Kudos to Fred Myers and Kudos the patrons of the Alaska Zoo.....

Fred Myers has taken a step forward in recycling! Brandon and I have talked about the system they have in New Zealand. They have $.99 recycle bags at the check out counter for you to purchase and they charge you if you use a plastic bag from the store. I have wanted to use recycle bags but the ones I have found at the check outs in US are $5.99 to $9.99. Today I walked into Fred Myers and there at the entrance were these great $.99 reusable bags!!! And to add to that, they take $.05 off you bill if you bring your own bag. Kudos to Fred Myers!!!!

Kudos to Friends of Maggie and patrons of the Alaska Zoo. Maggie is a lone female African elephant who lives at the Alaska Zoo in a very stinky, very small cage. (I went in since there is a viewing area inside-it was horrible!) Anyway, Maggie has gotten down twice in a week and has required the fire department and cranes to get her up again. The vets can find nothing wrong with her. Friends of Maggie and enlightened patrons of the Alaska Zoo are fighting to have her removed to a better environment (although I'm not sure any zoo is a great place for a big animal like an elephant). Alaska is certainly not environmentally similar to Africa and as the web site says "elephant feet are not made for snow." There is a lot of concern that she won't survive another winter....and aside from that she is alone and spends 5 months of the year confined in a small cement cage and that is not right!

Check out the Friends of Maggie web site-there are several tabs and I think you'll find some of the information really interesting. However, I have to warn you that this is sad and inhumane stuff. which cause tears to come to my eyes! The Friends of Maggie have been trying to have her moved for years but the board of the zoo has refused. This in spite of four different appropriate placements that have been located by the FOM, agreeing to take her at no charge! Even in the midst of all this drama articles in the ADN quote board members who are reluctant to vote to move Maggie! Shame on them!!!

Brandon, I think you know a little something about the controversy over elephants and zoos....I know we had a very enlightening conversation once about this topic that certainly raised my awareness!

On a happier note, I am driving up to Fairbanks this weekend...leaving Saturday and returning Monday. It's a long trip-6 or 7 hours. I met a friend who is an herbalist and traditional healer, her name is Karen. Karen has a group of spiritual sisters in Fairbanks and she wants me to come up and meet them. I am looking forward to it. I am driving up on the Parks Highway and back on the Richardson Highway (or visa versa). I'm taking my camera so no telling how long it will take me to get there!!! Check my blog to see the pictures and here the story!

Happy Memorial Day-I bet there's going to be chicken wings and potato salad and hot tubbing in Trent-wish I was gonna be there!!!