DRL'S NOMINEE FOR THE SILVER SPOON AWARD!

Marion Pellicano Ambrose



Master Chef Amy

 She can whip up three square meals, a snack and enrichment food for over 40 hungry residents each day. The food is fresh, tasty, nutritious, and fun to eat. She delivers and loves to prepare her fans’ favorite recipes! That’s why Amy is DRL’s nominee for the Silver Spoon Award, and Chef of the Century!





Each bucket contains special ingredients for each ape's diet

 Amy is the master chef at the Center for Great Apes in Wachula, Florida. The fans she feeds – Orangutans and Chimpanzees of all sizes and ages. Each one has a special formula for what nutrition is needed. A mixture of fruits, veggies, special biscuits, proteins (such as peanut butter) and special treats like pickles, frozen lemonade pops, bamboo filled with frozen juice, and much more are concocted each and every day.            



Want some of my pumpkin?





Frozen lemonade treats

  From the moment Amy arrives in the morning until she leaves in the evening, she chops, peels, dices, slices and prepares. In between, she cleans like a white tornado. Every time a delivery of Ape Chow arrives, she completely empties the pantry, sweeps and scrubs and puts the new chow bags on the bottom and the older chow on top. The cabinets too are emptied and scrubbed regularly. All the perishable ape food is stored in one of three giant refrigerators or freezers(no people food allowed!). The large walk-in holds huge bags of onions, broccoli, mangos (I know because I peeled 4 cases of them today!), and other assorted veggies. The large freezer was filled with the several large cases of individually frozen lemonade cups that will help the apes keep cool and enjoy a frosty treat tomorrow. The large slider refrigerator was where I found the giant jars of pickles the apes love so much. I made 50 treat boxes which consisted of putting some crinkled brown paper in an empty box (pasta, cereal etc.) or empty paper towel rolls, then adding a handful of sliced pickles, then adding more crinkled paper. Other treats might include nuts, dried fruits and fresh fruits.The apes love to discover the treat hidden in the wrapping. They also enjoy tearing up the crinkled paper. Grub, the chimpanzee loves to use the paper to make masks! 

Amy makes sure each ape gets exactly what he or she needs to be healthy and happy at the Center for Great Apes. She’s even written a cookbook filled with the favorite recipes of all the apes. Most of the meals and treats they enjoy are good for people too!  You can try Tango's Cucumber Melon Salad, Pongo's Vegetable Burgers,  Angel's Sweet Potato Fries or Roger's Roasted Vegetable Hummus, These recipes and more can be found in The Center For Great Apes Recipe  Book by Amy Knighton. Have trouble getting your kids to eat healthy food? Try Oopsies' Citrus Smiling Faces or Ripley's Mango Smoothie! Each recipe has a picture of the food with the Chimpanzee or Orangutan that loves it best!  I'm making Geri's Lemon-Elderberry Pineapple Upside Down Cake this week!



Frozen Bamboo Pops are a favorite!

 Whenever I work in the Feed Room (what most people would consider the ape kitchen!), I have a blast making all the specialties Amy teaches me to concoct. Today, while I made the treat boxes outside the back door, Bam Bam sat right behind me watching and making "raspberries" to get my attention. I think he wanted to help. Either that or he couldn’t wait to have one of the special hidden enrichment treats! Check out the You Tube video below. It shows a Valentine's Day Enrichment treat.  facebook.com/#!/CenterForGreatApes?sk=app_3801015922
 Later I moved into the feed room to peel the mangos. Bam Bam moved to where he could peer in the window and watch while he cooled off in the shade with a large fan blowing his beautiful red hair around. He was one happy camper! I was too because he was great company.



Watermelon, Mango, Lychee Cake

 

The Center receives huge fresh produce deliveries twice a week so all the fruit and veggies are super fresh. Everything is prepared in immaculate conditions under Amy’s watchful eye.  From HUGE Christopher to little Stryker and special little guy, Knuckles, Amy gives them what they love and what they need for optimum health. But the reason we nominate her for the silver spoon is because, in addition to all this, it’s so obvious that she truly loves these special creatures, and they love her. So, here’s to you Amy, our choice for the Silver Spoon and Chef of the Century, for your love, compassion, kindness and expertise in service to the Center for Great Apes.

