Haint Blue

Anna Reh- Gingerich is a 2nd year Masters student in the Coastal and Ocean Graduate Program at UNCW. She graduated with a B.S. in Zoology with a Marine Biology concentration from Michigan State University in 2013. She is currently working as the Education and Outreach intern for the City of Wilmington's Stormwater Services.  She has always been drawn to water (thanks to a close proximity to the Great Lakes) and coastal ecosystems, mainly wetlands. Anna enjoy getting others excited about nature, wildlife, and our coastal resources and hopes to continue her involvement with community outreach related to coastal management issues.  “’Tis a lesson you should heed: Try, try, try again. If at first you don’t succeed, Try, try, try again.”  – William Edward Hickson Nancy Drew was one of my heroines while I was growing up. Her determination to get to the bottom of a case was inspiring and for a short while, I wanted to be a detective just like her. Fast forward ...

This post is the first in a series of posts by the graduating class of the Master in Coastal and Ocean Policy program.  As part of their capstone, each student is working on a policy analysis of a coastal topic of interest to them.   First up... Doug Barker is a graduate student in the Master of Coastal and Ocean Policy Program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. His interest in fisheries related issues stem from previous experience as a fishing guide on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and participating in water quality studies during his academic career. Living in the coastal region of North Carolina over the past 20 years, he has developed personal relationships with people who participate in both the commercial and recreational fisheries.  The North Carolina blue crab fishery is the state’s largest commercial fishery. In fact, North Carolina is second in the nation for blue crab production. However, in recent years, the blue crab fishery h...

I have a guest post at the international blog, Socializing Finance .  The post reflects on the Super Bowl... America's best watched state of the union show.  In particular, I focus on PayPal commercial that ran during event (embedded above).  An except is below, check out the post in full here . The Super Bowl is a favorite American pastime.  Akin to asking someone if they will watch the event is equivalent to ensuring someone has a warm home in which to share the holidays.   In general, 1/3 of America watches the football-sporting event every year. Super Bowl 50, garnered  114 million viewers .  For comparison,  126 million viewers  turned out for the 2012 presidential election.   I consider the Super Bowl as a type of ‘State of the Union.”  The commercials, halftime show, network’s computer graphics depict a good portion of America’s consciousness at that moment.  It reflects what Americans’ value, their hope...

CDC : Countries and territories with active Zika virus transmission The Zika virus spreading rapidly through Latin America and headlines has also made it's way into religious controversy.   Catholics for Choic e, an advocacy group, founded in 1973, has harnessed scientific findings from the CDC to request the Pope reverse the Church's stance on birth control.  Several political issues are wrapped up together with the scientific fact.   Of grave concern with the Zika virus is the potential for fetal microcephaly.   The CDC writes,  Zika virus can be spread from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby. There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly in babies of mothers who had Zika virus while pregnant. Knowledge of the link between Zika and birth defects is evolving, but until more is known, CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women.  Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing ...

Last night 1/3 of America watched the Broncos beat the Panthers in the 50th Super Bowl.  Leading up to the event San Franciscans protested the rising cost of living in the beloved city.  The protesters claim long gone are the days of aspiring artistry and gentle wanderers with flowers in their hair .  Now, if you are going to San Francisco be sure to bring lots of cash... more cash than most Americans ever fathom carrying.  As a desirable place to live- beautiful, progressive, comfortable climate- the wealth wealth flocked there.  In more recent years they have flocked in association with the tech industry that pays handsomely.   Thus, as a city and the broader Bay Area region has on the one hand,  done well for itself.  It has established a productive industry bringing money people to the area that are capable of paying taxes and fostering upkeep of their communities.  Real estate is booming which is favorable for the national econ...