U.S. Coast Guard Completes Largest Domestic Icebreaking Operation - gCaptain Maritime & Offshore News

U.S. - Canadian icebreakers escort convoys of ore.  The 3 day trip from northern Minnesota
to Gary, Indiana, took 13 days

U.S. Coast Guard Completes Largest Domestic Icebreaking Operation - gCaptain Maritime & Offshore News:

by gCaptain

"The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) reports today they have concluded Operation Taconite, the nation’s largest domestic ice operation which has enabled commercial shipping traffic to operate on the U.S. Great Lakes through one of the most brutal winters on record.  Besides various liquid and dry cargoes, vast amounts of iron ore from the northern shores of Lake Superior were carried to the steel mills in Lake Erie and Lake Michigan while supported by Coast Guard icebreakers.

The Coast Guard notes that although official statistics have not been released, the 2013-14 winter season likely produced the thickest and most expansive ice cover the Great Lakes has experienced in 35 years."



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Polar ice cap decline 1984 - 2012

Our Changing Climate - climatechange.gov
Sea ice in the Arctic has decreased dramatically since the satellite record began in 1978. Minimum Arctic sea ice extent (which occurs in early to mid-September) has decreased by more than 40%. This decline is unprecedented in the historical record, and the reduction of ice volume and thickness is even greater. Ice thickness decreased by more than 50% from 1958-1976 to 2003-2008. The percentage of the March ice cover made up of thicker ice (ice that has survived a summer melt season) decreased from 75% in the mid-1980s to 45% in 2011

2012

1984

Transom - BB 14

Photos - Google+:




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Geoffrey Vollers' World

Geoffrey Vollers works in wood.  And in the woods.  The Rockland , Maine artist whose favorite childhood activity was playing with blocks has never given it up.  He makes furniture and other useful objects of art, he paints, and he creates worlds fit for Harry Potter and wizards.  He's at Sharp's Point on Mechanic Street, behind the Sail, Power, and Steam Museum. - gwc

Swimming and rowing to James Meadow

NDBC - West Penobscot Bay, Maine
Station 44033

44.056 N 68.997 W

5:04 pm EDT
2104 GMT 04/29/2014
Wind: E (100°), 9.7 kt
Gust: 13.6 kt
Seas: 2.3 ft
Peak Period: 5 sec
Air Temp: 42.4 °F
Water Temp: 42.8 °F
Visibility: 1.6 nmi

First time on the water this year.  Took the Walker Bay downriver to James Meadow - with his honor in my wake. (click to enlarge)

crossing the Back River

flood tide over the meadow

home

How To Visit A New England Fishing Village In The Bronx | Scouting NY

How To Visit A New England Fishing Village In The Bronx | Scouting NY:

City Island Bridge - soon to be replaced with something modern, not funky

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Double Eagle - Rockland fish pier

Double Eagle,  a sardine carrier, one of the last of a once common breed on the coast of Maine - is seen here at the Rockland fishing pier.

Spring comes slowly to Maine

The Back River, east Friendship, Maine, on April 27.

Bennett Park

Donald Grody, Actor and Equity Exec, Dies at 83 - Playbill.com

Donald Grody

Don Grody gave me my first job as a lawyer.  He hired me as a Business Rep doing arbitrations and contract review at Actors Equity-AFL-CIO for a year in 1976.  I just learned of his death in 2011 from Gannon McHale - like Don a baritone and mariner. The picture captures Don's warm, wry smile.  He was an actor who became a very good lawyer, who returned returned to the boards.  I had been a volunteer intern for him when he was GC of District 65 -  a union with roots in the pushcart workers of the garment district.  We sued Nixon to enforce the Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment Act of 1946.   We lost.  - GWC

Donald Grody, Actor and Equity Exec, Dies at 83 - Playbill.com:

Donald Grody, an actor who served as executive director of Actors' Equity Association from 1973 to 1980, died at his home in Manhattan on July 13. He was 83.

As Equity's executive director, Mr. Grody led the actors union's collective bargaining negotiations for Broadway as well as regional theatres throughout the country. He also spearheaded the effort to fund and create permanent rent-subsidized housing for actors at Manhattan Plaza on West 43rd Street.

Mr. Grody journeyed to London in 1949 to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Upon his return to the United States, according to Equity, he appeared on Broadway inWonderful Town, Bells Are Ringing, Happy Hunting, Kismet, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. A gifted baritone, his vocal training enabled him to hit the back row of any Broadway house.

While pursing his acting career, he returned to school, going to New York Law School. He graduated in 1955 and subsequently passed the New York State bar exam. Mr. Grody took leave from the theatre to work for the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, DC, followed by a stint working for the NYC garment workers (District 65). A few years later, he returned to Washington with the National Labor Relations Board, followed by a return to New York in 1973 to lead Actors' Equity.

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Mr. Grody returned to the theatre at age 64 in an Off-Broadway production of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure. This was followed by appearances in the national tour of Guys and Dolls, Parade, Broadway's Jekyll and Hyde (originating the role of Poole), and as a standby for Broadway's Caroline or Change and Grey Gardens. He made many appearances at regional and Off-Broadway houses, including a production of Copenhagen and two productions of King Lear, one of which he adapted to great critical acclaim. His musical play,Ira! The African Roscius, celebrated the life of 19th-century African American actor, Ira Aldridge.

Donald Peter Grody is survived by his wife, Judith Anderson; sons Dion, Gordon, James, Jeremy and Patrick and granddaughters Jess, Jo and Cecily. A celebration of his life and career will be scheduled in the near future. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to The Actors Fund of America or Career Transition For Dancers.

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