My motivation and my muse -

Colin is DETERMINED to finish his MAP this semester

Baby Minds, meanwhile, attempts to provide all of the necessary inspiration for manuscript writing...

For the Fall -

What Goes Around Comes Around scarf - SOLD OUT @ Singer22 - price $98.00


Another blurry picture of Caroline in a 'familiar' looking scarf - price $9.99

Ashram chic @ ashram prices

Above: Sir Alistair Rai Blueberry Raj Karma Scarf ($122.00) as seen on Drew Barrymore

Above: Blurry version of a scarf I got at Marshalls on Friday night ($11.99)

Seriously, $11.99!

French Toast @ Foster's

As good as it looks:)

What we do best -

Raleigh-Durham Hair Salon

A good rule of thumb for folks in Durham who are unsatisfied with.... well.... anything, is "go to Raleigh". As such, I checked out the much talked about Salon Kroma this week for the old cut/color. This place is FANTASTIC and I do not say that about many salons. I chose to schedule an appointment with Kim, the owner, which costs a bit more but, in my opinion, is well worth it, even if you only go to her for the color and get someone else to do the cut. She is a TIGI rep, which is always a good sign, and when I disucessed the nature of my chronically tight wallet, she very frankly worked with me to come up with deal that suited my needs. For all of you in search of a good salon, which according to Duke's GRADWOMEN listserv is everybody, consider Salon Kroma.

http://www.salon-kroma.com/cary_raleigh_hair_salons_aboutus.htm#chemically_dependent

Ban on chaining dogs OK'd Durham ordinance in effect in 2010; violators face fines

Congratulations Durham and thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this legislation! I've got to say that the clapping and cheering that erupted when the board voted in favor of this ordinance at Monday night's assembly was really powerful and, I think, a beautiful testament to Durham's commitment to animal welfare. We did it!

ARTICLE FROM THE NEWS AND OBSERVER

DURHAM - After two years of discussion and debate, county commissioners passed a ban on dog chaining Monday.

The new ordinance goes into effect for both city and county residents in 2010.

Durham now becomes the second Triangle jurisdiction in which dogs cannot be tied up or chained outdoors. They instead must be brought indoors or placed inside an enclosure, such as a fence or large pen.

Dog owners who continue to chain their animals after Jan. 1, 2010, will be given warnings. After July 1, 2010, they will face fines ranging from $50 to $150 if they fail to comply. If they are faced with criminal charges, the penalties could be more.

The public debate on whether to create such a law in Durham began in 2006 at the urging of the InterNeighborhood Council, which represents more than a dozen communities.

Proponents of the ban say chained dogs can become more aggressive and dangerous, their constant unhappy barking can be a public nuisance, and forcing an animal to spend its life on the end of a chain is just plain cruel.

Cindy Bailey, Durham's animal control director, said Monday that in nearly 20 years in the field, most of the cases she sees of animal cruelty result from a dog being chained and not being able to reach its food, water or shelter. Often, a dog can be injured by its chain, she said.

Other dog owners were skeptical.

"Making people take their dogs off chains isn't going to make them treat their dogs any better," said Michelle Lennon, a Durham resident who said she has five dogs, which she trains for agility competitions and other events. Many of those against the ban said it is possible to chain or tether a dog in a responsible, humane way.

Effect on the poor

The most influential opponent was Commissioner Lewis Cheek, who cast the board's only vote against the ordinance.

He said low-income residents who could not afford to build fences could be adversely affected, including the elderly on fixed incomes.

"Sometimes their pets are the closest thing they have to a loved one," Cheek said.

But Cheek was outvoted 4 to 1 in favor of the new law.

Amanda Arrington, head of the county-appointed committee that wrote the new ordinance, smiled and hugged supporters after the vote.

"This is not a cure-all, but it's a step in the right direction," she said. Arrington is also the founder of the Coalition to Unchain Dogs, a nonprofit group that has built fences for 115 chained dogs in the past year and a half.

The group has agreed to continue its work in Durham County in support of the ordinance, as much as its funding will allow. Last week, the group raised about $6,000 in a fundraising concert and has raised about $50,000 since its inception almost two years ago, Arrington said.

The group spends about $250 on average to build a fence for one dog, Arrington said.

