7.20.05

Hello, Friends.

Busy, busy here, orienting RMAD’s new operations director, Donna Marino, and taking the new RMAD Program Committee for a test drive. No milestones this week, just a lot of steady progress on the many RMAD projects and programs.

The phone got a bit busy this week, too. We dealt with six general inquiries, six inquiries related to companion animals, three inquiries related to prairie wildlife, and two calls on farmed animals.

Prairie Wildlife – Boulder Urban Wildlife Management Plan Meeting August 24
The first public meeting of the Urban Wildlife Management Plan process will be held on Wednesday, August 24, from 6pm to 9pm at the West Senior Center, 909 Arapahoe. The purpose of the meeting is to gather input from the community on the goals for the plan, identification of issues, management philosophy and guiding principles for urban wildlife management. There’ll be only two public meetings on this issue. Please plan to attend! Mark this date on your calendars now! More details to follow.

Prairie Wildlife – New Douglas County Group Gets Busy
Douglas County Citizens for Wildlife has produced an online petition urging officials to relocate imperiled prairie dogs. Please take a minute to sign:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/592096877?ltl=1121895753

The group’s next meeting is Thursday, July 21, at 7pm at the Tattered Cover in Highlands Ranch. For more information, email save.douglasco.wildlife@gmail.com.

One Moon Making a Difference
The moon is huge. A big, beautiful July moon is rising right around sunset right now. No fanfare. No self-promotion. Just quiet magnificence. Something for which we can all strive.

Two Persons Making a Difference
Under this moon last night I chatted with two neighbors, learning both are menopausal and both are enduring this time without pharmaceuticals. Eventually, when I asked if they knew that Premarin stands for “pregnant mare’s urine,” they both said yes. They both said they are sickened by the treatment of the horses. And they both said that they tell everyone they know to steer clear of such drugs. One even said she said so to a group of 40 menopausal women just a few months before. I know these two women eat animals. I know they wear animal skins. There were times in my activism when I would have been compelled to assert, “Chickens are treated just as poorly!” This wasn’t the time for that. We were connecting on a very important issue, huddling with our hearts around a common concern – pretty much the exact wrong time to point out differences or pose a challenge. Our effectiveness as advocates rests in no small part in our ability to know when to listen, when to stay quiet, and when to speak up.

On the Calendar
Thursday — RMAD “Happy Hour”
Saturday — Fur Demo
Upcoming — Compassion Club – An Activist Support Group
Upcoming — Sowing Seeds Conference in Albuquerque, NM
Save the date — Animal Care Conference
Ongoing — Vegetarian Parents of Denver Meeting

Thursday, July 21: RMAD “Happy Hour”
Join fellow animal respecters on Thursday, July 21 for an informal get-together. We'll meet at the Dark Horse (2922 Baseline, Boulder -- behind the
McDonald's) on the patio starting at 5:00; get there when you can. :+)

This will be a chance to get to know each other better; it'd be neat if you could bring news to share of animal rights successes, here and in other parts of the world. You don't have to like beer to come; the social aspect is what's important. The happy hour gathering promises to be upbeat and fun; ALL ARE WELCOME!

Saturday, July 25: Fur Demo
When: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Posters and leaflets will be provided. Bring an umbrella just in case!
Where: Marks Lloyds Furs, 263 Josephine between 2nd and 3rd in Cherry Creek See directions below.
Directions: From I-25 take Speer South to University. Turn Left (North, see Whole Foods Market on your Right after you turn onto University). University turns into Josephine after you cross 2nd. Marks Lloyds will, be on your Left just before 3rd. Don't forget to buy a parking ticket to place on your dash board from one of the green parking boxes marked with a (P) that are located on each block. From 6th Avenue going East, or 8th Avenue going West. go South on York (a one way street) to 3rd. Turn Left (East) on 3rd. Josephine is the next street. Marks Lloyds is behind Little Ollies which you will see on the corner of 3rd and Josephine. Call 303-807-1886 if you need help with directions.

