Travel review for Trip Advisor

“Child's birthday garden party blossomed at Red Butte.”

Reviewed August 5, 2011 NEW

It was my granddaughter's sixth birthday. We have always tried to create a birthday party around her current favorite activity. At four it was a jungle theme, turning our entire downstairs into a rain forest. At five it was princesses and knights - dress up at the local museum. This year we wanted to encourage her love of gardening. 

The perfect place was Red Butte Gardens children's Sprout House in Salt Lake City, Utah. For about $160 they provided the lovely garden venue, invitations, tableware, games, decorations and a party master. We provided twelve fun-loving kids, cupcakes and juice. 

In Utah you never know what the weather is going to be like on any given future date. When we planned the party it was 72 degrees and sunny. On the day of the party, it snowed!!! We were panicking a bit, but the staff at Red Butte took it all in stride. Without missing a beat they conducted a garden animals scavenger hunt; the kids played in the lovely garden mazes, colored pots and planted herbs (the take-away for each child).  Our party planner even read the group a garden themed story book. 

The whole event was a beautiful, fun, relaxing (despite the frigid temps), and memorable children's birthday party at a reasonable price. We had parents raving about the unique event for weeks afterwards. It was definitely value received.

If you are interested in a children's party at Red Butte Garden's, give Abbie Keyes a call at (801) 581-8454, or email her at  ABBIE.KEYES@REDBUTTE.UTAH.EDU 

Pigeons: A love/hate relationship

The common feral pigeon also goes by the name “street pigeon,” or “city pigeon.” More often then not, they are just called pest birds. Feral pigeons were derived from the world’s oldest domesticated bird, the Rock Pigeon. After rerunning to the wild, these pigeons adapted quickly to city life and are now in abundant supply in towns all across the globe.

Photo: Bid-B-Gone

Though the pigeon population in the United States has certainly made themselves at home in residential and commercial locales across the United States, they are not originally from North America.  They were brought to the New World by European settlers  way back in the early 1600’s. Their large families seem to infest neighborhood eateries or charming old town memorials, making bird control a common topic of many a city hall meeting.

To know them is to love them?

Though they have earned a reputation for being the most annoying  birds on restaurant row, getting to know the pigeon is the first step to designing an effective bird deterrent method without harming them. 

These common pigeons normally live about 3-4 years and breed all year round. They are a loyal bunch, typically monogamous to their one and only true love. A committed pigeon pair nesting together could have 3-4 broods each year. The chicks have a short 18-day incubation period, leaving their nest as soon as ten days after hatching. Even though nature sends these young birds off on their own very early, they are not migratory birds. They will stay very close to home for the remainder of their life.  Pigeons prepare their nests in the latter part of the cold season, and breed in the early spring. Mom and dad both share the feeding responsibility for their young ones, but dad is the one who protects and defends the nest from predators.

The daily habits of a feral pigeon are easy to follow.  They wake up in the morning and eat. They typically hang out in the neighborhood in the afternoon, roosting and sleeping in the evening. They are unlikely to fly in the night unless they are disturbed or threatened in some way. The predictable routine of the pigeons does help when deciding how to keep birds away from a location.

Love hurts!

Feeding the pigeons has been a well-loved activity for years. But this becomes a real problem when the pigeon population has become too prolific.  This is easily identifiable by their aggressive feeding habits and the mess they leave behind. Onlookers often feed the birds, not realizing that they are adding to a bigger problem.  As long as there is food, the pigeon posses will stay around. To help control the ever-increasing problem, many cities have issued ordinances that forbid the feeding of these pest birds.

Pigeons leave their white droppings just about anywhere they go. This is particularly prevalent around their roosting sites. The uric acid in their droppings is corrosive to many surfaces.  Excessive pigeon droppings cause damage to tables, canvas awnings and signs. In fact, some researchers theorize that it was a pile up of acidic pigeon droppings that weakened the steel struts on the forty-year-old I-35W Mississippi River Bridge that collapsed in 2007.  The eight-lane bridge was a main crossing in Minnesota, and the failure occurred in the middle of rush hour traffic, killing 13 travelers and injuring more than 140 others. 

Pigeon Patrols and Damage Control

Once pigeons claim a territory, it is very difficult to keep the birds away. They raised their families there.  They have friends in the neighborhood. They are not going to pack up and leave without a fight.  They have amazing tracking senses, so even if a pigeon trap is used to capture and relocate the birds, it is highly likely they will return in due time. If the pigeon population is too excessive, it may be necessary to capture all or some of the pest birds. However, the key to effective bird control is selecting the right method for the circumstances combined with patrolling and maintaining the area. 

Pre-planning is essential. Effective pigeon deterrents like bird netting, bird spikes, sound deterrents, sticky gel, or bird wires are just a few of the methods that could be put in place immediately after removal.  By implementing these proven bird deterrents immediately, the returning bird population can become more manageable.

Example: MMD Press Release

DRAWING FOR SAFARI ADVENTURE AIMED AT IMPROVING EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICAN TOWNSHIP.

Threads Africa sponsors an Opportunity Drawing for a South African Vacation & Safari to raise awareness and funds for educational projects in Kayamandi, South Africa.

