Newsletter 06/22/2014

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June 22, 2014

More graphics and buttons, courtesy of VacaDude, coming soon!

Broadcast
Schedule

Channel
Links

Important
News

Broadcast Schedule

Today!!! Sunday, June 22, 2014

3 PM PST/6 PM PST

No Story Writing.
We’ll write again on July 6.

6 PM PST/9 PM EDT

No VacaChat Broadcast.
The chat room will be open at 6:00 PDT (9:00 EDT—8:00 CDT).

Upcoming!!! Sunday, June 29, 2014

3 PM PST/6 PM PST

No Story Writing.
We’ll write again on July 6.

6 PM PST/9 PM EDT

No VacaChat Broadcast.
The chat room will be open at 6:00 PDT (9:00 EDT—8:00 CDT).

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Channel Links

Channel Links

VacaChannel

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/vacadude

Pop-Out

If you want to view the chat or video in pop-out screens, use the links below. Some find that this places less stress on their computer and/or its memory.

Video: http://www.ustream.tv/channel-popup/vacadude

Chat: http://www.ustream.tv/channel-room/3506056

If you use the pop-out links, it is recommended that you open two browser windows. That way, if one needs to be refreshed, the other is not affected.

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Important News

International Space Station Links

During the last broadcast the Dude talked about the websites where one can view the spacestation and the view that the astronauts have. Here are the links:

This one has the map, but no chat.
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/HDEV/

This site has a chat room.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/iss-hdev-payload

Trees

Jes shares with us this wonderful page of photos illustrating nature's wonders.

Trees | Dusky's Wonders

Intricately Carved Bench

Jes also shared with us this photo of an intricately carved bench. Can you imagine how many hours of labor went into this creation?

Hundon informs us that the sculptor works in the UK and if you follow this link you can see the bench from all sides. You can also see many more of his works. They are all incredible.

http://www.treesculpting.co.uk/g_oakowlbench.html

VacaVideo DVD

The DVD's have been sent. If you haven't received it already, please let us know. If you want one and did not order it yet, contact VacaDude soon.

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			Chatter News
	A Note from the Dude		Chatter News		Prayer Requests		Vaca Blog

	Hello Vriends,
	A very happy Sunday to you all! And very nice to get a note from Elsa--thanks for giving us an update, Birthday Girl! I am just catching up on some work today, after taking yesterday off. Mary and I made it to our very first live rugby game! We started watching the sport on TV when we were in New Zealand a couple of years ago. It is only televised occasionally here in the States, and it is even more rarely played here. Well, a few months back the city of Sacramento announced it was building a soccer/rugby field at the State Fairgrounds (known as "Cal Expo"). We immediately got tickets, then waited a few months for the game. Well, they just completed Bonney Field on Friday in time for the first soccer game (with the Sacramento Republic team). Then they quickly reconfigured the field for rugby for the Saturday game we had tickets for. It was great fun! The temperature was not as hot as we feared it might be, so we were spared a bit there. We were loaded for bear: coolers, water bottles, hand-held electric fans...the works. It was a lot of fun, and the US Rugby team even obliged us with a win, beating Canada 38-35. I finally got a chance to try my camera out on some sports photography! A great way to spend a Saturday. Oh, and speaking of photography, I have just joined a local photography club! I had been lamenting the fact that I have rarely gone on any photo safaris with the new camera. The fact that I still refer to it as "the new camera" is telling, given that I bought it almost a year and a half ago. I shot with it like crazy in New Zealand, then quickly became too busy to go on many outings with it. So I was leafing through the Vacaville Events Calendar, and saw that there was something called the LightWriters Club. I made inquiries, and attended my first meeting on Wednesday and got to meet a bunch of folks. It looks like it should be fun! They hold contests and go on group field trips of photography. I think it is just the thing to get me out of my office from time to time with my photographic pursuits. I might bring a sketchbook along at the same time, and then I can just do whatever I feel like at the time. However, in the meantime, I need to get some work done. So I wish you all a great week, and we'll talk with you soon!
	Cheers, VacaDude

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Chatter News

	Sharoot	Sharoot's featured pictures can be found at the end of each newsletter, under Photos of the Week. She says that since they are located at the end, then "Sharoot's the Caboose!" The photo she shares today is of a very playful goose.

	*Elsalynda*	Elsalynda's latest column entitled Nature in the City: Wildlife in Waltham, is available online here: http://waltham.wickedlocal.com/article/20140611/NEWS/140619951

		Elsa shares this with us: "Hi, all. I am about to give back this short-term loaner laptop to my friend. I miss story time so much! And all of you and our fun and zany creativity together. It is not a technical issue, it is a health concern. Even a much older netbook was bothering me healthwise with my environmental illness. I am going to 'meet' a desktop soon, to borrow and then purchase if I feel healthy using it. I am also considering a rather pricey alternative treatment for this illness, developed and presented in Canada, called Dynamic Neural Retraining. I'm still mulling that one over. (I may look into a notebook or whatever you call it.) Thank you all for your communiications, cards, bday wishes, and staying in touch. My birthday was on june 10!! EEK! Another decade. And a journal has accepted a poem of mine for online publication and possibly in a print version too! I've swum a few times, so far, at Walden pond. The water was chilly with only one little girl and me in the water. She said, 'Hi, how old are you?' LOL I said, '70,' and she said she was 7. I was only 10 times her age. I had my voice recital which went great despite a bad dress rehearsal one hour before. Hmm…let's see…I have a TINY bunny in my yard and so far it is doing well. I adore it. I am sure there is more news but this is enuf for now. I love you all to PIECES!"

