25 Şubat 2013 Pazartesi

Valentine's Day is for Animal Lovers! Join us!

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Valentine’s Day is for Animal Lovers


  Our Shop is Now Open!

Whether or not you have a human Valentine, if you have a pet, you already know what it is to have unconditional love on a year round basis.
Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education and Safety invites you to join our virtual event “Valentine’s Day is forAnimal Lovers,” which will be a Facebook event during the month of February.
Please RSVP "yes" and show your support during February by earning donations for our animals simply by shopping online!
In partnership with We-Care.com, we will promote Valentine related items that can be purchased online from reliable, well known merchants, at no extra cost to the purchaser.  
Having recently won a $1000 Grant from We-Care.com, in which we generated over 10,000 valid tweets that were worth 10 cents each, we know the power of pennies, nickels and dimes in fundraising.
Also consider that every penny earned is equivalent to 3 pennies where we operate in the Amazon Jungle of Peru!  Currently we are raising funds to improve our no-kill shelter in Iquitos, Peru.
We hope to introduce new people to Amazon CARES and our vital work.  Perhaps not all of these people would normally donate through us, but they would consider making an online purchase using one of our links.
Will you support this unique event?  
Would you go a step further by serving on our Host Committee?  A member of the Host Committee commits to inviting at least ten friends and promoting our virtual event.
Please let me know by commenting below or replying to molly@amazoncares.org.  Be sure to grab a banner for your blog, Facebook page or website!





Sincerely,
Molly MednikowExecutive Director of Amazon CARES
Manuella Incoming Director of Amazon CARES

Amazon CARES Veterinary Trips: Dates and Facts

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2013 Vet Trip Dates:

March 31 - April 14 - Apply Today!June 2 - 16 
August 4 - 18
October 13 - 27 


General Trip Description:

Spay / Neuter Project for street dogs/cats and owned animals for low income families.

Project Location: Amazon Rainforest near Iquitos, Peru.  Some trips include day trips or a complete 5-day jungle expedition to remote locales along the Amazon River.

Languages: English, Rudimentary Spanish is an asset

Who can volunteer? Veterinarians, Veterinary Nurses, Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants, Experienced Animal Handlers

Fees Include:  All food and lodging when staying in jungle facility. Meals taken "in-town" are not the responsibility of Amazon CARES. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are not covered. Filtered water will always be available, and often, fruit juice will also be available.  Nominal transportation costs to and from airport are not covered.

Each participant is expected to pay their personal transportation costs to and from Iquitos, Peru. All food and lodging during boat / extended jungle trips are provided with the above exceptions.

Not included:  International & Domestic airfares, airport departure taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional tours taken away from the group, and nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages, reconfirmation of flights and items of personal nature, domestic flight. Gratuities to rainforest tour guides are appreciated, but are not obligatory and are not included.




See our website for more information!


Milton's and Dinner & a Cause

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Welcome to Milton's Cuisine and Cocktails

Have you ever been to a place that while you were still there, you were already excited about your NEXT visit?  That’s how it was for me yesterday when we tried Milton’s Cuisine and Cocktails in Historic Crabapple for the very first time.  When we arrived, we were seated in one of the rooms of this 150 year old farmhouse.  The rich wood that adorned the floors and ceiling was a true testament of what was to come.  The food, like the wood, was a combination of old and new.  It delivered those southern favorite comfort foods, like fried okra, mac and cheese , and fried green tomatoes, yet gave a new twist. 

Pan Seared Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes

Once we were seated at our table, We were greeted by our waiter who not only fulfilled his duty as our server, but did so with pride.  He told us the origin of the Broadwell farmhouse, the history of the chef, Boyd Rose, and the garden in the back which delivered fresh ingredients for each and every dish.  We decided on the fried green tomato stack with goat cheese and tomato puree, as our appetizer.  Since our little one was getting restless, I decided to take her for a walk around the outdoor patio, which would definitely be a great option for your dining experience, weather permitting.  As our waiter opened the door to the patio, he suggested we walk back behind the small, red barn to checkout the garden.  So, that is exactly what we did.  When we got back there, we saw the diagram pointing out where everything had been planted.  There happened to be someone working in the garden, who was happy to point out the squash blossoms, cobs of corn on the stalk, partially grown watermelon, and tomatoes of every variety.  Not only was it a great lesson, it built excitement for our upcoming fair, and was an experience we will not soon forget.