Though some critics of the ban were dubious of the group's ability to serve all of Durham's chained dogs, Ellen Reckhow, chairwoman of the Board of Commissioners, was optimistic.

"They have agreed to rise to the challenge," Reckhow said. "I think we have a lot of time to get the word and help families that need assistance."

We love our Betsy!

Hilarious faces and all:)

Celebrating Betsy!

We met for brunch and by brunch I mean french toast, to celebrate our best friend bets!

Mat IS Rock Band

Betsy rock bands

PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!

Hey friends,

PLEASE READ BELOW: This is an incredibly important opportunity for Durham community memebers to show their support AGAINST dog tethering. The meeting will take place this Monday, at 200 East Mainstreet in downtown Durham @ 7 pm. Hope to see you there!

Dear caroline,

Thank you to everyone who attended the recent public hearing and contacted the Durham County commissioners! As you know, vital legislation that would restrict the cruel and dangerous practice of tethering is currently before the Durham County Board of Commissioners. The commissioners will now hold a meeting this Monday, September 8, to continue discussing this legislation. More help is needed to support this ordinance. Please attend the meeting to urge the commissioners to do the right thing by supporting the proposed anti-tethering ordinance.

The extremely cruel—and common—practice of keeping dogs chained, or "tethered," deprives these highly social pack animals of proper socialization and exercise and often leaves them unable to reach whatever shelter, food, and water has been provided for them. Many dogs grow aggressively protective of their tiny spaces and attack animals and people—including children—who come near them. Other dogs get tangled in their own chains and injure or strangle themselves.

Dozens of Americans have been attacked by chained dogs in the past year. In response to such attacks and cruelty-to-animals cases that involved severely neglected chained dogs, at least 115 U.S. jurisdictions have passed laws addressing this issue.

If it becomes law, the proposed ordinance would ban tethering, except when an animal is attended. The legislation also includes exemptions for dogs engaged in activities such as herding, hunting, and law enforcement.

Today, please take the following actions:

• Call, write, and e-mail the County Board of Commissioners, and politely urge them to support the proposed ordinance.
• Plan on attending the meeting on Monday, September 8, at 7 p.m. to show support for the ordinance. Opponents will attend in an attempt to defeat this legislation. You do not need to speak; just be there to show your support! The hearing will be held on the second floor of the Old County Courthouse at 200 E. Main St. in Durham.

Please remind your public officials that chained dogs are nearly three times as likely to attack as dogs who are not chained are. In addition, point out that children are the most common victims of attacks by chained dogs.

Also, please forward this message to others in the area who might be willing to lend their support to this important issue. Durham County's forgotten and neglected dogs are counting on you.

Thank you for your willingness to act and for your compassion for animals.

Sincerely,

Candace Hertzel
Legislative and Outreach Specialist
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal

Remind you of anyone?!

Today I received a wonderful email from Indy's family. As some of you may recall, Indy is Mindee's sister; I initially agreed to foster both kittens, but ended up adopting Baby Minds after finding Indy a home. Below is the email I received today from Indy's family. If you are in the triangle and think you might be interested in fostering or adopting an animal companion, please, please, please check out the Independent Animal Rescue group (IAR) at http://www.animalrescue.net/ . And now more from Baby Inds:

Hi Auntie C,

I just finished celebrating my birthday month of August and thought I would send you a little note.

I hope you are doing well and school is going along steadily and easily!

I have been up to no good, haha. I have had an incredible summer, I spend all day out in the sun room watching birds, lizards, frogs, I even saw a baby bunny this weekend. I love it out there! It smells wonderful and there is so much to watch.

I still like to dig in the plants, I can't help it. Otherwise, mom and Michael say I am a great kitty. I am so sweet that even if someone just talks to me (they don't have to even be close to me), I start PURRING. I sound like a harley davidson! I love hanging out in the bath tub, they let the water drip and I get soaking wet from attacking the water. I went to the vet for my checkup and she said I looked great (maybe a little chubby, but Mom disagrees). My eyes are bright, my fur is soft, and I smell good. I take good care of myself, I clean and primp and always look awesome.

I think about you and am so very grateful that you helped me find my mom and michael. They really love me so much. I am truly a very spoiled kitty and love it here.

I have included some new pictures!

Love always,
Indy (Barbara and Michael)

Another hot pic of Elms in her bathing suit

She is such a tookie meow meow it is ridiculous!