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Marketing GM Charlotte Read and CEO Philip Gregan take us on a deep dive into this most successful of industry bodies. We discover the origins of the New Zealand wine industry and hear how the Sale of Liquor Act 1959 helped to lay its foundations. Before hearing about the industry pioneers and the first stirrings of international recognition for New Zealand wine and its Sauvignon Blanc in the 80s and 90s. The pair then give us an overview of the current state of New Zealand Winegrowers and how they serve their 1,400-1,500 members. Philip giving an overview of NZ Winegrowers responsibilities and Charlotte speaking to the marketing structure and specific digital initiatives she’s overseen since the start of the pandemic. New Zealand having harvested at the height of the pandemic the pair share some of the initiatives successfully employed by wineries to limit transmission. They share how the pandemic has affected consumption of New Zealand wine around the world. We close out looking ahead for the industry and upcoming digital initiatives. Episode outline: The origins of the New Zealand wine industry New Zealand Winegrowers overview Three key marketing pillars and practical initiatives Vintage 2020 in the times of COVID The flow of NZ wines around the world Looking ahead for New Zealand Winegrowers Sign up for the last of the New Zealand wine diaries. Organic Wine - Dispel the myths and embrace the future Lead Master - Stephen Wong MW With - David Keck MS, John Szabo MS & Ronan Sayburn MS Wed, Sep 23, 2020 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM BST https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3020237903612787472?v=jcwgUPmpM88&feature=youtu.be NZ Wine Annual Report: https://www.nzwine.com/en/media/statistics/annual-report/ www.nzwine.com NZW conducts a wide range of activities including: coordination of research programmes to progress the grape and wine industry; provision of a generic marketing platform for New Zealand wine makers in key markets; stewardship of “brand New Zealand wine”; provision of timely and accurate data and business information to grape growers and wine makers; and, representation of industry interests to national and local Government and in international fora. Philip Gregan is the Chief Executive Officer of New Zealand Winegrowers, the national industry organisation that represents, researches and promotes the interests of New Zealand grape growers and wine makers. Philip has been with New Zealand Winegrowers and its predecessor, the Wine Institute of New Zealand, since starting as a Research officer in 1983. He has held the role of Chief Executive Officer since 1990. Philip has gained Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts (Hons) degrees, majoring in Geography, from the University of Auckland.Charlotte Read has over 20 years of international sales and marketing experience; from launching new brands of NZ milk products in Singapore and Thailand to launching wine store formats in the UK, to promoting premium New Zealand (NZ) wines and building and managing their distribution is over 40 countries across Europe and Asia. Whilst based in China, Charlotte then joined NZ Trade and Enterprise, the NZ government’s export business development agency, based in the NZ Embassy in Beijing. Upon returning to NZ, Charlotte soon returned to the wine industry becoming NZ Winegrower’s GM of Marketing in late 2019. Intro and outro musicThe New Investorshttp://newinvestors.dk/Contact: glenn@velournet.dk Guest: Philip Gregan and Charlotte Read, New Zealand Winegrowers Date recorded: 6 September 2020 CONTACT Instagram: https://www.interpretingwine.com/instagram Facebook: https://www.interpretingwine.com/facebook Twitter: https://www.interpretingwine.com/twitter Email: hello@interpretingwine.com
Enderby Island rabbit Hello Listener! Thank you for listening. If you would like to support the podcast, and keep the lights on, you can support us whenever you use Amazon through the link below: It will not cost you anything extra, and I can not see who purchased what. Or you can become a Fluffle Supporter by donating through Patreon.com at the link below: Patreon/Hare of the Rabbit What's this Patreon? Patreon is an established online platform that allows fans to provide regular financial support to creators. Patreon was created by a musician who needed a easy way for fans to support his band. Please support Hare of the Rabbit Podcast financially by becoming a Patron. Patrons agree to a regular contribution, starting at $1 per month. Patreon.com takes a token amount as a small processing fee, but most of your money will go directly towards supporting the Hare of the Rabbit Podcast. You can change or stop your payments at any time. Thank you for your support, Jeff Hittinger. Word of the Week: Lucrative Folktale: How the Rattlesnake learned to bite News: Hanford’s Storybook Set to Open Joe Chianakas Pre-Releases The Final Book In His Famous Rabbit In Red Series Rare footage reveals Alice in Wonderland was released as a 52-minute silent movie 100 years ago Girl sews 'Bunnies of Hope' to provide comfort for patients Drones used to target Lincolnshire hare coursers Venezuelan president's plan to beat hunger Vice president's pet rabbit hops into book deal Bill would require pet stores to sell rescue animals Stone Bridge Preserve: Conservation Project Creates New England Cottontail Habitat Amazon Purchases: Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/HareoftheRabbit/ Enderby Island Rabbit Breed The Enderby Island Rabbit, which is also referred to as the Enderby Rabbit, is a breed that descended from the rabbits that were taken from Australia to be released on Enderby Island in October of 1865. The animals survived in isolation on the island for almost 130 years, during which they became a distinct breed. We are going to look at the history of the Enderby Rabbit, so be prepared to take a remarkable journey of hope, survival, fortitude, lifesaving, rescue, destruction and preservation. This story is like no other in the world of domestic rabbits. Whales were plentiful in the waters that surrounded the Auckland's and the shores would prove to be rich with sea lions, but at the same time shipwrecks were abundant in the rough and dangerous waters around these