santorini remains its colloquial name, a remnant of the Venetian occupation of many of the Greek islands.

The earliest evidence of habitation on the island of Santorini dates to the Cycladic culture of  the early Bronze Age (3000-2000 BC).  During this time, close ties were made with the Minoan civilization based on the large island of Crete less than a hundred miles away.  The buried ancient city of Akrotiri shows an advanced town blending Cycladic and Minoan features, which may have given rise to the rumors that this island was the home of lost Atlantis.  The ancient inhabitants lived in multilevel buildings with the earliest known plumbing systems that carried both hot and cold water into homes. Santorini is a volcanic island, and so it is most likely that the Minoans utilized the thermal heat for their access to hot water.  Experts still debate when this came to an abrupt end when the sleeping volcano awoke,  erupting so vigorously that much of the island was literally vaporized and a civilization-ending tsunami swept high up into the hills of eastern Crete and wreaking havoc elsewhere in the Aegean. The entombed city reveals a wealthy society with merchant warehouses, textile weaving, and beautiful, hand-painted murals.

After the destruction of the Minoans, the island remained uninhabited for hundreds of years. The Phoenicians, an enterprising maritime trade culture that flourished in the Mediterranean between 1550BC and 300BC, were next to settle on Santorini. Not long after the time of the Phoenicians, during the 9thCentury BC, an ancient tribe of Greeks called the Dorians settled on Santorini, now known as Kalliste, or the "Beautiful Island". The Dorians founded a city called Mesa Vouno. Later taken over by the Romans and rebuilt, the remains of this city, now known as Ancient Thera, can still be visited today. The city was used as a trading and military port, but slowly declined in importance. It remained inhabited until 726 AD, when a small eruption covered the city in a layer of pumice and it was finally given up.

The island was settled and renamed after “Saint Irene” by the Venetians during the 13th Century Crusades and later fell into Ottoman hands. From 1579 until 1821, Santorini remained under the control of the Ottoman Empire. It gained its independence, along with most of the rest of Greece during the Greek War of Independence. In 1830, Santorini was united as a part of Greece under the Treaty of London.

In 1954, a strong earthquake struck Greece and many of the buildings on Santorini were demolished. The present-day buildings date from after the earthquake. The volcano of Santorini is still active and the islands in the center of the caldera emit a small amount of steam. A second active volcano has been recently discovered just outside the crescent of Santorini, and will eventually create a new island offshore.

Today, Santorini's relies primarily on tourism during the summer months. The view over the caldera entices visitors from around the world, and the island is popular for weddings and honeymoons. Its rich volcanic soils and indigenous grapes support a small, but flourishing, wine industry with a number of new wineries opening to the public for tastings. The traditional wine the island produces is called Vinsanto, which in Italian means “holy wine”. The sweet and strong wine is made from the best sun-dried grapes and is then aged in barrels, sometimes for as long as  for twenty to twenty-five years. The result is a sweet, dark amber-orange dessert wine with aromas of citrus and minerals, layered with overtones of nuts, raisins, figs, honey and tea. Other wines include the distinctive dry white wines called Asyrtiko which retain a taste of the volcanic terroir, and  rich local red wines. All of the grapes are grown using a unique low "basket" method of viticulture which makes the most of the sparse moisture the island receives as the volcanic mists condense over the porous soil. The renowned "Santorini Tomato" is grown the same way, along with a small and intensely flavored local fava bean and a special form of cucumber.


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Tablet Tips That Will Benefit Your Needs

The tablet is a great thing once you know what it can do. You just have to have the right knowledge in order for you to succeed. Read on to understand the best ways to make good use of your tablet every day.

Soft resets can fix your tablet when it freezes. Press the power and the home buttons together for a few seconds. The tablet will then reboot. To close an application, click the home button and hold it.

Are you annoyed by how often your tablet asks you to connect to WiFi networks? You can stop this by going to settings. You can go to the tab to opt out of joining a network. Turn that setting off, and you will finally be rid of the constant notifications.

