#Audubon Day events

[delicatelysublimeforester]

A Symphony of Songbirds: Audubon Day Launches City Nature Challenge

Spring is in the air, and on April 26, 2024, nature enthusiasts and bird lovers alike will have their binoculars and smartphones ready for Audubon Day – a celebration that spreads the wings of opportunity to enjoy the beauty of birds and wildlife. This year, Audubon Day coincides with the kick-off of the 2024 City Nature Challenge, a four-day blitz to discover the diverse wildlife that calls the…

[reasonsforhope]

"Fears that Nebraska’s annual spring migration of sandhill cranes could be the avian equivalent of a “superspreader” event have been completely abated, as a record-setting stopover in Nebraska of thousands of birds was enjoyed without any sign of a bird flu outbreak.

Three-quarters of a million cranes migrating north to their spring habitat landed in the Platte River in Nebraska. The number is deemed an underestimation, but you try counting more than 700,000 birds.

Fears that the highly contagious new strain of bird flu H5N1 could carry over to the cranes from livestock have been assuaged as the birds are beginning to move off again without a single dead crane being observed, local news reports.

Aside from the mini celebration of bird flu’s absence, the real celebration—that this year was the largest on-record for the sandhill crane migration—can begin.

The official estimate of 738,000 animals was made during aerial surveys by the Crane Trust, a nonprofit whose raison d’etre is to protect these magnificent birds and this unforgettable spectacle.

Pictured: Crane migration in Nebraska

These cranes have been visiting an 80-mile-long stretch of the Platte River, braided in some sections, for 9 million years, which these days lies between the towns of Chapman and Overton, Nebraska.

“What makes the central Platte River valley attractive to sandhill cranes is the river that we help manage,” says Matt Urbanski, a spokesman for the Crane Trust, to KSNB’s Madison Smith. “We will make sure that there’s not a ton of vegetation choking the river out. We’ll make sure that it can widen, so the sandhill cranes have six to eight inches of water to sit in during the nighttime.”

The sandhill crane stands between 3 and 4 feet tall, and is easily identifiable for its crown of red feathers and their rattling bugle-like call. It is one of only 2 species of crane that live in North America...

Interestingly, though the cranes have visited this site for eons, they did so even before there was a river there. Additionally, they now spend much of their time feeding on spare corn kernels leftover from nearby harvests, and spend the night standing in the water where they’re safe from predators.

Arrivals and departures are staggered over several weeks, but at peak stopover, it’s one of the great sights of natural America.

“There is nothing else like it in the world,” says Marcos Stoltzfus, director of the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon, Nebraska, to News Channel Nebraska."

-via Good News Network, April 3, 2025

[dandelionsresilience]

Good News - June 15-21

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $Kaybarr1735! And if you tip me and give me a way to contact you, at the end of the month I'll send you a link to all of the articles I found but didn't use each week!

1. Victory for Same-Sex Marriage in Thailand

“Thailand’s Senate voted 130-4 today to pass a same-sex marriage bill that the lower house had approved by an overwhelming majority in March. This makes Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia, and the second in Asia, to recognize same-sex relationships. […] The Thai Marriage Equality Act […] will come into force 120 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. It will stand as an example of LGBT rights progress across the Asia-Pacific region and the world.”

2. One of world’s rarest cats no longer endangered

“[The Iberian lynx’s] population grew from 62 mature individuals in 2001 to 648 in 2022. While young and mature lynx combined now have an estimated population of more than 2,000, the IUCN reports. The increase is largely thanks to conservation efforts that have focused on increasing the abundance of its main food source - the also endangered wild rabbit, known as European rabbit. Programmes to free hundreds of captive lynxes and restoring scrublands and forests have also played an important role in ensuring the lynx is no longer endangered.”

3. Planning parenthood for incarcerated men

“[M]any incarcerated young men missed [sex-ed] classroom lessons due to truancy or incarceration. Their lack of knowledge about sexual health puts them at a lifelong disadvantage. De La Cruz [a health educator] will guide [incarcerated youths] in lessons about anatomy and pregnancy, birth control and sexually transmitted infections. He also explores healthy relationships and the pitfalls of toxic masculinity. […] Workshops cover healthy relationships, gender and sexuality, and sex trafficking.”

4. Peru puts endemic fog oasis under protection

“Lomas are unique ecosystems relying on marine fog that host rare and endemic plants and animal species. […] The Peruvian government has formally granted conservation status to the 6,449-hectare (16,000-acre) desert oasis site[….] The site, the first of its kind to become protected after more than 15 years of scientific and advocacy efforts, will help scientists understand climatic and marine cycles in the area[, … and] will be protected for future research and exploration for at least three decades.”

5. Religious groups are protecting Pride events — upending the LGBTQ+ vs. faith narrative

“In some cases, de-escalation teams stand as a physical barrier between protesters and event attendees. In other instances, they try to talk with protesters. The goal is generally to keep everyone safe. Leigh was learning that sometimes this didn’t mean acting as security, but doing actual outreach. That might mean making time and space to listen to hate speech. It might mean offering food or water. […] After undergoing Zoom trainings this spring, the members of some 120 faith organizations will fan out across more than 50 Pride events in 16 states to de-escalate the actions of extremist anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups.”

6. 25 years of research shows how to restore damaged rainforest

“For the first time, results from 25 years of work to rehabilitate fire-damaged and heavily logged rainforest are now being presented. The study fills a knowledge gap about the long-term effects of restoration and may become an important guide for future efforts to restore damaged ecosystems.”

7. Audubon and Grassroots Carbon Announce First-of-its-Kind Partnership to Reward Landowners for Improving Habitats for Birds while Building Healthy Soils

“Participating landowners can profit from additional soil carbon storage created through their regenerative land management practices. These practices restore grasslands, improve bird habits, build soil health and drive nature-based soil organic carbon drawdown through the healthy soils of farms and ranches. […] Additionally, regenerative land management practices improve habitats for birds. […] This partnership exemplifies how sustainable practices can drive positive environmental change while providing tangible economic benefits for landowners.”

8. Circular food systems found to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, require much less agricultural land

“Redesigning the European food system will reduce agricultural land by 44% while dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 70%. This reduction is possible with the current consumption of animal protein. “Moreover, animals are recyclers in the system. They can recycle nutrients from human-inedible parts of the organic waste and by-products in the food system and convert them to valuable animal products," Simon says.”

9. Could Treating Injured Raptors Help Lift a Population? Researchers found the work of rehabbers can have long-lasting benefits

“[“Wildlife professionals”] tend to have a dismissive attitude toward addressing individual animal welfare,” [… but f]or most raptor species, they found, birds released after rehabilitation were about as likely to survive as wild birds. Those released birds can have even broader impacts on the population. Back in the wild, the birds mate and breed, raising hatchlings that grow up to mate and breed, too. When the researchers modeled the effects, they found most species would see at least some population-level benefits from returning raptors to the wild.”

10. Indigenous people in the Amazon are helping to build bridges & save primates

“Working together, the Reconecta Project and the Waimiri-Atroari Indigenous people build bridges that connect the forest canopy over the BR-174 road[….] In the first 10 months of monitoring, eight different species were documented — not only monkeys such as the golden-handed tamarin and the common squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus), but also kinkajous (Potos flavus), mouse opossums (Marmosops sp.), and opossums (Didelphis sp.).”

Bonus: A rare maneless zebra was born in the UK

June 8-14 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[u2fangirlie-blog]

Superb Owl Party 2025

Welcome to my Superb Owl party! Greetings owl!

Please enjoy these poorly made posters - with typos and all the skill of a middle school art student.

You are invited to your neighbor's annual Superb Owl party where you will meet the guests of honor who are vying for the title of Superb Owl.

Is that that a football or an owl's egg?

Remember, this is a human party and you should blend in. Do not unalive any guests.

[Yes. I know sign has typos. But it has GLITTER! A bloody stupid vampire made the posters.]

Now it is time to vote for the owl that is the greatest owl of all time!

Let me introduce the five contestants in the 2025 Superb Owl Contest. @herpsandbirds Paxon - I hope you approve!

Angelina - Stygian Owl

Angelina was a classical opera singer with a vocal range of four octaves. She became the lead singer of the metal band Talons of Death. The wildly popular band recorded two gold albums: Prey for Mercy and Night Screechers. Stygian owls have golden yellow eyes which glow red in low light, earning the nickname the devil’s owl. When not on the road with the band, she teaches music in local public schools.

Benjamin - Spot-Bellied Eagle Owl

Benjamin works for the United States Postal Service. He delivered bills and junk mail. Years of dedication, hard work, and attention to detail advanced his career. Now he works in the Dead Letter office deciphering illegible handwriting on envelopes in the Great Lakes district office. He enjoys chess and reading spy thrillers and murder mystery novels.

Bunny - Screech Owl

Bunny was a child star actor in popular nature shows, including Into the Wild with Jack Hanna. She was the runner-up for national bird of the United States, just behind the bald eagle. Today she models for Audubon and Birds and Blossoms. She creates mixed media artwork and builds avant-garde nests that are shown in art galleries around the world.

