Hollywood figures: Return Lolita to Puget Sound

Lolita The Killer Whale

SEATTLE — Some big Hollywood names are behind a push to free a captured orca whale and return it to Puget Sound.

Protesters have hounded the Miami Seaquarium for years, urging it to free its star, Lolita. The orca was just seven years old when she was captured in 1970 in the waters off of Whidbey Island, and has been performing daily shows ever since.

But now actor Raul Julia-Levy is getting Hollywood involved. He is the son of the late Raul Julia who starred in “Addams Family” films. Also involved in the effort are Ron Howard, Johnny Depp and Harrison Ford.

“I believe we’re going to get her back,” said Julia-Levy.

The Hollywood figures are asking producers and directors to boycott film shoots in Florida.

“I believe Hollywood represents three (hundred) to 400 million dollars in films. We have CSI Miami that brings a lot of money into the state,” he said.

But the Miami Seaquarium says Lolita couldn’t survive in the wild.

“She has entertained and educated millions of children. We think letting her go would be an irresponsible act on our behalf,” said Robert Rose of the Seaquarium.

Aquarium officials point to Keiko, the killer whale who was freed after he starred in “Free Willy.” He died before learning to live on his own.

But activists say Lolita is different. She was captured after she learned to fish and could be reunited with her family, the “L” pod in Puget Sound.

And if Julia-Levy gets his way, she will be back.

Hollywood figures: Return Lolita to Puget Sound

Lolita Killer Whale

SEATTLE — Some big Hollywood names are behind a push to free a captured orca whale and return it to Puget Sound.

Protesters have hounded the Miami Seaquarium for years, urging it to free its star, Lolita. The orca was just seven years old when she was captured in 1970 in the waters off of Whidbey Island, and has been performing daily shows ever since.

But now actor Raul Julia-Levy is getting Hollywood involved. He is the son of the late Raul Julia who starred in “Addams Family” films. Also involved in the effort are Ron Howard, Johnny Depp and Harrison Ford.

“I believe we’re going to get her back,” said Julia-Levy.

The Hollywood figures are asking producers and directors to boycott film shoots in Florida.

“I believe Hollywood represents three (hundred) to 400 million dollars in films. We have CSI Miami that brings a lot of money into the state,” he said.

But the Miami Seaquarium says Lolita couldn’t survive in the wild.

“She has entertained and educated millions of children. We think letting her go would be an irresponsible act on our behalf,” said Robert Rose of the Seaquarium.

Aquarium officials point to Keiko, the killer whale who was freed after he starred in “Free Willy.” He died before learning to live on his own.

But activists say Lolita is different. She was captured after she learned to fish and could be reunited with her family, the “L” pod in Puget Sound.

And if Julia-Levy gets his way, she will be back.

Two weeks ago, I had an accident that left a series of first and second degree burns on my shins. (Ouch.) I had to elevate my legs for the first few days of my recovery, but as soon as I was mobile again I ditched my Vikodin and scheduled a Doone pickup from my ex. I knew some quality dog time was exactly what I needed to get out of my funk and start feeling better. I couldn’t take The Doone on our usual long hikes, but just getting out into the sunshine and watching her do her sniff-prance-wigglebutt-tailwagging-run-around routine took my mind off of being hurt (and wallowing in self pity). I took deep gulps of fresh air, laughed out loud at her silliness and felt… happy.

Over the years, a plethora of data has been collected on the larger role dogs and other pets play in the health of people all over the world. According to a New York Times article, one Japanese study found pet parents made 30 percent fewer visits to doctors, while a Melbourne study showed that people with pets had lower cholesterol, blood pressure and heart attack risk compared with people without. Good health is clearly influenced by a number of variables, but many experts believe companion animals help improve our health at least in part by lowering our stress levels.

Dogs, in particular, have been shown to do remarkable things to boost the health of their people, including recognizing oncoming hypoglycemic episodes for diabetics and detecting impending seizures. For example, trained seizure alert dogs are paired with people with epilepsy so they can work together one-on-one. The dog will lick the person’s face, block their path when walking, or bark to alert them to the onset of a seizure.

nytimes.com

Sniffing out cancer.

More recently, dogs have been touted as potential cancer detectors. In 2006, the medical journal Integrative Cancer Therapies reported how ordinary house dogs could identify breast and lung cancer patients by smelling their breath. A University of Maine study is currently testing dogs on their ability to sniff out ovarian cancer.

Here are five simple ways animals can positively affect our health and well-being:

• 1. They help stave off depression and loneliness.
• 2. They add levity to nearly any situation.
• 3. They are great cuddlers and love unconditionally.
• 4. They give us hope.
• 5. They keep us fit.

Have your pets helped you (or others, as in the case of animal-assisted therapy) overcome an injury or illness? How do they keep you healthy?

Posted By: Amelia Glynn (Email) | November 19 2008 at 09:05 AM

Posted: Nov 19, 2008 02:50 PM

Updated: Nov 19, 2008 03:59 PM

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Hey Buddy! franchise arrives in Canada, offering supplies for dogs and convenience for their owners.