Change your settings so that you can preview more than two lines of an email in your inbox. Go to Settings/Mail/Preview. You can change this from 2 lines to 5 lines. Now you’ll be able to see every email that you have in your inbox, which really speeds things up.

If you’re worried about people trying to access your data, you can fix your tablet to erase your data if there are a certain number of failed attempts. This will enable erasure of all data on your phone after 10 unsuccessful login attempts.

You must learn how to take care of your tablet properly. First of all, keep your tablet out of direct sunlight and don’t leave it locked inside your hot car. One problem that could result is a faulty or poorly working battery. Keep your tablet away from liquids so electronic components are not damaged. A padded cover will offer your tablet additional protection.

Use these tips and your tablet will become your favorite tool for all kinds of daily tasks. It is a terrific device, is quite powerful and can be used for a wide array of things. Remember these tips and start grabbing some of the opportunities out there.


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Poetry & Words

The Battle Between Blogger and Writer

The Battle Between Blogger and Writer

I feel stretched out, sometimes, pulled and twisted and at odds in the middle between the world of the writer and the world of the blogger. One is born a writer, but made a blogger.

For the writer, the sky itself shouts and whispers. Words fall down all around me from the sky, and I gather them up by the armfuls and pour them into the lines, giving my book a little shake at the end to settle in the errant punctuation.

But the blogger writes for function and purpose; proposals and contracts call for a practical list of countable tips that scrape away the cloud-words and add in keywords which screech and rasp against the lyrical rhythm.

For the writer there is always more to say — an endless spring of words to channel into funnels and sift, the gold letters glistening against the dross. But for the blogger, it’s never enough. The blogger must pour stats atop the words, and must toss the words together into a promotional salad, mixing up the letters every which way, until they’re poured out onto the editors’ desks and extruded through the constricting channels of social media.

The writer in me is always battling the blogger.

And the blogger, against her own will, must fight the writer.

“Out of the red and silver and the long cry of alarm to the poet who survives in all human beings, as the child survives in him; to this poet she threw an unexpected ladder in the middle of the city and ordained, ‘Climb!’” -Anaïs Nin


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MLB Contract Sound Off

 While I liked most of the signings that have made news recently, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig’s extension didn’t give me as much to smile about.

Thumbs up to all the big signing of the past couple days.  I’m generally a big fan of buying out arbitration years, even if it’s only to avoid the actual meeting.  No one likes being told that s/he’s not that good and does lots of things wrong and doesn’t deserve top dollar, so avoiding this process pays off long-term with general good will for your organization.

The Carlos Pena deal is very nice.  The guy was always supposed to be good so his monster 2007 season wasn’t a fluke like Brady Anderson’s 50 homerun season back in the day or anything like that.  It took him a long time to put it together, so it’s natuaral to be somewhat skeptical, but the Rays had to do something about his contract (he would have been a free agent after 2008) and they did well for themselves, avoiding arbitration and signing their best hitter (and a guy who put up one of the best overall seasons in the Majors last year) to a middle ground contract–not too long but not too short.  He’ll be a nice guy to have pickin’ it at 1B in 2009 and 2010 when the Rays make their first challenge for the the play-offs in their middling franchise history.

Miguel Cabrera deserves his money, and the Tigers would be smart to sign him to an extension right now.  If you could convince him to sign maybe a 4 or 5 year deal that would be phenomenal, but given that he has gotten back into shape and is a Hall-0f-Fame talent who has produced Hall-of-Fame numbers at such a young age, I say give him what it takes.

Matt Holiday got $23 million over two years of arbitration buy-outness.

Rick Ankiel avoided arbitration as well.

Justin Morneau also got paid.

Here’s a list of more dudes who were shown the money, as well as some who have yet to receive their checks.

Lastly, Bud Selig got an extension too.  I’m far less of a fan of this guy’s work than of say, another mediocre talent like Jon Lieber.

