Brianna’s Story

I had a complicated childhood, where my biological dad wasn’t around and I never felt like I fit in with my mom and my stepdad. We were just so different. I spent so much energy trying to fit in that I ended up in codependent unhealthy relationships. My drug addiction started when I met my daughter’s father and continued through trauma and losing custody. I was so sick every time I tried to quit, that I ended right back in the only thing I knew. I wanted to get out, and stay out of this horrible life, but I didn’t know how.

When I walked through the doors of MnTC, everything changed. I felt real compassion and belonging for the first time in my life. I didn’t even know that people could feel this way about me when I had done so many terrible things in my addiction. I graduated from the long-term program and then spent another year in TCLI (Leadership Institute). I also have restoration with my daughter. Now, I pay the compassion and love that saved my life, forward. I run a sober house for women in Little Falls and am working as a diversion representative, helping other women get their lives back on track. I provide them with grace and encouragement and show them how God can change their lives, the way he changed mine.

1. Phelps Lake

There are three reasons to set your alarm and head to Phelps Lake early. First, to arrive at the Laurence Rockefeller Preserve parking lot before it fills up, which can happen as early as 8:30 am in the busy summer months. Second, to allow yourself plenty of time to hike the mile and a half to the lake. And third, to be on the water for an excellent morning bite. Phelps Lake is home to voracious cutthroat trout that feed on the surface during the morning hours and become less active as the hot afternoon approaches. Bring your favorite five-weight rod as the cutthroat trout in this glacial lake typically range from twelve to fifteen inches.

Fly Recommendations: Stimulators & Chubby Chernobyls.

2. Upper Gros Ventre River

Sunset glows over the upper Gros Ventre river and a Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat.

While the Gros Ventre River is a tributary of the Snake River, most of the fishing pressure occurs in the lower section. Starting from the Gros Ventre Campground upstream to the "Kelly Cliffs" area and beyond offers beautiful fly-fishing opportunities for adventurous anglers. During the summer months, trout will eagerly devour terrestrial insects in this section of the river, offering some of the most exciting hopper-dropper fishing in Grand Teton. The Gros Ventre flows through both private and public lands, so it's important to do your research before heading out to fish.

Fly Recommendations: Foam Body Salmon Flies & Chubby Chernobyls for your hoppers, bead-head Pheasant Tail & purple Duracell nymphs for your droppers.

3. Lake Solitude

The out-and-back hike to Lake Solitude is approximately sixteen and a half miles and will reward you with one of the best alpine fishing experiences in Grand Teton National Park. Expect to hike through a stunning canyon with several alpine waterfalls, vibrant patches of native wildflowers, and views of the immense peaks of the Teton mountain range. Although the hike is notably long, the beautiful and hungry cutthroat trout in the lake make it well worth the effort. Fishing is most productive in the morning and evening, with some success in the afternoon. Bring extra water and bear spray for this backcountry fly-fishing adventure.

Fly Recommendations: Pretty much whatever you have in your fly box. Hopper Droppers with medium/small Chubby Chernobyls & purple Duracell nymphs have worked great here.

Cutthroat CO-OP

We are proud of our partnership with WorldCast Anglers, a local Grand Teton National Park fly fishing outfitter and concessionaire. WorldCast created a line of Cutthroat CO-OP merchandise based on the iconic Snake River trout. The gear covers all the basics to look good on and off the river, with an array of hats, T-shirts, hoodies, and more.

A portion of proceeds from all Cutthroat CO-OP merchandise sales will support Grand Teton National Park Foundation's native fish conservation program. Visit WorldCast's website to learn more about the company and the Cutthroat CO-OP collection, and stop by their shop in Victor, Idaho (or call 1-800-654-0676) to get some gear before it is gone!

We'd like to extend our thanks to the entire team at WorldCast for their incredible support and all they do to steward the Snake River watershead and protect native fish.

Grand Teton National Park Foundation has been supporting the park for several years with native cutthroat trout conservation efforts. From restoring fish passage to natal streams to funding underwater video cameras to track population dynamics, visit this page to see our contributions to this initiative.

