Monday, December 11, 2017

Building a Stable and Maneuverable Snowboarding Posture


An experienced executive and former CEO of NIC, formerly known as the Kansas Information Consortium and the National Information Consortium, Jeffery Scott Fraser guided the company to its initial public offering and brought it back to profitability following the dot-com crash. Now owner of the Tsaina Lodge in Alaska, Jeffery S. Fraser enjoys snowboarding in his free time.

One of the keys to snowboarding is establishing a solid stance. This begins with the feet, which is typically just a bit more than shoulder-width apart. In this position, the legs are spread far enough apart to be stable yet not so wide that they restrict the rider's range of motion.

The weight should also be evenly distributed between the feet. This allows the snowboarder to feel the terrain and respond to it. Boarders who ride with their weight habitually more on one foot than another have trouble responding to the ground and may have a more difficult time maneuvering.

Maneuverability also requires the knees to be slightly bent and over the feet while the hips are relaxed and directly aligned with the knee. Likewise, the weight of the torso should remain over the center of gravity, as any bending from the hips or waist can disturb balance. The arms should hang loosely by the sides, and the head should be pointing in the direction that the board is traveling. However, the trunk should remain stable to allow for additional stability and maneuverability.

Friday, December 1, 2017

Polarized Glasses for Fishing


In addition to being the owner of Tsaina Lodge in Alaska, Jeffery Scott Fraser is an investor in Job Pose, a company that matches job seekers with employers through new and innovative methods. Away from business, Jeffery S. Fraser enjoys fishing. 

One of the biggest problems anglers have while fishing is a lack of visibility due to glare. Sunlight reflects from the water’s surface and makes seeing below the surface nearly impossible. 

Fortunately, polarized sunglasses drastically cut glare by limiting horizontal light rays. This means anglers can visually inspect the water for fish or likely grouping spots, such as a downed log or underwater grass. 

The added visibility greatly cuts down on guesswork. Anglers see the most benefit from polarized lenses when the water is calm and the sun’s altitude is between 30 and 60 degrees. On choppy water, such as the ocean, polarized glasses do not work as well since light reflects from all different angles.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Snowboarding in the Valdez, Alaska, Region


Jeffery S. Fraser has owned the Tsaina Lodge in Alaska since 2011. He is also an investor with Job Pose, a company that excels in pairing job seekers and employers. Located in Valdez, Alaska, Jeffery Fraser enjoys pursuing a number of outdoors interests, including snowboarding.

One of the world’s finest snowboarding destinations, Valdez includes some of the most challenging and scenic opportunities for heli-skiing and -snowboarding experiences. The surrounding Chugach Range offers expansive, visually stunning helicopter-accessible terrain that consists of 50-degree steeps and glacial powder runs spanning half a mile. The longest runs of the Chugach are comprised of 5,500 vertical feet of clean powder.

Compared to Canadian heli-boarding excursions, Alaskan heli-boarding terrain is significantly larger, thanks in part to a considerably lower timberline. The ample space provided by the range allows operators in the Chugach region to develop long ramps and take advantage of natural elements, such as half pipes and giant bowls.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Three Innovative Hunting Gadgets Worth Checking Out


A former executive in the technology sector, Jeffery Scott Fraser now manages and owns Alaska's Tsaina Lodge. When not busy maintaining the lodge, Jeffery S. Fraser enjoys hunting. 

Although some hunters argue that improved technology has taken some of the challenge out of their favorite pastime, hundreds of tech-related gadgets have still gained immense popularity among hunters. Here are three helpful hunting gadgets.

1. Firefly wind detector - This camouflage-wrapped hand device can sense the slightest of wind movements, including those undetectable by humans. Within three seconds of pressing the main button, the simple-to-use device presents a report of the wind on its LCD screen.

2. Ozonic device - This nifty device changes the oxygen molecules that carry human scent into ozone molecules, which are undetectable by animals. As a result, animals are more likely to wander into areas they might have otherwise avoided.

3. Halo Xtanium P1000X rangefinder - Developed by Wildgame Innovations, this water-resistant rangefinder offers up to six times magnification as well as a reflective target of 1,000 yards. Ideally used for moving animals, the device’s scan mode allows the user to track multiple targets with ease.

Monday, August 14, 2017

Casablanca’s Awards and Accolades


An experienced business executive and entrepreneur, Jeffery S. Fraser is a current investor in the job-matching firm Job Pose and the owner of Tsaina Lodge in Alaska. Outside of his professional work, Jeffery Fraser is a fan of Casablanca.