six volcanic islands. Castaways would attempt to survive for weeks and months, in hopes of a rescue ship finding them. Back in Australia, the Acclimatization Society of Victoria was formed in 1861, with the aim of introducing exotic plants and animals to suitable parts of the colony and to procure animals from Great Britain and other countries. Shortly after the organization was founded, a gift of 4 silver-grey rabbits was presented to the Society in 1864. In a letter dated 3 October, 1865 Jas. G. Francis, Commissioner of Trade and Customs advised Commander William Henry Norman, of the H.M.C.S. VICTORIA I to search the Auckland Islands for possible persons in distress and 'With the view of making provisions, to a certain extent, for any persons who may hereafter be wrecked or in distress upon these islands, the Acclimatization Society have put on board a number of animals, which will be good enough to let loose on the island." There would be 12 rabbits on board ship that set sail Wednesday, October 4, 1865. So Enderby Island rabbits are descendants of English Silver Greys, (not the Champagne de Argente as previously reported in various papers and scientific journals). In some of the research, I found that Bob Whitmann in his research of the breed had locate Mrs. Margaret Levin, of Queensland, Australia who is the great-great-granddaughter of Com. Norman.- She became fascinated with his research project and has provided pictures of the ship, the commander, her crew and best of all, copies of the journal and logbooks of this historic voyage. It should be noted that Margaret was also a rabbit breeder while living in Victoria. From Com. Norman's Journals. "Saturday, 14th. - No traces of pigs or other animals being observed near here; landed four goats, sent by the Acclimatization Society. Some small patches of English grass growing about the old settlement. Later in the day, one of the men reported having seen a dog. This deterred me from landing some rabbits and fowls as I had intended." There is an error in his journal as he write Monday. 18th and this would have actually been Wednesday. 18th "At 4:30 a.m. started for Enderby Island, and anchored in the sandy bay referred to yesterday, at 5 a.m. Sent on shore ten goats and twelve rabbit; these at once took to the English grass, on which I have no doubt they will thrive well. Weighed again at 7:30a.m., and steamed slowly round the island." The H.M.S.C. VICTORIA I returned to its home port, Hobson's Bay, at 1:30 p.m. Monday, November 27, 1865, having found no castaways. Now it should be noted that this was not the first time that rabbits were let released on Enderby Island. The British "EREBUS" and "TERROR" expedition, of Sir James Clark Ross. These rabbits were killed off by the Maoris who did not leave the island until March 1856. Enderby Island is 1,700 acres in size, cold, windy and with high humidity. Except for the coastal cliffs and rocks, along with a few acres of sand hills, the island is pretty much covered with a dense blanket of peat. The 12 rabbits would thrive and multiply, burrowing into the sandy hillsides and dry peat. In 1867, the survivors of the GENERAL GRANT caught many rabbits, as did the survivors of the DERRY CASTLE in March of 1887. During the next 100 years, the rabbits of Enderby would be up and down in population. In 1874, H.M.S. BLANCHE found the island "over-run with black rabbits". 1886 in a report to the Royal Society of Victoria it was reported that the rabbits were fast dying out or rather starved out, having eaten most all the grass and reverting to thickly set mossy plants. By 1894 the HINEMOA reported "rabbits swarm, and greatly reduce the value of the pasturage ... one of the party shot over twenty in the course of short excursion. 25 head of cattle and many rabbits were reported by Oliver in 1927. In 1932 the pastoral lease of the island ended and in 1934 the New Zealand (NZ) government made the island a reserve for the preservation of native flora and fauna. The NZ National Parks and Reserves Authority approved the Auckland Island Management Plan on January 12, 1987 to eliminate all man introduced animals from the islands. A study by B.W. Glentworth in 1991, showed a rabbit population of between 5,000 to 6,000 rabbits. Rabbits were destroying that native vegetation at an alarming rate and playing havoc with the sea lion pup population. The numerous rabbit burrows along Sandy Bay is an important breeding ground for this threatened sea lion species, as pups would become trapped in the burrows and die. It is estimated that over 10% of the pups would die trapped in the burrows. The Canterbury Chapter of the Rare Breeds Conservation Society of NZ (RBCSNZ), having heard of the rabbit's eradication plan, began setting up a project to rescue a breeding population of the Enderby Island Rabbit through the dedicated efforts of Mrs. Catreona Kelly as Project Manager. Michael Willis and Dr. Dave Matheson, D.V.M. of the Rare Breeds Society along with Wayne Costello and Trevor Tidy from the NZ Department of Conservation (DOC) would travel on board the naval diving ship MANAWANUI, arriving on Enderby on Tuesday 15, September, 1992 at 11 :30 p. m .. A permit was secured to trap 50 rabbits in just a very few days. Various modes of trapping were used, baffle traps and funnel nets at the warren entrances, soft-jaw leg hold traps, proved to be of little use, but 200 meters of wing netting would be the most successful. Rabbits would be trapped from four locations, which were given warren names; Enderby, Stella, Rata and Base. By September 19th, 50 rabbits had been captured, 15 does (females) and 35 bucks (males). Dive teams ferried the rabbits on inflatable Zodiacs back to the main ship in rather difficult swell conditions. Of special note, it was during this recovery, that the last two surviving members of the Enderby Island cattle breed were discovered. The cow, named lady and her calf, which soon died would make world history, as Lady is the largest mammal ever cloned, first cow cloned to have calve, and the first attempt at cloning to save a rare breed, well it's a story all to its own. The 49 rabbits (one died of a back injury) would arrive at Somes Island in Wellington Harbor on September 25th at 6 p.m. to begin a one-month quarantine period, which ended on October 28, 