Category: Odds ‘n Sods

Here come the CMEs: Sun Unleashes ‘Spectacular’ & Powerful Eruption. Oh, and speaking of CMEs: NASA’s Solar Shield to Protect Power Grids From Sun Storms    o o o F.J. mentioned this over at Instructables: Paracord Strap Wrap. (That is just one example of the dozens of preparedness-oriented how-to project articles you’ll find there.)    o o o California, the state built on gold prospecting, is set to outlaw … gold prospecting. (Thanks to G.P. for the link.)    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Field Gear Editor Pat Cascio wrote to give an update on the OC-1 knife that he designed, …

Reader Bill H. sent: 10 states most at risk of disaster. Bill noted: “None of the Redoubt States are included [in the top ten list]. This is another reason why my family and I are making plans to relocate there.”    o o o Lynn G. sent this troubling news headline from England: Food chain at risk of being poisoned by terrorist groups    o o o As documented in the Sipsey Street Irregulars blog, more details have emerged in the ATF’s Gunwalker scandal.    o o o More environmentalist hand-wringing: Could the Net be killing the planet one web …

A reminder: Ready Made Resources is seeking entries for their Preparedness Video Contest. Instructional (nonfiction) videos on any topic related to family preparedness are sought. The prizes are a brand new Rock Rivers Arms (RRA) Elite Comp M4 (AR-15 series compatible ) complete Barreled Upper Receiver and a Trijicon Reflex sight with a combined retail value of more than $1,400. Please keep your privacy in mind when you create your videos. (Don’t mention any surnames or towns). You may post up to three videos to YouTube for consideration in the judging. Videos up to 10 minute long that are your …

We’ve mentioned “seasteading” several times in SurvivalBlog, and my #1 Son attended their first planning conference. Here is the latest news: Patri Friedman makes waves with ‘seasteading’ plan. (Thanks to Georgia Mom for the link.)    o o o I just heard that for just the month of June anyone order more than $150 of any merchandise from Ready Made Resources will receive a free DVD copy of the excellent Urban Danger DVD.    o o o Jeremy Pavleck over at Cool Tools recently recommended Rescue Repair Tape. It is a fusing silicone repair tape that has umpteen uses. It …

Eric C. sent this: Pickup runs on wood    o o o I just heard that Camping Survival just received a supply of Bridgford shelf-stable sandwiches. These were developed for the U.S. military, with a three year shelf life. Try some!    o o o Several readers sent this: Kevlar Bunker Provides Safe House for Tornado Survivor. JWR Adds: To my mind, there is no proper substitute for reinforced concrete.    o o o J.D.D. sent this article with video: Family Lives in 320-Square-Foot ‘Shotgun Shack’    o o o This guy really cranks them out! Volume Handloading Match Grade …

Readers in Western Montana, northern Idaho and southern Alberta will find this of interest: There is a Flathead Preparedness Expo scheduled for Saturday, June 18, 2011, in Kalispell, Montana. Guest speakers will include Pastor Chuck Baldwin, Sheriff Richard Mack, and Stewart Rhodes.    o o o A reminder that your original preparedness articles and videos (including all that you send to SurvivalBlog for posting) are eligible for Safecastle’s “Freedom Awards” contest, with $12,000 worth of prizes. SurvivalBlog’s editors are pleased to participate in the judging in this contest.    o o o Apparently this bad guy missed seeing the movie …

I often have consulting clients and SurvivalBlog readers ask me for recommendations on architects and design engineers that specialize in designing retreats. I strongly recommend Andrew L. Skousen. (In case you are wondering, yes, he’s related to Joel Skousen.) Feel free to mention my name when you contact Andrew. BTW, Joel Skousen and Andrew Skousen co-authored the recently-updated 3rd Edition of the book Strategic Relocation–North American Guide to Safe Places. This book is a modern-day classic in the preparedness world. It is chock full of maps and useful data for anyone considering buying a retreat property. I highly recommend it. …