The post appeared first on Grand Teton National Park Foundation | Jackson, WY.

2024-05-10

How to Show Military Caregivers You Appreciate Them

5.5 Million caregivers support our Nation’s service members, yet caregivers’ challenges and sacrifices often go unnoticed. In many ways, these selfless individuals are the backbone of our country’s military services, as they help service members navigate life during and after a tour or career. As May is Military Appreciation Month and Month of the Military Caregiver, you have an ideal opportunity to support them. Let’s explore some reputable organizations dedicated to aiding caregivers (with informational resources and military flight deals) and how your donations can make a difference for them.

Luke’s Wings is a nonprofit organization that provides emergency travel planning services and airplane tickets for the families and loved ones of wounded, ill, and injured service members, Veterans, and fallen officers during hospital recovery and rehabilitation. Our work helps active service members and Veterans maintain crucial connections in their lives. Call us at (512) 971-9748 to give back with complimentary plane tickets.

Below, we list several organizations through which you can show military caregivers your appreciation:

Operation Frontline Families

Operation Frontline Families (formerly Caregivers on the Homefront) provides support services and resources to military families caring for wounded service members. Their offerings include mental health therapy, counseling services, and management support to help ease the burden on these dedicated individuals. Your donations can help military caregivers access the necessary resources to care for their loved ones and themselves.

Elizabeth Dole Foundation

Committed to empowering and supporting military caregivers, The Elizabeth Dole Foundation works through various initiatives and programs. It provides education, advocacy, and community-building opportunities for caregivers nationwide. By donating to their foundation, you can help raise awareness about the challenges military caregivers face and help them receive the support they deserve.

Fisher House Foundation

The Fisher House Foundation operates a network of comfort homes where military families can stay without cost while their military loved ones receive medical treatment. These homes provide a supportive environment for caregivers, allowing them to focus on caring for their injured or ill loved one without worrying about lodging expenses. Your donations can help fund the operation of these homes and ensure military caregivers have a place to stay during challenging times.

National Military Family Association

Finally, the National Military Family Association offers a range of programs and services designed to support military families, including caregiver support resources. They provide scholarships, benefits information, and advocacy efforts to improve military families’ livelihoods nationwide. By donating to this organization, you can help military caregivers gain access to vital resources that lighten their load and improve their well-being.

Gift Complimentary Military Flight Deals with Luke’s Wings

Military caregivers deserve recognition for their selfless dedication and sacrifices. By donating to organizations like Luke’s Wings, you can show appreciation for these unsung heroes and make a tangible impact on their lives. Your contributions can help provide military flight deals to our Nation’s Heroes when they need it most. Call us at (512) 971-9748 to gift complimentary military flights to a caregiver.

May 10, 2024 • Share

2024-08-16

You and the Lord of Hosts

Aug 16, 2024

Over 200 times, the Old Testament describes God as the Lord of hosts. David used this term more than anyone, and with good reason. David said, “The Lord of hosts is with me.” The Word of God is true—trust it more than anything else. Believe me when I tell you that your Good Father is much closer than you think. Believe that He is more committed than you think. And believe that God is more ambitious than you think.

Believe in God’s mighty Word. At times, you may have problems with words. You may get into disputing other people’s words. Did you ever hear anyone call someone else a liar? It is easy not to have a lot of confidence in people’s words. However, your mistrust of others will desensitize you to the words of God, so when you hear His words, you don’t trust them as you should. Before you go to sleep at night, let the last words that go into your spirit be the words of God. David declared: “The Lord of hosts is with us” (Psalm 46:11, KJV). In Hebrew, the word host means “an army ready and poised for battle.” David also said, “I am kept. The Lord keeps me.” The word kept in Hebrew means “to hedge about as with thorns, to guard, to protect, to attend to.”

What is God saying to you today? Can you hear Him? Listen, He is saying, “Will you allow Me to be the Lord of hosts in your life?” Many Christians do not have a philosophy by which they live—no objectives or goals. One positive thing I can say about my life is that I am focused. When God tells me to do something, nothing in this world can persuade me not to do it. Why is that important? Because many people miss the blessings of God by allowing themselves to be distracted. They stop focusing on God and turn their attention to something else.

