It's Bowling for Rhinos time again!

[urbpan]

Yes, that's right! Alexis and I are once again throwing heavy spheres at vaguely duck-shaped pieces of wood, for the good of rhinoceros habitat. If you don't know what I'm talking about, Bowling For Rhinos is a charity event put on by the American Association of Zookeepers. The proceeds go to help protect rhino habitat in Africa and Indonesia. All rhinoceros species are endangered, some critically so.  Besides rhinos, the habitat being protected is inhabited by elephants and grevy's zebras in Africa and Sumatran tigers in Indonesia, plus thousands of other smaller beings that deserve protection.

The bowling is happening next week, Wednesday July 15th, at Lucky Strike lanes in Boston (stop by if you like).  So what I'm looking for is a little money.  No amount is too small, no amount is too large.  I need to raise a hundred bucks to participate, but there are prizes for raising the most money and so on, plus it's all about more money for more rhino habitat protection.  Last year when I did this, most people gave 10 dollars, which is really cool.  I feel like I should offer something in return, but all I have is this blog. 

Therefore I have a proposal.  With each 10 dollar donation, you can make a request.  Maybe you want to see a picture of a specific zoo animal.  Maybe there's a place in Boston you think I should take a picture of.  Maybe there's some controversial subject you want to hear my crackpot opinion on, or a natural history question that's always bugged you that you think I can help sort out.  You know my territory, you make the request, you paypal me ten dollars.  The rhinos will be bowled for!    Thank you!

If you don't want to use PayPal, write a check to Bowling for Rhinos and send it to me, Jef Taylor/The Urban Pantheist 423 Brookline Ave Suite 271 Boston MA 02215.

Comments

[shadowofadoubt.livejournal.com]

For my $10, I would like a photo - a physical print, if possible - of you and your lovely wife with all 3 dogs on you.

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

do we have to be naked? do the dogs actually have to be ON TOP of us?

[shadowofadoubt.livejournal.com]

No, not naked (where did that come from?) but yes, on top, please.

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

phew, i'm glad you don't want a naked picture but ... that's 140lbs of dog.

[shadowofadoubt.livejournal.com]

is my request too douchy?

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

no! not at all. :)

[(Anonymous)]

Jef, fyi, when read in the Google Reader, as I usually look at your fine posts, the Donate button for Paypal does not show up. You may want to make a note of that. Naomi and I will now contribute.
- Margaret

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Hey Margaret! Thanks for letting me know. I don't know how to fix it. I'm not really sure what google reader is, but I think I get it.

for our requests

[(Anonymous)]

Naomi wants to know about mulberries (we have a tree which she eats off of but I don't like 'em) and I want to know about American Chestnut trees and if you happen to know of any survivors in MA or maybe New England? I would drive to see one.

[miz-geek.livejournal.com]

I think we may have a skunk living under our front step. We've seen one in the front yard several evenings in the past week, and we've smelled skunk a few times. (Also, I swear I saw it disappear as it was nosing around the steps, which is why I think it's living there).

I was just doing some internet research on them, when I got bored and started reading LJ. That reminded me that I can ask you to do the research for me! :)

So, can you tell me about living with skunks? Should I be concerned? If so, what can I do to encourage it to move someplace else? Do I need to get rid of my front window bird feeder?

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Personally, I wouldn't be too concerned. I believe you don't have a dog or any small children, and your cat doesn't go outside. Skunks aren't as dangerous as you may have been led to believe, although that smell is really hard to get rid of, especially if the skunk scores a direct hit. They are a vector for rabies and some other diseases, but this should only concern you if you had pets or kids outside where they might come into contact.

Skunks can range up to a mile or more, so your birdfeeder probably isn't a big deal. It may be a convenient food source, however, and depending on who else in the neighborhood is providing food, it may be keeping your skunk nearby. I would be tempted to put a pie tin or some kind of tray at the base of it so that you can remove any spillage before nightfall, when your skunk will be most actively feeding.

There's not a lot to be done to encourage a skunk to move elsewhere. Not much scares them. If there's a way to block access to the under the steps area that would be best, but the trick is doing that when you're sure no one is home. Some people recommend putting a radio in the denning place to drive the skunk or other animals out, but I'm skeptical of the effectiveness of that. Ammonia soaked rags are supposed to be somewhat repellent, too, but again, how much is that really going to bother a skunk?

On the plus side, the skunk will be eating the japanese beetle larvae that live in your lawn.

I hope some of this was helpful!

Done.

[propaddict.livejournal.com]

Paypal even gave me a donation receipt for tax time.
The Jax Zoo sure didn't when I gave there. . .ingrates.

Here's a weird one: tattoos. I noticed you have some ink and I'm on the cusp of getting my first one. Maybe pictures, regrets, would you do it again, etc.?