Pedal powered farms and factories: the forgotten future of the stationary bicycle. (A hat tip to my old friend Charley S. for the link.)    o o o L.V.C. flagged this item: Survivalists Eyed as Key Market for Central Florida Horse Farm    o o o Andrew B. sent a link to an excellent video presentation on using malting to improve the digestibility of starchy grains for nursing babies who have lost their mother, or the malnourished and sick.    o o o Ian in England wrote to mention that in Europe there is currently have an E. Coli outbreak …

F.G. mentioned this news article about institutionalized school test cheating from New York City: Teachers hostage to ‘success’    o o o Several readers sent this bit of Nanny State news: Albemarle Road church fined $100 per branch for excessive tree pruning    o o o Married Couples Are No Longer a Majority, Census Finds. (SurvivalBlog’s G.G. sent the link.)    o o o J.D.D. flagged this bit of news: Five People Arrested in D.C. for Dancing At U.S. Monument

Reader Robert R. alerted me to this “must read” article: Guns Stolen in Violent Gilroy [California] Home Invasion Found. Robert noted: “The man was assaulted and bound as he arrived home at 9 p.m.  They struck when they could hide in the darkness near his home, when he was most vulnerable (exiting his vehicle/entering home).  One of the suspects knew the man and was his neighbor.  Good OPSEC and situational awareness are very important in preventing crimes.  Good lighting around the home and cutting down on any vegetation where someone could hide is a good measure to take to prevent …

Rachel F. mentioned an interesting video about a couple that lives very close to the land.    o o o Congressman Ron Paul: The Last Nail – Floor Speech (May 25, 2011). The Defense Authorization Act or H.R. 1540, aka” The Forever War Act”, was overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives May 26th with a vote of 322 to 96.    o o o U.S. to propose mandatory vehicle ‘black boxes’. I hadn’t heard that most vehicles already had post-crash decelleration event data recorders (EDRs), and that for several years the Lexus brand cars have recorded pre-carsh events. (Presumably …

G.G. flagged this: The Most Dangerous Cities in America. (All of them are nowhere near the American Redoubt.)    o o o 45 Seconds: Memoirs of a Joplin ER Doctor from May 22, 2011    o o o Loyal content contributor F.G. sent this: Police on radio scanner apps: That’s not a 10-4    o o o Courtesy of John in Ohio: Mark Zuckerberg’s new challenge: Eating only what he kills (and yes, we do mean literally…)    o o o Yankee Prepper sent us this to file this under “Emerging Threats”: Mexican officials seize ‘narcotank’. (The linked video is …

Senator Rand Paul speaks out in opposition to renewal of the misnamed PATRIOT Act.    o o o An interesting History Channel documentary: How The States Got Their Shapes. Note that one segment on Montana includes a SurvivalBlog reader. (I haven’t been given permission to name names, but you might be able to guess which Montanan this is.)    o o o Enemy at gate? Not in this case. (Thanks to N.R. for the link.)    o o o Obama: We’re Working on Gun Control ‘Under the Radar’. (Thanks to K.A.F. for the link.)    o o o This article …

Phill K. sent a link to an interesting story about insulin that can be stored at room temperature.      o o o Voting with our feet: Americans Try to Outrun State, Local Tax Hikes. Wyoming (which has no personal income tax) and some of the other American Redoubt States are looking better and better.    o o o C.R.W. spotted this over at Jim Sinclair’s web site: Wanted – Farming Couple in Tanzania    o o o Lousy Timing Department: Just as hundreds of thousands of people in the central United States are having their lives devastated by tornadoes, …

Tam, over at the View From The Porch blog comments on disaster preparedness: It’s A Twister, Auntie Em! Edition.    o o o Un-Easy Rider: Peter Fonda encourages his grandchildren to learn long range shooting.    o o o Pierre M. sent a link to some dramatic photos: Grimsvotn Volcano Erupts in Iceland.    o o o Reader K.N.B. wrote to mention that Calumet, Oklahoma was just struck by a tornado, and it has been reported that Calumet Industries (recently mentioned in SurvivalBlog) has suffered some damage. Please keep the folks there in your prayers. If any of you have …