Faux Monday. Done!

It’s a new week! And though it may feel like Monday, the best news around is that it’s not.

In a perverse twist on reality, sometimes three day weekends seems shorter than the normal two day version. Yes, perverse. But, here were are, on a faux Monday, and that means tomorrow is Wednesday, and well, Wednesdays the bridge to the best part of the week. So, there, chew on that a bit.

In keeping with the efforts of the Editor of the Winter Park Maitland Observer to keep me LESS wordy, this week I more than tripled the desired word count . . . so for those who I talked to for the Locals on Local column for this week, it’s actually to be run this week and next! I hope you like this approach, because I had lots of fun doing it and will be doing others . . . with fewer questions. Trial and error!

I did have fun out on Friday doing this new piece, meeting new people and learning about new stuff.

For instance, I met a very nice Rollins student at Bajalia named Tess Finch. Among the things Tess likes Locally is a small vintage shop called The Owl’s Attic on Forsyth, on the east side, not much south of Aloma. A vintage fan like myself, Tess raved about both the shop and the nice people who work there. So, out and about today, I dropped in for a bit and met Brittany & Auggie, the owners. Unlike a lot of “thrift stores” which carry a mishmash of items, the stuff here truly has a vintage appeal, and you are likely to be reminded by a few things from your childhood if you visit. They source all their own stuff and I actually saw a few period items from the 60s / 70s I’ve never seen before. Whether your tastes are for ‘American Pickers’ or ‘That 70s Show’, I think you’ll like The Owl’s Attic.

On Friday I also stopped in at Simmons Jewelers and not only met I’m sure the most excitable Simmons in the family – I think he’s going to likely end up in next week’s piece, given the order of the interviews – but also learned of their new trolley! You may have seen it parked on New York Avenue some this past week. Bobby Simmons got it from a guy who purchased it at auction and it will now be part of the store’s collection of unique vehicles. I pointed out on Friday that even a great big owl named Parker could fit into this one!

TRYING to get back into the swing of things and will surely pick up some steam by Friday. That’s just how it works. Let me point out something I find myself saying a lot these days: THE USE OF MY WEBSITE, WWW.ILUVWINTERPARK.COM IS FREE!!!!! F R E E ! When I say that and people say, well, how much does it cost, I sometimes say it again: FREE. I sometimes run screaming down the street looking like there must surely be mean with a straight jacket following close behind! Again, it’s F R E E.

Okay, I am ramblin’ like never before, so will keep it short and sweet tonight.

Going by what I've read on the Cask & Larder website, they'll be opening tomorrow. I received an e-mail forwarded to me from the Editor of the WPMO, but, it didn't provide much real info, except a link to make reservations at OpenTable.com. If you go on the first day, let me know what you think. The food pics look AWESOME!

Something different tonight with ‘Give A Dog A Home’. I have seen posts from this group / individual on facebook for so long. I admire their efforts, wish them well, am simply going to share their words for what sounds like an absolutely HORRIBLE situation in South Florida. Perhaps some will want to help, contribute . . . there are links included below. I thought about editing, but for those who are interested in hearing the story and not on facebook, thought I'd go ahead and include all. So many sad, sad stories!

100+ Abandoned Dogs of Everglades Florida

I would like to say thank you for taking the time to hear from so many who do not have a voice, through mine. I am sharing videos I have personally taken out in the streets of Miami, where it's like a third world country for animals.

My group of volunteers has saved over 400 dogs and 30 cats, and we have over 14,000 supporters world wide on our Facebook page, but we are still in desperate need of help. Thousands of starving, abandoned animals are still out on the streets. It is time for Miami to open their eyes. I have reached out to the shelter director of MDAS (high kill shelter & Animal Control). They asked me for an address, but there is NO address. All you have to do is drive. I see it countless times a day. We are not a third world country, or are we? I get calls day and night from locals in this area begging me for help. There are so many abandoned animals that are now reproducing with litters of puppies in the streets and in the nurseries. I get calls from local farm workers shooting dogs because the dogs are so starved that they are going after their farm animals, so they are shooting the dogs in the head. There is absolutely no excuse as to why something is not being done here. A No Kill Shelter in the Homestead Redlands area and a free or low-cost spay and neuter mobile set up on a weekly basis would be a good start. I did get MDAS to send a free spay and neuter mobile one time. We desperately need help, as this is bigger than all of us.. As a volunteer with a group of small volunteers with huge hearts and empty pockets, we are begging for help. Closing our eyes will not make this go away. We are no longer with No Kill Nation. As of February 8th 2012 it was put in writing NKN will no longer be a part of 100+ Abandoned Dogs Of Everglades Florida Rescue.

