Earthroamer Brand Revived
Bill Swails, designer of EarthRoamer XV-LT and XV-JP Xpedition Vehicles, has teamed with former key managers to start a new company and relaunch the EarthRoamer motorhome brand. The new company, Xpedition Vehicle Service LLC, purchased the remaining assets of EarthRoamer.com LLC, which filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in late 2009.
The EarthRoamer XV-LT is a four-wheel-drive, turbo-diesel motorhome based on the Ford F-550 chassis. The XV-LT is capable of running entirely on renewable biodiesel and solar energy. The EarthRoamer XV-JP is a four-wheel-drive motorhome based on the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited chassis.
The original EarthRoamer XV-LT molds and the EarthRoamer trademark were among the assets purchased by the new venture, which will operate under the trade name “EarthRoamer.” The new company recently resumed production of EarthRoamer XV-LT Xpedition Vehicles and signed a long-term lease for production space and corporate offices in Dacono, Colorado, just north of Denver.
For more information, visit www.earthroamer.com, or call (720) 862-0040.
Arizona Working To Keep State Parks Open
After holding a series of meetings with rural communities, the Arizona State Parks Board voted in mid-March to enter into agreements with several Arizona towns and entities to keep state parks in their areas open indefinitely, or to extend their projected dates of closure. The parks board had voted in January 2010 to close a number of state parks because of $8.6 billion in budget reductions.
At press time, management agreements were pending with area entities to keep Fort Verde State Historic Park open for one year and to keep Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, and Riordan Mansion State Historic Park open for three years.
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park received a reprieve when the town of Payson agreed to assist financially in keeping that park open until September 27, 2010. Pending approval, the Arizona Game and Fish Department will provide financial assistance to keep Roper Lake State Park open until June 3, 2010.
Discussions were continuing in an attempt to find financial solutions for Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, Alamo Lake State Park, Lost Dutchman State Park, Picacho Peak State Park, and Red Rock State Park so they could stay open past their projected June 3, 2010, closing date.
Five Arizona state parks are currently closed: Homolovi Ruins State Park, Jerome State Historic Park, Lyman Lake State Park, McFarland State Historic Park, and Oracle State Park.
Nine parks that will remain open have generated the most revenue for the parks’ operating revolving funds — Buckskin Mountain State Park in Parker; Catalina State Park near Tucson; Cattail Cove State Park in Lake Havasu City; Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood; Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area in Show Low; Kartchner Caverns State Park in Benson; Lake Havasu State Park; Patagonia Lake State Park; and Slide Rock State Park in Sedona.
The remaining parks will continue their agreements with other entities or will be passively managed by an adjacent park. These include Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park in Superior; Sonoita Creek State Natural Area; Verde River Greenway State Natural Area; and Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park.
For up-to-date information about Arizona state parks, call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area, call 800-285-3703) or visit www.azstateparks.com.
Forest Service Continues Campground Discounts
In mid-March USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell announced his decision not to implement proposed changes to fees charged to holders of passes at Forest Service campgrounds operated by private businesses.
The Forest Service had proposed changes to discounts provided to holders of Golden Age Passports, Golden Access Passports, Senior Passes, and Access Passes. Under the proposal, discounts at concession-operated campgrounds would have changed from the current 50 percent to 10 percent. After considering public comments, the chief determined that the proposed changes are not the best way to address growing challenges regarding services provided by private businesses at Forest Service recreation facilities.
“Each year more than 175 million people enjoy recreational opportunities on national forests and grasslands, and that includes more than 15 million visits to our campgrounds,” Mr. Tidwell said. “Particularly in these difficult economic times, it is very important to maintain affordable access . . . giving people easy ways to recreate and find respite in the great outdoors.”
Concessioners are not required to accept passes at day-use sites.
The Forest Service conducted a 60-day public notice and comment period on the proposed changes. More than 4,000 comments were received.
Reducing The Risk Of Deep-Vein Thrombosis
The Coalition To Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) has introduced “DVT Awareness In Motion,” an educational program designed to communicate the importance of preventative care for DVT via simple movements that can be done anywhere, anytime.
DVT is a blood clot that forms inside a deep vein, most often in the lower leg. Once formed, a blood clot or fragment of a clot can break off and may cause severe complications, such as a pulmonary embolism (PE) and even death if not diagnosed and treated appropriately. Up to 2 million Americans are affected by DVT annually, and approximately 300,000 Americans die each year from PE. Complications from DVT claim the lives of more Americans than breast cancer and AIDS combined.
The coalition is partnering with Mary Ann Wilson, R.N., founder and host of the PBS broadcast “Sit and Be Fit,” to present the DVT Awareness In Motion program. The program demonstrates simple movements that may help reduce the risk of DVT by encouraging blood circulation. The movements are tailored to settings where mobility is usually restricted, such as a vehicle seat during travel. The program also explains the signs and symptoms of DVT, and emphasizes the importance of preventative care in everyday settings.
“When the muscles of the legs are inactive, blood can collect in the lower extremities, increasing the risk for developing a DVT. However, when the muscles of the legs are active, they help improve circulation by pushing the blood back to the heart,” explained Dr. Geno Merli, coalition steering committee member and chief medical officer at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia. “Although certain individuals may be at an increased risk for developing DVT, it can occur in almost anyone. So, it’s important to maintain regular mobility to sustain proper blood circulation.”
Movement is just one way to help prevent a DVT. Others include avoiding smoking and staying hydrated. Some patients may require compression stockings or medications such as anticoagulants.
The DVT Awareness In Motion program includes an illustrated guide featuring simple low-impact movements and an educational video. Both may be downloaded at the coalition’s Web site, www.preventdvt.org.