Newsletter 04/06/2014

Hello...is this thing on? Oh, wait--this is not a microphone. A-hem...

Hello, everbuddy! It is I, Zorro the mouse. I am pleased to have my own little corner of the new newsletter in which to talk about all of the important things in life, such as...food. Food, and maybe some sports. Food, sports, and beautiful women--such as my Zorrina! Ah, what more could a rodent ask for in life? Well, maybe a snazzy sports car. Oh, but if I could only reach the pedals. I would look so stylin' as I cruise down to the local market to shop for the freshest gorgonzola. Oh well, a mouse can dream. In the meantime, I'll just have to go to the store in my usual fashion, which typically involves running in through the back door and down the aisles, and scaring the bejeeberz out of everyone in the building. I guess that way has its own unique entertainment value.

Be sure to come by the VacaChat tonight, as I am going to read the StoryTime involving pelicans. (I think Patrick is going to be playing that role for us.) Also, the Dude has been going on and on about some poetry and songs he has been seeing on TV, so we may attempt a little sing-song. That could prove interesting...

So come on by and join in the fun and fellowship!!

	*Ann Savage*	Ann shares with us this wonderful news: “My latest news is that we have a new grandbaby on the way [due mid August], and the doctor thinks it's a girl! She'll be our third grandchild, joining cousins Lucas, 13, and Adrian, 3. :)” Congratulations to Ann and her family.

	*Elsalynda*	Elsalynda's latest column entitled Nature in the City: Waltham Winter, Interrupted, is available online here: http://waltham.wickedlocal.com/article/20140326/NEWS/140329424

		Elsa has other good news! We’ll let her tell it. “Good news!!!!!!!! Two poems I sent to a photo and essay/ poetry book on our Mount Auburn Cemetary in Watertown and Cambridge MA (a very famous place) were accepted!!! This is a huge breakthrough for me. I think it will look like a coffee table book but not sure! yayyyyyyyyyyyy!!!"

	ChatterChopz	ChatterChopz had her karate tournament yesterday. She assisted with the PreCHAMPS (3-5 year olds) and the KinderCHAMPS (4-6 year olds) and competed in Green Belt Self-Defenses (she's a blue belt). She took first place in Self Defenses. CC was also presented with two very special surprise awards. The first was a plaque given in recognition of her 1,692 hours of volunteer service. She volunteered as an instructor in the dojo and also helped set up for special events. She also volunteered at the library, at church, and at Harvester's, the regional food distribution program. The second surprise award was the Transition Award. This award is not often given. It is given to honor the student who has begun to take the steps to transition from being totally under her parents' care to making her way in the world. CC was honored for her efforts in seeking, applying, interviewing, and being accepted for her position working with the toddlers and preschoolers during storytime at the library. She'll be working with the older children during the library's summer program, as well. She helps out with special events and sometimes helps dust shelves, straighten up the toy area and teaches folks how to use the self-checkout machines. We're so very proud of our girl!

		You can read more about CC’s karate program, her amazing Sensei and see more pictures and videos at: http://champsachievers.org


	We'd love to include more news of VacaChatters. If you have something you'd like to share (something about you or your family) or if you know of exciting news about another chatter that they're just too shy to share, please send it to us! (We won’t run it without that chatter’s permission, however.)

	*Caboval*	Caboval is in need of our prayers for her dog, Joey. You can read more about Joey and his struggles here: http://gfwd.at/1n8NU0h.

		UPDATE on Joey! Caboval writes: “Joey is in remission but the chemo almost killed him. He was in liver failure and the Dr gave him a 50/50 chance to live. He made it through that and we have had 3 really good weeks. He was so happy and acting like a puppy, but now he is starting to not eat again and he vomited today so I don't know… It's a rollercoaster. I have a feeling he is having liver issues again. I do really need those prayers!!!”

	*Elsalynda*	Elsalynda is also in need of prayers. She is asking for prayers for good care and caring from my primary care physician. She writes: “He was very impuslive and angry, almost abusive when I called in need of help. We have a huge shortage of PCP's here, hence almost impossible to change. He was obstructing my care.” Keep Elsa and her doctor in your prayers.

	*GentleDoe*	GentleDoe says her father is recovering. He has moved to a rehab facility. Doe is trying desperately to juggle being with her mother and yet also caring for her birds and other animals. She especially needs prayers about the financial situation and some rather difficult family dynamics. With no transportation and having to rely on others for rides, this has been very difficult for her. The whole family is still in need of our prayers.

	*Jes and Miss Jonesy*	Both Jes, and her furkid, Miss Jonesy, are battling health issues and undergoing various tests and procedures. Let's keep both of them in our prayers.
	*Jes and Miss Jonesy*

	*DotRot*	Dot's brother Dan's mother-in-law passed away in her sleep on Friday. Thank you for all your prayers for Dan and his family.

		Dot’s nephew Mark (Dan's son), got his final pathology report back. His tumor was 98% Grade II and 2% Grade III. This means a THIRD round of chemo and possibly another round of radiation (if he’s not reached his limit). He is home and doing well. Please pray for Mark and his family. (He has two small children.)