Encourage yourself in the Lord. In 1 Samuel 30:6, we read that although David was greatly distressed, he encouraged himself in the Lord. Let me ask you this: Who says we must depend upon each other for encouragement? The world around us is totally co-dependent; it knows nothing of the Good Father’s Word and His ability to encourage and strengthen us. There is a dynamic truth in the Lord Jesus Christ and in His word that you learn when you are discouraged. Let me give you an example: When you die, I can’t do anything about it. No one can carry you through the valley of the shadow of death, except Jesus. This is a private matter between you and Him. You can reach out to people for support, but there is a great difference in having a support system and being co-dependent. Encourage yourself in the Lord.

Ephesians 3:16 says, “That he would grant YOU, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” Verse 20 says, “Now unto HIM that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us” (capitalization added). One of the main reasons some Christians live in continual defeat is because they are ignorant regarding the sovereignty of Christ. They have not developed an intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ. They do not walk and talk with Him. How can you encourage yourself in the Lord? The only way is to spend time with Him.

You cannot be encouraged in the Lord if you are not nurturing your relationship with Him. You encourage yourself when you are walking with the Lord. If you are going to walk in the kingdom of God on a daily basis, you cannot make the church or any individual your source. You cannot make your wife or your husband your source. No one can be your source but the Lord. If you make the Lord your Source, you will have a breakthrough. Encourage yourself.

Show Your Support By Giving Now

2024-07-19

Art Expressions Art Exhibit – September 20

From September 1 – 30, ADRC’s Art Expression Art Exhibit will be displayed at the Islip Arts Council Gallery in the South Shore Mall in Bay Shore. A Reception for dignitaries, artists, and their families will be held on Friday, September 20 from 1 – 3pm at the Gallery. All are welcome to join us as we celebrate our Artists and their memories. Over 100 pieces of artwork will be displayed from 20 different organizations serving those impacted by dementia on Long Island. Please join us.

2024-08-14

What has the Inflation Reduction Act done …so far?

Photo by POW Creative Alliance member Sara Robbins

When President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in August 2022, it was hailed as the most important climate law in US history. Since then, the IRA’s impact has only grown.

Initially, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated the set of incentives would amount to just under $400 billion in support for clean energy over 10 years. However, this was only an estimate because the main policy instrument was an uncapped tax credit. The CBO has since revised its estimate to double that, and banks have estimated it at three times the original, with over $1 trillion in spending to address climate change.

The IRA has grown because individuals, households, organizations, and companies are more willing to invest their money to be a part of the effort. Clearly, this isn’t an issue of the government’s deep state forcing people to use technologies that they don’t want. It’s dramatically the opposite. People and communities are more eager to adopt clean technologies than government analysts expected, and the IRA is helping them do just this.

Solar infrastructure located in Aspen

Here’s a look at the IRA’s impact to date, 2 years after it was signed:

Incentives Driving Clean Energy Adoption: Creating incentives for the adoption of clean energy is at the core of the IRA, bringing energy and climate action to individuals, communities, and households. In 2023, $126 billion was invested through a mix of solar panels, home batteries, heat pumps, and electric vehicles. By far the biggest impact has been for electric vehicles, which grew by 16%, more than doubling its investments from a few years ago.

The industrial and energy sectors also benefited, investing $250 billion since the IRA began—a 34% increase. These projects have been distributed nationwide and include a mix of solar, wind, energy storage, hydrogen, and carbon removal. Solar energy received the most investment, with utility-scale solar more than doubling in the first five months of 2024 compared to last year.

Solar and wind energy in the western U.S. | Photo by POW Creative Alliance member Sara Robbins

Creating Clean Energy Equipment: The IRA goes beyond deploying clean energy. It’s also about establishing a domestic industrial base to produce clean energy equipment, like batteries and solar panels. These investments have grown rapidly, with $152 billion poured into clean energy development since the IRA’s inception—more than doubling from the previous two years. This has resulted in significant investments and new jobs around the country. Many of these projects are located in the Midwest and Southeast, with most of the IRA’s manufacturing funding projects in states that have voted Republican in recent elections, bolstering the durability of the policy. Battery production and electric vehicle components have led this investment.