Released in 1942 and 1943, Casablanca is an American drama film set during World War II. Filmed in Hollywood and distributed by Warner Brothers, the film collected $3.7 million at the box office on a budget of $878,000. 

Casablanca received positive critical acclaim and has continued to grow in popularity over time. In addition to winning academy awards for best picture, best director, and best adapted screenplay, the film has been recognized multiple times, including by noted film critic Roger Ebert, as the best film of all time. Moreover, the United States National Film Registry decided to preserve Casablanca due to its cultural significance, and the film was entered into the Online Film & Television Association Hall of Fame.

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Casablanca Poster Artist Reveals Key Element Missing from Early Drafts

 
Jeffery Scott Fraser invests in Job Pose, a company working to improve the methods used to match employers with people seeking jobs. Also the owner of Alaska’s Tsaina Lodge, Jeffery S. Fraser counts the 1942 classic Casablanca as his favorite movie. 

In a 2013 interview with the design blog UnBeige, artist and movie poster designer Bill Gold revealed that early drafts of his iconic Casablanca poster were missing a key prop that ties the whole poster together: Humphrey Bogart’s gun. The image of Bogart pointing his gun while wearing a white fedora and trench coat is lifted from the film’s finale, in which Bogart uses said gun to shoot the Nazi commander who was chasing him.

In the interview, Gold relayed that the Casablanca poster was one of his first, and that he’d thought a montage showing all of the film’s major characters would be enough. Upon review, however, the powers-that-be requested Gold add more excitement to the scene, inspiring him to add Bogart’s gun to the poster. 

Now in his 90s, Bill Gold is responsible for a number of other iconic film posters, including those for The Exorcist, Unforgiven, A Clockwork Orange, Dirty Harry, and Alien.

Friday, June 2, 2017

Olympic Slopestyle Scoring


Jeffery Scott Fraser is an experienced business executive and entrepreneur who holds a PhD from Capella University. A former CEO of software firm NIC Inc., Jeffery S. Fraser is currently involved with Job Pose, a job matching firm, and serves as the owner of Tsaina Lodge in Alaska. An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Fraser also enjoys fishing and snowboarding.

A winter Olympic sport, snowboarding can be broken down into several disciplines which include half pipe, freestyle, and slopestyle among others. In a slopestyle competition, competitors snowboard down a course filled with obstacles and attempt to complete different types of tricks. 

Scoring for Olympic slopestyle events is administered by six judges from the Federation Internationale de Ski in several areas. In addition to amplitude, which includes safely landing jumps, and the overall difficulty of a run, snowboarders are judged on execution. Improper hand and board placement, poor landings, or falls can all affect an execution score. Moreover, incorporating a variety of different tricks and completing completely new tricks can boost a slopestyle score.

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Tips for Graduates Looking for Jobs


An entrepreneur in the tourism and hospitality industry, Jeffery Scott Fraser owns Tsaina Lodge, near Valdez, Alaska. He holds a BS and MS in human resource management and management information systems from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. In addition to his role at Tsaina Lodge, Jeffery S. Fraser is an investor in Job Pose, a company that matches job seekers with employers. 

For young graduates, looking for a job is a job in itself. It entails researching opportunities, applying for them, networking with professionals, attending interviews, negotiating offers, and (hopefully) getting the job. 

First, prepare yourself for the journey. Set aside five hours each day to researching jobs and preparing your applications for each. Do not send a boilerplate application to every company in the hope that one will respond, as that method rarely works. Instead, update your details so that you appeal to each company individually. 

Next, network actively with professionals in your field. Pay a visit to your school’s careers office. Besides career opportunities, you’ll find programs that connect graduates with mentors and grant access to networking opportunities. Attend your school’s alumni events and actively seek helpful contacts. Register as a member of a professional organization and attend their events. Make meaningful connections with the people working in a company you would like to join. Not only does this show interest, but your contacts can help you prep for an oncoming interview.

Remember to use social media wisely. Research the best apps or social media sites for professionals in your field and join these platforms. While there, communicate your strengths. Project the unique skills and expertise you acquired at your last internship, while serving on a student organization, or while doing your course projects. Highlighting experiences that show your strengths will help you know what to include in your resume and help you to answer career-based questions during interviews.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Practicing Safe Skiing and Snowboarding Behavior


Jeffery Fraser has served as owner of the Tsaina Lodge since 2011. Prior to taking on his current role, Jeffery S. Fraser spent nearly two decades as chief executive officer at NIC, Inc., in Olathe, Kansas. Away from his work in the software and hospitality industries, Jeffery Scott Fraser enjoys staying active by training bird dogs and snowboarding.