		We got TERRIFIC news from Sewla!! Despite her doctors’ pessimistic and fatalistic prognostications, her kidneys are IMPROVING! She saw her nephrologist and the tests performed then still show an increase of 5% in the vital numbers! All her doctor had to say was, “You continue to amaze me!”

	Shari in Memphis	UPDATE!!! Just received this from Shari: "So kind of you to keep prayers going for me. I was hospitalized in November for an event (that just yesterday my doc said was severe enough that it could have killed me) and have pretty much been sick ever since. I'm trying to be patient as doc said it would take 6 months to a year, to fully recover."
	Shari in Memphis


	Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts for owl our wonderful VacaFamily members! If you have any prayer requests, updates or news of answered prayers, please let us know. Email us with the information so it can be included in the next newsletter.


	*Next StoryTime*	TODAY!!! Sunday, April 6, 2014 3:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM EDT

	*Title*	Pelicans To The Rescue!

	*Invitation*	We need story writers! Please consider dropping in and checking out the fun we have writing the stories. Honestly, it's not at all difficult to join in and you'll surely be glad you did.
	*Invitation*

	Baked Stuffed French Toast
	Ingredients
	20-24 slices French Bread (½-inch thick) 1 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen) can substitute preserves if necessary 2 packages cream cheese, softened to room temperature 2 tablespoons powdered sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 tablespoon vanilla 2 tablespoons orange juice 1 pound sliced ham 8 eggs, lightly beaten 2 cans evaporated milk 1 cup orange juice 2 tablespoons vanilla Raspberry Maple Syrup (see below)
	Directions
	Line a baking pan with foil. Butter well. Beat together the cream cheese, raspberries, powdered sugar, cinnamon, 1 tablespoon vanilla and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Spread half of the bread slices with a generous portion of the cream cheese mixture. Place bread in pan in two rows. Top each slice of bread with ham, distributing evenly. Top each stack with remaining slices of bread. Mix together eggs, milk and remaining orange juice and vanilla. Pour over bread, soaking each slice well. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake uncovered for 30-45 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Serve with butter and raspberry-maple syrup. Additional fresh or frozen raspberries may be used as a garnish.

	Raspberry-Maple Syrup
	Ingredients
	1 cup frozen raspberries 1½ cup maple syrup 4 tablespoons butter
	Directions
	Purée raspberries and add to maple syrup in a saucepan. Bring to boil and reduce heat immediately. Simmer until desired thickness is reached. Stir in butter. Pour over French Toast.



	Cream Cheese Crock-Pot Chicken
	Ingredients
	1 chicken, whole or in pieces Salt and pepper to taste 3 large onions—cut in large chunks ½ cup butter (1 stick) 2 cans cream soup* 2 packets dried Italian salad dressing mix 1 cup chicken broth 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese—cut in cubes
	Directions
	Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Place in slow cooker. Place onions around chicken. Mix butter, Italian dressing mix, broth, soup, and cream cheese in a sauce pot on top of stove. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until melted and well mixed. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Serve over angel hair pasta.

	*We no longer use the canned cream soups (way too high in sodium). We make our own cream soup mixes (just add water and heat). If you want the recipes for these mixes just let me know.

Barn Owls
	Nicassio Owl Box Salt and Pepper	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nicasio-owl

	HOP - MAGC Barn Owls	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/magc-owls

	Owlceanside Mel and Sydney	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/owlceanside

	Felix Neck Owl Cam Martha’s Vineyard	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/felix-neck-owl-cam

	The Owl Cam	http://www.ustream.tv/owlchannel

	Barn Owls in Minden, Nevada	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/barn-owls-in-minden-nevada

	Port of Stockton Barn Owl Cams	http://www.portofstockton.com/owl-cams

	Hosted by Cornell Lab of Ornithology Located in Texas	http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/42/Barn_Owls/

Other Owls

	PPO (Potted Plant Owl) in South Africa	https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pot-Plant-Owl/148721154229

	Alessondra’s Owl Cam in Oklahoma City	http://ustream.tv/okcowlcam

	Rusty and Iris in Houston, Minnesota	http://www.internationalowlcenter.org/ourowls/rustyandiris/livecams

	Burrowing Owls Tri-Cities, Washington	http://wdfw.wa.gov/wildwatch/owlcam/video_burrowing2.html

	Hello Vriends,
	A happy Sunday to all, and happy April! And with this being the first Sunday of the month, I'm going to be broadcasting tonight at 6pm PDT. For a sneak preview, topics I plan on touching upon include astronomy (with an update on the SkyCube project), an update on the coffee table (which I would say is about a week away from completion), and a little poetrying with Zorro as we look at recent trends in advertising (touching upon Walt Whitman and the California State Song). So as usual, it promises to be a grab-bag of goodies! And of course, Zorro will read the StoryTime story for today: "Pelicans to the Rescue!" As you may have noticed, DotRot has been busy working on the newsletter as a web page, and I think it is coming along beautifully! This next week I will be giving her some buttons and other accents to get some of the critters around here involved. I think it is going to be fun! As for the DVD, the burner is still stuck in Berkeley. I got bogged down in work last week, and never made it out of Vacaville. The job I had been tapped for last week got pushed back to later in the month. So I'm hoping to get down there this week. The menus and content are mostly ready to go--just a few more finishing touches. I still have not managed to get the e-mails out to everyone to confirm and get shipping info and such, so if you e-mailed me and haven't heard back yet, don't be alarmed. I'm just being my usual too-many-irons-in-the-fire self! Well, I've got lots of work to do and prepping for the broadcast tonight. Hope to see you there, and have a great Sunday!!
	Cheers, VacaDude

