11.16.05

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

So many things to talk about and attend. Check it out:

Volunteers with Rocky Mountain Animal Defense have organized a Thanksgiving Bag-Lunch for the Homeless. We plan to distribute sandwiches to 250-300 people in the Denver area. These vegan lunches will contain a message about cruelty-free eating, with the hopes that when the lesser-advantaged are making choices as consumers, they will also make compassionate purchases. And to all the anti-animal rights people who say we should do something for the homeless: well, we do. We’re planning on making and distributing sandwiches Friday and possibly Saturday. If you would like to help out at this event, please email chrisj@rmad.org or donnam@rmad.org before Thursday at 4 p.m.

And join us for the Denver-area Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner! Thursday, 24 November, gather at 1:00 PM, eat at 2:00 PM - at the Coolbaugh Building, School of Mines campus in Golden, Colorado. Traditional Holiday fare will be provided for a minimal fee of $5. Kids 3 years old and under get in free. Please bring your favorite traditional holiday, plant-based dish (free of animal products of any kind). Please RSVP by calling Darla Beckley at 303-777-4828, or send an e-mail to Ann at anns@rmad.org , no later than Thursday, November 17th. More info in the calendar below.

RMAD joined nine other groups in increasing the Division of Wildlife’s $1000 lynx reward to a grand total of $6400, in order to keep this horrific event in the public consciousness longer. We hope that someone who knows something will come forward; whoever contributes information leading to the person or persons responsible will be granted the money. Please see our press release below and feel free to forward it to anyone who might be interested, especially in the Durango area.

Prairie dog alert of the week: The Environmental Advisory Board is meeting at the Municipal Service Center (City Yards) 5050 East Pearl St (Between Pearl Street and Valmont Park) from 6 to 8 p.m TONIGHT. There will be a comment period during which we must stand up and voice our support for wildlife and disapproval of lethal control. If you have or know of any land for sale that could accommodate prairie wildlife, please get in touch with us ASAP! We may have supporters who are interested in purchasing land to help save these little guys.

Blankets, blankets, blankets! We’ve accumulated a good deal of blankets in our office, which are great for naps. We’ll be distributing them shortly to area shelters and sanctuaries. Here is the info: We’re hoping each and every one of you can look in your closets or ask you neighbor for a spare blanket that can be donated to a local shelter or sanctuary. You don’t have to do anything beyond that – simply call or email us and we’ll arrange for a pick-up with our volunteers. You can still drop off blankets at the Ramada Inn (1150 E Colfax Ave.) or in Boulder, you can also drop them off at Three Little Figs (2793 Iris Ave). In addition to working with the Denver Municipal Shelter, friend and volunteer Kathleen Neubauer has been spreading the word about the drive. Her vet is now accepting blankets at their office too. Thanks, Kathleen!

Please RSVP for the RMAD/SPLT Fundraiser! Please see below or visit www.evite.com/chrisj@rmad.org/rmadspltparty. Our volunteers are hard at work gathering high-quality donations and if you have a great item you can donate for our silent and live auctions, please email DonnaM@rmad.org. We really need your help to make this event a success. Please RSVP if you haven’t already!

RMAD’s Activist Support Group is Thursday, November 17th, at the Ramada Inn (1150 E Colfax Ave) at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome, but we recommend that you RSVP. Because of the sensitive and personal nature of the topics we discuss, we ask that you arrive on time so that the group won’t be disrupted. For this reason, Catherine has recommended that we keep the door open until 6:45 p.m. but then ask that latecomers not interrupt the group. If you think you are coming late, please let us know in advance. Please email or call Chris at 303-449-4422 or Catherine Zakoian at 970-926-1276 if you need any further information.

The last Turkey Protest at ConAgra Turkey Plant at 1st and Main St. in Longmont is next week. The final protest is Monday - 11/21/05 from 4-5 PM. The protest was mentioned in a Longmont Times-Call article on avian flu – as if one needs another reason not to consume “poultry.”

More on Fur Free Friday: We’ll also be collecting fur coats through HSUS’s Coats for Cubs program and PETA will be promoting our event to their local activists as well. These will then go to area rehabs for wildlife. The animals often prefer the natural smell and feel of fur. It’s rightly theirs! We’ll be visiting the new fur store as well, Joseph Hamilton Furs, 2440 E. 3rd Ave. (at Columbine).

Whew! A lot going on. If you have any questions, give us a buzz!

- Chris & Donna



Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:


Thursday, November 17: Compassion Club – An Activist Support Group

Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Ramada Inn, 1150 E Colfax Ave, Denver

Everyone is welcome, but we recommend that you RSVP! Because of the sensitive and personal nature of the topics we discuss, we ask that you arrive on time so that the group won’t be disrupted. For this reason, Catherine has recommended that we keep the door open until 6:45 p.m. but then ask that latecomers not interrupt the group. If you think you are coming late, please let us know in advance. Please email or call me (Chris) at 303-449-4422 or Catherine Zakoian at 970-926-1276 if you need any further information.


Saturday, November 19: 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.