1992. There would be 3 kits (young) born during this period. Each rabbit was carefully inspected, handled, identified with an ear tag and given a permanent tattoo. Rabbits were split into three different destination groups, one for Wairarapa, and another for New Plymouth and the rest for Christchurch. All rabbits born were carefully recorded in the stud book by Mrs. Kelly. All rabbits were the property of the D.O.C. however ten dedicated caregivers would be entrusted with the rabbits, under contract, with the RBCSNZ. In 1998 private ownership of the Enderby Island rabbits would begin as the numbers of rabbits increased. The eradication program took place from February 9 through May 8, 1993 with a team of four people and a specially trained rabbit-tracking dog named Boss. The rabbits would be killed with a green dyed cereal pellet containing Brodifacoum, which was sowed using a helicopter. The last Enderby Island rabbit would be caught and destroyed on April 12, 1993 ending a 127 year period of natural selection. Enderby Island rabbits are the world's rarest breed of rabbit, with less than 300 animals in existence. Most are black, but there are few known cream colored ones and even fewer blues. The breed evolved from the English Silver Greys, and not the Champagne de Argente as previously reported in various papers and scientific journals. A brief background on the silvers from Bob Whitman who had been a collector of old rabbit books for 30 years. In his research some of the earliest works state that the Silver came from Siam and brought to England by traders, other works say that Silver Greys existed thousands of years ago in India and were brought to Europe by Portuguese sailors early in the 17th century. Gervase Markham in 1631 wrote that rabbits with silver tips to their hairs were being kept in warrens in England. It is well documented that Silvers appeared in the warrens of Lincolnshire, England amongst wild rabbit and were known as Sprigs, Millers, Lincolnshire Silver Greys, Chinchilla Silver Grey, Riche and more simply put Silver Grey. The breed was first shown in England in 1860. A buff colored Silver Grey doe took first honors at the Crystal Palace Poultry Show in the "Foreign Class" in 1863. Mature weight at the time was 6 to 9 pounds. Thousands of them were being raised in the warrens of 1850s for table purposes in the larger cities, and the skins were bought up for exportation to Russia and China. The first English breed standard was set up in 1880. The Champagne de Argente was not introduced into the Britain until 1920 and weighed a hefty 9 to 11 pounds. English breeders have perfected the silver breed to have an even silvering over the entire body, including the head, feet and tail. The fur is sleek, with a fly back coat. In one of Bob Wittman's early books, Manuals for the Many the Rabbit Book, circa 1855, there is a wood engraving that screams Enderby Island Rabbit. I quote, "The head and ears are nearly all black with a few white hairs. These white hairs are more numerous on the neck, shoulders, and back; but on all the lower parts, such as the chest or belly, the number of white hairs is greater than those of a blue or black color." So there you have it, a very condensed version of a remarkable story. Some 250 plus generations, of natural selection during a course of 127 years of near total isolation on a sub Antarctic island called Enderby, where a nucleus of 12 rabbits would evolve to become their own breed called Enderby Island. Overall Description The Enderby Island Rabbit is a rare and endangered breed.The Enderby Island Rabbit has a medium length body that features a slight taper from the front to the hindquarters, and the back will also be slightly arched. The head, which is well set upon the shoulders, should be medium in size and it should be in proportion with the rest of the body. There is not a visible neck, and the ears are carried in the shape of a “V”. The eyes are bold. The legs and the feet are fine to medium boned, and the nails will match the body color. In general, when looking at an Enderby Island Rabbit, you will notice that the body is fine-boned and slim. The head will be small, and the ears will be delicate and upright. Body to be medium in length, with a slight taper from the hindquarters to front, with a slightly arched back. Leaning towards a racy look. The head is to be medium in size and in proportion to the body. It is to be well set in the shoulders and show no visible neck. The ears are to be in proportion and firmly set on head. They are to be carried in a "v", not necessarily together. The feet and legs are to be medium to fine in bone and good length. The Nails are to match the body colour. Litters are rather small with 2, 3 and 4 kits, with a record being 8 Weight: Although descended from the Silver Greys which weighed between 8 and 9 lbs the Enderby island rabbit has evolved to be a little smaller with the average weight ranging from 3 to 4 lbs. Coat The coat of the Enderby Island Rabbit is soft and short. The body is rather heavily silvered in most animals, with about 80% silvering. The extremities, i.e., the head ears, feet and tail are much darker and only lightly silvered, with a pronounced butterfly marking on the nose. The coat is unlike the Silver breed, being more open, longer and soft in texture. The youngsters can be rather slow to silver and may require 6 to 8 months to complete the cycle. Adults become more silvered over the years. Faults: Coat too harsh, woolly, thin or short Serious Fault: White hairs in armpits Disqualifications: White patches on colored fur or colored patches on white fur. Colors Enderby Rabbits can come in a few different colors, but the majority of them will be a distinct silver-grey with a dark slate blue undercoat. The ears, tail, and head will be darker and are often black. Slate–Undercolor showing a dark slate blue. silvering on body, medium preferred. Champagne– Under showing a lighter shade of slate blue. Silvering on body seen a medium to heavy. The whole evenly and moderately interspersed with longer, jet black hairs and silver tipped hairs. Head, ears, feet & tail can range from almost black with light silvering. To less of the base color showing through the points, due to an increased amount of silvering in the body Crème - Undercolor orange to go down as far as possible, body color creamy white, the whole evenly and moderately interspersed with longer orange hairs and silver tipped hairs. Darker markings on head, ears, feet & tail permissible with less silvering than the main body. White underbelly is permissible. Evenness and Brightness of Silvering - The evenness of silvering is more important than the degree of silvering. Silvering is to be evenly distributed over the body with exception of head, feet and tail showing more of the base color. A diamond shape of un-silvered fur on the forehead permissible until fully mature.