"Green" not good for birds

There is an interesting article in the Novemeber 23 issue of the AJC about "green" buildings being a danger to birds. The article focuses on a green LEED certified building at Emory that was causing a high number of bird deaths. The building, as do many "green" buildings, uses a lot of glass, and the birds were becoming confused by the reflections and flying into the building. The deaths would have continued, had it not been for a faculty member who really pushed to find a humane solution, in this case seasonal nets. Shows how one person being a voice for animals can make a difference! (photo credit: FRANK NIEMEIR/AJC)

Pacelle & HSUS featured in Newsweek

Some of you may have heard Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States speak when he gave a lecture at UGA a year ago. The current issue (November 19) of 'Newsweek' features a column written by Pacelle talking about what motivated him to be a voice for animals. (photo by D.A. Peterson for Newsweek)

Cooking Class

It was a good time last night at the special Vegan Cooking Class presented by EarthFare for S.O.S folks. For those of you who couldn't be there, I'm posting the recipe for the Curried Lentils we all got to try last night. Enjoy!

Curried Lentils

1 med. onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 med. carrot, chopped

2 cups cauliflower, chopped

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 tsp curry powder

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp turmeric

2 cups cooked lentils

2 cups peas (frozen)

1 tsp salt

1/3 cup vegetable stock

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

In a large saucepan over med-high heat, saute the onions, garlic, carrot, and cauliflower in the oil until the onions are glassy, but haven't started to brown. Add the curry powder, cumin, turmeric, lentils, peas, salt, and vegetable stock. Stir and reduce heat to a simmer for 10-15 minutes until cauliflower is tender but still firm. Serve over rice. (when cooking the 2 cups of lentils before hand, be careful not to over cook!)

Dogs Need Your Help!

A little over a year ago, UGA law professor Steve Shi and his wife Betsy learned of nearly 150 abandoned dogs on a property in North Georgia. These dogs were left in filthy pens outdoors, exposed to all weather extremes. Steve and a few others helped transport most of the dogs to no-kill shelters around the country. The Shis kept seven dogs in order to rehabilitate them to be able to later adopt them out to their forever homes. These dogs are very fearful because all they have known from humans is abuse. In order to help rehabilitate them, it is necessary for them to be exposed to kind people who will spend time with them in a calm and loving environment.

The Shis have set up a system where people come to their house and spend time with the dogs, taking them on walks, feeding them, and simply petting these animals. The dogs are still fearful and don't jump around and play with humans like other dogs do. It is evident that they are still uncomfortable when new people come to the house, but after you spend a few hours with them, they will relax and even let you touch them. The experience is very rewarding and you get to spend an afternoon with these amazing creatures. If you are interested in volunteering some of your time, please email Betsy Shi at betsy@shilaw.com

Bear Rescue Worldwide

Listen to a hour long radio program that aired today, discussing the plight of bears worldwide and what is being done to rescue them from abuse and to preserve their habitat.

To learn more about bear rescue worldwide, join Speak Out for Species Monday, November 12, for an event featuring Kartick Satyanarayan and Geeta Seshamani of Wildlife SOS, an Indian non-profit organization, who will be speaking about efforts to save India's rapidly-vanishing wildlife including the "dancing bears" of India.