Winter is fast approaching and sadly, fur sales will soon be on the rise for the season. Please help us spread the truth about fur, in Denver.
Here's the scoop about fur:
http://www.furisdead.com/feat/ChineseFurFarms/
http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/issues_facing_wildlife/fur_and_trapping/
http://www.furisdead.com/getActive.asp
http://www.furisdead.com/photos-traps.asp
http://www.bancrueltraps.com/
http://www.furkills.org/
http://www.infurmation.com

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.


Saturday, November 19: Prairie Preservation Alliance-Sponsored Film:
Earth From Above

When: Saturday November 19 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Starz FilmCenter at the Tivoli, 900 Auraria Parkway, Denver

Cost: $9.00 per ticket NOTE: Starz ticket price is $10.00. There are only 25 tickets available at this reduced rate. If you would like to take advantage of this special event, please order your tickets by November 10. You will receive your tickets by mail. You may order your tickets by calling Prairie Preservation Alliance at 303.638.4672 or 303.359.4167

This lovingly crafted documentary uses the photographs of famed aerial photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand to create an animated fresco composed of three equally important components--image, music and voice. Without laying blame, the film presents the paradox in which the beauty of nature blends with the cruelty of humanity, as the power of nature interacts with the frailty of mankind. The total experience becomes a visceral exploration of the future of our planet.

Thursday, November 24: Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner

When: 1:00 PM, eat at 2:00 PM
Where: The Coolbaugh Building, School of Mines campus in Golden, Colorado.

Traditional Holiday fare, with main dish, mashed potatoes, and gravy will be provided for a minimal fee of $5. Kids 3 years old and under get in free. Please bring your favorite traditional holiday, plant-based dish (free of animal products of any kind), such as soup, side dish, salad, or dessert. For recipe ideas see www.health.rmad.org. Bring a recipe card listing the ingredients. Bring your own drink and place setting, to reduce the use of paper and plastic products. Please RSVP by calling Darla Beckley at 303-777-4828, or send an e-mail to Ann at anns@rmad.org no later than Thursday, November 17th. RSVP should include name, contact information, number of people in your party, and what dish you plan to bring.

Directions - From Denver, take 6th Avenue West to 19th St., in Golden. North on 19th, .2 mile to Illinois, left (west) on Illinois & go .3 mile. The Coolbaugh Bldg will be on your right, between 13th & 14th. Enter the south facing double doors on Illinois. You may park in the lot on 13th, or along the street where the signs allow. Please plan to stay after dinner for fun movies and/or board games, or just relax and chat, or stroll in the lovely neighborhood. Organized by The HEALTH Project of Rocky Mountain Animal Defense (RMAD) and The Vegetarian Society of Colorado. (VSC).

Friday, November 25: Fur Free Friday

When: 11:00 a.m.
Where: Cherry Creek

We’ll be on the streets of Denver to greet shoppers and tell them to choose cruelty-free luxury items this year. We will congregate outside of Neiman Marcus and then march to Marks Lloyds, and then proceed to Joseph Hamilton Furs, 2440 E. 3rd Ave. (at Columbine).

Wednesday, December 7: RMAD/Southern Plains Land Trust Holiday Extravaganza

When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: The Oxford Hotel, Lower Downtown Denver

Please click on the link below (“View Evite Invitation”) to RSVP for the party. We need to have an accurate head count to accommodate for food and space, so please RSVP today. Please email DonnaM@rmad.org with any questions or to help out.


Holiday Extravaganza Fundraiser
Please join RMAD and SPLT for our Holiday Fundraiser Extravaganza!
View Evite Invitation

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/.



For Immediate Release:
November 15, 2005

Contact:Rocky Mountain Animal Defense (303) 449-4422


Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Increases Lynx Reward by $1000
Animal Advocacy Group Raises Total Reward To $6,400

Boulder, CO — Rocky Mountain Animal Defense today joined nine conservation groups, which recently offered a reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons charged with killing a lynx, a species listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. Environmental groups’ reward totaled $5,400; the Colorado Division of Wildlife offered $1,000, and now RMAD has contributed an additional $1,000, making the reward total $6,400.

On October 25th, a collar was dropped into a mail slot at the Silverton post office. Division of Wildlife officials found the second collar Oct. 27 in an area known as Missionary Ridge about 20 miles northeast of Durango. According to the DOW, a third collar is giving a “mortality signal,” and is located in steep terrain above Vallecito Reservoir. Wildlife officials are concerned that the lynx might have been killed illegally.

Between 2000 and 2004, state wildlife managers released additional lynx, bringing the total number of reintroduced lynx to 167. Another 50 lynx are scheduled to be released into the recovery area in spring 2005 and 15 more in 2006 and 2007.

According to recent DOW statistics, 72 Colorado-released lynx have died since 1999, some prematurely from human causes: 8 were poached, 6 probably shot, 9 hit by vehicles, and 2 likely hit by vehicles.

“Rocky Mountain Animal Defense has been concerned about this issue since day one,” says Rocky Mountain Animal Defense executive director, David Crawford. “Now our worst fears are coming true. The criminals who perpetrated these crimes must be brought to justice, and state agencies must redouble their efforts to create a climate in Colorado that is truly welcoming to