Upcoming (July 30-31): Sowing Seeds Humane Education Workshop (NM)
Albuquerque, NM, Located at Immanuel Presbyterian Church
114 Carlisle Blvd., SE • Albuquerque, NM • 87106
Registration: $45-$145 sliding scale ($40 student)

Learn exciting, new approaches for teaching about animal protection, human rights, environmental preservation, media and culture. See www.apnm.org/sowingseeds for more information.

Upcoming (August 11): Compassion Club – An Activist Support Group
What: Compassion Club – An Activist Support Group
Time: 7:00pm to 8.30pm.
Where: TBA

For more information, email Chris at ChrisJ@rmad.org.

Upcoming (September 22-24): Animal Care Conference
Grand Hyatt, Downtown Denver
RMAD to Participate on Panel
The Association of Sanctuaries (TAOS) has worked for animals and animal care facilities for 13 years. This fifth annual conference addresses the need for assessing strengths and weaknesses, implementing effective management practices, building stronger, more sustainable organizations, and seeking common ground within the animal care, protection, and advocacy communities. The movement stands at a crossroad; in order to achieve significant progress towards bettering the lives of animals — not just now but in future generations — animal caregivers must be prepared to advance their goals of greater professionalism, more activism, increased collaboration, less isolation, more learning, and continually improving conditions and standards of care for the animals.
For more info: http://www.taosanctuaries.org/conference/conf2005.htm

Ongoing: Vegetarian Parents of Denver Meeting
Vegetarian Parents of Denver meet the second Saturday of every month. We discuss a variety of issues, share resources and are even starting an organic food buying club. We welcome parents of children of any age. Bring the kids and we have a babysitter watch them in another room. Our next meeting is June 11 at 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. You can call 303 355 5272 or e-mail Laura Patrick (veganmom2002@yahoo.com) for directions. Or join our online discussion group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/compassionate_future/.

-d

David Crawford, Executive Director

7.13.05

Hello, Friends.

Here’s the first installment of the new once-a-week RMAD Week in Review. And this is likely the last week that we’ll have the calendared items included in this weekly email. In next week’s Week in Review, we’ll likely just link to the RMAD online calendar.

In last week’s Week in Review, I indicated that I was preparing for a sabbatical. I didn’t properly introduce RMAD’s new operations director, Donna Marino. Donna will be taking over my administrative responsibilities. Donna is a seasoned RMAD volunteer. She has been coordinating RMAD’s tabling efforts, and she has been a key member of our Companion Animals Team. Donna is a technical writer and non-practicing attorney. She lives in Boulder and provides companionship for several animals. Welcome, Donna!

During my absence, my programmatic activities will be tended to by the newly created RMAD Program Committee. This committee will be chaired by RMAD Board Member Mark Reinhardt and will be composed of RMAD Board Member Kim Riggs, HealthCoop.org Team Leader Lynee’ Zajac, HEALTH Team Leader Ann Swissdorf, and the aforementioned Donna. This committee will ensure that RMAD’s existing programmatic obligations are met and that the day-to-day unanticipated program challenges (what to do, for instance, if we get a call about the abuse of dogs at a Colorado shelter) are properly handled. Stalwart Chris Jones will work with the program committee and with Donna in her role as operations director.

Prairie Wildlife – Boulder Urban Wildlife Management Plan
We were back in front of the Boulder (CO) city council last week. In what is beginning to feel like a never-ending effort to create avenues for lethal control, the council has asked city staff to develop an urban wildlife management plan. You will definitely be hearing more on this in the coming weeks. We are, I am chagrined to say, having to again mobilize in Boulder on behalf of our native wildlife. To see brief coverage of the issue, visit: http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/county_news/article/0,1713,BDC_2423_3914987,00.html. Tell the Daily Camera you care about prairie dogs. Send your email to openforum@dailycamera.com.