Avoiding accidents and injury on the mountain should rank as the top priority for all skiers and snowboarders. In order to limit the chances of a negative interaction while enjoying a run, individuals should familiarize themselves with and adhere to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Responsibility Code. The complete NSAA Responsibility Code can be found online at www.nsaa.org.

Understanding right of way rules on a mountain is one of the most critical aspects of the NSAA Responsibility Code. Any skier further down the mountain has the right of way, meaning that individuals higher up the mountain must maintain controllable speeds and practice safe maneuvering as they descend and pass other skiers. However, individuals at any place on the mountain must avoid stopping in areas that may pose a risk to others. Lastly, skiers engaged in a run always hold right of way over skiers and snowboarders preparing to merge with a trail. Before merging, individuals must carefully survey the slopes and wait for a safe opportunity to enter a trail.

Monday, April 17, 2017

Types of Specialty Shots in Tennis


Jeffery Scott Fraser owns the Tsaina Lodge, a seasonal 24-room inn near Valdez, Alaska. Prior to taking over the lodge in 2011, Jeffery Fraser attended Baker University and Friends University in Kansas, where he played tennis.

The three main types of shots used by tennis players are forehand, backhand, and the overhead serve. However, a simple forehand or backhand shot might not be available to the player at different times during a rally, or another type of specialty shot might work more in the player's favor. Below are three frequently used specialty shots.

1. The approach shot can be either a forehand or backhand and is hit while the player is approaching the net, forcing his or her opponent to play on the defensive.

2. The passing shot is generally used by players on the defensive reacting to an approach shot. The goal of a passing shot is to hit the ball along the baseline, wide of the player at the net. It's a high-risk, high-reward shot. 

3. One of the more difficult shots to perfect, the drop shot requires a soft touch and superior ball control. It's best executed with one's opponent on the run, particularly at the back of the court, where they might be unable to reach the lightly hit ball in time.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

New Book Explores Casablanca's History for Film's 75th Anniversary



Jeffery S. Fraser currently works with Job Pose, where he helps match job seekers with potential employers. Outside of Jeffery Scott Fraser’s work life, his favorite movie is the 1942 classic Casablanca.

For the film’s 75th anniversary, film historian Noah Isenberg has written a new book examining the movie, its origins, and its lasting impact. “We’ll Always Have Casablanca” gives fans a detailed look into how the film was made, and what issues the production ran into along the way. Isenberg interviewed filmmakers, fans, film critics, and even surviving family members of the movie’s cast in his exploration of the production.

In one chapter Isenberg examines the film’s cast, noting that many were European Jewish refugees who had fled to America to escape the Nazis and WWII. Since similar themes are featured in the film’s plot, the story was all too real for some on the set. Isenberg writes that in one instance, a female extra burst into tears while shooting the film’s Paris flashback scene with Rick and Ilsa. Her husband, also on set, revealed to director Michael Curtiz that they had lived in Paris, but nevertheless they went through the very trying experience of shooting the scene.

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Weather in Casablanca


An accomplished business executive with more than two decades of experience, Jeffery Scott Fraser retired from his position as the CEO of NIC Inc. nearly a decade ago. The owner of the Tsaina Lodge in Valdez, Alaska, he invests in such companies as Job Pose. Outside of overseeing operations at the lodge and assisting the businesses he has sponsored, Jeffery S. Fraser enjoys Casablanca.

As the largest city in Morocco, Casablanca is a popular tourist destination, but its varying weather can keep some travelers away during certain months. The city experiences its warmest temperatures between June and September. On average, summer high temperatures hover between 75 and 80 degrees. These months are also extremely dry and experience less than 1 inch of rainfall. As the year continues, temperatures start dropping as rainfall increases. Average high temperatures in October and November range from 70 to 73 degrees, and rainfall is between 1 and 3 inches.

From December to May, Casablanca is at its coolest and wettest. Average rainfall increases to 2.9 inches by December and stays above 2 inches until April. Meanwhile, high temperatures hover between 64 and 69 degrees during these months. However, these cool temperatures do not block out beach activities, and many tourists still enjoy time in the water through January.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Tips to Remember While Training Your Young Bird Dog


Jeffery S. Fraser has spent the last six years as owner of the Tsaina Lodge in Alaska. From 1991 until 2009, Jeffery Fraser served as chief executive officer at software company NIC, Inc. Beyond his various professional interests, Jeffery Scott Fraser spends time field training bird dogs.

