Andrew Koenig, R.I.P.

Yesterday in my newscast on WVUM, I reported that Andrew Koenig had been missing since February 14th. The son of Walter Koenig (the original Chekov from Star Trek), he was best known for his role as "Boner" on the 1980's sitcome Growing Pains. I grew up a big fan of Growing Pains (though don't get me started on Kirk Cameron these days, not so much a fan there) and so it was odd to hear about Koenig after so many years of not. This morning, I read that they found Koenig's body in Vancouver Park and that he had commit suicide. It's always sad when people die (and hell, people die every day who aren't famous at all and it's sad to anyone who knew them), and although some say ignorant things about how selfish someone is to take their own life, it was even sadder still to read that Walter Koenig's understood that his son must have been in a lot of pain.

I can't say I was a huge fan and follower of Koenig, because I hadn't really thought about him since my youthful days of Growing Pains re-runs. However, reading over his life, I'm sad that I didn't know more about him. He was an activist for many causes, including being outspoken about the situation in Burma, being an environmental and animal rights activist, as well as being vegan. Some people grow successful or live off the money of previous success, and do nothing. They enjoy being well off and spend their time on themselves. This man obviously cared about the world and I think it's safe to say that we're all the worse for it without someone like him around.

My heart goes out to Koenig's family.

Jiminy Glick Interviews Ronald McDonald.

Jiminy Glick Interviews 'Ronald McDonald' - watch more funny videos

I'm not sure whether Martin Short is veg*n, but I know Andy Dick is. Either way, kudos to both for exposing yet-again the cruelty and greed of Ronald McDonald's corporation, in a humorous manner.

Sabbath Memorial Rescue Needs Your Help!

Meet Chowder:

He's one of the many animals who are currently residing at the Sabbath Memorial Rescue, a non-profit, no-kill animal rescue here in Miami. While he is happily awaiting his adoption, he does not realize that his life is currently in danger as he and the other 150 or so dogs (and cats) that live at the rescue may be euthanized soon due to the possibly closing of the shelter.

I just received a message about this and thought i'd pass it along. We have so very few animal rescues here that it would be a complete pity to have another one shut down, resulting in dozens of animals being euthanized. Read on:

"Because of a kennel license violation, Miami Dade Animal Services director, Sara Pizano, has put a $5000 lien on the farm land where Sabbath Rescue is located. They have intimidated the owner of the land to such an extent that he refused to fight the citation/with our lawyer present. Sabbath has been ordered off the farm in 12 days. They will fight this but regardless if Animal Services sees they have not moved in time it is their intention to forcibly take the 150 dogs they have to their slaughter.

Quite simply they lack a Kennel license. They have been at this for 9 years and never bothered by AS over this issue. Now they want to fine the owner of the property and have them removed rather than give them the license. It truly makes no sense for they are not a kennel. A kennel is a for profit business and they are a rescue, totally different. That is it. Over a piece of paper that could be issued to them they would rather close them down and kill their dogs. 150 of them.


Note from Sabbath Rescue: I am suggesting the following......Please send to your contacts to help us with this if you feel you would like to. Thank you. If after reading the below information and you want to help please notify...

Mayor Carlos Alvarez
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street, 29th floor
Miami, Florida 33128

mayor@miamidade.gov

Phone 305-375-5071
Fax 305-375-3618

He has the power to end this problem by issuing an order to grant Sabbath Memorial Dog Rescue Center, Inc. a kennel license so we may continue to operate our shelter. In most communities in America a person can operate a Rescue (which is non-profit) and not need any other special permitting. Here we need a kennel license which is a for profit business and has nothing to do with rescue. Please support Sabbath Dog Rescue and the 150 dogs we not have. Thank you.

Need I say more? Please call Robbie at 305-799-1567 if you want to help. Writing Mayor Alvarez is how this dilemma can end.

After 9 years and 2500 dogs AS could have grand-fathered this license in but they chose not to.

To all: Robbie needs all the help he can get. If you feel you can help please call him.

IF ANIMAL RESCUES EVER NEEDED TO BOND TOGETHER AND FIGHT SOMETHING THIS IS IT."

PS. PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS! If you seriously want a new pet, go adopt one. People don't realize how selfish it is to continue to carelessly breed more animals when so many are going uncared for and euthanized as a result.

Take Action Against the Fur Industry! - Pass The Truth In Fur Labeling Act!

As a vegetarian and an animal lover, I am very much against the use of fur in clothing. I've seen the videos and read the articles and know enough to not only feel, but to know that the fur industry is corrupt and inhumane. While I might not be the girl with the bucket of fake blood waiting for the next douchbag to walk out of Macy's with a fur coat, I am pretty outraged at hearing that apparently fur products that cost under $150 don't require having a label saying that the product has real fur. Yes, you heard me right. The public is being deceived (for the millionth time.) And this time, it's personal. I've made the same mistake as the woman in the video who didn't see a fur tag on the jacket and thus naturally assumed it was acrylic. Perhaps you've also made the same mistake in the past, hoping to not support to the fur industry but doing so mistakenly.

It only takes a minute to send a letter to your representative (the Human Society has provided this form for all to fill out, which locates your representatives immediately.) Please ask them to push this act forward!

Drive-Ins Making A Comeback?

For as long as i've known, the only drive-in theater anywhere near Miami was the one located at the Swap Shop, which is a good hour drive north in Ft. Lauderdale. I have fond memories of making the drive up with friends and then splitting the cost of one ticket while the rest of us hid in the trunk w/ snacks and booze. It was always a good time, despite the distance and the well, let's face it, "ghettoness" that is the Ft. Laud Swap Shop. In all seriousness, the Swap Shop has received tons of negative press for its general filth as well as the fact that it used to have a circus (which included elephants and a tiger), which it finally closed down a few years ago. I haven't been back to the Swap Shop since I was maybe 19 years old, so I don't know what the condition of it is these days (although I'm happy to hear those animals aren't being kept there anymore - though god knows where they might be now..) However, the point of this wasn't to rant about the Swap Shop, but rather to bring up an article I read in the Times about a new form of guerilla drive-in, or "mobile movies" as they're calling them. Apparently, people throughout the country are setting up impromptu drive-ins, using projectors to play films on blank walls on the sides of buildings and rallying people to go and watch. I just signed up for their Miami, Coral Gables, and Pompano Beach chapters in hopes that one gets arranged soon. A drive-in movie sounds like an awesome idea for this summer, and maybe this time I won't have to hide in my trunk to avoid the extra fees.

Check out mobmov.org and join in the fun! Let me know if you get to attend one of these gatherings yourself, and take pictures!!