Baby Lowland Gorilla Observed as it was being born!

http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildplaces/congo/updates/babyGorilla.cfm?enews=enews0208t

This is a wonderful little article from World Wildlife Fund.

Raffle Prizes mailed today

The raffle prizes were mailed today (all but the BB calendars which are not finished yet- they should be ready to go in a week or two).

-Rita

UPDATE: All the BB calendars were mailed 12/11/07 so everyone should have rec'd their raffle prizes in time for Xmas.

Thanks for playing!

Introducing Our "Adopted" Silverback Gorilla, Rano!

Here's our handsome leading man- Rano- whom we all adopted based on the funds raised for the charity auction!!

Here's some of his bio:

Umushikirano, better known as Rano, is a 14 year-old silverback from Beetsme's group, one of the main groups of mountain gorillas monitored by DFGFI.

Rano was born in 1992 to Fuddle and has two sisters (Mawingu, 25, Taraja, 7) and two brothers (Bilbo, 28, and Joliami, 19). Both brothers are also lone silverbacks whose current location remains unknown.

Rano can be recognized very easily by his nose which has a distinctive cut. His kindness and easygoing demeanor allow trackers to get good photos of him because he seems to always be ready for a photo opportunity.

Rano is now what is known as a lone silverback, in that he has moved away from his natal group. He has been making attempts to form his own group since then. He managed to garner two females to join him for a short period of time but soon lost them to another group that ranges into the Congo border.

DFGFI lost contact with him between 9/06 thru 4/07 but he's back.

Rano continues to be monitored and allows a great opportunity for the DFGFI staff to learn more about the fascinating lives of mountain gorillas.

RAFFLE ITEMS WILL BE MAILED SOON

I have not yet mailed the winners' their prizes yet- please bear with me as I do all the packaging, labelling, etc. I will probably be able to mail these all out by Monday. I'll keep you all updated via the blog.

Meanwhile look below this post and you'll see what was done w/ the $500 we raised. :) Great job everyone!

Thanks,
Rita

Wildlife Direct

Yeah! The other $200 went to WildlifeDirect, the foundation started by Richard Leakey. The funds go directly to those working in the field. You can follow their progress via their blogs.

http://www.wildlifedirect.org/blogAdmin/gorilla

Here's our receipt! (below). Thank you everyone for making this possible!! :)

-Rita

Dear Rita Bellanca,This email confirms that you have paid Africa Conservation Fund, Inc. (donations@wildlifedirect.org) $200.00 USD using PayPal.

Item Name: Gorilla Protection - Free Donation

Total: $200.00 USD

Africa Conservation Fund, Inc.

Contact E-Mail: donations@wildlifedirect.org

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Benefits from our Raffle!

I just wanted to share a sneak peek with those of you who participated in this raffle! Using $300 of the funds we raised, I have "adoped" a silverback gorilla from the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund for us!! Under the name "Altered Artists" because I thought that seemed to cover most of us quite nicely. :)

Anyway, here's the receipt. In a couple weeks I'll be able to post the official 'adoption' certificate along w/ the bio of the gorilla we all adopted!!!!!!!

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International

RECEIPT

Item Quantity Description Amount
---- -------- ----------- ------
ADT-SBK-300-I-000 1 Silverback Adoption 300.00


Adopter's Name to Appear on Certificate: Altered Artists


Stay tuned for more info on where the other $200 is going....

-Rita

WINNERS OF THE RAFFLE! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

We raised the unprecedented amount of $500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am completely floored! I can't tell you what a happy dance I've been doing!!

Here are the PRIZE WINNERS!!! Note that some prizes below were not posted on the blog. They are last minute donations, enabling us to have even more winners!! :)

"New Directions in Altered Books" book- Bruce Gendler

"More Ephemera" book- Carol Stocker

Floral mounted stamps- Caryl Hoobler

High School Student Pen and Ink drawing- Chel Stroud

Kim Owens' Framed ATC- Cheryl Connell

"Designing with Words" book- Cheryl Wrede

Hands Fatbook- Chris Miser

Old Woman Doll- Dawn Lippencott

"Vintage Paper Crafts" book- Debbie Metti

Houses set 2- Donna Winchell

stamping up stamp sets- Elizabeth Johnson

Brown fatbook- Francine Domschine-Hill

Jeanette Coates' sea mirror- Gina Smith

Somerset Life Magazine- Jo Anne Owens

Insect stamps- Joan Hoffman

gypsy purse to alter- Kellie Gedert

Cris Peacock's Bird Necklace- Kim Owens

ATC AAO Anniv. Fatbook- Kristie LaRose

Indian Print- Lisa Myers Bulmash

Cheryl Wrede's magic 8 Gypsy Ball- Llynn Huntley

Charm Bracelet- Margaret Fowler

UM grab bag- Paula Buchanon

BB Calendar 2008-2009- Priscilla Schrock

Houses set 1- Rosa Munoz

Heros stamp sets- Jeanette Coates

set of Dog-themed stamps- Michele Glick

Holiday-themed stamps- Mollye Self

BB Calendar 2008-2009- Carrie Mercer

A Huge THANK YOU Goes to the following AMAZINGLY GENEROUS contributers- both artists who donated their artwork and those who bought (and bought!) raffle tickets! A heartfelt THANK YOU to you, on behalf of the Gorillas!!!!!

Bruce Gendler
Carmela Owens
Carol Stocker
Carrie Mercer
Caryl Hoobler
Cathy Dodt-Ellis
Cheryl Connell
Cheryl Wrede
Chris Miser
Cris Peacock
Dawn Lippincott
Debbie Metti
Delorse Lovelady
Donna Winchell
Elizabeth Johnson
Esti Huff
Francine Domschine-Hill
Gina Smith
Gwen Delmore
Holly Riedel
Jamie Sells
Jeanette Coates
Jo Anne Owens
Joan Hoffman
Joan Riggs
Joann Nestlerode
Kara Hartz
Kay Jackson
Kellie Gedert
Kim Kline
Kim Owens
Kristie LaRose
Lexy Tibbits
Lisa Carney
Lisa Myers-Bulmash
Llynn Huntley
Margaret Fowler
Marilyn Damschen
Michele Glick
Mija M Andrade
Moonchild Originals
Paula Buchanon
Julie O'Neill
Priscilla Schrock
Rosa Munoz
Shari Day
Shezadoozey
Strawberry Anarchy
Chel Stroud (ZNE)
Bad Baby group

And of course CHUBBYVILLE andAAO ARTISTS!