Halloween Enrichment Treats

For information about The Center For Great Apes Recipe Book by Amy Knighton, contact: https://www.facebook.com/#!/CenterForGreatApes?sk=app_3801015922 

FRIENDS WITH.....

Tony Walker

Friends With Benefits. I have another word for it but Barbara was going to beat me up so I am going with FWB.
Surely most of you (if not all of you) have had a special friend who is there for you if you know what I mean.
I had two FWB's.... not at the same time although that would've been nice.... I mean I had one at one time and another during another time in my life.
I loved having a friend like that. We would meet, talk for a few minutes, laugh, then have some mind blowing sex with NSA. I would get into more detail but I promised Barbara I'd behave with this post.... damn!
One guy I know got his wife's permission to find a "buddy" because her sex drive is nowhere near his. He hasn't found a steady FWB but he's trying. His wife knowing about it is pretty crazy right?
A girl I knew used to meet a guy just to make out with him once in a while. Does that count as a FWB?
Have you ever heard the stories about after someone dies everyone finds out that that person had a girlfriend for most of his life that no one knew about? Some of them actually have a double life where they have a whole other family! Does that count? I know someone who actually led a double life for a while. Married at home but also spent time with a girl. They were so close he knew her whole family!
Why do we need friends like this? Do you do things with that person that you wouldn't do with anyone else? Do you actually have feelings for that person? Is there a level of excitement about having NSA sex? Is it to fill a void in a single person's life?
Tell us what you think. Have you ever had a FWB? Tell us some juicy stories about your adventures with your buddy! Tell us if emotions or feelings got in the way. Tell us if you've ever been caught. Tell us anything you want!

Are you ready for “Hurricane Emily”?

Information from http://www.hurricaneprepcenter.com/hurricane-emily-2011

A storm forming in the tropics may become Hurricane Emily. Within the next 4-5 days, it will effect the east coast of Florida so NOW is the time to prepare. If the storm avoids crossing over land, it could strengthen to a hurricane of any catagory. Meteorologists will have a better idea over the next few days as to how strong this storm will become. STAY INFORMED and PREPARED!

If you decide to stay in your home during Hurricane Emily, make sure you make a Survival Kit. Most of the Hurricane Emily Survival Kit can be put together and stored will in advance of any storm. The kit should include:

At least a full gallon of water per person per day for 7 days.

An assortment of non-perishable foods, like canned food, chips, snack foods for 7 days

Hand-can opener, paper plates, paper cups, plastic utensils

First aid supplies

Proper clothing (rain coats and boots)

Special needs food for babies, elderly and pets (if applicable)

Toilet Paper, Moisture wipes, Hygiene products

Multiple flashlights

Battery-operated radio and/or TV

Multiple sets of batteries for flashlights, radio, TV and other needs

Once Hurricane Emily starts to form and appears as though it might head your way, you should always:

Keep your gas tanks filled

Keep cash on you (all denominations and small bills) and make credit card payments if they are near maxed.

Fill all prescriptions

Test all battery-operated electronics

Gather entertainment items, like books, games, cards, toys, etc

Securing Your Home from Hurricane Emily

Knowing what weather forces your home is vulnerable to is the key to reducing any damage that might occur from Hurricane Emily. You should know if your home can be damaged by wind, water surge and/or flooding. There are various ways to secure your home from the weather scenarios that Hurricane Emily might produce. You should make sure the exterior of your home is as strong as possible by securing doors, garage doors, roof, shutters and windows. For more information on securing your home from high winds, visit: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/retrofit/secure_home.shtml

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale breaks down hurricanes into the following categories:

• Category 1 (winds of 74-95 mph): If Hurricane Emily becomes a category 1, you can expect little damage to buildings (other than mobile homes), coastal flooding and small amounts of property damage.
• Category 2 (winds of 96-110 mph): If Hurricane Emily becomes a category 2, you can expect roof damage to homes and businesses, broken windows, small trees uprooted.
• Category 3 (winds of 111-130 mph): If Hurricane Emily becomes a category 3, you can expect large trees being uprooted, structural damage to some homes and businesses, coastal flooding will destroy many structures.
• Category 4 (winds of 131-155 mph): If Hurricane Emily becomes a category 4, you can expect beach erosion, inland flooding, residential roof failure and major structural damage to businesses.
• Category 5 (winds of 131-155 mph): If Hurricane Emily becomes a category 5, you can expect massive evacuations of residential areas, complete structural failure on many residences and businesses.