Jared - Spectacled Owl

Jared is a respected pundit and scholar of political science and philosophy. He is best known for his work on Foucault’s panopticon and state sponsored surveillance to control citizens. He’s an outspoken political activist. He enjoys world travel and eating exotic foods.  Recently, he wrote a dystopian science fiction novel and is waiting for a publisher to pick up the manuscript.

Nigel - Great Gray Owl

Nigel is in his third term as Prime Minister of the Parliament of Owls. His passion for serving owls and other species led to a life-long career in politics. He works for a better world for all animals and plants. His actions center on legislation to protect migration routes, conservation of wilderness habitats, and protection of endangered species. He enjoys touring the national parks and vacations in a cabin at Lake Tahoe.

Who is the superb owl! Please vote! Does anyone know how to create a poll? Please vote in the notes. Thanks!

Note: At the hospital were I work, the social wellbeing committee is having an office decorating contest for the Super Bowl. I work as an admin. assist. in a department currently has two people - myself and my boss. The office has space for 12 cubicles, and I'm the only one working here. The boss is only at the business offices one day a week, otherwise she's over at the main campus. To complicate matters, the office is locked on both sides and very few people ever come in. [Technically, my position is part of the administrative team, over on the main campus, but I never see anyone. Only one admin. assist. works with me remotely.] So how do I: 1) participate in social wellbeing and engage with coworkers, 2) decorate an office that is isolated from the outside world, 3) cleverly mock a sports event, and 4) be my true weird self? I choose the Superb Owl Party!

To make the decorations visible for people in the business center campus, I put the decorations in the hallway. We have a big white board that isn't attached to the wall. I put the posters on the white board and slid it out into the hallway! Then I notified a few people in other offices, "Hey, I decorated for the super bowl. Come over and see." And then I put out a little basket with a pen and sticky notes for people to cast their votes. At the end of the day on Friday, Bunny was the winner.

[graciegoeskrazy]

right where you left me

(Matty Healy x Swift!Teen!Reader)

warnings: crying, parental figures leaving, daddy issues, punching (not in graphic detail), lowk sad like

a/n: anon you get me we are on the same wavelength and I hope you likeyyyy!!!! what a hard time it is to be a matty taylor and gabi stan all at the same time😔✊🏽 here's "when we are together" (I wrote it so long ago I think its bad this is better don't judge me ok thx) although you don't technically have to read it b4 hand :)

Matty was prepared for his first day off in lord only knows how long. Gabi was out of town for a shoot in Paris, and he was all alone in their LA home. It was quiet, still

His phone rang, vibrating on the table. He picked it up and was met with a number he didn’t recognize. He wasn’t one to answer calls from random numbers, but he recognized the nearby area code, so he answered.

A chipper woman on the other side spoke, “Hello, is this Mr. Healy?”

He paused for a short second unsure of weather to tell the truth, lie, or hang up all together.

“Yeah, this is him.”

“Hi! This is Donna from Audubon Junior High. How are you?’

It didn’t click for him. Not until your name was spoken.

“I’m calling about Y/n Swift? She was in a physical altercation today during second period but her mother’s not answering and you were listed as her second emergency contact, after her mother. Is she or yourself available to come pick her up?”

He hesitated. He hadn’t heard that name for a very long time. Yet, in some way, it still felt second nature. He didn’t question the next words that fell out of his mouth. “Of course. I’ll be there soon.”

She said thank you and hung up. Matty grabbed his keys and walked out the door without a second doubt.

…

You weren’t one to get physical with anyone, Your mother raised you right. By herself nonetheless. But the combination of almost no sleep the night before, an empty stomach, and a heavy dose of PMS put you over the edge.

The girl has teased you before. Always about the stupidest shit. First it was your hair, or the way you dressed, which you and all your friends thought was completely dumb due to the fact you all wore the same uniform every day of the week. She never got to you. She was never more than a topic for you and your friends to laugh about while you ate your lunch. Today, however, she crossed a line.

You can’t even remember how she worded it. To blind with anger that drew you to bring your fist right into her face. It was something about your mom and her many ‘love affairs’. How she couldn’t keep a man because she was stuck with the baby she didn’t mean to have. You heard it all before wether it was online or in person or a random drunk girl of the street you recognized you. You had heard it all, and reacted all the same - ignoring it.

Today’s reaction was just a little different.

Wich is what led you to your current position, sitting outside the front office, arms crossed in silent defeat. Donna poked her head out not to long ago, telling you she made a call and someone was on their way to pick you up. You assumed it was your mom, or rather one of her team members. It’s too dangerous for her to go anywhere by herself.

Matty pulled into the parking lot in record time. Seeing Donna at the dront desk as he walked in the front door. He figured she knew. He figured the whole front office was speaking his hushed whispers about the events of nearly two years ago and your mothers infamous love affairs. They always had.

He walked into the school, the path to the front office vaguely familiar. He saw you slumpt on the chairs. He chuckled at the pout on your face, to lost in thought.

He leaned against the door frame, crossing his arms. “Didn’t know you had it in you, kiddo. Honestly.”

You didn’t have to turn your head to recognize the voice but you didn’t believe it. Rather you didn’t want to believe it. You looked up, matching the voice to the face. It really was him.

“What are you doing here?” you said, sounding almost breathless.

“School called.” He said, shrugging, as if that explained everything.

“Why?”

He chuckled, “They said you kicked a girls ass.”

“Well, why’d they call you.” You said, your tone uptight.

“Your mum didn’t answer, so they called your second emergency contact.” he said, giving a teasing smile as he walked toward you. “Guess it was never changed.”

“Mom knows you’re here? You called her?”

“Oh God, no.” He said, “That’s your job. I’m too scared for that.”

That got you to laugh a little, but it was only for a moment. 

“C’mon. Let me get you out of here.” He said as he stood up.

You hesitated. You didn’t meant to, but you did. He saw the twitch of doubt on your face and softened.

He knew what he put you through. It’s not like it was intentional, you knew that, but it still hurt. He knew you were used to man after man leaving and he vowed from the beginning he wouldn’t do the same. But, he did, and did it without saying goodbye.

He reached a hand out. An offering.

You stood and started walking with him, but didn’t take his hand.

He sighed as you both started for the door.

…

It was quiet for a few seconds. You didn’t live that far, only twenty minutes or so depending on how nice the LA traffic decided to be to you that day. You figured you could get away with mostly quiet for the time being. Matty thought otherwise.

“How’s life, kid?” He said, not knowing how else to start this conversation.

“Fine.” You said. Simple, holding no meaning or malice.

“You sure? People who are usually fine don’t punch people…”

You shrugged, “We have our moments.” You said.

He nodded. “She deserve it?”

“I don’t know. Said Mom didn’t want me. That I ruined her life.”

“Jesus.”

“I don’t know,” You continued, “Maybe she’s right?”

Matty didn’t say anything.

You looked at him, “When are you getting married?” You asked, tone holding no malice, just curiosity.

He paused before speaking, “Next year. June.”

His noticed the way he didn’t move his eyes from off the road. His grip tightened on the steering wheel.  You just hummed before saying, “Fun.”

“You’ll be invited, you know.” he said - a bad attempt at lightening the mood.

You scoffed, “Yeah, that’s not weird or anything.”

“Y/n-”

“No, really,” you said, voice laced with sarcasm, “Let’s invite the kid you ghosted to your wedding! Completely normal.”

“I didn’t ghost you-”

“You left Matty.” You said, turning to him. “You left me - and my mom - without saying a single goodbye. You didn’t text. You didn’t call. One day you were just... gone. And she didn’t talk about you. Not once. Like you never happened. Like I was stupid for caring.”

“What makes you think I don’t care? I’m the one driving your arse home!”

“Did I ask you to?”

His knuckles were white on the steering wheel now. “Leaving wasn’t that simple Y/n-”

“It was to me!” you shouted. “You were my best friend. You were supposed to be the one who stayed, Matty.” You yelled.

You turned back in your seat, arms crossed and quiet. You blinked away the tears threatening to spill. You told yourself all that time ago you would never cry another ear over him. Over someone who left you on broken promises.

You blinked furiously at the window, your voice trembling now. “You promised you’d never leave. Do you remember that? We were watching some stupid movie and you made me pinky swear. You said you weren’t like the others.”

“I know-” he whispered.

“But you were,” you said, quieter. “You were exactly like the others.”

“I was scared,” he said, his voice cracking. “I thought if I said goodbye, I’d never stop crying. And that would’ve made it worse. For both of us.”

“That’s the most bullshit excuse I’ve ever heard-”

“It’s the truth, Y/n.” He said, not taking his eyes off of you, even when a tear started to fall.

Quiet fell over the car again - more uncomfortable, more toxic. You didn’t want to end the drive like this. You didn’t want the two of you to end, but that was more complicated. He spoke as he turned into the nehboorhood, hesitantly.

