12.28.05

Hi Friends:

Boulder advocates are mourning not only the loss of a small but valuable colony of prairie dogs, but also the weakening of prairie dog protection within the city. The Calvary Bible Church of Boulder killed several prairie dogs on its property in northeast Boulder. This is the first killing to occur since the City of Boulder modified its wildlife ordinance in January 2005 to allow the killing of prairie dogs. Several prairie dogs were poisoned on Friday by Calvary, and any that were left were buried/bulldozed on Saturday.

A group of about 18 activists assembled outside the church and on 28th Street to protest the killings on Friday. RMAD and Wild Places have been working over the past month to find a way to relocate the animals to safety. On December 19, Susan Honeycutt of Wild Places received a commitment from the owner of a viable release site on the south side of town. Calvary Bible Church authorities refused to meet with RMAD and Wild Places to discuss the site, instead choosing to proceed with the extermination. The incident received coverage in the Daily Camera on December 24 (http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/county_news/article/0,1713,BDC_2423_4339771,00.html).

ACTION ALERT: We urge you to write letters to the editor about the shameful nature of this killing, and in response to the article that was published about the RMAD protest. Address your letter to openforum@dailycamera.com.

A big thanks to Mark Reinhardt for appearing on today’s “Good Morning Colorado” with Steve Kelly. Mark appeared as a spokesperson for RMAD on the topic of websites that are popping up to document the whereabouts of “vicious” dogs. Mark spoke eloquently, as usual, on the relationship between domestic violence and animal abuse, as well as the larger issues of animal suffering and the need for better solutions, not quick-fixes like websites and breed bans.

Speaking of companion animals, RMAD staff (Donna and Chris) along with volunteer Kathleen Neubauer visited the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter to drop off a load of blankets. We took a tour of the facilities and spent some time saying hello to the animals. Some blankets have gone to an animal sanctuary and more will be going to Mariah’s Promise, which has been a savior for many pit bulls evicted by the breed bans. The blanket drive was also featured in the Boulder Daily Camera. While the drive has officially ended, if you’ve got a load, give us a call. Thanks to everyone who donated and collected blankets, especially Steve and Tami Conley and Kathleen Neubauer!

We are looking for a new, larger office space in Boulder to accommodate our needs. Let us know if you can help us.

For every $5 you pledge per month (minimum one-year commitment), you will receive an entry into the drawing for a weekend at Denver’s Oxford Hotel and dinner for two at Watercourse Foods. We are accepting new monthly donors until December 31st, and If you are already a donor and wish to increase your donation, you will likewise receive an entry for every five dollars you pledge. If you have signed up to be a monthly donor in the last month, you are automatically entered in the drawing. Contact Chris at chrisj@rmad.org to sign up.

Our email-based silent auction ends at close of day today. I’ve posted the initials of the current high bidders on the items. The items are:

Item #1: Mountainsmith Camera backpack. This amazing camera pack has a retail value of $100 and is brand new. This item can be seen at: http://www.summithut.com/catalog/remap/product.asp/mfgID/216/pfid/19061/RC/vendor_Mountainsmith/. Current bid $50. (RB)
Item #2: Vegan dessert-of-the-month for one year. Choose from a selection of homemade vegan desserts by Ann Swissdorf, enough for two people. Value is at least $380. Current bid $140. (SP)
Items #3 and 4: A custom gift basket from www.GiftsfromColorado.com. Value of $60 each. One current bid of $20, (JY) one still available.
Item #5: Peregrine Falcon print, framed. Really nice art print of a falcon in mid-air. Current bid $25. (DM)
Item #6: Dan Piraro “Bizarro” original circus cartoon. Original mock-up with corrections and autograph. Current bid $70. (MS)
Item #7: Copywriting services for a 2-4 page brochure with graphic design (two-fold or tri-fold brochure: Professional design of one standard-sized bi-fold or tri-fold brochure (8.5" x 11" when fully opened), 2 design studies/ choices, Incorporation of your logo and company colors, Insertion of up to 3 royalty-free images/photos, Up to 4 revisions, design saved in PDF and TIF) – $800-1000 value. Starting bid $100.

Item #8: Massage by CMT Joysa Winters. Current bid $50. (SS)

Item #9: Flexi 16-foot retractable leash (the best!) and two dog washes from Colorado Canines. Current bid $30. (KN)

Item #10: Package including organic RMAD shirt with logo on front, “Tofu and Soyfoods Cookery” cookbook, “Meat Market” by Erik Marcus, signed, “The Witness Video” by Tribe of Heart, one box of Tulsi Tea (assorted organic teas). Current bid $125. (BH)

Item #11: Package including “Meat Market” by Erik Marcus, signed, “The Vegan Epicure” cookbook, “Nature’s Life Lessons” by Jim Carrier and Marc Bekoff, two boxes of Tulsi Tea, and an organic RMAD logo t-shirt. Current bid $35. (LS)

Item #12: Package including a $25 gift certificate to Turley’s Restaurant in Boulder, “Tofu Cookery” cookbook, “The Witness” DVD, two boxes Tulsi Tea, one organic RMAD logo shirt. Current bid $36. (MG)

Item #13: Package including “The Veg-Feasting Cookbook,” “The Witness” video, “Strolling With Our Kin” by Marc Bekoff, signed, one box, Tulsi tea, one box Pixie Mate – Lemon, and an organic RMAD logo shirt. Starting bid $30. (LS)

Item #14: T Shirt Package Including three various eco-themed Jim Morris t-shirts and an organic RMAD “Cruelty-Free” t-shirt. Starting bid $20.

Item #15 is a sweet Schwinn cruiser bike and has a value well over $300. The starting bid is $175. (Email me if you need a picture).

Item #16, an exquisite print of a market in Mali, Africa. Volunteer Coordinator Lindsey Sterling says she's been to that market. The adobe mosque pictured is said to be the oldest in the world (I think). Current bid, $35. (WH)

To make a bid, email Chris at chrisj@rmad.org. If you have won an item, I’ll be sure to contact you when the bidding has ended.

Good friend Dave Hatch of Skyline Sanctuary is hosting a New Year’s Bash and you’re invited! See the Evite below for more info and to RSVP.




New Year's Bash & Housewarming
Hi everyone,Hope you can make it!Dave
View Evite Invitation
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

- Chris and Donna


Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:




Saturday, December 31: Fur Demo

When: 11:30 AM. 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.

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
Stock Show Protest: January 14, 2006

When: 11 a.m.
Where: National Western Complex

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Details to follow!
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/.