Contacts:
Hey Buddy! Canada
Roger Balm
(403) 852-2427
Email: info@heybuddycanada.com
Website:  www.heybuddycanada.com

s year, holiday shopping really has gone to the dogs. And they’re loving it.

Starting December 5 through 7, the shops at 2200 Retail Plaza in South Lake Union are having a dog-friendly holiday celebration with carolers, gift wrapping, bright decorations and festive food and beverage samples. It’s all to benefit the Seattle Humane Society and there will be professional holiday-themed photos for pets and their owners, several pets available for on-the-spot adoption, a pet food drive and more.

Just to make life easier, 2200 is a one-stop shopping experience where you can buy, wrap and ship your out-of-town gifts via FedEx all in the same place. All this and free parking during the event!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 � SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7

12:00 � 6:00 P.M.

2200 Westlake Avenue and Denny Way

Of course, all dogs are welcome at all 2200 retail shops!

It’s a power-packed line-up of holiday fun:

. Professional Holiday-Themed Pet Photos (12:00 � 4:00PM on Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7): Santa pictures are so last year. This year, get a snap of Fido by professional pet photographer Bev Sparks in the space located next to Scraps Dog Bakery. Photo cost is $25, with all proceeds benefitting the Seattle Humane Society.

� MaxMobile Pet Adoptions (12:00 � 4:00PM on Friday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 7): This holiday season, consider bringing a pet home. It’ll help them and bring joy to home. The Seattle Humane Society’s 38-foot MaxMobile adoption center will be filled with cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs ready for on-the-spot adoption in front of the Whole Foods plaza on Westlake.

� Sipping Chocolate Tasting with Theo Chocolate at the Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle lobby (3:00 � 6:30PM on Friday, Dec. 5): Holidays = Chocolate. Any questions?

� Seattle Humane Society’s Pet Micro-chipping (12:00 � 4:00PM on Saturday, Dec. 6): Seattle Humane Society’s 24-hour PetWatch chip helps ensure that lost animals can find home. Micro-chipping service will be offered for $20 per pet in the space next to Scraps Dog Bakery.

� Free Holiday Gift Wrapping (12:00 � 4:00PM on Dec. 5-7): A suggested donation of $3 for each gift-wrapped item benefits the Seattle Humane Society. Gift wrapping will be available in the space located next to Scraps Dog Bakery.

� Tutta Bella Happy Hour (3:00 � 7:00PM on Friday, Dec. 5): Alive with holiday cheer!

� Holiday Cocktails at Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle: Come in from the cold winter to enjoy holiday-themed cocktails inside the hotel bar, including Hot Apple Pie (Tuaca, apple cider, cinnamon, whipped cream) or a Peppermint Martini (Stoli vanilla, Starbucks cream liquor, cr�me de menthe).

� Heavenly Seastar Samples (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM on Friday, Dec. 5): Seastar chef/owner John Howie and Chef de Cuisine DJ MacIntyre will be serving free mouth-watering samples of Dungeness Crab and Sweet Corn Bisque with a Port-Madeira Reduction inside the Pan Pacific lobby.

� Canned Food Drive: The Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle will be holding a canned food drive benefitting the local YWCA (container to drop off items will be located near Pan Pacific valet stand).

The 2200 retailers will also be offering special promotions and discounts during the entire weekend (12:00 � 6:00 PM), including:

Seva Home: 20% discount on all floor item gifts, accessories, lighting, pillows, and throws.
Vida Wellness Spa: Complimentary chair neck and shoulder massages. 20% discount on services and spa gift bags for all pre-booked appointments during Dec. 5, 6 and 7.
Scraps Dog Bakery: Holiday Giving Tree benefitting Seattle Humane Society � all gifts for animals in need will receive 10% discount.
Tutta Bella: One free scoop of tasty gelato.
Clover House: Free personalization (written on ornament or gift tag) with purchase of an ornament. Percentage of a “pet” ornament purchase will benefit Seattle Humane Society.
FedEx Kinko’s: Discount on all calendar and greeting card orders (25 cards per order). 10% off 1 item or 25% off two or more items.
Opal: 15% off all regularly priced merchandise.
Bank of America: Various in-store promotions on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6.
Whole Foods Market: Free reusable shopping bag for each pet adoption. First 15 pet adoptions will receive free 5-lb. bag of dog food from Pet Promise.
F.K. Kirsten: 10% off all cigars and cigar accessories.

2200 Holiday Passport Program
Your passport to holiday shopping fun! Just grab your free holiday shopping passport at any of the 2200 retail stores and restaurants and get it stamped by at least 10 participating retailer stores to enter for a chance to win special grand prizes and gift certificates including:

One two-night stay at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel.
One overnight stay at the Pan Pacific Seattle with breakfast for two and parking included.
“Vida Day at the Spa” gift basket (valued at $500). This will be a combination of product and service. Services in the basket will be restricted Monday through Thursday use.
$100 gift certificate to Tutta Bella’s South Lake Union location at 2200 (dinner for four, no cash value)
Two $50 gift cards and four $25 gift cards to Scraps Dog Bakery.
$200 gift certificate to Seva Home.
One $50 and four $25 gift certificates to Clover House.
Lighter, fluid and leather wallet from F.K. Kirsten.

