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