Out Back at Milton's Milton's Acre. A Story in the Making.

We arrived back at our table to tell of our adventure only to notice our tomato stack had arrived (and had been partially eaten thanks to our dining companion who self admittedly had no will power when the dish arrived).  It was a culinary delight.  It had a basil infused olive oil that gave it a flavor that two fried green tomato connoisseurs could only dream of consuming.  Not much later, our entrees arrived, consisting of Grilled Cilantro-Basil Marinated Chicken Breast with roasted garlic spinach, asparagus, and grilled vegetable ratatouille plus the daily pasta feature which was linguine with chicken, andouille sausage, corn, tomatoes, saffron and basil.  The chicken was tender and juicy.  The Cilantro and Basil marinade added the perfect flavor combo.  The vegetables definitely delivered that fresh, local, home-grown taste...you can't beat that!  The pasta was NOT covered with a sauce that took away from the flavor of the vegetables and herbs, but instead was finished with a luster of butter that highlighted their essence.  As I savored every bite, I found myself looking forward to the next visit, wondering what I would order then, and anticipating the reaction of my friends and family as I introduce them to my new favorite.  If you are looking for a meal that is filled with a combination of nutritious vegetables, but that will indulge your cravings for your southern favorites, then head to Milton’s in Historic Crabapple.


To make your visit to Milton’s (or a large variety of other Atlanta area restaurants) a more Knowtable experience, go to the Dinner & a Cause website for more information about purchasing a card that benefits Children of Conservation and gives you a 20% discount for your entire table at over 80 participating restaurants.  Act fast!  Although you can use the card as many times as you would like until August 31, 2011, that is when the offer ends. 


What is "Children of Conservation" Project?

“In 2009, the Children of Conservation project established a scholarship program to help provide an otherwise unattainable education to the children of wildlife sanctuary workers in Africa.  Since public funding for schooling in many third world countries ends at the 2nd grade, many bright and intelligent children grow up illiterate and unable to advance their station in life. Our program focuses on educating children who learn the value of conservation every day from their sanctuary employed parents. Another aspect of the project is the benefit provided to the soldiers of conservation (the parents). The end result is better care for the animals and a culture where the future leaders come from a background of conservation.”       - www.StumpeFoundation.org

This is the first year for this fundraiser, so help them spread the word in anyway you can!

*Milton's Photos courtesy of Studio 7 Photography

Can't we all just get along?

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I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Holiday and stuffed themselves! I traveled to NC and was the center of attention at the holiday family gathering. Everyone loved me and said what a great dog I was ... Heck Yeah! :)

I was exhausted after all the travel, and when I got home I was ready to just hang with my buddy Pickles. Here we are on a lazy, dreary Sunday morning. awwwwwww now why can't we all just get along like this... side by side and squishy faced!?

I hope you all are geared up for the holiday season. Please be safe if you are traveling, and enjoy your friends and family! I know I will!!

AND Don't forget to book your holiday pet care needs with Buckhead Pet Pals - the sooner you book the better! :)

Ciao for now!
Rocky

I'm a lucky boy

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Hey Everybody -

  I'm a lucky dog you know.  During the school year and I'm at home during the day without any human company, I have my best buddy Mr. Pickles to hang out and play with.  And we really do play together.  My girls think its really funny to watch us playing, I just know its a ton of fun.  And in the summer time my brother and sister are home to hang with me, which makes me that happiest.

And on the occasion, I tell mom in the morning that I'm coming to the office with her.  That's where I get to see Catherine, Tiffany and play with Mr. Bill and my huge dog bone.  I mean, it really doesn't get any better than that.

Here's a pic of me and Mr. Pickles together.  Somedays when I come back from my midday walk with Laurie, Mr. P is hanging out on my bed waiting for me.  He might pretend like he doesn't enjoy me licking his head, but I know he loves it.

Hope all of you have as many great adventures during your days as I do!  And if you need a midday walk during the day like me, tell your humans to call Buckhead Pet Pals - they can help!