There are several simple tips dog owners should keep in mind before setting out on a bird dog training session. First, owners should always pack drinking water for their dog before taking to the field. Dogs will require water as they engage in training and hunting activities, and drinking freestanding water may lead to illness or even dehydration.

Additional supplies that can help during a training session include forceps, steroid-free eye ointment, and a supply of hydrogen peroxide. Dogs, particularly inexperienced puppies, may encounter a variety of obstacles while searching for birds or other marks in the field, including broken glass or briers. The forceps can be used to remove harmful materials from a dog's face or snout, while the eye ointment can be used to treat an eye injury until a veterinarian can be seen, which should be as soon as possible. Also, a mouthful of hydrogen peroxide will cause a dog to throw up any dangerous substance it may have ingested, but do not induce vomiting if the dog has swallowed sharp objects, such as chicken bones.

Finally, for young bird dogs, socialization is as important as proper field training. Socialization is an important process for all puppies, but it can be of particular importance for hunting dogs. The more exposure a young dog has to different people and kinds of animals, the less likely it is to be distracted by external stimuli during training or while on a hunt. Owners may consider taking multiple dogs out on training sessions, even if they intend to hunt with just one dog.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Things to Consider before Investing in a Company


The former CEO of NIC Inc., Jeffery Scott Fraser has led numerous companies to success over the years. Now retired, Jeffery S. Fraser focuses on supporting various business endeavors, including as the owner of the Tsaina Lodge in Alaska and an investor in the company Job Pose.

Investing in a company can be a great way to increase your income, but there are several things you should consider before making your investment. Below are just a few of the important things for you to learn about a business:

- Performance. A company’s current money management habits can be a good predictor of how it will handle future events and market changes. Make sure you look at whether the business has been making money in recent years and ask about how it plans to use that money. Further, check whether the business has been growing in recent years.

- Leadership. Management plays a huge role in a business’ success, so you will want to look at the track record of its CEO and other executives. Check for their experience in the field and with leading companies. However, history is not always a good predictor of future success, so make sure you also ask them about their business model and strategies.

- Risk factors. All investments come with a certain amount of risk, but you can limit this risk by doing some research before investing. Look into factors that may affect a company’s performance and growth in the future. This includes checking into how established competing companies are and determining the likelihood that the company will need to borrow money.

Friday, January 13, 2017

First Chairlifts Invented for Sun Valley Ski Resort


On February 2011, Jeffery Scott Fraser opened the Tsaina Lodge in Valdez, Alaska. He manages the lodge, which offers guests outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and fishing. Since retiring, Jeffery S. Fraser devotes most of his time to the day-to-day operations of his ski lodge.

Sun Valley is known as the first ski resort to open with chairlifts, back at the time when skiers had to walk or get towed up the mountain. This started the indulgence of having to sit down during the ride to the top, and was considered a major advancement in the skiing industry.

Before the introduction of chair lifts, every ski resort around the globe used the same engineering and machinery to take their skiers up the slopes. Some cable-dragged their skiers, while others used J-bars, T-bars, or rope tows.

W. Averell Harriman, chairman of the Union Pacific Railroad, commissioned railroad engineers to develop a more efficient way for skiers to get up the mountains. After being inspired by the methods used to load train cargo, the engineers developed the chairlift for Sun Valley.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Preparing for Cold Weather Hunting


Jeffery Scott Fraser is the manager and owner of the Tsaina Lodge, where he is tasked with managing the daily operations and guest relations of the establishment. On his free days, Jeffery S. Fraser can be found hunting.

Hunting during cold weather can be extremely challenging as well as uncomfortable. Here are some tips hunters can use to fight the cold temperatures, enabling them to hunt while still keeping warm and safe.

1 - Eat the right kind of food and drink hot liquids. 

Eating plenty of carbohydrates and drinking warm liquids throughout the day will help keep hunters warm from the inside out. 

2 - Wear proper clothing.

Double up on hats and bring boot blankets. Wear two winter hats that are made of wool or fleece. When stationary for long periods do not forget to slip the boot blankets over the hunting boots.

3 - Take plenty of heat packs.

Hunters should invest in large disposable heat packs that are designed for the larger parts of the body. Put against the core of the body these will take away a chill during sub-freezing hunting trips.