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A Lovely Wisteria Party held on 3/20/10

The Ocean Beach Historical Society Annual Wisteria Party held at 4761 Niagara Ave., O.B., in the yard of the early 1900’s home of OBHS Vice Chair Ned Titlow. on the first day of Spring,
It was a lovely and sunny Saturday and couldn’t have been more perfect for Wisteria Tea Party. The event drew a large crowd, having about twice as many attendees as last year.
Thanks to all the recent rain, the yard was covered in Wisteria vines full of lavender blooms. Many flowery hats, outfits, ovely music by John Taffolla and delectables added to the obeisance.

2 Responses

  1. There is a nice 2 min. or so video of this event showing Ned talking. Google “OB in HD” and click on the top link shown, and it’ll bring you to this event.

  2. Nancy,
    Thanks for posting the video.
    It was a beautiful day we where truly blessed.
    Thanks to all who helped put the event together,and all
    those who attended.
    Pat James

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FRED SADAO SAITO89, of Kaneohe, died on May 11, 2018. Originally from Paia, Hawaii, he was the 8th of 10 children born to Kumakichi and Mina Saito and grew up in plantation housing. Fred lived a long and full life. He saw combat in the Korean War and was awarded a Korean Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars and UN service medal. He returned to Hawaii and married Mary Elaine Harue Ibara. They were married for 58 years. They had three children: Sharon, Leslie and Kevin. Fred was a supportive father who encouraged his children to excel in their pursuits. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and family. He was a generous, kind and loyal friend, a mentor to many, and champion of the vulnerable. Curious and tenacious, he enjoyed learning and explored interests as varied as riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, art, music, shell collecting, training hunting dogs, boxing, fishing, earning his pilot's license, surveying and navigation, crossword puzzles, playing hanafuda, hunting, and studying Japanese language at night school. He reveled in gatherings of friends and family. Fred started Frelaine Electrical Service. He worked in Guam for two years at the start of his career. He laid the runway at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, designed a multitude of commercial and residential projects in Hawaii, and made many friends along the way. He will be greatly missed. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife Mary, siblings Takeshi, Hiroshi, Elaine, Evelyn, Virginia, Akio and Stan, and nephews Greg and Dale. He is survived by his children Sharon (husband Bill), Leslie, and Kevin (wife Carmen), grandchildren Kyle and Ryan, sisters Ethel and Grace (husband Berg), sisters-in-law Christine, Ariana, Perl and Ann, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. The family wishes to thank Drs. Glenn Stahl and Marios Voulgaridis, the staff at Aloha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and Islands Hospice for their attentive and compassionate care. They provided comfort to Fred and peace of mind to his family, for which we are grateful. A private service and inurnment at Hawaii State Veteran's Cemetery will be held at a later date. Arrangements Provided By: Ultimate Cremation Services LLC

Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased


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Day 10 Complete

I don’t think I fully appreciated just how big and how many churches are in our conference. Today we walked passed a church in Westover on route 36 south of Mahaffey.
I stopped, like I normally do, and walked around the grounds. Peering into the windows, I noticed the light was lit behind the cross. Thinking someone was in the building, I tried opening the door only to find it was locked.

A neighbor of the church was on his porch so we chatted for a bit. He says he attends the church and knows Pastor Adam. Near the end of our conversation I mention the light in the church. His response surprised me.

“The last one out turns the light off and God hasn’t left yet”, he said.

That light says that God is here and will always be here. Not just in that building as they gather, but in all places and at all times.

This is a message that needs shared across our conference and through our conference. Especially in places that feel they have been forgotten.

The passion for the people of Mahaffey was clear as Pastor Kendra talked about them. But the frustration was also evident as she shared stories of drug problems, poverty, and a social structure that is struggling to keep up with everything.

I get the feeling her story is not unique. As pastors, we want to help but sometimes feel isolated and alone.

Praise God the light is still on, because God hasn’t left yet.

Do you need to be reminded that you are not alone? Reminder: You are not alone. You are loved dearly.

Are you in a position to offer support and prayer to a church community that feels forgotten? If so, call your Pastor or District Superintendent and ask how you can help.

We are in this together.

One thought on “Day 10 Complete

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