Peace out -
Rocky


24 Şubat 2013 Pazar

Sam Massell delivers strong economic recovery message during casual State of Buckhead talk

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The unofficial but undisputed Mayorof Buckhead Sam Massell gave his annual State of Buckhead talk to the BuckheadBusiness Association on Thursday. The message was about a strong economicrecovery, but the presentation was unusually casual before the crowd of about100 attendees.

Sam Massell speaking to BBA
Massell told the crowd ofpredominantly business owners/representatives and civic leaders his predictions tothis group of a few years ago about the recession were right on point.
“I said Buckhead would be the lastto feel the recession and the first to come out of it, and that’s exactly whathappened,” Massell told the group at the BBA’s weekly breakfast meeting at theCity Club of Buckhead.
Theman who has presided over the Buckhead Coalition for over 24 years as itspresident joked and kept the audience smiling as he discussed the variousdevelopments coming up for Buckhead as it emerges from the economic downturnand why Buckhead has and will continue to prosper and grow.

 “We know that if we make the place pleasant enoughand attractive enough, it becomes the address of choice. It will pay dividends,and that’s exactly what’s happening today,” Massell said. “Buckhead hassomething for everybody, and it will continue to be so, in my opinion.”
The Buckhead name and thecommunity’s legacy is national and even international, the former Atlantamayor, real estate professional, travel agency executive and civic leader said.
Sam Massell, left, with BBA President Brian Daughdrill 
“When you go to Little Rock, Ark.and tell them you’re from Atlanta, they don’t say, 'Tell me about Midtown.'They say, 'Tell me about Buckhead.' That’s not by accident. The image ofBuckhead has been built with the leadership of the community and over and overwith the help of the media explaining what we have and what we offer.”
Massellquipped, “If from time to time it looks like I’m competing with downtown andMidtown, I am.”
The Buckhead Coalition is oneexample of the community’s leadership, providing 25 years of service as asupplement to local government….an advocate for Buckhead but not as anadversary to local government officials.  
In addition to the Coalition,Massell pointed out Buckhead has 40 neighborhood associations, 34 houses ofworship, 13 PTAs, nine service organizations “which all have leaders who arepushing forward for the progress and prosperity of our community.”
Massell rattled off a list ofaccomplishments that show the strength of the Buckhead community:
  • There currently are 3,549 apartmentsunder development in some stage in Buckhead that were announced between Jan. 1,2012 and now. If the area continues with this pace, Buckhead will have doubledits inventory in six years.
  • Buckhead has 50 banks, representing21 firms–six of which are headquartered in Buckhead. “Because that’s where themoney is,” he said.
  • Most of Atlanta’s population growthfrom the 2000 to 2010 census was in Buckhead,. "It's a pretty goodindicator we got something going that's good," he said.
  • It was a Buckhead resident whoarranged to buy the New York Stock Exchange for $8.2 billion….”That’s billiondollars,” he emphasized.
  • Retailsales in Buckhead grew by 6 percent in 2012 over the previous year.
  • Buckheadhas the lowest office space vacancy rate in Atlanta, which is 23 percentlower than the rates in Midtown and Downtown.
  • Early into the recession, Buckhead had four half-millionsquare-foot office buildings under construction for which the community was “ridiculedby the Wall Street Journal as well as the Atlanta Business Chronicle,” Massellexplained. He said he is proud that three of the buildings are “practicallyfull and the other is underway. We had the supply when the demand came back.”
  • While there is no new office spacebeing built in most of Atlanta, he said there are two under construction inBuckhead, on Peachtree Road at Tower Place and a medical office building atPeachtree Road and Bennett Street.

Part of the Buckhead Business Association audience that heard Massell
speak on the State of Buckhead at the City Club of Buckhead Thursday.
 Massell said he wanted to keep his talk this year unscriptedand allow more time for audience questions, which he did.
One association member asked about the status of the BuckheadAtlanta mixed-use project, formerly called Streets of Buckhead and owned byBuckhead developer Ben Carter, and now owned by San Diego-based developerOliverMcMillan. It had remained dormant for more than 2½ years beforeconstruction resumed in August.