“I’m sorry, baby. For everything.”

You swallowed, “I know.”

You could hear the way the tears started falling down as he spoke, “I’m so proud of you. The little grown up you’ve become - you’ve done a great job.”

“Mom did a good job.” You corrected.

He nodded, “Yeah, she did, didn’t she.” He paused, only for a moment. “I don’t like saying goodbye, I mean that’s why I didn’t say it in the first place.”

You finally turned to him, meeting his gaze. “Then don’t say bye.”

…

The rest of the drive was quiet, but it wasn’t uncomfortable anymore. The silence between you and Matty had changed - less like a wall, more like a blanket that settled over you both. The city passed by in soft blurs, the afternoon sun finally breaking through the clouds.

When he pulled up to the house, your chest tightened.

Your place stood just as perfectly manicured as ever. Ivy curled neatly along the fence that covered the whole property, keeping the unwanted out. The windows shimmered in the light. It looked like something out of a movie. But to you, it never quite felt like home.

Matty shifted the car into park and cut the engine.

Neither of you moved at first.

“Well,” he said, finally.

You just nodded, staring out the windshield. “Yeah.”

He got out of the car. You hesitated, then opened your door and followed him. He stood by the passenger side, waiting. When you reached him, he opened his arms wordlessly. You stepped into his hug before you could talk yourself out of it.

It was warm. Familiar. It smelled like his cologne and something else that hurt - a thousand memories wrapped in one.

His arms tightened around you. “I mean it, kiddo. I’ll be around. If you want me.”

You nodded into his chest. “Okay.”

After a long moment, you pulled back. He gave you a soft smile, eyes a little wet, but he didn’t say anything else.

The front door opened. Your mom stood there, sunglasses pushed up on her head, phone still in hand. She looked between the two of you, her expression unreadable.

Matty gave a small nod. She returned it. No words. Just a glance full of history, regret, maybe even apology.

You walked up the front steps without a word, your mom stepped aside to let you in.

As you passed her, you whispered, “We never changed my emergency contact.”

She nodded, quietly. “Do you want to?” She asked.

You shrugged, “Not really.”

She nodded, knowing, letting the door close behind you, and Matty was gone again - but maybe not for good this time.

[sjsmith56]

The Duality of Nature, Chapter 20 - Existence

Summary: A series of seemingly unrelated events leads to Winter contemplating his existence. He comes to a decision of what he must do when Barnes is returned.

Length: 5.2 K

Characters: Winter, Peter, Sam, Winnie.

Warnings: Anger about pet abuse, questioning one’s existence.

Author notes: Part of Winter’s growth as a person is balancing his increasing wants with the reality of his situation.

<<Chapter 19

It had been 10 days since Winter went to the bar with Carol, then joined the running group and bird watchers.  He and Winnie had a wonderful time with the latter, learning to distinguish the different birdsongs.  Both were adept at locating where a bird was after hearing their calls, then observing them through the binoculars.  Jason, who had invited Winter, was impressed at how quickly the super soldier and Winnie were able to approach an area so quietly without startling a bird into flight.  She even found a bird that shouldn't have still been there as others of its kind had migrated weeks before.  One of their photographers snapped a picture of it, for proof when they informed the Audubon Society of its presence.  He printed it out several days later and presented it to Winnie, along with a copy of the report they sent to the Society, that named her as the person making the first sighting, pleasing the little girl immensely. 

Winter also received a thank you from the nurse, Amanda, via Noelle, that she and Adam hit it off when they went out that same evening.  Her exact words were "I owe you one."  It was gratifying to know that he read the situation well, in making the introduction possible.  In the days after that weekend, he continued to seek out new life experiences, even small ones, reasoning that the cumulative effect would help him understand personal interactions better. 

There was word from Shuri in Wakanda that the Dora Milaje recruit who was to undergo her ritual in the living vibranium cave had successfully managed to convey the message that the living vibranium universe had been contacted and the Avengers wished to send a communications probe into that universe.  Somehow, even though actual words were not exchanged the consciousness of the cave vibranium had managed to express to her that when they were part of the One, that the original entity operated at a temperature Shuri estimated was 1 degree K but could still function at up to 20 K before the warmth began to affect them.  On inquiring how they managed to survive in this universe, she learned that on their first awareness of their existence here, after a calamity ripped a hole between the two places and tore them away, they were many.  The majority of The One that were here perished before they evolved enough to exist in this universe.  It took at least a million years for them to adapt fully, and only because they found the solid vibranium nearby and consumed it to strengthen themselves before burrowing into the mountain where they now lived.  As much as they still longed for home, they also knew that a return was impossible for them.  They were too warm to even venture into that universe.

The news was still welcome as it now increased the parameters for the probe.  Even those few degrees could mean the difference between failure and success.  The members of the probe team worked on some redesigns, although the power situation was still an issue.

Several members of the Avengers were called out to a mission on Halloween morning, for a rescue of some teenagers who were setting up a fright zone in an abandoned building that partially collapsed.  Deemed too dangerous for traditional rescue teams, and fearing the use of magic portals in the debris would also interfere with the precarious structure that was barely holding everything together, the stronger individuals, Thor, Carol, and Winter were assigned to get in then out of the damaged building with the kids in tow.  Scott and Hope came as well, shrinking themselves down to insect size to pinpoint exactly where the kids were, using scanning devices, and determining what condition they were in.  Peter was there, with a holographic computer that he entered data in, so that they could plot the structure of the building and the locations of the kids within the space from the scans.  Working out a rescue plan, they started at the top, where Wong levitated the debris according to Peter's directions then sent it through a portal in the air, that emptied to a spot outside the building.  Slowly, they removed enough debris to reach the first one, a teenage girl.  Carol levitated into it, then came out holding the girl and went through another portal that landed beside a fleet of ambulances, leaving the girl there.  More pieces were moved, then Winter slid down the hole, finding a boy in an air pocket. 

"You're sure the debris is stable enough to climb out?" he asked over his comms, looking up at the jagged edges of the building above him.  "It doesn't look it from this end."

"Just keep him close but not too close so your combined weights are distributed," said Peter.  "It should be okay."

The super soldier looked at the boy then took off the extra climbing harness he brought with him, fitting it to the scared teenager, followed by a protective helmet.  Linking them together he tested all the connections then looked in the boy's eyes. 

"We're going to get you out, I promise." 

"He sure sounded like Bucky then," said Peter idly.

"I heard that," replied Winter, taking the first step up the wall of debris.

The teen followed him, copying his movements.  There was a moment when they heard something fall inside the debris pile and they both paused, then continued cautiously.  At the top, Carol was waiting as she levitated, and Winter disconnected the boy, allowing her to carry him out.  Another section was partially cleared until Peter stopped it, worrying that they risked upsetting the delicate balance inside.  Thor shimmied inside a narrow space, wedging his massive size through it without disturbing the structure.  After fitting that boy with protective headgear, he sent him out ahead of him, staying close in case he had to hold the debris up on his own shoulders.  The final three retrievals were the trickiest as they were under what Peter called a house of cards; remove one piece too many and the whole structure could come down.  He ran simulations of various scenarios, but all ended up with the pile collapsing on itself.  Then Winter looked at Scott.

"You can go larger, right?  Barnes has memories of that happening in Leipzig."

"Yes, but only for so long," replied Scott.

"What if you go there in your reduced size, then suddenly expand, and throw the debris pile off.  Carol, Thor and I could run in, retrieve a person each and run out, then you can walk out to safety before resuming your normal size.  The others will have to get out of harm's way first, but we're fast enough to get the kids to a safe spot."

"Peter, can you run that through the simulation?" asked Carol

He inputted the data, then they ran it and watch the holographic giant Ant Man explode the debris pile in all directions while three people ran in, grabbed a person each and ran out, successfully dodging the debris that landed.  One big piece was predicted to land on the spot they were on, so he had to dismantle the computer and put it back in the quinjet.  It took them a while to get everything relocated and even to push back the emergency vehicles to reduce the chances of them being damaged, but they finally were ready to implement the plan.  Hope flew Scott into the centre of the pile where the remaining three trapped kids were.  After she left, he expanded to normal size and warned the kids he was going to go big.  He outlined how three amazingly fast people were going to come in, grab them and go, so to be ready for that.  With that he pressed his comms.

"You ready out there?"

"Ready," came the responses.

"On my mark, three – two – one, mark."

He expanded and threw off the debris pile in all directions.  Below him, he was aware of Thor, Carol and Winter running in, each grabbing a kid, and running out.  The debris started falling and he stepped away, but his suit started warning him of a critical overload, so he reduced himself to normal size.  A large piece of debris hit him, and he fell, then felt someone grab him, place him over his shoulder and run, not stopping even though they were both being hit by smaller debris.  It wasn't until they were both beyond the range of the debris field that he saw it was Winter, with several cuts on his back and shoulders.  He had kept a helmet on, protecting his head.  It was only when Scott touched his face, and his hand came away with blood on it that he realized he lost his own helmet.  Then he passed out.

