Welcome to this week's edition of the POB eNews ...

It's fitting that an unusual number of headlines popped up before Thanksgiving about surveyors lending a helping hand.  

Over in Palmer, Mass., Adney Russo Land Surveyors and family donated the remaining $2,500 needed to reopen Palmer High School's pool, which had been closed due to budget cuts. Down in Tyler, Texas, the local surveying community agreed to complete an entire boundary survey for the John Tyler High School campus as a community service project. And in Polk County, Fla., land surveyor Mike Gay is being hailed as a hero.

And rightly so. Gay saved a life.  

Mike Gay didn't realize he was passing the scene of a car wreck on the night of Nov. 11. "I thought it was just a tree burning," he told reporters. Curious, he turned around to investigate. He discovered that the large oak tree had been set ablaze by a car that had crashed into its trunk.

When Gay heard screaming coming from the car, he ran to help. The doors were jammed. Flames were shooting from the window. Inside, Jodi Kathleen Oakes, 28, was trapped and on fire.  

Gay reached through the passenger-side window. She grabbed his hands. He pulled her out and extinguished the flames that were engulfing her body.  

Oakes is expected to recover from the burns covering about half her body as well as a collapsed lung, a lacerated liver, bleeding of the brain and facial fractures.

Gay is recovering from second- and third-degree burns on his hands. But he told reporters that he isn't concerned about his injuries. "It's nothing compared to her, and I'd do it again."  

"It was one of those things you don't think you can do," Gay told reporters. "You're not ready for it. But when it happens, you just do it." 

Thankfully, we all aren't called upon to put our lives on the line as Gay did. But we all can easily do something that can positively impact another's life. This holiday season, may we all find a way to lend a helping hand.

Have a great week and a blessed Thanksgiving,

Wendy Lyons
eNews Editor 

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Web Exclusives!

Banner Associates Inc. is looking for a Survey Coordinator for work in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. Must have LS. A complete job description can be found at www.bannerassociates.com/about/careers.cfm. EOE   

GISCI Hires First Full-Time Executive Director
The Board of Directors of the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) is pleased to announce the hiring of its first full-time executive director, Sheila Wilson (GISP), effective December 1, 2009. 

S E A Consultants to Become Part of Kleinfelder
The transaction closed on November 13, 2009, following a due diligence process, respective board approvals and integration planning involving employees from each firm. 

Geospatial Holdings Subsidiary Enters Into Three Year Contract
Geospatial Holdings announced that the Company has entered into a three year contract with Xcel Energy Services to provide utility locating services throughout the state of New Mexico.

Registration and Hotel Room Block Now Open for GITA's 2010 Solutions Conference
GITA's 2010 Solutions Conference Committee met in July to outline main topics to include in the 2010 program, and created a list of new and upcoming trends. 

GeoQinetiq Completes Continuously Operating Reference Station
The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria accepted the completion of the State's first operational Continuously Operating Reference Station by the Nigerian based company -- GeoQinetiq Limited.

Follow this link for more Latest News.

Man Rescues Victim from Burning Car
His hands sustained second- and third-degree burns, but Florida land surveyor Mike Gay said he isn't concerned about them. They will heal. "It's nothing compared to her," Gay said, "and I'd do it again."

Surveyors donate services to John Tyler
When Tyler ISD requested boundary surveys, the local Texas surveying community responded with a generous donation of time and services.

Palmer High School pool advocates reach goal with last-minute donation
Thanks to a last-minute donation by Adney Russo Land Surveyors and family, a high school pool, which was closed due to budget cuts, is reopened in Massachusetts.

Elections for Surveyor may be stopped, handed to county government
The county surveyor position has been an elected position for many years, but a law passed in the last Oregon legislative session would change it to an appointed position. And some surveyors are concerned

Townships reach agreement on boundary dispute
Following an upgrade of Pennsylvania's Route 53 several years ago, a road sign designating the boundary line was relocated based on GPS. But the GPS map did not look back to the boundaries of 200 years ago. Local land surveyor Fred Brown, however, did. And the ongoing boundary line dispute is finally cleared up.

To read the latest Surveying in the Headlines, click here.

Joke of the Week: 'Twas the Night of Thanksgiving

'Twas the night of Thanksgiving,
but I just couldn't sleep.

I tried counting backward,
I tried counting sheep.

The leftovers beckoned ... the dark meat and white,
but I fought the temptation with all of my might.  ...

Follow this link to hear what happens next.

Problem of the Week: Advanced Mathematics: Quadratic Equations

Which values correctly represent the base and the height of a right triangle contraining 510 ft^2 in which the base is 4 ft shorter than the height?

A. Base = 16 ft    Height = 20 ft
B. Base = 25 ft    Height = 29 ft
C. Base = 30 ft    Height = 34 ft
D. Base = 32 ft    Height = 36 ft 

Follow this link to access the rest of this week's Fun & Games.

Further your technical education and industry knowledge at the AEC Store.  

2009 Bestsellers:

Business Management Handbook for Land Surveyors - $65.00
This 150-page handbook provides guidance for land surveyors who are interested in starting or improving their own business. Follow this link for a complete description.

GPS for Land Surveyors, Third Edition - $89.85
This manual gives you all the tools to understand and use GPS techniques in everyday practice.This book teaches the basics of GPS technology, common hardware, surveying methods, survey design, planning and observation, and much more! Follow this link for a complete description.  

Lasting Impressions, A Glimpse Into the Legacy of Surveying
Lasting Impressions is a visually stunning compilation of fascinating stories and photos from surveyors, engineers, geocachers, history buffs and enthusiasts from across the country. Follow this link for a complete description.

The AEC Store offers more than 50 products specific to the Surveying Industry. Visit AECStore.com to view all of our products.

New Saddle Box from Weather Guard
The E-Line Saddle Box Model 143 is secure, durable and convenient to use. It is protected against break-ins with a secure locking system and a tamper-resistant, full-length, piano-style hinge.