(mask to have silvering) Under 5 months - Slate/Champagne kits are born black. Creme kits are born a fawn color. Silvering starts to show from about 6-8 weeks and can take up to 6 months to come into their full coat. Solid patches of the base color will be seen on the juvenile coat. Under 5's should be judged for their general type and evenness of silvering that is coming through at the time of showing. A diamond shape of un-silvered fur on the forehead permissible until fully mature.(mask to have silvering). Acceptable colors for this rabbit breed include slate, champagne, and crème. Champagne and slate rabbits are actually born black, and crème rabbits are born featuring a fawn color. The body will become heavily silvered (roughly 80% silvering) in most Enderby Rabbits, but the feet, tail, ears, and head will be lightly silvered. I suppose you could say there are two varieties of Enderby Island. They come mainly in the silver-grey but a very small percentage are born cream or beige-colored – a shade produced by a recessive gene You will notice the Enderby Island Rabbit’s distinct silvering begin to appear on the coat at around 6 to 8 weeks. It could take up to 6 months or more for it to come into the full coat. Also, the juvenile coat of the Enderby Rabbit will feature solid patches in the base color. And as the rabbits age, they will become even more silvered. Care Requirements The coat of an Enderby Island Rabbit will become heavily silvered.If you are planning on bringing an Enderby Island Rabbit into your family, you should have enough room for a large enclosure that will keep your pet safe and comfortable. Your rabbit should be able to stand up, turn around, and stretch while in his cage, and he should be able to come out of the cage regularly in order to play and interact with you. You can keep your Enderby Island Rabbit indoors or outside, as this breed is hardy and accustomed to cold weather, but be sure to protect him from predators. Indoors, make room for your pet to run around and exercise outside of the cage, and give him an area where he can get access to fresh air and sunshine. If you want to let your rabbit spend some time outside, you can place your rabbit in an exercise pen, lawn enclosure, or extension hut for safety. Feed your Enderby Rabbit a diet that consists of pellets, hay, and vegetables. You can include grass hays like orchard, oat, and timothy hays, and you can purchase pellets designed for rabbits. Fresh foods, such as dark, leafy greens, should also be provided. Limit the amount of starchy veggies and fruits that your rabbit eats, and always provide fresh, clean water. It was noted that the breed had adapted to eating seaweed. Health Keep your pet’s environment as stress-free as possible because stress alone could lower your rabbit’s ability to resist disease. Like other rabbits, the Enderby Island Rabbit might be susceptible to ear mites, conjunctivitis, bloat, hairball obstructions, and intestinal problems, such as coccidiosis. Rabbit Care & Handling These rabbits can be very affectionate, especially when a treat or food is on offer. They are very neat and tidy rabbits too and you will usually find, especially does have a tendency to keep their nest area in ship-shape condition. They do love being outside and have not really been adapted for indoor environments, the breed being evolved from a very cold, sub-antartic island. Their diet is the same for any other rabbit but just be careful not to overfeed as they can be a little greedy and do not carry excess weight well as they will be unable to groom themselves properly. Temperament/Behavior Enderby Rabbits are prone to being skittish, but you can reduce the amount of nervousness that your pet feels by simply providing him with plenty of attention and gentle handling. When an Enderby Island Rabbit is properly socialized, he will be affectionate towards the people that he has grown to trust. Bond with your pet by grooming him and giving him treats. Eventually, your rabbit might show you how much he loves you by licking and kissing you. They can be quite skittish and nervous and on the look out for predators all the time. This makes them want to naturally burrow and hide. Also keep in mind that, like all rabbits, the Enderby Rabbit is a social creature that is happiest when it is with other rabbits, so if you have the space for two or three rabbits, or you don’t have the time to dedicate to interacting with your rabbit, consider getting more than one. For several years all animals remained the property of the Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand with breeding programmes being undertaken by individual caregivers. Some animals are now available for purchase by private enthusiasts, and some have even been exported to North America. Clubs Today the Enderby Island rabbit as a breed is not only rare but also endangered. The breed is endangered due to the large number of hybrids formed with individuals crossing the Enderby with other domestic rabbit breeds. The Enderby is not recognised by the BRC (British Rabbit Council) or the ARBA, (American Rabbit Breeders Association). Through the determined and dedicated efforts to keep the breed alive Sitereh and Chris Schouten of Nature's Pace near Christchurch, the Enderby Island rabbit was given breed status by the Rabbit Council of New Zealand in April, 2002 when it was accepted into their book of Standards. It should also be noted that Sitereh, is now the official recorded keeper of all Enderbys. The Enderby Island Rabbit Club of NZ has been created to protect, further and coordiante the interests of all Enderby Island Rabbit Breeders and to assist and extend the exhibition of Enderby rabbits. For a full run down on