When Scott came to, he was in a bed in the medical centre, his head pounding, and Hope was hovering over him.  She smiled when he opened his eyes.

"Hey beautiful," said Scott, when he saw her.  "I must be in heaven because you're an angel."

"No, I'm still here on Earth with you," she replied.  "Why did you shrink down to normal size so quickly?  The debris was still up in the air."

"The suit warned of a critical overload, so I shut it down.  What happened?"

"A big piece of debris hit you and you fell.  Winter went right back for you, then carried you out on his shoulders.  He got some cuts, but he'll be okay, except he feels guilty for putting you in harm's way."

"I'm an Avenger, harm's way is part of the job," he smiled, then looked out towards the door.  "Is he out there?"

She nodded.  "Send him in."  He laid back, then heard them both approach.  "Guess I owe you."

"Are you alright, Scott Lang?"

"Yeah, nothing a few painkillers won't fix," he replied.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

He turned away, leaving Scott and Hope alone.  Seeing the man get hit by debris in the aftermath of the event that he suggested had affected him, leaving a frightened feeling that he had let everyone down.  The others, at the time, told him it wasn't his fault, as sometimes these things happened.  It was easy to input numbers in a computer, but real life was chaotic and chose that moment to prove it.  Still, none of the trapped children were seriously injured, Scott was safely evacuated back to the medical centre and his own cuts would heal quickly.  Noelle waved to him, and he walked over to where she was at her workstation.

"You missed the kid's Halloween party because of the mission," she said.  "I tried to explain to Winnie that you were called out, but she was disappointed."

"I am sorry I missed it," he replied.  "Perhaps, she and I can have some time together this weekend.  She enjoys the indoor playground place in town, doesn't she?  The one with the trampolines, children's obstacle course and slides?"

"She does but it's awfully busy," answered Noelle.  "It could be overwhelming for you."

"Perhaps, if Sam Wilson comes with Paul, he can watch her if I have to step outside."

It was agreed and on the Saturday morning Sam and Paul met Winter and Winnie for their visit to the indoor playground centre.  Before they left the car, Sam reached inside his pocket, pulling out a pair of ear plugs, offering them to Winter.

"Trust me, you'll need them," he said.  "It's loud in there."

Fitting them in their ears, the two men went inside, where Sam signed the waiver for both children.  Leaving their shoes and boots at the front, they all changed into the grip socks that were recommended then entered into what could only be described as pandemonium.  Even with the ear plugs, the noise was considerable but the looks on the children's faces was enough to prove they were having a lot of fun.  Winter did go out once to allow his ears and brain to have a respite.  When both kids began getting a little emotional it was clear they had reached their limits of stimulation, and the decision to return home was easily made.  On the drive back both children fell asleep in their car seats. 

"Well, that was ... fun," said Sam. "You managed alright?"

"It was interesting," replied Winter.  "There are memories of Barnes playing in the streets of Brooklyn for hours on end, with no adults observing.  It is not like that anymore."

"No, even I remember playing outside without adult supervision.  It was a different time, then there were some notable cases of children kidnapped by sexual predators or serial killers and within a few years you hardly saw kids outside on their own, even in their own yards.  People still took their kids to the park or playground, but even there, some high-profile missing kids cases made even that an issue.  With parents willing to pay to use these indoor parks for some peace of mind, it became an industry of its own."

"A small unit of operatives could take control of the facility and hold all those people hostage," remarked Winter.  "It would be easy to implement."  Sam looked at him, appraisingly.  "Not that I would be involved, but I would hope the owners would have contemplated the security implications of that many children in an enclosed space, in an industrial area.  I could make some recommendations and send them to the owner of the facility.  The use of teenagers as employees tasked with supervising that many children at one time concerns me the most.  I would think that they would wish people with combat experience to guard their children."

"You could," agreed Sam. "Sometimes, people don't think of those things until they actually happen.  As for combat veterans, I'm not sure most would be capable of being in that loud of a facility without the possibility of their PTSD flaring up."

Winter nodded sagely.  "You are correct about that.  It is something that requires a lot of thought."

On their return, the children woke up, frowning at being awakened.  It seemed that neither child knew exactly what they wanted.  They vacillated between going to the onsite playground or to the cafeteria for lunch to demanding a certain toy.  When Winnie began to cry over not being able to do what she wanted, Winter tried to comfort her, with repeated inquiries as to what she wanted to do.  The answer, "I don't know" confused him and he looked to Sam for enlightenment. 

"I don't have a quick answer for you," he said, as he dealt with his own son's tears.  "Children their age are still developing emotionally as well as physically.  Winnie likely doesn't know exactly what is bothering her but knows that she is unhappy.  All I can suggest is that you speak to her calmly, acknowledge that she's upset and ask her questions to pinpoint her distress."

Sitting on a bench, with Winnie on his lap, Winter used his sleeve to wipe her tears away.  He hugged her then looked at her with concern.

"Are you sad?" She nodded, while stifling a sob.  "Is it because we're not at the indoor playground anymore?"  She shook her head.  "Are you hurt?" She shook her head again.  "Hungry?" 

"Yes.  I'm still sad."  He kept his eyes focused on her, allowing her the time to speak.  "I watched a movie in my head about baby animals and one gots lost."

A dream.  She was upset about a dream.  "Do you want to tell me about it?"

"It was sad, 'cuz the baby fox cried and cried for its mom, and she went to look for her.  When the mom came with food for it, she couldn't find it and she became sad.  I 'membered the movie in my head but then I woke up and I don't know if the mom and baby found each other."

He looked up at Sam who raised his eyebrows and slightly shrugged, implying that this sort of reasoning was not out of the ordinary for a small child. 

"That must have been hard for you," said Winter.  "You wanted to help the baby and the mother fox, didn't you?"

She nodded, then took a deep breath.  "Sometimes, they don't find each other."

"No, sometimes, they don't."

"They'll find Papa, won't they?  He's in the cold place and they're tryin' to find him to bring him home."

"They are trying," he confirmed. 

"I'm scared that Papa won't come home."  She looked up at him, her blue eyes glassy.  "I miss my Papa."

"I know.  I miss him, too."  He took a deep breath.  "They're going to keep trying for a long time to bring your Papa home.  They won't give up and neither should you.  Do you still see him in your dreams?"

"Sometimes," she admitted.  "He's waiting but he's sad, like when he would wake up in the night.  I want to hold his hand, but I can't."

"I'm glad you told me but it's alright to tell your mother about this," he said gently.

"She cries sometimes, in the nighttime."  Winnie frowned.  "She's scared, too."

"Yes, she is, but I think if you come to her, like you did for your Papa when he had bad dreams, that she would like that.  You could make each other feel better."  He ran his hand through her hair, brushing it behind her ear.  "You feel better now?"  She nodded.  "Why don't we get something to eat.  What's your favourite?"

"Hot dogs."

Lowering her to the ground, Winter stood up and offered Winnie his hand.  Sam smiled at him.

"You have Buck's touch as a father."

A slight smile was his response.  Once Barnes was returned to his rightful place, Winter would be relegated to the background again, sometimes aware, most of the times waiting for when he was needed.  He felt a pang of emotion in his heart again and tried to ignore it.  Although it lessened as they ordered hot dogs for Winnie and himself, and French fries for Paul and Sam, it was there throughout the meal.  Sam studied him a few times but didn't voice his concerns around the children. 

After dropping Winnie off, and politely refusing the usual offer for dinner, Winter returned to his quarters where Peter was on a video call with MJ and Ned.  They all acknowledged him, but he didn't answer as he went into his room and closed the door.  He was looking out the window when Peter knocked on the door and called to him.

"Do you have a moment?" he asked.  "May I come in?"

"Yes."  He turned towards the door as the youthful Avenger entered.  "What is it?"

"Are you alright?"  Concern was evident on Peter's face.  "You didn't answer when we said hi to you."

"I am distracted," admitted the older man.  "I am sorry for ignoring you.  I wasn't deliberately being rude."

"I didn't think you were.  It's just that you seemed troubled.  Perhaps, if you talk about it, I can help."

Gesturing to Peter to sit, Winter sat on his bed and looked at his hands.  He opened his mouth to speak then shook his head, seeming to change his mind before he let it out in a torrent. 

"Is it wrong for me to want more out of this life?" he asked.  "When Barnes returns, he will want control of his body back, to resume his life with Noelle and Winnie, as well as his professional life with the Avengers.  I will have to revert to the background again, as it is not my body.  Except it is as I was formed out of Barnes' personality, because of the torture he underwent.  But I have changed greatly since I fully awakened in the operating room.  I have my own friendships with people, my own interests, and feelings; all of it done on the recommendations and support of others.  How am I to return to the background again?  I'm not who I once was."

