boatman's quarterly review - Grand Canyon River Guides

esources downstream of Glen Canyon Dam. The
program includes a wide range of stakeholders, including
American Indian tribes, Colorado River Basin States,
environmental and ecreation groups, power customers
and State and Federal cooperating agencies. The
program, which helped guide the development of
science activities for the experiment, is administered by
Reclamation under the guidance of the Secretary of the
Interior.
Grand Canyon rafters, fisherman and other river
users and hikers can call Grand Canyon National Park’s
River Permits Office at 1-800-959-9164 for additional
information on how the high-flow event may affect their
visit. Additional information is available at
www.gcmrc.gov/research/high_flow/2008/ .
Back of the Boat—
The Whale Foundation News Bulletin
New Mental Health Program
In January our Health Services Committee (hsc)
implemented our new Mental Health Program.
Here’s what you can expect. If you are feeling
depressed, struggling with addiction problems, dealing
with chronic shoulder injuries, dial our toll-free Help
Line (866-773-0773.) After you hear the recorded
message, please leave your first name only and your
phone number. In response, one of our Case
Managers—either Susan Ash Ghiglieri or Paul
Nockles—will return your call within 24 hours. In this
initial conversation, Susan or Paul will assess your
specific needs and determine which of the Whale Foundation
services you may want to take advantage of.
Following this assessment, you may be referred to a
specialist—such as a counselor, m.d., massage therapist
or another healthcare professional. We have both
male and female providers. And, we can provide counseling
by phone, and, of course, work around your
river schedule. Case Managers and Providers are
professionals and maintain strict confidentiality of all
client information.
Finally, for those guides who are uninsured or
under-insured: the Whale Foundation has a nonmandatory
payment policy for the first eight hours of
therapy that is not covered by your insurance, your
employer or another third party payer.
Gts Health Fair
We want to remind everyone that the Whale Foundation
will host our Health Fair at the spring gts on
Saturday, March 29th. Last year 65 guides took advantage
of these free services. Just look for our tent
outside the warehouse on the Hatch pad. Our healthcare
professionals will offer the full package:
1) screenings for skin, colon, and breast cancer along
with diabetes and cholesterol,
2) take your blood pressure,
3) do oral and eye examinations,
4) discuss family health histories and more.
Also, we will have available informative pamphlets on
pertinent health issues. If you are an uninsured or
under-insured member of the river community, we
strongly encourage you to take advantage of this
incredible opportunity, and, again, it’s free!
Gts Liaison Open House
The Whale Foundation will host an Open House at
the Spring gts on Saturday, March 29th. The hsc is
revitalizing the Liaison Program in 2008 and would
like to hear your thoughts/comments. We welcome
former and current Liaisons—as well as anyone interested
in becoming involved in the future—to stop by
our tent and let us hear your perspectives about ways
that we can better serve the river community.
WingDing vi
Another Whale of a Night: the sixth annual, fun-filled
rendezvous of the Grand Canyon river family was held
on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at the Coconino Center
for the Arts in Flagstaff. Grand Canyon river guides
came from around the West to be part of the celebration!
About 350 of us bid on 165 auctions items—the
proceeds from which will go to support the well-being
of Grand Canyon guiding community. Many were
responsible for the evening’s success. To name only a
few: we say hats off to Martha and Thad for another
sumptuous dinner; to Jessie Pope for organizing the
outstanding music; to Erika Andersson for ratcheting
up the raffle, to Emily Perry for dialing in the bar, to
Jeri Ledbetter for her unfailing work behind the scenes
and to all the volunteers who helped set up, clean up,
bake desserts, run the auction, the raffle, the beverage
table, the front table and meet/greet team. We
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