Prairie Wildlife – Colorado Springs Relocation
The relocation from the Classic Homes site at Drennan and Hancock is under way. Dozens of prairie dogs are now on their way out of this increasingly urban corridor to a bountiful and safe release site. Congratulations and thanks to Susan Honeycutt of Wild Places, Deb Jones of Prairie Dog Action, Lindsey Sterling Krank of the Prairie Dog Coalition, and the many PDA and RMAD volunteers who are helping make this happen. Thanks, too, to the folks at Classic Homes who worked with us to make this happen.

Prairie Wildlife – Douglas County Group Forms
A new group has formed in the Denver area. It’s my understanding that several RMAD supporters are involved. Douglas County Citizens for Wildlife states the following objectives:
1. Douglas County open space to use progressive prairie dog management i.e.: allow space for relocation, use of barriers, use of relocation when prairie dogs go over county boundaries.
2. Stop Highlands Ranch Metro District’s senseless killing of prairie dogs on open space. Change policies to use of barriers and relocation instead of removal and artificial limits on populations.
3. Develop a relationship with Shea that will encourage them to relocate prairie dogs to their own land or buy land for the purpose of relocating prairie dogs.
4. Keep land by Lucent as prairie dog land – not to be developed.
The group’s next meeting is Thursday, July 21, at 7pm at the Tattered Cover in Highlands Ranch. For more information, email save.douglasco.wildlife@gmail.com.

Prairie Wildlife – Westminster
If you haven’t yet signed the online petition seeking protections for the native wildlife of Westminster (CO), please do so immediately! Visit:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/397862963

Prairie Wildlife – Jane Goodall
Occasionally, we get a nice perk here in the RMAD office. Last week I was honored to be among a select group of prairie wildlife advocates to meet with noted primatologist Jane Goodall. We went in to the meeting with the intention of getting Dr. Goodall to sign on as a member scientist with the Prairie Dog Coalition (www.prairiedogcoalition.org). Sure enough, she did! And she gave us all a lesson in grace, to boot. As most of you know, RMAD was integral to the formation of the coalition, and we remain highly invested in its continued success. Big thanks to Joanne Reince for arranging the meeting – no small task.

Animals in “Research” – Boycott Nalgene!
We aren’t surprised that the president of Nalge Nunc, Craig Jack, failed to respond to our certified letter of April 22. (To see a copy of the letter, go to the very end of this email.) Thus, the Nalgene boycott endures. For more, visit www.boycottnalgene.com.

Two Persons Making a Difference
RMAD’s friend Daniel “Oyster” Ziskin expressed concern to organizers of Boulder’s Bike-to-Work Day about the use of eggs in a relay contest. Oyster provided great reference information (see www.upc-online.org). He asked why we’re playing with food when 13 million U.S. children live in households that must skip meals due to economic constraints. And he asked, “Who thought this was a good idea? Animals are living lives of misery and torture so we can play games with their eggs?” As a result, organizers used silly putty eggs for all but the final race, at which “free-range” eggs were used. Notwithstanding our concerns about “free range” labels, we thank the organizers, and we thank Oyster!

Beauty in simplicity. With one phone call, RMAD supporter and Nederland (CO) resident Denise Grimm convinced the Colorado Department of Transportation to create wildlife awareness with its huge electronic sign at the entrance to Boulder Canyon. During the substantial time when it’s not being used for construction alerts, the sign now reads “Watch for Wildlife Next 20 Miles”. Three cheers for Denise!