"No, you're not," replied Peter.  "No one is.  You have grown so much as a person.  We all see that, but when we look at you, we also see Bucky.  He had this body first and if you can't accept that then when we do get him back, it's going to cause problems for you, for him, for Noelle and Winnie, for all of us.  That's not to say that you can't come to an agreement with him but until he's back in there, you just don't know for sure."  A thought occurred to him, and he cleared his throat.  "You're not thinking of sabotaging the rescue efforts, are you?"

"NO."  Winter was emphatic in his response to that question.  "I wouldn't do that to anyone.  Noelle and Winnie need Barnes and I accept that.  It's just that I was formed for one purpose and when that purpose ended, the next choice to continue existing was to be there for Barnes whenever I was needed.  It was an acceptable existence."

"But now, it's not enough, is it?" asked Peter.

The other man shook his head, appearing to be ashamed to admit it.  "No, but it is my burden to consider.  I appreciate your advice, Peter Parker.  You are a good friend."

"Thank you.  I'm sure that you and Bucky can come to some sort of arrangement, especially once he realizes how helpful you've been with everyone."

Peter left and Winter resumed his stance looking out the window for a time.  He changed into running gear since he missed the group run earlier to take Winnie to the indoor playground.  As he stepped outside, he noticed the wind had come up a bit, but it was still sunny, and he soon got into a good pace.  For a change, he ran towards the edge of the compound's property line, occasionally finding himself running parallel to the public road beside it, while still inside the tall chain link fence that kept trespassers out.  A truck passed him at one point, following the curve of the road until it was out of sight.  As he came around the curve, he noticed it stopped beside a bridge.  Someone in the passenger seat reached into the back of the large cab, grabbing a garbage bag and tossing it into the small creek beneath the bridge.  Then it sped away.  Curious, he hopped over the fence and ran on the road towards the bridge.  Looking over the concrete barrier, he saw the garbage bag was half in and half out of the water.  Noticing movement in the bag, he ran down the steep incline towards the creek, picking it up.  Tearing it open he was shocked to find three small kittens.  Who would do that to such innocent creatures?  Cradling the bag as close to his body as he could, Winter scrambled back up the incline and walked onto the roadway.  Once there, he transferred the kittens to inside his jacket, then he phoned Sam.

"Could you come pick me up?" he asked.  "I was running around the edge of the compound property and saw someone throw a garbage bag into Forest Creek.  There were kittens in it.  Why would someone do that?"

"I don't know why, except they don't care," replied Sam. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

He stood, waiting, stroking the kittens, who looked up at him with their inquisitive eyes.  It brought back memories of times when he was waiting on targets to arrive, and feral cats would approach him.  His stillness as he waited made it easy for them to trust him and they would often curl up near him, taking advantage of the heat his body radiated.  These little ones were just as trusting.  Ten minutes later Sam pulled up and Winter got into the front seat.  He put the seatbelt on, careful to position it so the kittens weren't constrained by it.  Sam leaned over to look closely at them, reaching out with his fingers.

"Some people really are heartless," he commented.  "Look at them.  They are adorable.  What do you want to do with them?"  Winter looked at him, not quite sure what he meant.  "We can take them back to the compound and see if anyone wants one or we can take them to a shelter who will adopt them out.  They'll need to see a vet.  I'm guessing whoever did this likely didn't get them vaccinated or anything.  They could have fleas or worms."

Winter picked each of them up in turn and placed his nose close to their mouths.  Then he inspected their fur. 

"No fleas that I can see, and their breath smells healthy."

"You can tell that by smelling their breath?" 

Sam wasn't convinced.  He picked one up and smelled it, but it just smelled like a cat.

"Remember my sense of smell is better than yours," said Winter.  "Many species can use smell to determine the health of others.  Some animals have been known to smell cancer on a human before they're diagnosed.  I read it in a medical book."  He stroked the three kittens.  "If we take them to a shelter how likely are they to be adopted?"

"Honestly? I don't know," answered Sam.  "They're cute so their chances could be good, but it also depends how many other kittens are in the shelter."

"I could give one to Noelle," said Winter.

"Nope," replied Sam. "She's pregnant and shouldn't be around cats due to the risk of toxoplasmosis.  It's a parasite that can harm the baby and I don't think you can tell if a cat has it without some expensive testing.  Some cats have it their entire lives without symptoms."

The silence from Winter after that information was shared was ominous, then he breathed out heavily. 

"Let's take them to a shelter," he said, resigned to giving them up. "At least they will examine them and treat them if they aren't well, won't they?"

"Yeah, they will."  Sam pulled his cell phone out and looked up the nearest animal shelter, twenty minutes away.  "It really is the best thing since we don't know how well they were taken care of by the people who abandoned them."

The staff at the animal shelter were quite thankful for Winter's rescue of the three kittens.  They assured him that they would receive a full examination by a veterinarian.  With their colouring they were sure the kittens would be adopted quickly.  He stroked each one gently before leaving the building then got into the car with Sam.  They didn't speak at first until Sam looked at the man who had become his friend.

"Are you alright?  I sensed earlier that you were bothered by something."

"Yes," he said.  "I had some things on my mind, but I've resolved them."

"Anything you want to share?"

The dark-haired super soldier was quiet for some time before he answered.

"It will be difficult to return to what I was before Barnes was removed from this body.  Before, I was content to allow Barnes to control everything, coming out only when I was needed.  I don't know if he will be willing to accept me as I am now.  I intend to ask Princess Shuri to find a way to either restore me to what I was or to find a way for us to coexist peacefully and in harmony.  If she cannot then I will ask her to remove me from this body."

Sam applied the brakes and pulled onto the shoulder, putting the car into park, then turning to face Winter. 

"What do you mean by removing you?"

"When she removed HYDRA's programming from Barnes' brain, she thought she had removed me at the same time.  I wonder if she can actually do it so that he doesn't have to share his body with me.  He deserves to live his life without my presence in his body.  If she can find a way to return me to my previous state or to transfer me into an artificial intelligence, then that would be acceptable."  He looked steadily at Sam.  "Winnie needs her father.  Noelle needs her husband.  I'm like the genie that can't be put back into the bottle.  I can't live in the background anymore in my current state, so I must find another way to exist.  If that's not possible, then there must be some way we can coexist without causing psychological damage to Barnes, otherwise I must accept that my existence will have to end."

"Winter, you're willing to die so Barnes can have his body back?"

He was quiet again.  The only sound was that of the vehicles on the road that passed by them. 

"I don't want to die, Sam.  I like this life.  But I don't think Barnes will be happy sharing this body with me, even though I'm not the Soldier anymore.  So, I either find another form to live in or I let this life go."

It felt like Sam couldn't breathe.  Although a part of him understood Winter's reasoning it was still a devastating concept to consider.  But the former assassin was right about one thing.  Bucky's fear and hatred of the Winter Soldier persona might make any coexistence for the two personalities in one body impossible.  If there was only a way to create another body so that both men could live separate lives.  Tony had done it when he and Bruce created Vision.  We all know how that turned out.  He looked at Winter again, at how accepting he seemed at the prospect of giving his life up so that Bucky could have his body back.  Then the dark-haired man turned to him.

"I've told you this in confidence, Samuel Wilson.  Do not share it with anyone else, especially Noelle.  I'll speak to Shuri myself.  If nothing can be done, then I accept the inevitable.  Do you promise to keep this between us?"

Damn.  Sam sighed, then looked back at the man who had shown him how a person could grow if given some autonomy and trust.  He was serious about this.  Reluctantly, he nodded.  Right from the start, it had been Noelle's wish that Winter be treated like anyone else and allowed to have the dignity of choosing his own path.  Just because that path was taking a turn that he hadn't seen before didn't mean he had the right to stop Winter from travelling it.

"I promise." 

At the time, he meant it.

Chapter 21>>

Series Masterlist

Please support the author by reblogging.

[hooked-on-elvis]

Elvis was sued for... being friendly (June 19th, 1956).

Okay, maybe too friendly? Judge for yourselves. That's a funny story! Just... unbelievable!

At the top is page 9 from "Elvis Presley Speaks!" magazine.

The first picture was taken June 19, 1956. That day is full of controversy. Beginning for Elvis attending the “colored night” black-only event at the Memphis Fairgrounds amusement park that evening, but that's a different story (another awesome one, btw!).

Back to the focus point here, that day Elvis was resting at his home (1034, Audubon Drive, Memphis, Tennessee), had just done a local radio show and then went to the Memphis Fairgrounds Amusement Park with his then girlfriend, Barbara Hearn, and some friends. He was being followed around/accompanied by photographer Robert Williams of the Memphis Commercial Appeal and columnist Robert Johnson. The pictures below show Elvis with Barbara at Audubon Drive and in the second one they are at the parking lot of the Memphis Fairgrounds, inside Elvis' car, that very day.

After the Fairgrounds, Elvis, Barbara, other friends, photographer Robert Williams and columnist Robert Johnson. went into the Gridiron Restaurant (Memphis, TN), and there something bizarre, depending on the point of view, happened.

On the picture below, at the restaurant, Elvis is beside the young girl named Robbie Moore (at his right). Photos taken by Robert Williams.