As Hurricane Emily Bears Down, Pay Attention to Watches, Warnings and Evacuation Notifications

A hurricane watch is often issued if there is a possibility that your area could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. A Hurricane Warning is issued to your area if you can expect 74 mph or higher winds within 24 hours. Know what each of these mean to your area so you can plan accordingly as Hurricane Emily approaches. ALWAYS HEED THE ADVICE OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND ALWAYS EVACUATE WHEN ORDERED.

As hurricane season comes and progresses, you should constantly monitor all hurricanes and pay close attention to what's "brewing" in the waters. Some of the best resources for tracking Hurricane Emily are:

• NOAA Weather Radio
• Your Local News Stations
• Weather.com
• National Hurricane Center

WANNA LAUGH?!?!

Two cannibals capture an explorer. Both are hungry & they decide to share him. One cannibal starts at the feet the other starts at the head. After about 5 minutes of gnawing away the first cannibal asks the other, "How are you doin?
"Great!" The other replies, "I'm having a ball!"
"Well slow down! You're going too fast!"

NOW I AM A FOOD CRITIC...

LONG ISLAND CHEESEBURGER

Last week I had a day of shopping planned. My new niece will be Christened next month and we were out looking for the must haves for her big day. It happened to be about 110 degrees outside and we were starving. Right next to the children's boutique is a burger joint I probably have passed a gazillion times in my life, yet never stopped in. It's one of those places that you think to yourself...that place is probably really good, but then keep going. Don't pass up on this place next time!

We walked in and it was like we stepped back into time...a real 1950's feel. We instantly were made comfortable by our super friendly waitress. She offered us the best seats in the house with their close proximity to the air-conditioner. Drinks were ordered and the Trivia Pursuit cards came out. My sister-in-law ordered a veggie wrap with sweet potato fries, Sarah my eldest daughter Thai wings, Gracie her old reliable chicken nugget and fries. I decided to go with a flat bread pizza. Everything was awesome! Portions were great! The waitress asked us a few times if we would like free refills of our drinks.

The bill came and we were pleasantly surprised at how incredibly reasonable our meal was! Long Island Cheeseburger is under new management and the two guys who took it over were both really nice guys who took the time to talk to us. They are proud of their new endeavor and I looking forward to them reaping the rewards of good food, great atmosphere, and VERY reasonable pricing!


BEST OF LUCK TO LONG ISLAND CHEESEBURGER! Next time you are down in Wantagh, New York check it out! It's worth it!!


3261 Merrick Rd.,
Wantagh, NY
516-679-6526

TWO YEARS AGO THE ACCIDENT, NOW THE HBO DOCUMENTARY "THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH AUNT DIANE"

