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.

Live Fire II

Maple Ridge - Last weekend, three firefighters from North Cedar - including Scott Kimler - joined nine other Vancouver Island firefighters in a 'live fire' exercise at the Justice Institute training facility in Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

The focus for the two-day course was training firefighter personnel in the role of "company officer", when approaching various live fire situations. Training included a morning lecture on fire fighting theory (use of foam and foam types, properties of propane and BLEVE situations). An afternoon was spent in live fire exercises applying foam onto various hydrocarbon fires, as well as safe approach and shut-down of an ignited, venting propane tank. An entire day was spent rotating through various roles in a variety of live fire exercises in the 4-story, concrete "Burn Building" on campus.

It was a grueling and exhausting, but fun, two days.

"It was great meeting other guys from various [Vancouver Island] fire halls," said Scott Kimler, from North Cedar.

Of the nine other participants, six were from Colwood, near Victoria, two from Salt Spring Island and one from Eucluelet.

Justice Institute technicians ignited several rooms afire, using a number of wood pallets. Teams of four entered the building, named either as "Attack 1" or "Attack 2" - charged with fire assessment, suppression, ventilation, search and rescue. The third group acted as RIT, setting up a RIT staging area and conducting a 360-degree evaluation of the "structure", looking for hazards and secondary means of egress.

To give you an idea of conditions inside the "Burn Building", one of the firefighters from North Cedar, received first-degree burns on his knees, from the heat of the concrete floor.

"It was bloody hot," said Scott Kimler!

New Maintenance Facility

Hutton House - Those on the 5-acre Randsco main campus at "Hutton House" may notice the new, temporary maintenance building, in the northwest corner.

New Shed: From box to building in less than 3 hours! Scott & Rachel add a 10'x20' treated canvas "building" to the property. _{Randsco Newswire}

"It's hidden in the trees," reported the construction foreman, walking a group of reporters to the site of the new structure.

The new building provides storage and a base of operations for the Randsco campus landscaping maintenance crew, which - up till now - has been forced to share space with the poultry management department.

"We're very happy to have our own space," said Scott, chief of the landscaping maintenance crew, "Not that we don't like the poultry people, but it is a tad stinky over there!"

The new treated canvas and metal pole struture is the first new building to be erected on the Randsco campus since the property was purchased three years ago.

Randsco president and Editor-in-Chief, Scott Kimler, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony said, "This heralds a new era for Randsco. Our company is growing. We're adding more employees and building revenue - day-by-day, month-over-month and year-by-year. While we're hoping to replace this temporary facility with a new, state-of-the-art facility, this building is a demonstration of our growth and proof that we're on target with our 10-year plan."

Reporters were led on a tour of the new facility and then treated to a wine-and-cheese bruncheon at the main campus headquarters, overlooking the newly mowed pasture and enjoying the sun-dappled beauty of the cafeteria patio.

1st Cabin Trip

Julia Passage - Randsco executives took the company yacht "Blue Yonder" to the floating corporate hideaway in the Barkley Sound, two weeks ago. Reporters are just learning about the trip, apparently the first of the season.

Princess Monopoly - Rachel and Alex play a game on the front dock, while Dad is sick in bed with food poisoning. Other than the illness, the first trip of the season went well and was accompanied by nice weather. _{Randsco Newswire}

"We didn't want to make a big deal about it," said Scott, during a phone interview, "It was a short three-day excursion and we're happy to report that the trip went well and - more importantly - the corporate yacht ran through her paces without incident."

The long Yellow Point winter is over and warmer days are ahead. Lucky Randsco staff and important guests are often treated with weekend trips to the remote and beautifully-situated floating company retreat, which is located on the doorstep of the Pacific Rim National Park.

"Unfortunately," said Scott, "I came down with food poisoning and the trip - for me anyway - was marred with flu-like symptoms. I spent most of the trip confined to bed."