Justice40 & Advancing Environmental Equity: A key part of the IRA aligns with the Biden Administration’s Executive Order 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.” This includes “Justice40,” which aims to ensure that 40% of the benefits from laws like the IRA go to disadvantaged communities. Since many IRA programs became part of Justice40 in late 2023, it’s too early to see the full impact. However, one report found that 20% of the 500+ programs under Justice40 are clearly meeting goals.

Measuring the environmental justice outcomes of the IRA is crucial, as it reflects the IRA’s commitment to Justice40’s goals through its support of disadvantaged communities.

Measuring the IRA’s Impact on Emissions Reductions: As a climate change law, the IRA’s success will ultimately be judged by its effectiveness in reducing emissions. Models indicate that the IRA will help US emissions fall 40% below 2005 levels by 2030. While it’s still early, we have seen a positive trend, with 2023 carbon dioxide emissions in the US being 3 percent lower than 2022 levels, aligning with the 2030 goal.

In just two years the IRA has made a significant impact on clean energy development in the US. This is evident in the surge of investments in clean energy manufacturing, the increase in electric vehicle adoption, the widespread use of solar energy, and the growth in battery storage, which supports higher levels of renewable electricity.

Facing the Challenges Ahead

Addressing Infrastructure Challenges: While the IRA has driven significant progress, certain areas still face challenges. Wind power projects, both onshore and offshore have lagged expectations. Additionally, building transmission lines is crucial to fully utilize the abundant wind and solar resources located away from population centers. Higher interest rates have played a role but the bigger obstacle has been the permitting process, which leads to projects being in queues for years. POW is doing critical work in this area to help transmission line advancement through the Energizing Our Communities Act (EOCA). The EOCA is a bill that was introduced by Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH) and supports responsible clean energy implementation, benefiting the communities we love by funding roads, schools, healthcare, first responders, and of course, outdoor recreation while advancing clean energy infrastructure.

Transmission lines running across the mountain west | Photo by POW Creative Alliance member Sara Robbins

The IRA creates strong incentives for building these essential clean energy projects. However, it does not streamline the permitting process, squandering a real opportunity, particularly for offshore wind, onshore wind, and large-scale and rooftop solar. Addressing these permitting issues is essential to unlock the full potential of clean energy infrastructure.

State-level Implementation: A crucial area for IRA’s success is state level implementation. While the IRA incentives are federal, whether these funds go into a supportive or restrictive state environment depends on state policies. State electricity regulators at the 50 public utility commissions play a vital role in this. The progress of the IRA—and its emissions reduction and environmental justice goals—hinges on how these regulators approve new projects and the factors they consider.

State regulators can empower consumers who want to take a more active role in their communities, by becoming not just consumers, but also producers of energy, aka “prosumers.” This means taking advantage of the IRA’s support to install solar panels, heat pumps, battery storage, and electric vehicles. The more consumers can access information, sell power to the grid, and store it in their car batteries, the more likely the IRA will succeed.

Local and state rules are consequential in these decisions. For example, installing solar in the US costs more than three times as much as in Germany and Australia. The panels are the same, and the tariffs are a little higher, but the main difference is an unsupportive regulatory environment. The IRA provides a major push, but state regulators need to support it rather than maintain outdated rules and decisions that hinder progress, even for highly motivated households benefiting from the IRA.

Envisioning an IRA 2.0

It’s not too soon to start thinking about an IRA 2.0, which would extend key aspects, correct any adverse incentives, and engage more globally. This next phase should also provide stronger encouragement for states to facilitate progress, and most importantly, build on all the remarkable advancements made in the US over the past 2 years. By refining and expanding the IRA, we can ensure continued momentum in reducing emissions and further strengthen our clean energy future.

Author: Greg Nemet

Gregory Nemet is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the La Follette School of Public Affairs. He teaches courses in policy analysis, energy systems, and international environmental policy. Nemet’s research focuses on understanding the process of technological change and the ways in which public policy can affect it. He received his doctorate in […]