“It’s under way. It looks slower than what youmight have wanted to see,” he said. “But cranes are moving, concrete is beingpoured, bricks are ready to be stacked.” He said the project will provideseveral new opportunities for Buckhead retail and buying, and it will beopening late next year.
Buckhead CID Chairman David Allman, left, was at the head
table with BBA President-elect Brian McGuire, center, and
Buckhead Coalition President Sam Massell. 

Massell also praised the Buckhead Community ImprovementDistrict and its chair David Allman for “its wonderful partnership,” raisingabout $50 million from its commercial property stakeholders and spending mostit to provide safer, smoother transportation through Buckhead.
“You see much more pedestrian traffic along Peachtree Road inBuckhead now and the beautification is a win, win, win,” Massell added.
Allman was at the head table for the meeting and waspresented his 2012 “Bullish on Buckhead,” award trophy, which he was not present toreceive at the BBA’s annual luncheon in January.

The former Realtor closed his speechwith a reminder he has offered each year: “Think about the opportunity, when itpresents itself, of buying a little bit of Buckhead and taking care of it nowand it will take care of you later.” 

Two Buckhead Coalition gifts bring smiles and more

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The Buckhead Coalition is known for passing out gifts from time-to-time….giftsthat often bring a smile to the faces of the recipients and frequently put ajingle in their pockets.

Coalition's Sam Massell
The Coalition continued its practice recently in two very different ways,involving very different types of people, but still consistent with thephilosophy and common practices of its president Sam Massell.
The first was an unusual gift to the more than 100 business, civic and(should I say) political leaders who attended the Coalition’s recent annualluncheon celebrating its 25 years of community service. The second was to aWestminster Schools student who was a big winner on Jeopardy.
In the case of the 25thanniversary luncheon, when salutations are expressed, the Buckhead Coalition maywell be able to claim first place.  At its annual luncheon meeting it traditionallygives gift bags to all guests at the close of the meeting. This year’s gift bagcontained a special helping of good spirits.
Among the items in thezippered tote bag was a Coalition Achievement History primer, acustom-researched report on Buckhead office development, the 2013 Buckhead Guidebook, a just-publishedGeorgia hardback coffee table book, and a special celebratory treat—a bottle of“White Dog” whiskey as Massell called it.  
Atlantan's Charlie Thompson and Jim Chasteen shown
during a 2012 presentation to the Buckhead Business
Association of their new American Spirit Whiskey. 
The fifth of craftwhiskey, something that looks very much like what’s known in bootlegging circlesas “white lightning”, was a government-legal limited production whiskeyproduced by two Atlantans, Charlie Thompson and Jim Chasteen, who are buildingtheir own business the fun way, for their genuine and mutual enjoyment.     
As this was the Silver (25th)Anniversary of the Coalition and the keynote speaker for the event wasnationally-renowned comedian Jeff Foxworthy—known for his dry and trademarkedred-neck humor—what could be more appropriate, asked Massell. 
The Coalitionpresident pointed out that “Craft” beers (also brewed in limited quantities) have becomevery popular, “and this is under similar auspices, at a slightly moresophisticated level.“ The partners, operating as the American Spirit WhiskeyCompany, provided their select beverage as their introduction to this top-tierbusiness group. 
Nilai Sarda shown during his winning
appearance on Jeopardy.
“The only unknown now,is did the value of the Coalition’s combined gifts exceed the maximumdollar-value political persons should accept,” Massell said. “But who’s asking,as everyone came away happy.” 
Shortly after theCoalition annual luncheon, Massell read at BuckheadView about WestminsterSchools student Nilai Sarda winning third place and $26,400 on Jeopardy, fundsthe student plans to use for his college education. Massell sent Sarda a noteof congratulations and something else.
“As a resident of ourcommunity, you make us proud as you bring credit on you school, Westminster,”Massell wrote.
“We’re pleased you areconsidering serious use of the funds you were awarded,” Massell continued, “butwe’d like you to have some fun for the effort, for which we enclose a BuckheadLife Restaurant Group $100 gift card.”
That’s worth a smileand also added a deserved jingle in Nilai Sarda’s pocket.