Irvine, California. August 1, 2011 - - Threads Africa is excited to announce an Opportunity Drawing for a 12-day trip to South Africa. The trip is part of the fund-raising efforts of Threads Africa, a non-profit organization that has helped establish a learning and computer center in the township of Kayamandi, South Africa.

The learning center conducts after-school tutoring and computer classes for the youth, and computer training classes for adults in the community. One Threads supporter expresses why she is committed to this fund-raising effort. “In Kayamandi there is often an abusive home environment, overcrowding of classrooms, poor teacher performance, and a significant lack of resources at the local public schools. Only about 14% of the black adults over 20 years old have a high school qualification. Threads Africa is committed to providing opportunities for the young people of Kayamandi to gain access to the foundational learning they need to succeed in school. Quality education is the key that unlocks their potential. It allows them to dream, then gives them the tools to accomplish those dreams. That potential, when given the chance to develop, can be the source of positive change in South Africa as a nation.”

The trip to South Africa includes a 3-night stay and safari for two at Thornybush Luxury Private Game Reserve & Lodge neighboring the world-renown Kruger Park. A tour of Johannesburg and the plush Cape wine lands is included. Highlighting the journey will be a guided tour to the Kuyasa Learning Center in Kayamandi, South Africa, to see first-hand the work being accomplished through Threads Africa’s team of volunteers and supporters.  (See website for more details).

Tickets are on sale now through August 27, 2011 for a tax-deductable donation of $100 per ticket. Only 500 tickets are being made available, so purchasing tickets quickly is suggested. Tickets can be purchased online at www.threadssafari.wordpress.com. The drawing for the winning ticket will take place on August 27^th, 2011, and winner need not be present to win. All funds raised will go directly towards the ongoing work that Threads Africa is doing to help the underserved youth in Kayamandi, South Africa. 

About us:  Threads Africa (www.threadsafrica.org) is a registered 501© (3) nonprofit dedicated to working with disadvantaged children, young adults, and families of Kayamandi Township in South Africa. Poverty, illiteracy, and high HIV/AIDS infection rates have had a significant impact on the youth of this poor township. Threads Africa is a group of U.S. volunteers who focus on creating opportunities within the community for access to quality education, job skills, physical security and safety, spiritual growth, and sustainable leadership development.

 For further information contact:

Dave Coen

Email: Dave@threadsafrica.org

Phone (714) 418-1703

Web: www.threadsafrica.org

###

Love in the Whirlwind

Sitting on the solitary porch, the warm
 Spring breeze softly brushed across my face,
  The world buzzing around inside my head.


She entered the scene.
 Half whirling, half leaping.
  Three years old - a blend of angelic and attitude.


As if to break me free from the world's bondage 
 And draw me into her tiny world,
  She stopped, mid-whirl.
   Placing her small, warm hands on my cheeks,
    She pulled my face to hers.


Two words, uttered with intent and purity -
"Love you."


For that moment I was free.
 Oh, if that moment had been my last one on this earth.
  What bliss - that in that last moment's breath,
    I was completely and unconditionally loved by one.


written by Terra Anders for her sweet angel with attitude, Aubie Rea 

Example - Corporate Fundraising Letter (non-profit)

Race with rhinos and give a child the gift of education

TUSTIN, CA. August 1, 2011 - - Threads Africa sponsors an Opportunity Drawing for an exciting South African Safari for Two.

Threads Africa is excited to announce an Opportunity Drawing for a 12-day trip to breath-taking South Africa.  A personal tour guide is provided. The trip includes a 3-night stay and safari for two at Thornybush Luxury Private Game Reserve & Lodge located in world-renown Kruger Park. Enjoy a 4-night accommodation and tour of the plush Cape wine lands and Cape Town sights like Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Cape Point. Also included is a 3-night stay in Johannesburg for a visit to historical sites like the Apartheid Museum and Gold Reef City. Highlighting the journey will be a guided tour to the Kuyasa Learning Center in Kayamandi, South Africa, to see first-hand the work being accomplished through Threads Africa’s team of volunteers and supporters.  All transportation and breakfasts are included, as are all the delicious gourmet meals at Thornybush Game Lodge. Overall a trip worth up to $10,000. (See website for more details).

Tickets are on sale now through August 27, 2011 for a tax-deductable donation of $100 per ticket. Only 500 tickets are being made available, so purchasing tickets quickly is suggested. Tickets can be purchased online at www.threadssafari.wordpress.com. The drawing for the winning ticket will take place on August 27^th, 2011, and winner need not be present to win.

All funds raised will go directly towards the ongoing work that Threads Africa is doing to help the underserved youth in Kayamandi, South Africa. 

About us:  Threads Africa (www.threadsafrica.org) is a registered 501© (3) nonprofit dedicated to working with disadvantaged children, young adults, and families of Kayamandi Township in South Africa. Poverty, illiteracy, and high HIV/AIDS infection rates have had a significant impact on the youth of this poor township. Threads Africa is a group of U.S. volunteers who focus on creating opportunities within the community for access to quality education, job skills, physical security and safety, spiritual growth, and sustainable leadership development.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Dave Coen  

Phone (714) 418-1703

Email: Dave@threadsafrica.org

Web: www.threadsafrica.org