Passports with 10 or more stamps must be returned to the Pan Pacific hotel front desk by no later than 6:00PM on Sunday, Dec. 7 to be eligible for prizes.
FOR A GOOD CAUSE!
These are hard times for pets, too. More and more people are turning to the Humane Society’s Pet Food Bank for help, which provides dog and cat food for more than 1,220 pets of low-income seniors and people disabled by AIDS, allowing them to keep their companion animals. The number of households in need of our help is growing.

There has also been an increase in the number of people surrendering their pets due to lost homes or jobs, and are moving into places where they can’t bring their companion animals.

Proceeds from the 2200 retail events will benefit the Humane Society’s efforts to help families feed their pets and help surrendered pets find new homes. Please come down to our holiday shopping event and consider a pet adoption. All pets are behavior and health-checked, microchipped, spayed or neutered, and come with a full month of health insurance. Most dogs also have six weeks of training in one of Seattle Humane Society’s on-campus dog behavior courses included in their adoption fee.

For more information on how to help, go to www.seattlehumane.org or call (425) 641-0080.

After running a campaign known for its almost military-like cool and discipline, the president-elect is now assembling a staff whose members are known for their combativeness.

His chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, is a take-no-prisoners politician known for his willingness to butt heads with adversaries. Mr. Obama’s top liaison to Congress, Phil Schiliro, is a skilled political infighter. His press secretary, Robert Gibbs, is no shrinking violet, as one of the few people who can boast of shouting down Sean Hannity of Fox News on Mr. Hannity’s own show.

And then there’s the consideration that Mr. Obama is giving to Lawrence H. Summers, the outspoken former Harvard president, as Treasury secretary, and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state, a move so explosively bold that it has sent the Washington press corps into overdrive.

Some kind of shift was inevitable in the transition from politics to governing, political experts say. But by surrounding himself with forceful personalities, Mr. Obama may also be preparing himself and his administration for real battles.

Aides to Mr. Obama say that he intends to run a tight ship, and that an Obama administration would not be a return to the factional fighting of the Clinton White House. They say that his choices of Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Mr. Emanuel — and potentially of Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Summers as well — reflect a self-confidence and a willingness to tolerate internal dissent.

“ ‘No-Drama Obama’ during the campaign meant that if you had something to say, you said it,” one Obama campaign aide said. “You didn’t go around people, or try to undermine people, you said what you thought. That’s how he’s going to run his administration.”

Added Stephanie Cutter, Mr. Obama’s transition spokeswoman: “He doesn’t put up with drama, but he encourages strong opinions and advice. In that environment of mutual respect, there tends to be little drama.”

Mr. Obama sought to put aside some of the vitriol of the campaign on Monday by meeting with Senator John McCain at his offices in Chicago. The two men joked stiffly in front of reporters, with Mr. McCain needling Mr. Obama about the thrashing the Chicago Bears sustained on Sunday from Green Bay.

An Obama aide said the 45-minute meeting signaled a willingness to work together but said Mr. Obama did not offer Mr. McCain a formal role.

Back in Washington, the day’s main event was a visit to Georgetown Day School by Mr. Obama’s children, Sasha and Malia. They were accompanied by their mother, Michelle, who had visited the school last week. They plan to visit another school, Sidwell Friends, on Tuesday.

The tense history between Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton could still pose an obstacle to a close partnership. Aaron David Miller, a Middle East negotiator at the State Department under the last three presidents, said: “He needs to trust her implicitly; she needs to operate in a way that makes it unmistakably clear that his interests are her top priority. She must be the White House’s woman at the State Department.”

But some described both Mr. Emanuel and Mrs. Clinton as having the ability to be good team players.

Dan Gerstein, a Democratic communications consultant, said that while Mr. Emanuel had a reputation for clashing with others, he also got things done. “He wasn’t able to round up votes for Nafta by being a bullying, hyperpartisan ideologue,” Mr. Gerstein said of Mr. Emanuel’s role at the Clinton White House, where he helped secure passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Mr. Summers has drawn fire from liberal bloggers who are hoping to sink his chances of becoming Treasury secretary by recalling the turbulent five years that Mr. Summers spent as president of Harvard, where he angered many women and blacks before resigning in 2006.

“The problem with Larry is that he often shoots off his mouth without thinking first,” said a former Clinton Treasury Department staff member who worked with Mr. Summers. But, that person said, Mr. Summers was also respected by his underlings, who viewed him as high-handed but highly intelligent and willing to cede a point when proven wrong.

“Barack Obama is bringing in all of the pit bulls and attack dogs and spear hunters into his administration,” said Steve Clemons, a fellow at the New America Foundation who also writes a blog called The Washington Note. “We all thought he was going to be a ‘tending the fields’ type.”

Indeed, Mr. Obama bypassed Tom Daschle, the mild-mannered former Senator from South Dakota, in choosing Mr. Emanuel as chief of staff job. Asked to comment, Mr. Emanuel quipped, “Since the election was about change, I’m taking it to heart.”