	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.)

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	*Littleguys*	Now it is Littleguys' turn to be included in our prayers. She has a couple of medical issues going on and is supposed to consult with a surgeon on Monday. The two issues are not related, so it is pure luck of timing that she can talk to the surgeon about both at the same time. If you want details, she said go ahead and email her. samwisebaggins@yahoo.com She isn't bashful, just thought that maybe these details are not appropriate for a newsletter or chat.

	*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 her primary care physician. Elsa reports that at her last visit, her physician "was at least civil and apologetic." She also reports that her back issues are improving and thanks everyone for their prayers and support. Continue to keep Elsa and her doctor in your prayers.

	*GentleDoe*	GentleDoe says things are improving for her and her parents a little bit. She is going to temporarily stay in her mother's home to provide care for her. Because of this, she is looking for portable cages for her birds that she can borrow during this time. She needs cages suitable for larger birds (parrot, cockatoo, etc.) If you live in the South Carolina area (near Columbia) and would happen to have a cage or cages she could borrow, please contact her at faith.bun.2012@gmail.com

	*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*

	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.

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	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/

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	A Message from Zorro		StoryTime News		StoryTime Archives
							Recipe of the Week

A Message
from Zorro

	Hello there, Everbuddy!
	This has been a pretty fun week for me. The Dude had his little photo club thingie, which was a pot-luck event. He made a spinach dip, and I got to be the official taste tester! He had gotten this odd recipe from on-line, and it involved peanuts, bacon, and a lot of fresh dill. I got a little carried away with the dill, and pretty soon ever time I belched, it seemed like I was coughing up a pickle. A little bit of dill goes a long way!! Anyway, it was all delicious. Then he and the Dudette went to a rugby game yesterday. He tried to explain the rules to me, but not much of it has sunk in yet. Hey, I'm a mouse--I'm still struggling a bit with the whole baseball/football thing. All I know is that the Super Bowl involves bean dip with lots of CHEESE!! It's my favorite day of the year. Ahem. All this food talk is making my tummy growl. So I'm going to go do something about that. Have a great week, y'all!
	Yours Most Whiskerly, Zorro

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StoryTime News


	*Next StoryTime*	Sunday, July 6, 2014 3:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM EDT

	*Title*	To Be Announced

	*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*

		More stories added to the Archives!

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	Zorro's Spinach Bacon Dip (from the Dude)
	Ingredients
	½ cup Parmesan Cheese 1 10-oz. box frozen Spinach, thawed 1 10-oz. can of Artichoke Hearts ⅔ cup Sour Cream (I use non-fat) 1 softened stick of Cream Cheese ½ cup Mayonnaise ⅔ cup of Honey Roasted Peanuts or Cashews, chopped 5 slices of Bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled (I used turkey bacon) About two tablespoons of freshly snipped Dill
	Directions
	HI created the spinach dip first, which is baked at 375°F. Mix the Parmesan, spinach, and artichoke heats. Mix the sour cream, cream cheese, and mayo and add that to the spinach mixture. Bake for 20-30 minutes. Then fold in the nuts, bacon, and dill. Serve with crackers or bread. Serve chicken fingers with dipping sauces.


	Grilled Peanut Butter Chicken
	Ingredients
	2½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or 2½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs 1 cup creamy peanut butter ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce ¼ cup lemon juice 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 2 tablespoons brown sugar ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ½-1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 teaspoons fresh grated gingerroot ¼ cup sliced green onion, optional for garnish (optional)
	Directions
	Place chicken in a plastic Ziplock bag or a glass pan. In a bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, lemon juice, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and ginger. Pour this marinade over chicken. Chill and allow the chicken to marinate for 6 - 8 hours, or up to 24 hours. Lightly oil grill. Grill marinated chicken (discarding marinade) for 6-8 minutes per side or until done. Serve sprinkled with chopped green onions, if desired.

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	Owl Cams				Other Nature Cams		Video Picks of the Week		Inspiration
			Other Bird Cams

Owl Cams

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 The three owlets have fledged.

	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

	Project Snow Storm	http://www.projectsnowstorm.org/

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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 The first egg hatched on June 6!.

	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

	California Condor San Diego Zoo Safari Park San Diego, California	http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/cams/condor-cam

	KC Zoo Penguin Cam Kansas City, MO	http://www.kansascityzoo.org/penguincam

	Whidbey Island Back Porch Whidbey Island, WA Rufous hummingbirds and other assorted birds	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/katersch

	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/

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Other Nature Cams

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