	Check out VacaDude's blog! Don't forget to send VacaDude your comments to let him know how much you appreciate him, his time & his talent!
	http://vacadude.wordpress.com/

	Hello Vriends,
	Hello...is this thing on? Oh, wait--this is not a microphone. A-hem... Hello, everbuddy! It is I, Zorro the mouse. I am pleased to have my own little corner of the new newsletter in which to talk about all of the important things in life, such as...food. Food, and maybe some sports. Food, sports, and beautiful women--such as my Zorrina! Ah, what more could a rodent ask for in life? Well, maybe a snazzy sports car. Oh, but if I could only reach the pedals. I would look so stylin' as I cruise down to the local market to shop for the freshest gorgonzola. Oh well, a mouse can dream. In the meantime, I'll just have to go to the store in my usual fashion, which typically involves running in through the back door and down the aisles, and scaring the bejeeberz out of everyone in the building. I guess that way has its own unique entertainment value. Be sure to come by the VacaChat tonight, as I am going to read the StoryTime involving pelicans. (I think Patrick is going to be playing that role for us.) Also, the Dude has been going on and on about some poetry and songs he has been seeing on TV, so we may attempt a little sing-song. That could prove interesting... So come on by and join in the fun and fellowship!!
	Yours Most Whiskerly, Zorro

Puffins
	Shetland Islands Puffins	http://www.shetland.org/puffincam/

	Sea Island, Maine Puffin Burrow	http://explore.org/live-cams/player/puffin-burrow-cam

	Sea Island, Maine Puffin Loafing Ledge	http://explore.org/live-cams/player/puffin-loafing-ledge-cam These pages also contain links to numerous other nature cams.

Eagles
	Black Eagle South Africa	http://www.africam.com/wildlife/black_eagle_webcam

	Decorah Eagles Decorah, Iowa	http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

	Berry College Eagle Cam Mt. Berry, Georgia	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/berry-eagle-cam

		http://www.pixcontroller.com/eagles/index.htm

Peregrine Falcons
	PA Falcon Cam Harrisburg, Pennsylvania	http://www.pacast.com/players/falcon.asp

	Commerce Tower Peregrines Kansas City, Missouri	http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/wildlife-cameras/peregrine-falcon-web-camera Cam not live now but should be returning soon.

	Pitt Peregrine Falcon Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	http://www.aviary.org/PF-NestCam1

	Gulf Tower Peregrine Falcon Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	http://www.aviary.org/PF-NestCam2

	Emily Falcon Cam Caloundra, Australia	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/emily-falcon-cam

	RFalconCam Rochester, New York	http://rfalconcam.com/rfc-main/

Talking Birds
	Watch the Birdie Bibi, the African Gray	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/Watch-the-Birdie

	Disco Talking Parakeet	https://www.youtube.com/user/MsJumpinJude/videos

Other Birds
	Hellgate Ospreys Missoula, Montana Sponsored by Cornell	http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/27/Hellgate_Ospreys/

	Ostrich Chicks (Offline now)	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ostrich-egg-cam-live

	Streaming Bird Cams List of many cams	http://www.beakspeak.com/

Pandas
	San Diego Zoo Pandas	www.sandiegozoo.org (click on live cams) or http://www.ustream.tv/sandiegozoo. Zoo's blogs: http://blognew.sandiegozoo.org/category/animals-and-plants/giant-pandas/

	Twin Pandas at Zoo Atlanta	http://www.zooatlanta.org/1212/panda_cam#ff_s=aDIEl

	Giant Panda Cam National Zoo Washington, DC	http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/webcams/giant-panda.cfm

Bears
	Kansas City Polar Bears Nikita and Berlin	http://www.kctv5.com/category/244581/nikita-berlin-polar-bear-cam

	Brown Bears and Salmon Katmai National Park Alaska (off season- will return)	http://explore.org/#!/live-cams/player/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls (lots of other cams at this site, as well)
	Black Bears Ely, Minnesota	http://www.bear.org/website/live-cameras/live-cameras/holly-bears-den-cam-live.html

Other Animal and Nature Sites
	San Diego Zoo and Safari Park	http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/

	The Pet Collective (many live cams)	http://www.thepetcollective.tv/livestreams/

	Critter Chat Cams Multi-Critter Site with Chat	http://critterchatcams.org/

	Friends of Felines Rescue Center Defiance, Ohio	www.ustream.tv/ffrc

	Little House Prairie Village, Kansas	http://www.tomnliz.com/Livecam/

	CC's Page of Links (scheduled for updating)	http://chatterchopz.com/links/camslinks.htm