Kimler Adventure Pages (http://randsco.com)

Fireman of the Year

North Cedar Fire Hall - At the annual Awards Night Dinner, held last night at the fire hall, Scott Kimler was named "Fireman of the Year".

A number of fire hall members congratulated Scott, also known as "Iceman", after he collected his plaque from the Deputy Chief.

Scott is thrilled to have been recognized for his contributions to the fire department. In addition to responding to emergency calls and his role as recording secretary, this year Scott and his U.K. business partner, redesigned the fire department website, which they also host. In August, Scott helped submit a $12,500 grant proposal to equip the hall's new fitness room. In December, Scott spearheaded efforts to allow hall members a voice in the selection committee, which appoints the Fire Department's Chief Officers.

We asked Scott how he came to be called "Iceman".

He laughed and said, "When we got our locker name plates, mine was misspelled as Kilmer. The guys started calling me 'Val' or 'Iceman' after the role played by Val Kimler in the movie Top Gun. At one point, I cut it up and re-arranged the letters, but then the guys started monkeying with it. At various times it read Kiler, Kimer or just plain Kim. When the department didn't issue me a new name plate, I took matters into my own hands and had a new one made, which solidified my nickname, as my locker now sports the only nickname in the hall - "Iceman"!

"I think I might have sparked a trend," he said, "as the officers are now talking about posting nicknames, in addition to firefighter's real names, above the lockers.

Congratulations, Scott!

WTF is High Preformance? This typographical error caught my attention, because I'm thinking about a new computer. I want performance though, not preformance" (got it wrong in the body copy too). Maybe "preformance" should be when you buy candy before a show? _{Randsco Newswire}

ArtiZine

Randsco Campus - Chief Editor of the Randsco rag, Scott Kimler, addressed a throng of reporters, all gathered to learn about Randsco's latest invention.

"The details in your media kits," explained Scott, "but let me provide some background."

"As many of you are aware, the Internet is killing the traditional print media business. Magazines, newspapers and other such companies are dying, as online magazines, blogs and other resources are booming."

A chorus of agreement was heard within the assembled crowd.

"We have over 10 years of blogging experience, since before the term blog was part of our modern lexicon. All along, we've noticed that most blogs are boring, presenting all content from within a single design platform. Recently, some bloggers are breaking this trend by publishing uniquely designed content with every post. They're calling these blogs blogazines.

Blogazines, while beautiful, are infrequently updated, contain only individually-styled content and require that "normal" content be hosted from a separate blog. Randsco is the first online blog to introduce a blend of individual and templated styling, along with magazine and "normal" content. The front page appears to be a single template, but the full article presents uniquely-styled content.

"We call this new type of post an ArtiZine, which is derived from combining the word article and magazine - because the whole blog is not magazine-like, only certain articles."

One reporter asked, "How is someone supposed to tell regular articles from artizines?"

Scott said, "Lead articles will soon contain a graphic label and a sortable ArtiZine category. Anyone will be able to quickly find all the ArtiZines on Randsco."

"While they are fun to author," said Scott, "artizines do involve non-trivial styling, graphics and layout efforts. Because of this, not every article we publish will be an artizine, but that's the whole point. While it's more challenging than either a blog or a blogazine, it is a more realistic method of holding all published content under one roof.

Snoozy Newsy

Hutton House - It has been a while since reporters have been invited to the Randsco campus. When questioned about the lack of news, Editor-in-Chief Scott Kimler, did not appear very apologetic.

Press Conference: The press assemble on the Randsco campus for the first time since April, 2009. _{Randsco Newswire}

"We are aware that it's been a while since our last news conference. What can I say? Life has gotten busy."

Before proceeding with the day's events, he talked about Randsco's commitment to journalism.

"I've been a journalist at Randsco since I was 25 years old," he said, "and one of the things I've learned is that you can't be apologetic if there are lapses in news entries. If you are, you're journaling for the wrong reason. You just pick up when you left off and move forward."

One reporter asked if this meant we can expect more news articles moving forward.

"I can't predict the future," he said, "But we certainly hope so."

Hot Tub Progress

The Back Yard - Developer delays, financing issues, worker strikes, weather and equipment failure have all played a role in the delay of the Hutton House Hot Tub project.

Can you dig it? Scott digging part of the 70-foot electrical trench, which leads from the house, to the new hot tub location. _{Randsco Newswire}

"Not if you ask Rachel," Scott said, jokingly, "It's all my fault!"

The Kimler's picked up a hot tub from a fire hall buddy, Travis, at a bargain rate in 2008. The tub was pulled out of an in-deck installation, when Travis' family was moving to Japan and renting out their rural Cedar home.

"We don't want the liability," explained Travis, "Since we're going to be renting.