Tony Walker

The other night I was watching a documentary about the accident in upstate NY where a woman was driving on the wrong side of the parkway & ended up hitting a car straight on, killing 8 people including herself.
Prayers & well wishes were coming in from all over the world when this tragedy happened. At the same time everyone was wondering what happened? Did the woman have a heart attack? A stroke?
A few days later the police dept revealed that this woman had traces of alcohol & pot in her system.
The prayers turned to hate.
While I too felt outraged at towards this woman, I couldn't believe the things that were said about this woman according to this documentary. Any four letter word you can think of was used. But what upset me the most was a web site that spotlighted all the people you'll see in hell. This woman was one of them. It was an actual web site, decorated to look like hell with the faces of the people you'll see there.
I'm sorry.... I completely understand the anger people are feeling, especially the families who were involved, but there is something wrong when society allows this kind of hate to be spread. The woman is dead. Is spreading this kind of crap for her husband & child to see going to help? Was the child the one who drove the car? I don't get it. I'm not knocking anyone... I'm just saying that I think it's sad that people feel that level of hate.
The family of this woman are attempting to clear this woman's name by trying to have new tests done but so far they have not had much luck. Everything looks like it was handled correctly.
If everything was handled correctly then this woman got off easy by dying. She never had to face the families of those she affected. However the spread of hate does not change a thing & just causes more damage. I don't know.... I've never been involved in a situation like this. Maybe if I was I would feel differently. Hopefully I'll never be involved in something as tragic as this.
The closest I ever came was back in 94 or 95 I was doing some conduit work for a bridge expansion. I was carrying a 20 foot PVC pipe when a drunk driver blasted through the job site & hit the pipe I was carrying then crashing into the pallet full of pipes. The pipe I was carrying went into a million pieces & I was shaking in my boots. I was furious with this man but that doesn't mean I wanted things said about him on web sites. The authorities caught him & that's enough for me.
Tell us what you think. Have you ever been in an unfortunate incident like this & felt so much hatred?

SOUL FOOD

Barbara Ward-Finneran

Your dreams remain only dreams unless you actively pursue them. 

Trust your heart to know what you are meant to do. 

Step up to the challenge. 

Thrive under the pressure - for darkness and doubts as dark as coal are born to diamonds that way. 

Keep the promises that you make to yourself!

Photo Courtesy of Barbara Ward-Finneran and Drawn 2 Design, LLC

©  All Rights Reserved

DRL OBITUARIES

Boy, Pillsbury Dough

SAD NEWS - Please join me in remembering YET ANOTHER great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Dough Boy died yesterday of a yeast infection and traumatic complications from repeated pokes to the belly. He was 71. Dough Boy is survived by his wife Play Dough, three children, John Dough, Jane Dough, and Dill Dough, plus they had one in the Oven. Services were held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

Sense, Common

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
Why the early bird gets the worm;
Life isn't always fair;
and Maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn)and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6 -year- old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Tylenol, sun lotion or a band-aid to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents , Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 3 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone....

SUNDAY TRIVIA

Did You Know...

Abraham Lincoln, who invented a hydraulic device for lifting ships over shoals, was the only US president ever granted a patent.

Antarctica is the only continent without reptiles or snakes.

Baskin Robbins once made ketchup ice cream. This was the only vegetable flavored ice cream produced.

Bats are the only mammal that can fly and bats have only one baby a year.

Elvis Presley made only one television commercial - an ad for "Southern Maid Doughnuts" that ran in 1954.

Hawaii has the only royal palace in the United States - Iolani.

James Buchanan was the only US president never to be married.

Libra, the Scales, is the only inanimate symbol in the zodiac.

Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature.

Swans are the only birds with penises.

Teeth are the only parts of the human body that can't repair themselves.

The hummingbird is the only bird that can fly backwards.

The hyoid bone in the throat is the only bone in the human body not joined to another.

The only lizard that has a voice is the Gecko.

The only repealed amendment to the US Constitution deals with the prohibition of alcohol.

The only river that flows both north and south of the equator is the Congo. It crosses the equator twice.

The only rock that floats in water is pumice.

The only active diamond mine in the United States is in Arkansas.

The pecan tree is the only naturally growing nut tree in North American. It is native to the Texas, Mississippi and Mexico River Valleys.

The penguin is the only bird that can swim, but not fly. It is also the only bird that walks upright.

The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial (pouched mammal) indigenous to North America.

The only country in the world that has a Bill of Rights for Cows is India.

The Bledowska Desert in Poland is the only true desert in Europe.

There is only one Q in a Scrabble game.

There's only one city in the United States named merely "Beach." It is found in North Dakota, which is a land-locked state.

Libra, the Scales, is the only inanimate symbol in the zodiac.

Maine is the only state in the United States whose name is just one syllable.

Uranus is the only planet that rotates on its side.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS JULY 31

1981 Eric Lively (29)

1966 Dean Cain (44)

1965 J.K. Rowling (45)

1964 Jim Corr (46)

1962 Wesley Snipes (48)

1958 Bill Berry (52)

1958 Mark Cuban (52)