The pictures were published in the fan magazine "Elvis Presley Speaks!". Those pictures show the star laying his head on Robbie's shoulder and eating a burger next to her, while Barbara Hearn, his girlfriend, looks on. It looks harmless, right? But there's more to it. Maybe it can explain why Elvis was sued after all. Fortunately, we have a story about how that meeting happened. Columnist Robert Johnson recalled:

"Elvis spoke to her pleasantly as he entered and said something like, ‘How are you? I haven’t seen you in a long time.’ The girl didn’t say anything. Elvis seemed to be trying to be friendly. He was just teasing and having fun. He opened her purse, looking at her teasingly out of the corner of his eye, but snapped it back shut and put it on the counter (maybe purse-peeking moment is the picture below). He took a nibble of her sandwich and a sip of her milk. That was all. She still did not respond and Elvis laid his head on her shoulder as if to say, ‘Come on, let’s be friends.’ He was just acting in a boyish kind of way.”

Robbie Moore had remembered the event very differently. She certainly did not look very happy in the pictures about what was happening. It seems she was not asked permission to be photographed – and she was even annoyed about the sandwich.

The thing is, two months later, around September 1956, Elvis received a notification that he was going to be sued for $42,500 (around $415,000 in today's money) for invasion of privacy, and assault and battery. The case was settled out of court for $5,500 and widely covered in the press.

When the story went public Elvis said that they had known each other for some years and he had "no idea she would object to the picture." According to the account of that day Robbie gave to the Press-Scimitar, she had never met Elvis before their encounter in the Gridiron.

That's it! Elvis may have learned a lesson from that day, but the whole thing is just SO funny to me! Elvis was so innocent back then, so boyish, at ease. He was very much like an angel, or something close to one.

On Robbie Williams' defense (just because I believe everybody has their own accounts and individuals way of thinking and feeling and this needs to be put to consideration and be respected), even tho she sound like a cranky person, a real Grinch, and in some way opportunist, she was in her rights. Maybe she just didn't like being touched, having her food eaten or having her personal things being rummage by anyone without her permission (no matter who it was or if she knew that person or not), specially when she - not verbally but physically for sure - had shown very clearly (just look at the pictures, imagine her whole vibe that day!) how uncomfortable she was with Elvis' closeness to her.

Poor boy, EP. Learning how people can be... difficult sometimes.

"Elvis Presley Speaks" magazine, 1956: "Read his own story in his own words". There's more photos and many more stories inside that magazine (not only about that June 19th day). If you'd like to read the full magazine online, click here and download the file. ✨

To close this with, cool photos from the same those crazy things happened: Elvis Presley (age 21) in front of the fireplace at his 1034 Audubon Drive home in Memphis, TN on Tuesday, June 19, 1956. Taken by Robert Williams.

That story reminded me a quote, something under the lines: Be a nice person, even if people don't act the same to you. I guess EP knew plenty about that. Even after that episode, he was always the cutest pleasant little boy. ♥ My opinion on this law suit case is: ELVIS WAS JUST BEING HAPPY. A happy person is opened, friendly, nice to whomever comes their way. He wanted to share his happiness, his smile, be nice and make people feel welcomed and appreciated. It just didn't work quite as he expected.

[rabbitcruiser]

(California) Western Monarch Day 

California Western Monarch Day, known informally as Western Monarch Day, was established by the California State Legislature in 2004. The day celebrates the annual migration of the Western monarch butterfly during the winter months—from about October through March—to California's central coast, the only major overwintering spot in the world for the butterflies. The holiday was established with the understanding that it would positively impact tourism and educational programs. Indeed, many visitors come to the area during the migration, boosting tourism at a time of the year when it is otherwise sluggish.

Events are held around the state of California on the day or on a nearby date. In past years, an event has been held at the Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley, California; a "citizen science butterfly count" led by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy has been held at the nearby Limestone Canyon, and the largest celebration in the state has been held at the Pismo Beach State Monarch Butterfly Grove in Pismo Beach. One of the most popular destinations for butterflies in the state, and one of the largest butterfly colonies in North America, Pismo Beach regularly has over 20,000 monarch butterflies clustering in its tall eucalyptus trees.

In addition to Pismo Beach, monarch butterfly groves can also be found in Nipomo, Los Osos, and Morro Bay. In Nipomo, at the Monarch Dunes Butterfly Habitat, up to 60,000 monarchs visit each winter, and make their homes in a grove of blue gum eucalyptus trees. There are two groves in Los Osos: Monarch Grove Natural Area and Sweet Springs Nature Preserve. Monarch Grove Natural Area is made up of 18 acres and is located at the end of Monarch Lane. Sweet Springs Nature Preserve is made up of 24 acres and is located on the Morro Bay estuary. It has been managed by the Morro Coast Audubon Society since 1989. In nearby Morro Bay, Morro Bay Golf Course Monarch Butterfly Grove can be found at the center of Morro Bay Golf Course. Monarchs sometimes come to the grove of eucalyptus trees by as early as August and cluster themselves low on the branches.

As monarchs can't survive cold northern climates, they migrate to warmer climates, sometimes traveling a distance of over 1,000 miles. One of the only insects that migrate, they do so twice a year—like birds do—traveling to a warmer climate and then back again. Western monarchs live west of the Rockies. During the summer months, they can be found in canyons or near rivers in the West, Southwest, and inland in states from California all the way up to British Columbia. A few can be found on the coastal Pacific Northwest as well. Numbering in the tens of thousands, they migrate west and south, mainly nesting in California's central coast. Eastern monarchs, which far outnumber their Western counterparts, live east of the Rockies and migrate south to the high mountains of central Mexico. Monarchs can also be found in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, and on some islands in the Caribbean; those butterflies do not migrate.

Monarchs start as caterpillars. They subsist only on milkweed, a plant that produces glycoside toxins. The caterpillars are immune to the toxins, but predators are not, and are deterred from feasting on the caterpillars because the toxins get stored up in the caterpillars' bodies and make them taste bad. The caterpillars grow and molt for two weeks, form a chrysalis in which they complete metamorphosis, and turn into butterflies. As butterflies, the toxins are still in their systems, still protecting them.

Most adult butterflies only live for a few weeks. During that time, they subsist on nectar from many kinds of plants, search for mates, and look for milkweed on which to lay their eggs. The last generation of monarchs hatch in late summer, and they may live as long as eight months. They don't reach sexual maturity right away and instead make the fall migration. Despite never making the journey before, they know exactly where to go. They remain inactive during the coldest months, but around March, they become sexually mature and then mate. They die soon afterward, and their offspring finish the migration back north.

Between the 1990s and the end of the 2010s, the monarch population declined by about 90 percent, largely on account of habitat fragmentation and loss. Both urban development and intensive agriculture took a toll on habitats. In addition, herbicides killed the milkweed and nectar plants the butterflies feed off of, and insecticides killed the monarchs themselves. Lastly, climate change altered weather patterns and the timing of migration. Because of the drop in monarch numbers, it seems all the more pressing to have a holiday dedicated to them and to the beauty and the mystery of their yearly migration.

How to Observe California Western Monarch Day

Many events are held on or around the date and can be attended if you are able to travel to California. You could check to see if an event is being held at Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley, where in past years butterfly experts have educated and answered questions, and native plants have been available to plant. You could see if the Irvine Ranch Conservancy is hosting a "citizen science butterfly count" at Limestone Canyon. The best place to go for an event is Pismo Beach State Monarch Butterfly Grove in Pismo Beach (the event may be held on a nearby Saturday). At this event, there are butterfly talks and educational booths for adults, and art activities for children. The biggest part of it, of course, are the thousands of monarchs that can be seen hanging in clusters from eucalyptus and pine trees. The grove usually opens in October and stays open throughout the month of February, and docents can be found giving daily talks. You could also visit other butterfly groves today, such as the Monarch Dunes Butterfly Grove in Nipomo, the Monarch Grove Natural Area or Sweet Springs Nature Preserve in Los Osos, or the butterfly grove in the Morro Bay Golf Course. If you can't travel to California, there are still ways you can celebrate. You could take part in the National Wildlife Federation's Garden for Wildlife program, and plant a habitat garden with milkweed and nectar plants for returning monarchs to enjoy. Planting locally native species of plants is the best. Look over some regional guides so you know what to plant in the area you live. You could take part in Butterfly Heroes, another program of the National Wildlife Federation, which is designed to help kids and families raise awareness about declining populations, and to help them to get involved in helping monarchs and other butterflies. The National Wildlife Federation is working to save and restore monarch habitats, and more could be learned about it. You could also learn about the number of Western monarchs in California with Western Monarch Count, encourage your mayor to take the Mayors' Monarch Pledge, or could watch a documentary about monarch migration.

Source

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Song of the Day - “A Change Is Gonna Come”

Today marks the 60th anniversary of Sam Cooke recording his great civil rights anthem “A Change Is Gonna Come” - January 30th, 1964, at RCA Studios in Hollywood, California.