Hot Tub Pad: Scott digs out a 7-foot by 7-foot pad, later filled in with gravel, sand and paving tile. The pad will support the new Hutton House hot tub. _{Randsco Newswire}

Design differences kept the project from moving forward, till this year, when Scott gleaned some paving stones from a nearby contractor.

"Rather than pour a concrete pad," explained Scott, "We used paving stones to form a level surface on which to place the tub."

A large, covered deck was planned around the tub and work has been slowly progressing during the autumn months. A 70-foot trench, which holds electrical cables and a water line, was dug by hand. The paving stone pad was built and laid. Six-by-six posts were set and a 2x6 pressure-treated deck substructure was built.

State of the Tub: A wheelbarrow full of water shows how much rain we've received lately. The deck sub-structure (completed) and hot tub, await the roof & deck planking. _{Randsco Newswire}

Lately, November rains have put a damper on progress, as there is a local flood watch and for the past couple of weeks, nothing but rain.

"When it clears," explained Scott, "we'll be building the roof and then laying the deck boards. After that, will be time to set the pump in place and make all the necessary electrical connections."

"If you ask me," said Rachel, "none of it is happening fast enough for my liking. I want to soak in that hot tub!"

Scott just rolled his eyes and pulled his "honey do" list from his back pocket and unfolded it. Holding the list high in the air, the bottom of it touched the ground.

New Maran Eggs

Maran Pullet Eggs: The small, dark mahogany-colored eggs from the Maran pullets, contrast against the store-bought Grade-A white and the brown eggs from our ISA-Brown chickens. _{Randsco Newswire}

Hutton Hen House - It appears that the three Maran chickens, which are recent additions to the growing Kimler brood, finally hit egg-laying age.

Maran chickens are famed for their deep mahogany-colored eggs. Originally a regional fowl from France. They are not as prolific layers as our ISA-Brown hybrids, but the quality of the egg is superb; they taste excellent and have great structure (even if they are a tad small, since they're pullet eggs).

NCLEX Exam

California - Reporters learned that Rachel Kimler, a Registered Nurse currently practicing in British Columbia, has successfully completed her NCLEX exam.

The NCLEX (National Council Licensure EXamination) is a computerized adaptive exam designed to test the knowledge, skills and abilities essential to the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry level. Passing the comprehensive $300 exam is a requirement for obtaining a nursing license through (an elected) State Board of Nursing.

In Rachel's case, she applied through the State of California.

Registered Nursing License: After a year of review, Rachel passed the U.S. NCLEX nursing exam and is a licensed RN in California! _{Randsco Newswire}

Making application to the California State Board of Nursing, studying for the NCLEX exam and preparing for the test, was nearly a year-long commitment by Rachel.

The test can last up to 5 hours, depending on the number of questions asked. Anywhere from 85 to 205 questions may be asked, depending on the applicants response. (The computerized adaptive testing poses a question and if the response is incorrect will "adapt" and pose additional questions, on that particular topic, in an effort to determine the applicants knowledge in that particular area.) The test is terminated after the computer is 95% certain that the candidate's ability is either above or below the passing standard.

Finishing the test quickly, is either a sign that the candidate knows their stuff, or doesn't.

Test results are mailed to candidates 6-8 weeks after the exam date.

"I was biting my fingernails for six weeks," said Rachel, "I finished the test quickly and was afraid I might have really muffed it!"

The letter arrived recently at the Hutton House. Rachel passed the exam and is now a Registered Nurse in the State of California.

"Yay!" she exclaimed, "And look, I get a plastic card, which is a lot nicer than the flimsy piece of paper I got from British Columbia!"

Though the Kimler's have no immediate plans of moving to the United States, they said, "It's nice to know that if we do, Rachel is already set up to work there."

Congrats Rachel!

Tooth Fairy to Visit

Alex's Room - Alex Kimler, who turned six years old on October 3rd, has her first loose tooth!

"Look," she says, opening her mouth, grabbing her lower right central incisor and wiggling it back and forth, "See?"

Just watching her wiggle the tooth sent a shiver down my spine!

Alex is eager to have her wiggly tooth removed and the family discussed methods for its removal.

"We could always tie a string around it and then tie the other end to a door knob, then slam the door shut, yanking out the tooth!" Mom suggested.

Alex was relatively keen on this idea.

"Hey," Dad said, "Go fetch the pliers from the garage. We can have that puppy out in a flash!"

"Ewe," squealed Alex, cupping her hand over her mouth, "Noooo!"

The dentist had a much more humane and practical method of tooth removal, one which resonated with Alex.

"Give her a caramel-covered apple!"

No matter the method of removal, it looks like the "Tooth Fairy" will be making visits to the Hutton House for the next while.

"Wonder what the going rate for teeth is?" pondered Dad.