points for judging, you can purchase a copy of the standards from RCNZ THANK YOU RBCSNZ for saving this breed. Breeders, Clubs & Organizations Enderby Island Rabbit Breeders The following names and contact details are in New Zealand and are all Enderby Island specialized breeders: Elaine & Chris Gilberd, Warwickzfarm, Main South Road, Dunsandel, R D 2., LEESTON 8151. (Canterbury) Phone: (03) 325 4116. Fax: (03) 325 4539. E-mail: warwickzfarm (at) warwickzfarm.com Ava Hunt, 182 Drummond Oreti Road, R D 3, WINTON 9783. Phone: (027) 275 4713. E-mail: ava.hunt (at) xtra.co.nz Lorne and Pamela Kuehn, Waitangi Estate, Kaituna, R. D. 2, CHRISTCHURCH 8021 Phone/ Fax (03) 329 0822 E-mail lpkuehn (at) cyberxpress.co.nz Suzanne Shillito, Perrymans Road, R D 2, CHRISTCHURCH. Phone/Fax: (03) 325 3380, E-mail shillito (at) xtra.co.nz Chris & Sitereh Schouten. Phone: (03) 327 4211 E-mail cands.schouten (at) clear.net.nz For details see Natures Pace. Wee Dram Farm, 492 Oxford Road, Fernside, R D 1, RANGIORA. Phone: (03) 310 6443 E-mail: weedram (at) iconz.co.nz http://www.petguide.com/breeds/rabbit/enderby-island-rabbit/ https://www.rarebreeds.co.nz/enderbyrabbit.html http://www.justrabbits.com/enderby-island.html http://www.roysfarm.com/enderby-island-rabbit/ http://eircnz.tripod.com/ http://www.rabbitcouncil.co.nz/rabbit-breeds/enderby-island https://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/38518/enderby-island-rabbits-grazing-1973 http://vetbook.org/wiki/rabbit/index.php?title=Enderby_Island http://www.nationalrabbitassociation.co.nz/enderby-island https://books.google.com/books?id=CI8531CO-dsC&pg=PA321&lpg=PA321&dq=Enderby+Island+Rabbits&source=bl&ots=B9wqB9DgAf&sig=Hg0QyniJ-w3mDSd8ttlboqdXzao&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwir1Zj_tpTWAhWi5lQKHYtRBmU4ChDoAQg-MAc#v=onepage&q=Enderby%20Island%20Rabbits&f=false http://www.nationalsilverrabbitclub.co.uk/?q=book/export/html/45 How the Rattlesnake learned to bite http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/HowtheRattlesnakeLearnedtoBite-Pima.html After the people and the animals were created, they all lived together. Rattlesnake was there, and was called Soft Child because he was so soft in his motions. The people like to hear him rattle, and little rest did he get because they continually poked and scratched him so that he would shake the rattles in his tail. At last Rattlesnake went to Elder Brother to ask help. Elder Brother pulled a hair from his own lip, cut it into short pieces , and made it into teeth for Soft Child. "If any one bothers you", he said "bite him". That evening Ta-api, Rabbit, came to Soft Child as he had done before and scratched him. Soft Child raised his head and bit rabbit. Rabbit was very angry and scratched him again. Soft Child bit him again. Then Rabbit ran about saying that Soft Child was angry and had bitten him. Then he went to rattlesnake again, and twice more he was bitten. The bites made rabbit very sick. He asked for a bed of cool sea sand. Coyote was sent to the sea for the cool, damp sand. Then Rabbit asked for the shade of bushes that he might feel the cool breeze. But at last Rabbit died. He was the first creature which had died in this new world. Then the people were troubled because they did not know what to do with the body of rabbit. One said, "If we bury him, Coyote will surely dig him up". Another said, "if we hide him, Coyote will surely find him." And another said, "If we put him in a tree, Coyote will surely climb up." So they decided to burn the body of rabbit, and yet there was no fire on Earth. Blue Fly said, "Go to the sun and get some of the fire which he keeps in his house," So Coyote scampered away, but he was sure the people were trying to get rid of him so he kept looking back. Then Blue Fly made the first drill. Taking a stick like an arrow, he twirled it in his hands, letting the lower end rest on a flat stick that lay on the ground. Soon smoke began to rise, and then fire came. The people gathered fuel and began their duty. But Coyote, looking back, saw fire ascending. He turned and ran back as fast as he could go. When the people saw him coming, they formed a ring, but he raced around the circle until he saw two short men standing together. He jumped over them, and seized the heart of the rabbit. But he burned his mouth doing it, and it is black to this day. NEWS: Hanford’s Storybook Set to Open Phase 1 http://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2017/09/10/hanfords-storybook-set-open-phase-1/ Posted on September 10, 2017 by Nancy Vigran Volunteers have been working with fervor to compete as much as possible of the Children’s Storybook Garden and Farm History Museum Phase 1, prior to its soft opening on September 23. Located at the corner of Harris and Tenth in downtown Hanford, Storybook was the brainstorm of Judy Wait, a retired Hanford teacher. She combined her teaching skills with her love for gardening, and in 2011 with her husband, Larry, took off on a trip to visit children’s gardens around the country. Children’s Storybook Garden and Farm History Museum motivator and director, Judy Wait, shows off Peter Rabbit’s Burrow and Mr. McGregor’s House, just two of the many houses, tunnels, barns and more for children to play in when they visit. Nancy Vigran/Valley Voice Six years later, with some 70-80 regular volunteers and so many in the local community, her fairytale has become a reality, not that she ever doubted it would. “I’m a believer,” she said. “I knew it would happen – it shows how much this was wanted.” The garden and museum have been, and continue to be, developed through a non-profit organization of the same name. The original one-acre property purchase was made possible through a loan – now paid-off through a $200,000 donation through a private donor who wishes to remain nameless. Prior to that a donor-loaner, another private individual, helped ease payments by making them for the organization, allowing funds for progress on the museum and gardens. That donor-loaner has also been repaid in full. The Victorian Burr Home, to become the museum, gift shop and kitchen, was donated by Bill Clark. And, through the donations of so many others including in part, Allen Laird Plumbing, Mike Crain Heating and Air, Randy Mc Nary Construction, Dan Veyna – Sierra Landscape & Design, Zumwalt & Hansen Engineering, Home Depot, Bettencourt Farms, Joe Robinson Concrete and Willie Williams Masonry, Storybook remains debt free. “It’s very grass roots,” said Kate Catalina, a long-term volunteer. “Everything is through volunteers and local support, given with love.” Sponsorships of individual gardens and or building areas have played an important part, as well. Peter Rabbit’s Burrow is covered with sweet potato vine. Entrance to the burrow is obvious, but the exit comes out through the vine. Nancy Vigran/Valley Voice With Phase 1 comes Peter Rabbit’s Burrow, Mr. McGregor’s House, Charlotte’s Dairy Barn, the Woodland Log Cabin and Garden, a Salsa Garden, the Teaching or Kitchen Garden, Nolan’s Critter Creek and Pond, the Topiary Garden, a Pizza Garden, the Three Little Pigs homes and Monet’s House. Each garden will have its own unique features to explore, and a book box holding books representing the inspiration for each, will be placed there for reading. The Teaching Garden will be planted with fall and winter crops by the children in the first field trips. Following groups will help tend to the garden and later harvest, clean and prepare the crops. The Victorian Burr Home is furnished with antiques donated by the community. “We’re trying to set up as in its heyday,” Catalina said. The Tank House, which came along with the Burr House, is also refreshed and will be utilized in teaching water conservation. Storybook is managed and run through its volunteers. However, an educational director and teaching assistant have been hired, each with her own set of experiences. “We were lucky to get these two really special people,” Wait said. “What sold us on them, was that you could just tell they love kids and love gardening, and would love this children’s garden.” Student volunteers are also welcome and encouraged through the Green Teens Club, ages 13-18. They will learn to be docents and readers in the gardens, and will receive community service hours. There is already a 4-H club tending to some of the gardens, as well as members of World Link Volunteer, a foreign-exchange group. Upon completion of Phase 1, Phase 2 will start to come together early next year, with completion of a new bathroom facility. Also in Phase 2 will be the building of the Stone Cottage, the Secret Garden and Celebration Garden. Completion of Phase 2 will allow for Storybook to be available for weddings and other small outdoor gatherings. “I just feel like it is all coming together,” Wait said. “And, it’s beautiful as it is happening.” The Victorian Burr Home, which has become the Storybook Museum, was donated to the project by Bill Clark. Freshly painted and with updated plumbing and electricity, as well as heating and air conditioning, the museum houses various antiques donated by members of the community, and will eventually also house a gift shop. Nancy Vigran/Valley Voice Field trips for many Hanford schools have already been arranged. Any school within the county and beyond, as well as clubs and other groups are welcome to schedule a trip. Storybook will also be open to the public starting with the soft opening. The hours, to start, are Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm. Storybook will be closed on Mondays. Storybook will also feature a variety of special occasions including its first Happily Haunted Halloween Light Show in October. Some type of children’s event and adult event will eventually be held each month including multi-cultural events, Wait said. Sponsorship for areas of the gardens and buildings are still needed. Monetary donations of $50 can be applied to a foot of fencing, or a brick becoming a border on a walkway. Kings County Board of Supervisors Chair Craig Pedersen, who grew up in Kings County, said the board is excited about the project. “A place where children have the opportunity to explore and grow is a good thing,” he said. “Anything we can do to try and help, we’ll do.” For more information and to volunteer or donate, view, www.childrensstorybookgarden.org/ or call, 559-341-4845. Joe Chianakas Pre-Releases The Final Book In His Famous Rabbit In Red Series http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/living-well/joe-chianakas-pre-releases-the-final-book-in-his-famous-rabbit-in-red-series/809144841 WASHINGTON, IL - The Rabbit in Red series continues! Joe Chianakas will soon release the final entry in the internationally acclaimed trilogy. So, prepare to read "Bury The Rabbit." The release date is actually October 28th, but Joe is set to take part in a pre-release celebration in honor of Zeek's Comics & Games 2nd anniversary this weekend. He and Zak Kalina, owner of Zeek's Comics & Games, join us now to tell us all the details. If you can't make it to this pre-release event, don't worry. You can meet Joe at Barnes & Noble on Saturday, October 28th at 1:00 pm. Rare footage reveals Alice in Wonderland was released as a 52-minute silent movie 100 years ago where she encounters the rabbit, caterpillar and the Queen of Hearts Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4872458/Alice-Wonderland-silent-film-footage-released-1915.html#ixzz4sVHcSBZ1 Rare footage has emerged of a 102-year-old silent film adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The charming clip from the 52-minute retelling of the classic story, released in 1915, shows Alice going down the rabbit hole and meeting familiar characters such as the White Rabbit and the pipe-smoking caterpillar. Alice, played by Viola Savoy, is also seen swinging a flamingo as a mallet in the peculiar croquet scene, and standing as a witness at the trial to investigate who stole the Queen of Hearts' tarts. The scenes make up a silent film released in 1915 by writer and director, WW Young. It is notable for depicting much of the 'Father William' poem that appears in Lewis Carroll's classic 1865 novel. His motion picture was a precursor of a world famous cartoon. These scenes (including Alice and the pipe-smoking caterpillar, pictured) make up a silent film by writer and director, WW Young. It is notable for depicting much of the 'Father William' poem that appears in Lewis Carroll's classic 1865 novel, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Girl sews 'Bunnies of Hope' to provide comfort for patients