On the Calendar
Saturday — Fur Demo
Thursday — RMAD “Happy Hour”
Ongoing — Vegetarian Parents of Denver Meeting
Save the date — Sowing Seeds Conference in Albuquerque, NM
Save the date — Animal Care Conference
Saturday, July 18: Fur Demo
When: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Posters and leaflets will be provided. Bring an umbrella just incase!
Where: Marks Lloyds Furs, 263 Josephine between 2nd and 3rd in Cherry Creek See directions below.
Directions: From I-25 take Speer South to University. Turn Left (North, see Whole Foods Market on your Right after you turn onto University). University turns into Josephine after you cross 2nd. Marks Lloyds will, be on your Left just before 3rd. Don't forget to buy a parking ticket to place on your dash board from one of the green parking boxes marked with a (P) that are located on each block. From 6th Avenue going East, or 8th Avenue going West. go South on York (a one way street) to 3rd. Turn Left (East) on 3rd. Josephine is the next street. Marks Lloyds is behind Little Ollies which you will see on the corner of 3rd and Josephine. Call 303-807-1886 if you need help with directions.

Thursday, July 21: RMAD “Happy Hour”
Join fellow animal respecters on Thursday, July 21 for an informal get-together. We'll meet at the Dark Horse (2922 Baseline, Boulder -- behind the
McDonald's) on the patio starting at 5:00; get there when you can. :+)

This will be a chance to get to know each other better; it'd be neat if you could bring news to share of animal rights successes, here and in other parts of the world. You don't have to like beer to come; the social aspect is what's important. The happy hour gathering promises to be upbeat and fun; ALL ARE WELCOME!

Ongoing: Vegetarian Parents of Denver Meeting
Vegetarian Parents of Denver meet the second Saturday of every month. We discuss a variety of issues, share resources and are even starting an organic food buying club. We welcome parents of children of any age. Bring the kids and we have a babysitter watch them in another room. Our next meeting is June 11 at 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. You can call 303 355 5272 or e-mail Laura Patrick (veganmom2002@yahoo.com) for directions. Or join our online discussion group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/compassionate_future/.


Upcoming (July 30-31): Sowing Seeds Humane Education Workshop (NM)
Albuquerque, NM, Located at Immanuel Presbyterian Church
114 Carlisle Blvd., SE • Albuquerque, NM • 87106
Registration: $45-$145 sliding scale ($40 student)

Learn exciting, new approaches for teaching about animal protection, human rights, environmental preservation, media and culture. See www.apnm.org/sowingseeds for more information.

Upcoming (Sept. 22-24): Animal Care Conference
Grand Hyatt, Downtown Denver
RMAD to Participate on Panel
The Association of Sanctuaries (TAOS) has worked for animals and animal care facilities for 13 years. This fifth annual conference addresses the need for assessing strengths and weaknesses, implementing effective management practices, building stronger, more sustainable organizations, and seeking common ground within the animal care, protection, and advocacy communities. The movement stands at a crossroad; in order to achieve significant progress towards bettering the lives of animals — not just now but in future generations — animal caregivers must be prepared to advance their goals of greater professionalism, more activism, increased collaboration, less isolation, more learning, and continually improving conditions and standards of care for the animals.
For more info: http://www.taosanctuaries.org/conference/conf2005.htm

David Crawford, Executive Director
Rocky Mountain Animal Defense
2525 Arapahoe, #E4-335
Boulder, CO 80302
303-449-4422 / www.rmad.org

RMAD has been advocating for animals and serving the public since 1994.

7.8.05

Hey, All-

As most of you know, I’m preparing for a six-month sabbatical. (Unpaid, mind you.) I’ve been involved with RMAD since day one. And after a decade of service, I’m taking time away to retool and refresh.

We have created a program committee (of RMAD regulars) to manage the organization’s program activities in my absence. And we have hired Donna Marino to help out (part time) with the administrative side of the organization.

My sabbatical begins August 1.

In the meantime, we’re busy with transitions, processes, programs and projects. I continue to be inspired by how big this little organization is. So many of you volunteer your time and talents to helping the animals and helping the world through Rocky Mountain Animal Defense. And so many of you make the financial contributions that allow a few of us to work hard every day to keep this organization functioning at a high level.

My sincere gratitude to you all.

Chris and Donna and I will implement the new once-a-week update starting Wednesday of next week.

Have a dandy weekend.

Love ya,
Dave