Cooke wrote it in the Fall of 1963 when he and his band were turned away from a motel in Louisiana.

While it wasn’t one of Cooke’s biggest hits, it is considered his most influential and powerful composition, and has come to be called among the the greatest songs ever released. It was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress and the National Recording registry sa being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important”.

Besides the painful inspiration of being banished from a whites-only motel, Sam Cooke was also inspired by Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ In The Wind”, which he saw as an example of how a popular song could move people positively. He was further inspired by Dr. King’s dream speech from August of 1963.

Cooke gave his frequent collaborative arranger Rene Hall free rein with the instrumentation and orchestration. Hall recognized the power of the song and decided to add a full orchestra and design the arrangement like a movie score.

It was organized to present the song for the first time on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” on February 7th, and a full orchestra was brought in to add to the Tonight Show band.

The tape of the performance wasn’t saved for some reason, and the planned bigness of the debut was completely overshadowed by the Beatles’ performance on the Ed Sullivan Show a day or so later.

Cooke decided that the song spooked him and reminded him of death. He would never perform it again.

The song was first released on Cooke’s album “Ain’t That Good News” in March.

A single version was cut and prepared for release in December of the year.

Sam Cooke tragically died just before it was released.

“A Change Is Gonna Come” got famously covered by Otis Redding, and the Fifth Dimension.

Spike Lee chose it as the music under the scene in “Malcolm X” where Malcolm is contemplatively driving himself to the Audubon Ballroom where he will be assassinated. Very powerful.

The song has been sampled by many rappers.

When Barack Obama spoke just after winning election in 2008, his first words, in reference to this song were, "It's been a long time coming, but tonight, change has come to America.”

Then, at his inaugural, the song was performed in duet by Bettye LaVette and Jon Bon Jovi.

It continues to be performed by many artists at events both political and tribute oriented.

Truly one of America’s best anthems.... and never doesn't give me chills...

[Mary Elaine LeBey]

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Inside Climate News:

Every Friday afternoon, the Kingsland Wildflower Green Roof opens its doors to the local community. Tall grass and brightly-colored flowers greet visitors after their four-floor trek to the top of the building—a green oasis in Brooklyn, surrounded on all sides by heavy industrial activity.

Just across the street, the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant’s gargantuan “digester eggs” treat millions of gallons of sewage every day. 

Despite the visual incongruity of this scene, both the garden and the treatment plant work to stop contaminated water from flowing into the city’s waterways during heavy rainfall. 

The rooftop garden sits on a building on Kingsland Avenue owned by the production company Broadway Stages. Two well-tended sections contain a variety of plants and flowers native to the area, like strawberries and camassias. A garden on a lower roof is made up largely of sedum, a small succulent-type plant. 

The garden is under the purview of the Newtown Creek Alliance, a local organization that works to improve the environment around the creek, which is a tributary of the East River and forms the border between Brooklyn and Queens. 

Seven years ago, the green roof was born of a partnership between the Newtown Creek Alliance, the NYC Bird Alliance, formerly NYC Audubon, Broadway Stages and Alive Structures, a landscaping firm that specializes in roof gardens. The installation was funded by the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund, a $19.5 million payment to the New York State Department of Conservation (NYSDEC) in a settlement with ExxonMobil over their contamination of Newtown Creek. 

In 1979, an investigation by the Department of Conservation found that ExxonMobil, which had historically operated oil refineries and fuel storage spaces along the creek, had spilled an estimated 17 million gallons of oil into the water—one of the largest terrestrial oil spills in the country’s history. Although ExxonMobil has been working for decades to remediate the problem through groundwater treatment, the creek remains an extremely contaminated Superfund site and is still on the National Priorities List of the nation’s most hazardous toxic waste areas. 

A former wetland, much of the creek’s natural borders have been reconstructed for industrial operations, like oil refineries and petrochemical plants. 

Much of the area surrounding Newtown Creek is located on a 100-year floodplain, which means that every year there is a 1 percent chance of an extreme flood event. Due to the weaknesses in New York’s sewage infrastructure, extreme rainfall constitutes a threat not just to the residents living near Newtown Creek, but also to the biodiversity within the creek and the flora that surrounds it. 

[hammockparknaples]

Apartments for Rent in Naples, FL

For an apartment for rent in Naples, FL, Hammock Park is the best. One of Hammock Park’s strongest features is its exceptional amenities, tailored for comfort and convenience. The residents at this Hammock Park apartment get access to the resort-style pool, a modern clubhouse that encourages social connection, and a well-equipped fitness center. The property is pet-friendly and it includes dedicated areas for walking dogs, which makes it a hit with pet owners. In-unit laundry, ample storage, and on-site maintenance services round out the list of features that make life smoother. These practical benefits are enhanced by the friendly, community-focused atmosphere where the neighbors know each other and take pride in where they live.

Upscale Living and Cultural Life in Naples

People move to Naples for more than the sunshine. They come for the refined lifestyle. The city offers high-end shopping at places like Waterside Shops and 5th Avenue South, plus world-class dining options and cultural institutions such as Artis–Naples and the Baker Museum. From gallery nights to philharmonic concerts and theater productions, Naples provides entertainment for all tastes. The community is active and engaged, supporting local artists, entrepreneurs, and seasonal festivals. Naples balances luxury and leisure in a way that’s accessible and welcoming. Residents often say they feel like they’re on vacation every day, thanks to the city’s blend of elegance and comfort.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary offers visitors a truly immersive experience in one of Florida’s most biodiverse ecosystems. Managed by the Audubon Society, this 13,000-acre preserve features a 2.25-mile boardwalk through ancient cypress forest, wetlands, and marshes. Birdwatchers, photographers, and nature lovers return again and again for sightings of rare wildlife like the wood stork, barred owls, and even the occasional alligator. It’s peaceful, educational, and utterly unique, every walk brings a new discovery. Interpretive signs and knowledgeable volunteers make the visit informative as well as beautiful. Visitors appreciate the sanctuary’s dedication to conservation and return for the sense of awe it inspires, far from the busier parts of town.

Cars on 5th 2025

The 2025 Cars on 5th event in Naples has transformed Fifth Avenue South into a car enthusiast's paradise. There are more than 700 classic luxury vehicles to choose from. The activity on February 1, 2025, attracted thousands of spectators who marveled at the impressive lineup of cars, ranging from vintage models to the latest high-performance machines. Participants at the cars on 5th 2025 event had a chat with car owners, enjoyed live music and food vendors, and learned about the history and specifications of the vehicles. The proceeds of the event provided great benefit to the local charities that underscores the community's commitment to philanthropy and shared passions.

Link to map

Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary--LAST ADMISSION 1PM 375 Sanctuary Rd W, Naples, FL 34120, United States Follow Sanctuary Rd W to Immokalee Rd 4 min (1.7 mi) Continue on Immokalee Rd to Rattlesnake Hammock Rd 35 min (23.4 mi) Follow Rattlesnake Hammock Rd to your destination 3 min (0.9 mi) Hammock Park 8150 Rattlesnake Hammock Rd, Naples, FL 34114, United States

[just-your-average-cryptid]

The academic dishonesty reminds me of the time the time my mother had me do a whole project on docs for her like two days before her submission using chatgpt cause between us kids(exams back to back) and my father she did not have time

Anyway i'm starting college this year and would really like any advice cause the only one i got is focus on studies, don't make enemies and don't get into with "characterless" people(due to a situation where gfs would basically pimp out theirs friends to their bfs it was horrifying) and i am so so anxious T-T

Yeah, they don't really tell you much, do they? Most of my ""college prep"" in middle/high school was "everything will be so much harder but if you're smart you'll handle it :)" - caveat that I've only been doing this in person for a year, but my honest advice:

Academic

Do things on time. Keep track of time (days, weeks, months) and keep track of when things are due/happening! It sounds easy, but if you forget or don't pay attention it can really sneak up on you. "It's not due for a month, I have time" is a great way to burn a few weeks not realizing that "a month" passes faster than you think.

I had a note on my phone with a checklist of things to do or work on that week; for me, it was easy to check wherever I was and see how much I had to do in a day (and distribute work so I wasn't relaxing one day and swamped the next). Something else might work for you, but having a physical list/schedule to look at is a good idea.

Talk to your professors. Please. Please just ask the question or get the clarification instead of vibrating in concern forever. Check in before class or stay a minute after, use the office hours (they are there for you! that time is to help you! you're not intruding!), email them, however you're able to get in touch, do it! It's better to be sure, for you and your grades, and it shows that you care enough to reach out. Just ask.

Specifically for projects, essays, and other Big Grade Work: take advantage of your prep time. Do some early research, start an outline, work out a plan. I got through literature essays a lot faster when I had a basic outline to go off of; even if you break off from it, you'll have a starting place.

Read the syllabus. Pay attention to the policies in the syllabus. Especially the late work, absences, and grading policies. You might get sick or hurt, you might run out of time on an assignment, you should know what happens if you do.