http://www.nbc12.com/story/36307411/girl-sews-bunnies-of-hope-to-provide-comfort-for-patients MECHANICSVILLE, VA (WWBT) - A Mechanicsville woman says her daughter spent the summer hand sewing "Bunnies of Hope." Karen Wharam Schricker says her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in May. Her daughter sewed and donated over 100 bunnies that have encouraging names and scriptures on them. The bunnies were placed in waiting rooms of radiation and oncology units. "She wanted them to have something to hold on to, feel a small bit of comfort, and to know someone cared," said Schricker. Drones used to target Lincolnshire hare coursers http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-41171890 Lincolnshire Police's Operation Galileo is also using off-road vehicles to tackle coursers. More than 2,000 calls were made to the county's police during the 2015-16 hare coursing season. Chief Constable Bill Skelly said the introduction of drones would prove useful in gathering evidence to put before the courts. More on this and other local stories from across Lincolnshire Last season, farmers said some areas of the county resembled the "Wild West" after an escalation in the level of violence used by coursers. Mr Skelly said evidence gathered by drones would help "bring about a better result for our rural communities... and the right convictions for the worst offenders". However, Alister Green, from the National Farmers Union, said "the proof will be in the pudding". He said he hoped the use of drones, along with other measures, would help act as a deterrent. Traditionally offenses start to rise in the autumn after crops have been harvested, and continue until the end of the season in spring. Last year, coursers from as far afield as Sussex and North Yorkshire were dealt with by the force. Three arrests Hare coursing has been illegal throughout the UK since 2005. The Hunting Act 2004 makes it an offense to hunt wild mammals with dogs. Lincolnshire Police has previously described the coursers as the "scourge of rural England", and said it was doing everything within its power to deal with those involved. On Tuesday, a vehicle and four dogs were seized, as police made three arrests at Braceby, near Sleaford. The force said the season had started earlier this year due to the early harvest. Hare coursing Since 2005, hare coursing has been illegal throughout the UK. The Hunting Act 2004 makes it an offence to hunt wild mammals with dogs The dogs - usually greyhounds, lurchers or salukis - are on a slip lead, threaded so it can be easily released The coursers will walk along the field to frighten the hare into the open The dog catches the hare and kills it by "ragging" it - shaking the animal in its teeth The dead hare is usually left in the field or thrown in a ditch Venezuelan president's plan to beat hunger: breed rabbits – and eat them https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/14/venezuela-president-maduro-rabbit-plan Venezuela’s government has urged citizens to see rabbits as more than “cute pets” as it defended a plan to breed and eat them – even as the opposition says this would do nothing to end chronic food shortages. The “rabbit plan” is an effort by the government of Nicolás Maduro to boost food availability. Authorities have also taught citizens to plant food on the roofs and balconies of their homes. Maduro’s adversaries dismiss such ideas as nonsensical, insisting the real problem is a failed model of oil-financed socialism that was unable to survive after crude markets collapsed. Hunger eats away at Venezuela’s soul as its people struggle to survive Read more “There is a cultural problem because we have been taught that rabbits are cute pets,” the urban agriculture minister, Freddy Bernal, said during a televised broadcast with Maduro this week. “A rabbit is not a pet; it’s two and a half kilos of meat that is high in protein, with no cholesterol.“ Maduro’s critics lampooned the idea. “Are you serious?” asked Henrique Capriles, a state governor and two-time opposition presidential candidate in a video to response to Bernal. “You want people to start raising rabbits to solve the problem of hunger in our country?” Rabbit consumption is common in Europe and to lesser extent in the United States. The animals are more efficient than pigs and cattle in converting protein into edible meat, according to the United Nations food and agriculture organization. But raising rabbits in significant quantities in contemporary Venezuela would be difficult. The country’s constant shortages, resulting from stringent price and currency controls, would probably leave the would-be rabbit industry struggling to find materials ranging from feed to metal and wire for breeding cages. Maduro says the country is a victim of an “economic war” led by adversaries and fueled by recent sanctions imposed by the administration of Donald Trump. Vice president's pet rabbit hops into book deal http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/15/politics/marlon-bundo-book-mike-pence-rabbit/index.html The precocious pet rabbit of the vice president of the United States is hopping into a book deal. Marlon Bundo, the Pence family rabbit with his own Instagram account, announced Friday that he is the star of a new book. "Marlon Bundo's 'A Day in the Life of the Vice President,' " due out March 19, will chronicle the BOTUS' (Bunny of the United States) day alongside "Grampa" Mike Pence. In the book, I follow Grampa around all day, as a BOTUS should, while he goes about his duties as Vice President!" an Instagram post from the first rabbit read. The book was written by the vice president's daughter, Charlotte Pence, with watercolor illustrations by second lady Karen Pence, an award-winning artist. Charlotte Pence adopted Marlon Bundo, named for actor Marlon Brando, for a college filmmaking project. Bundo has since gone viral, appearing at official White House events and frequently posting updates in first person on social media. "Marlon has become a national celebrity!" a press release for the book reads. A portion of the proceeds will benefit A21, an organization focused on combating human trafficking, and two art therapy programs, a key aspect of the second lady's platform. Marlon Bundo lives alongside the vice president and second lady and a veritable menagerie at the Naval Observatory. When