When we, 100+ Abandoned Dogs of Everglades Florida,Here is the link to my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ABANDONEDDOGSEVERGLADES ask for donations, please understand, we have NO pride in begging as it allows us to save more lives in need. During our rescue on 3/11/12 we pulled 17 dogs to safety. The vet bills to date were in the amount of $8,000 and change. 10 puppies with parvo were brought to Imperial Point Animal Hospital; 3 needing to be humanely euthanized and 7 that are doing wonderful. Please donate, as we are extremely low on funds and this will not allow us to save the countless who are depending on us.

Here is the Chip-in Link for our rescue. We are not a 501c3 yet, but we are working on it. We will and have provided all receipts for each and every animal. All vet receipts along with contact numbers to the vet's offices are on the actual Chip-in through Paypal.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=474FAKBMDY9WY

Description

400+ dogs and 30 cats have been Rescued by our group in the Everglades area of Florida (Florida City and Homestead and Redlands areas in SE Florida). These dogs/cats have been abandoned by their previous owners and left alone to fend for themselves. Most are starving, full of ticks and at risk for several tick-borne diseases, heart worm, the elements and the wildlife and that is IF a speeding car doesn't hit them first.

By raising awareness of this problem, then remedying it, we believe eventually people will think twice before dumping their family pets like yesterday’s trash. This is only the beginning. Won't you join us?

This page and our MISSION was created as a community effort to END the neglect and abuse of our precious animal companions, man's best friend.

This project is funded solely by your support, without you and others like you we could not save these precious lives!

Here is a link to our Amazon wish-list for food donations. Starving, abandoned dogs need you!

http://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/92OV7FOTRO7D/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_ws_IdmBpb1CBBAVM

If you should have any further questions please contact us at [email protected] or 561-860-3783, Amy.. Below are links to the media coverage of this projects, as this will let you see how big of a problem we have with countless starving, abandoned animals on the streets of the Everglades area. Together we can bring change for the future of our animals who have no voice and no house for protection. Sincerely, Amy Restucci

There are tens of 1,000's of roaming, starving, abandoned dogs suffering. I receive call from the locals there are litters and litters of puppies with NO mommies.

They find the Mommies covered in snake bites and dead, leaving the babies to die.. The illegals are shooting the dogs in the head and then lining them up to bury them. Why? The starving dogs are going after the livestock as they are starving to death. We desperately need assistance. I have had countless meetings with Animal control and shelter director Alex Munoz.. We have received 2 free spay & neuters in 8 months time. We need a mobile planted in the area.. every single week to even make a dent. Please understand I am not blaming Alex Munoz, this is not about blame.. The one and only shelter for all these animals is Mdas.. They receive 60-100 owner surrenders a day.. So if these dogs are picked up.. In my opinion. it is an automatic death sentence for these dogs. We need help from the outside.. This is bigger than any of us. I am one person screaming for help.. We get NO assistance for food, as we not only save , we feed bringing over 2,000 lbs down to this area and drop off to locals who agree to set up feeding stations. 2,000 lbs was delivered by myself and my 80 volunteers on our last rescue which was 4/7/12 all is gone in 3 weeks. There are that many dogs out there starving and suffering a slow and painful death. Snakes are everywhere. The illegals are shooting them. I have also been on 2 horse slaughter recoveries. Starving our Beautiful horses, then slaughtering them for human consumption.. I am sure I am not telling you anything you do not already know. I have videos of each and every rescue. I have videos of each and every animal going to his or her forever home.We have spent over 150,000 dollars in 8 months all donations. Begging for pennies to pull and vet these animals responsibly. I am begging here.. Please we need help. I have given up my whole life and have nothing left to give.. The media coverage would blow your mind.. Still no assistance from the officials, Larger groups such as ASPCA or Humane society.. Where are they? This are is third world to the max.. These dogs we are saving want belly rubs, they are not ferel. We have had our share of tick and flea infested.. heartworm positive, missing limbs and ears cut off by the locals.. I am now going to share a few media clips and videos of our rescues.. Please help us.. Help these animals.. They deserve so much more than this. We are so much better than this.. This is Miami for god sake.. We are NOT a third world .. or are we?