Rider Mower

Hutton House - It was reported earlier that Randsco had built a new, albeit temporary, maintenance storage facility on their main campus. In a later press release, Randsco announced that they had received a generous donation of a riding lawn mower, which became the first piece of equipment to be stored in the new facility.

"New" Riding Mower - Kind neighbors, Richard and Georgina, donated their old riding lawn mower to the Kimlers, after purchasing a new John Deere mower/tractor. 15HP with 5 speeds, lights & a rear bagger ... what's not to love? _{Randsco Newswire}

"We are very thankful for the generous gift," wrote Scott Kimler, President and Editor-in-Chief, "The donors, Georgina and Richard, have given us their older mower, in favor of their new John Deere tractor/mower.

The new riding lawn mower is a 15 horsepower, rear-bagger model with electric start and night-operations capabilities.

"No more grass! No more grass!" shouted 5-and-a-half-year-old Alex with glee, riding atop the mower in the lap of the head of the Randsco maintenance department. The duo mowed the pasture in a third of the time it took staff to mow the pasture with the gas-powered, push mower.

Alex laughed going uphill, downhill, under branches, over bumps and around tight turns. She was even allowed to "drive" and managed to keep a straight track, in large part.

"Alex is a lot of fun," said the groomsman, after dumping a bag of grass into the poultry yard, "She loves riding the mower and helped me mow the whole pasture - staying up till 9 PM, which was way past her bedtime!"

"The "new" mower will be a welcome addition to the Randsco campus," said Rachel, "It means less time will be spent on mowing and they'll be more time for other projects!"

Break-in Reported

Nanaimo - Rachel dropped Alex and a friend off at the Nanaimo Aquatics Center for swimming lessons, then drove the short distance to the Buttertubs Marsh Bird Sanctuary parking lot. There, she locked the car and began jogging, following the nature trail that rims the marshy pond in the center of the sanctuary.

Her first hint that something might be awry, was when she spotted a man sitting on a rock near the parking lot area.

"He just looked suspicious," Rachel said, during her interview with the police, "but I wasn't paying much attention and don't remember much about his appearance."

When Rachel returned from her run, she discovered that the passenger window of her Subaru station wagon had been broken and that a thief - presumably the same suspicious-looking man - had stolen her canvas handbag. Inside was her jacket, wallet, hospital identification card and an envelope containing roughly $50 in coins (Alex's "Girl Guide" cookie sales money).

Rachel notified the police, but because she had moved the car (to pick up Alex and her friend from swimming lessons), they wouldn't "investigate".

Distraught and feeling violated, Rachel called Scott, to relay the news. Rachel returned home and began the process of canceling credit cards and taking inventory of all that was lost.

The car window was replaced the next day and the guy at the shop installed the window, free of charge. This helped to restore Rachel's faith in humanity, but still, the hassle and sting of the theft loomed large.

A couple days later, Rachel's hospital ID turned up - at the hospital and Rachel received a telephone call from a man who had found her bag, on a wooded trail near Vancouver Island University. The bag, her jacket and Alex's Girl Guide money were all intact. The only thing that was - ultimately - taken, was the wallet.

"The crazy thing," explained Rachel, "was that the back hatch to the car was open and there was a $250 depth sounder, in a box, sitting out in the open."

The smash & dash has shocked everyone at Randsco.

"Gee, we think of Nanaimo as being a small town and relatively insulated from this kind of crime," said one staff member.

The man who found Rachel's bag, declined comment, but did say that he routinely walks that particular path and has - on several occassions - found stolen belonging tossed into the woods.

"Someone is breaking into cars in the Buttertubs parking lot and has been, for some time," he said.

Hopefully, the RCMP is aware of the activity and will catch those responsible.

Aside from the major inconvenience, cost of repair and feelings of violation, the thief didn't manage to get much monetary gain.

"I had less than $20 in my wallet and none of the cards I'd canceled had any recent, illicit activity posted," said Rachel.