the Pences traveled from Indiana to Washington days before the inauguration, they disembarked with cats Pickle and Oreo, plus rabbit Marlon Bundo. In the absence of a pet in the first family, Bundo has become an icon in the rabbit world. Days before the election, the family lost their beloved 13-year-old beloved beagle, Maverick. Less than a year later, cat Oreo joined Maverick in pet heaven. "Rest in peace Oreo. You touched a lot of hearts in your little life," Karen Pence tweeted alongside photos of the black and white cat. "Our family will miss you very much." But Marlon Bundo and Pickle weren't the only pets for long; one week later, the vice president, second lady, and daughter, Charlotte, traveled to their home state of Indiana, where kitten Hazel and Australian shepherd puppy Harley joined the brood. No word yet on whether the bunny will go on a book tour. Bill would require pet stores to sell rescue animals http://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/state/article173332256.html By KATHLEEN RONAYNE Associated Press California could become the first state to ban the sale of animals from so-called puppy mills or mass breeding operations under legislation sent Thursday to Gov. Jerry Brown by lawmakers. Animal rights groups are cheering the bill by Democratic Assemblyman Patrick O'Donnell to require pet stores to work with animal shelters or rescue operations if they want to sell dogs, cats or rabbit. Thirty-six cities in California, including Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Francisco already have similar bans in place, but no statewide bans exist. ADVERTISING "We've actually seen a thriving pet industry based on the model of getting these from shelters," said Democratic Assemblyman Matt Dababneh of Encino. Brown spokesman Brian Ferguson declined to comment on whether the governor plans to sign it. Private breeders would still be allowed to sell dogs, cats and rabbits directly to individuals. Supporters of the bill say it's aimed at encouraging families and individual buyers to work directly with breeders or to adopt pets in shelters. It also would ensure animals are bred and sold healthily and humanely, supporters said. Few pet stores in California are still selling animals and many already team up with rescue organizations to facilitate adoptions, according to O'Donnell's office. "Californians spend more than $250 million a year to house and euthanize animals in our shelters," O'Donnell said in a statement. "Protecting the pets that make our house a home is an effort that makes us all proud." The bill would also require pet stores to maintain records showing where each dog, cat or rabbit it sells came from and to publicly display that information. A violation of the law would carry a $500 civil fine. Stone Bridge Preserve: Conservation Project Creates New England Cottontail Habitat https://newtownbee.com/stone-bridge-preserve-conservation-project-creates-new-england-cottontail-habitat/ In light of its goal to provide diversity in natural habitats, the Conservation Commission on September 8 provided the public with a view of the markedly changed landscape at sections of the town’s Stone Bridge Preserve, where extensive recent tree cutting has created habitat suitable for the New England cottontail rabbit to thrive. According to the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), the New England cottontail is Connecticut’s only native rabbit, and differs from the Eastern cottontail, which is “now the predominant species.” Also, “New England cottontails require large patches of shrubland or young forest, often called thickets, with dense, tangled vegetation.” The New England cottontail has been designated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as “a candidate for threatened or endangered status,” since 2006. The open space land where the tree cutting occurred lies along Stone Bridge Trail, a narrow dirt road that extends northward from Berkshire Road (Route 34), just south of Nighthawk Lane. The area is adjacent to the Iroquois Gas Transmission System’s cross-country pipeline. The tree cutting in the heavily canopied forest created a young forest and shrublands known as “early successional habitat.” As people toured the rolling terrain where hundreds of mature trees have been cut, they remarked that the tree trunks that lay chockablock across the ground reminded them of the damage that is done by hurricanes. Actually, after loggers cut the trees last winter, they left the tree trunks in piles scattered across the site to deter deer from walking there. The presence of deer damages the new shrubland habitat for the New England cottontail. The habitat that was created also is expected to benefit more than 50 other species. Forester Jeremy Clark, who served as the project manager for the Conservation Commission, provided a tour of the area. Iroquois provided grant funds for a forest management plan that preceded the habitat project. Mr Clark said that some “seed trees” were left standing after the cutting to provide seed for new trees to grow in the area. Lisa Wahle, a biologist who worked on the habitat project, said that the area will be scientifically monitored to gauge the extent to which New England cottontail rabbits have populated the area. Of the habitat project, the Conservation Commission states on its website, “Newtown is committed to providing diverse habitat on appropriate open space properties that will provide, shelter, food, and protection for threatened wildlife that, without intervention, may become extinct.” © Copyrighted
From the 2016 Plant Biosecurity CRC Science Exchange: This talk explores the importance of incursion response tools from an end-user perspective, highlighted through a tomato potato psyllid and Candidatus Liberibacter case study. The tomato potato psyllid (TPP) is a tiny sap-sucking insect that feeds on tomato, potato, capsicum, chilli and nightshade plants and can transmit the devastating bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso). CLso wreaks havoc on crops causing stunting, distorted and discoloured leaves and stem death. In 2010, TPP/CLso cost New Zealand NZ$50 M per annum in crop losses and NZ$12 M in agrichemicals. TPP has recently been found in Australia. Authors: Jessica Lye; Gabrielle Vivian-Smith; Jessica Dohmen-Vereijssen