Recreational Pot Sales start July 1.

Here in Massachusetts recreational cannabis is "supposed" to start Sunday 1 July 2018.

Not quite sure where, since the paperwork for retail operations is quite extensive.

In Whip City, USA (aka Westfield Mass), a new dispensary is set to open in August, although I am not sure they got all the licenses needed.  I am not sure if it will medical marijuana or recreational or both.  A few weeks back it looked like this:

To find it, you just need to get to the back of the State Police Barracks!

What might be offered?  See the website (no prices yet).

Enjoy some of the research on the subject.

RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2018

RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2018

Geography of Leisure and Tourism Research Group

For details, click here.

Wednesday 29 Aug 2018

Visualising seascapes: encounters with coastal and marine environments (1)

Wednesday Session 1 (09:00-10:40)        

Visualising seascapes: encounters with coastal and marine environments (2)

Wednesday Session 2 (11:10-12:50)        

Traversing Landscapes of Gender Based Violence (GBV) (1)

Wednesday Session 3 (14:40-16:20

Landscapes of tourism, travel or exploration? Perspectives from historical and tourism geography

Wednesday Session 4 (16:50-18:30)        

Liminal Landscapes in Tourism

Wednesday Session 4 (16:50-18:30)        

Thursday 30 Aug 2018

Geography of Leisure and Tourism Research Group AGM

Thursday Plenary & lunch (13:10-14:25)        

Teaching the Geographies of Sport (1)

Thursday Session 3 (14:40-16:20)        

Teaching the Geographies of Sport (2)

Thursday Session 4 (16:50-18:30)        

Friday 31 Aug 2018

Sonic Spaces: music landscapes, soundscapes and identity (2) - Sonic Spaces and Mobile Landscapes

Friday Session 3 (14:40-16:20)        

Hot this weekend

At least for us in New England.  So I inclined to suggest you drink plenty of non-alcoholic beverages (I am partial to seltzer), keep out of the sun (and if you need to be outside, try to do it in the morning) and keep an eye out for those outside (workers, neighbors, pets).  See someone outside. Offer some ice water.

In the meantime, my colleague sent me the heat index chart so we can all brag about how hot it got the first weekend in July 2018!

For the temps in the US, try this link to get the highs for the day.  Surface temperatures are always found at my favorite site, the DataStreme Project of the American Meteorology Society.

Finally, here is the message from this free educational service:

AMS Education and the President's Budget Blueprint -- It is through NOAA funding that AMS Education is able to provide the DataStreme program and Project ATMOSPHERE. We are monitoring the process associated with the President's 2018 budget request to Congress and the proposed budget cuts to NOAA, especially in the area of external grants and education. The exact wording related to NOAA, "Zeroes out over $250 million in targeted National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) grants and programs supporting coastal and marine management, research, and education including Sea Grant, which primarily benefit industry and State and local stakeholders. These programs are a lower priority than core functions maintained in the Budget such as surveys, charting, and fisheries management."

The document proposes similar funding cuts to NASA, and would impact science education activities for that agency, too. If you are inclined to do so, we certainly support you engaging with your local congressional representatives to share your thoughts on the matter.

Behave better on Vacation

a TED talk explains.

Wages in the Caribbean

Summer time means vacations for many.  So if you are heading for the Caribbean, consider some of the prevailing wages of the staff that support your visit.  Here is the current advert for some employment in the Turks and Caicos.

$6.25 an hour seems to be the prevailing wage for laborers and housekeeping staff.

Remember to tip well.

World Slogans Mapped

Ever wonder the slogans of different countries? See this link for a nice map of the world.

National Trails Day 2018

Visit the American Hiking Society page for more info.  And get out on a trail with your friends, dogs, neighbors, family or even yourself.  Google "trails near me" for more ideas.