12.10.2004

Hello, Friends.

I'm giving thanks today for the fresh snow. Yahoo! As you know, I am of the mind that all work and no play dulls us.

Nevertheless and of course, the work continues. We thought our work with the Boulder wildlife ordinances would be over last March. But the Boulder city staff has really let us down. They continue to throw roadblocks at us at every turn. We learned at a meeting with city staff this week that they are continuing to promote their own approach, despite the city council telling them to develop an approach based on RMAD's proposed ordinance. Staff did develop a "council-directed" approach, mind you, but they met in backrooms and developed yet another option that they hope to foist on council. Staff has also dragged their feet long enough now so that outgoing mayor and wildlife advocate Will Toor will not be involved with the final vote in January. January 4 is the next council meeting on the issue. Boulderites, please plan to attend.

We're gearing up for the Stock Show. Remember to keep January 15 (mid-day, I think) open, if possible.

Efforts in Lafayette to protect prairie dogs from an impending developing are picking up steam, according to organizers Karen and Toby Norback. This dynamic duo gave a tip of the hat to RMAD, thanking us for a letter we wrote in support. If you live in Lafayette and care about prairie wildlife, please
email tobyandkaren@earthlink.net.

As you may know, Rocky Mountain Animal Defense and National Endowment for the Animals are building an "Activist Support Group". The meeting location has changed. We'll meet on 12/14, 7-9pm, at the Rocky Mountain Peace & Justice Center (in Boulder), Watershed School Building 1st floor conference room at 205 Canyon. If you're interested, please RSVP to mattbear@neaforever.org. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you to attend. Healthy activists make for effective activism!

A belated thanks to Sisley Aragon for her work on Fur Free Friday. Sisley did the media for Univision, which provided the type of coverage we only hope for with the network affiliates.

Thanks to Judith Miller Smith and her students at Jeffco Open school, who raised over $300 dollars(!) for RMAD at their annual Peace Night. Thanks to Paula Lewis who made a list-minute dash to Lakewood in support of the event.

Chris also thanks our always-reliable office team who helped out with our holiday mailing.

Thanks also to Ann Swissdorf and Lynee' Zajac, who produced a vegetarian living display at the Arvada Library, located at 57th and Dover. Cool!

And thanks to the many volunteers who have signed up recently and are now working with RMAD. My personal thanks to all those who are making site visits and phone calls to update our database of prairie dog colonies.

As you may recall, I'm still off payroll, so my hours are limited. Chris continues to bear the brunt of the office load. This week, in addition to his program and administrative duties, Chris answered 11 inquiries from the
general public.

Happy Weekend!

-Dave

David Crawford, Executive Director
Rocky Mountain Animal Defense