Read the rubric. It's really easy to lose points on tiny things because you forgot they were in the rubric. Formatting requirements, length limits and buffers, citation rules...

Social

You don't have to go to every event, but don't be afraid to check out a few. It's nice to look forward to something beyond "the weekend" or "getting out of here," and sometimes you get free stuff too!

If there's a club for something you're interested in, go! You can always stop showing up if it sucks, and you don't always have to pay to come. I'm not an official member of my college's Audubon chapter, but I can still join their meetings and some of their hikes if I want to. It's a nice way to meet people outside of classes, without the pressure of more official "make friends" things if that's an issue.

I live on campus, so I can do this whenever, but go for a walk and see what's going on if you can. Maybe you run into an event you didn't know about, maybe you see something cool, maybe you find someone interesting to hang out with. (If you're off-campus, this might not be doable as often, but it's worth it just to get out now and then.)

If you have roommates, try to at least be on good terms with them. You're sharing a living space, you will have to see each other every day/night. You don't have to be friends, but don't be a jerk. (And if they're being a jerk, you can talk to whoever's in charge of your floor/area and work something out.)

Minor/Circumstantial

YMMV, but try to be consistent in how you do things. If something goes wrong or you make a mistake, it might help to have a track record to point to. When I was dual enrolled in high school, I retook a quiz instead of moving on to the unit test by mistake and didn't realize until the end of the semester; luckily, my professor saw that this was the only one I'd done this on (I usually just did the unit quiz once, even if my score was meh) and believed me when I said it was a mistake - they averaged my scores from other units and put that as the grade, since it was too late for me to go back and take it by then. You might not do something like that, and it may not go as well as it did for me, but it's good to do just in case.

You CAN write an essay in a day but it won't be that good, and it will stress you out (I speak from experience 😅) - if you have to, though, don't underestimate the power of "dumb" analysis/argument that turns into a real point as you're writing it. It sounds stupid until it doesn't, and by then you're already in the process instead of staring at a blank page forever. Write the dumb essay and turn it into brilliance.

chatGPT is a plausible sentence generator, not a genuis. it's autocomplete given billions of dollars and terabytes of data to train on, but it's still autocomplete. If you do bad work, it's YOUR bad work - and if you do good work, it's YOUR good work. Mediocre work just kinda sucks. Don't limit yourself to that.

[thisweekfarmington]

Week of May 12 - 18

Monday 5/12

-Matcha Monday, 2-6pm, End of the Rainbow Alternatives (249 Farmington Falls Rd). Lattes will be made to order with organic matcha, organic oat milk, and local maple syrup!

Tuesday 5/13

Wednesday 5/14

-Demonstration: Learn to turn a wooden pendant with Brian Libby of the Western Mountain Woodturners Association. 6pm, Mt. Blue High School.

Thursday 5/15

-Co-working morning, Root Down Market, 7-10:30am.

-Cribbage Night at Ambition Brewing. Starts at 6pm.

-Author talk: Mystery writer Jule Selbo will discuss her book 7 Days at the Farmington Public Library, 6pm.

-Twice Sold Tales open late! Snacks and wine bar til 8pm.

-Trivia Night with DJ Beets at FarmTown Brewing! Theme is game shows. 6-8pm, $5 cash entry fee. Doors at 5!

Friday 5/16

-Farmers' Market, 10am-1pm, 181 Front St. (BLC)

-Twice Sold Tales open late! Snacks and wine bar til 8pm.

-Theater: Director Gavin Pickering presents Samuel Beckett's Endgame and Act Without Words I at the Emery Performance Space, 7pm. Tickets are $15 or $10 for students/seniors. Buy your tickets here!

Saturday 5/17

-Bird Walk at the Foothills Land Conservancy Trails, hosted by Maine Audubon. 8am.

-Annual Spring Plant Sale, hosted by the Mt. Blue Area Garden Club. Meetinghouse Park, 9-11am.

-Annual Plant Sale, hosted by the Tyngtown Club. First Congregational Church of Wilton, 9am-12pm.

-Black Fly Bash: plants, baked goods, and book sale sponsored by the New Vineyard Public Library. 9am-1pm.

-Invasive Plant Species Workshop, hosted by the Somerset County SWCD and Maine Woodland Owners. 9:30am-12:30pm, Yankee Woodlot (7 County Drive, Skowhegan)

-Farmers' Market, 10am-1pm, 129 Main St. (Courthouse lot)

-Workshop and lunch: Wild Greens for the Common Table. 10am-3pm at the Maine Local Living School. Cost: $30-$80 sliding scale. Register here.

-Theater: Director Gavin Pickering presents Samuel Beckett's Endgame and Act Without Words I at the Emery Performance Space, 2pm. Tickets are $15 or $10 for students/seniors. Buy your tickets here!

-Music: Ruth Hill in concert with Rita Gluck! Vienna Union Hall (5 Vienna Mountain Rd.), 7pm. FMI call 207-293-4321. Tickets $20; cash or check at the door.

Sunday 5/18

-Brunch at Root Down, 7am-2pm.

-Arbor Week Celebration at Walton Mill Park, 1-2:30pm. Featuring tree and invasive plant identification, tree trivia and nature games, and hotdogs and chips. Hosted by the Farmington Maine Conservation Commission.

-Theater: Director Gavin Pickering presents Samuel Beckett's Endgame and Act Without Words I at the Emery Performance Space, 2pm. Tickets are $15 or $10 for students/seniors. Buy your tickets here!

-Contra Dance! Featuring the Franklin County Fiddlers & the Pineland Fiddlers. Easy dances -- perfect for beginners. 6-8pm at the West Farmington Grange. Suggested donations: adults $10, students $5. FMI call Emily at 207-491-2441.

To submit your event, go to: https://forms.gle/vnZCs17fiUW1tKXr6

[naturecoaster]

The Hernando Audubon Society works to promote an awareness and appreciation of nature, to preserve and protect natural ecosystems, and to encourage responsible environmental stewardship. Outreach and Education have always been an important part of Hernando Audubon Society activities in the community. The following programs and field trips are open to everyone, and there is no charge to participate. Hernando Audubon Society strives to ensure a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all people to engage with the chapter, especially in nature-based and conservation activities.  Hernando Audubon Meeting, Thursday, February 27: The Gulf of Mexico: Its Challenges and Its Future, with Speakers Martha Collins, Executive Director of Healthy Gulf, and Amanda Moore, Senior Director of National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf Program. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. (until 9 p.m.) at Brooksville Woman’s Club, 131 S. Main Street, Brooksville. Free, all are welcome. Make reservations here: https://www.mobilize.us/audubon-chapters/event/698864/  For information, contact Tom: tomstclair8@gmail.com or 904-303-0919. Hernando Audubon Society February 2025 Activities Hernando Audubon birding trip to Crews Lake Wilderness Park: Saturday, Feb. 5, 8 to 11 a.m. We’ll walk about 1.5 miles from the pier, on the trail along the lake shore, and then a wooded trail. We expect to see the resident Sandhill Cranes, wading birds, woodpeckers, and songbirds. This park in north central Pasco County is approximately 5.7 miles south of County Line Road. When driving south on Shady Hills Road, after crossing under the Suncoast Parkway, turn left on Lenway Road, and right on Crews Lake Drive. Follow the signs to the pier and park in the pier parking lot near the lake. Hernando Audubon Work Day at Audubon Florida's Ahhochee Hill Sanctuary, Saturday, February 8, 9 a.m. to noon at 24268 Lake Lindsey Road, Brooksville. We will do annual maintenance on Eastern Bluebird nest boxes and other clean-up projects on the property. Make reservations here: https://www.mobilize.us/audubon-chapters/event/665898/ Information: Linda: lindalark85@gmail.com or text 352-428-2629. Hernando Audubon Big Day/Birdathon, Saturday, February 15. Everyone can participate by trying to find as many species as they can during the day, whether it is in your own yard or your favorite park. At the end of the day, submit your list of species to bevalhansen@gmail.com. This is a fundraiser for Hernando Audubon Society, with proceeds going to help fund local conservation and education programs. Mail a pledge to P.O. Box 1678, Brooksville, FL 34605. Contact Tom: tomstclair8@gmail.com or 904-303-0919. Hernando Audubon birding trip to Travelers Rest (Pasco County), Saturday, February 22. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Post Office at Travelers Rest RV Resort and Golf Course, 29129 Johnston Road, Dade City. Tom Butler, a resident of the RV park, will guide us to view some of the eight bodies of water that attract various water birds and the wooded areas where Barred Owls, hawks, woodpeckers, and songbirds live. Tom has done a lot of work in the park to create an attractive habitat for birds and viewing areas for folks interested in seeing the birds. In recent years 176 species of birds have been reported on eBird! Make reservations here: https://www.mobilize.us/audubon-chapters/event/665910/ Information: Bev: bevalhansen@gmail.com or 352-686-0460.  Hernando Audubon Beginning Birding, 8 to 11 a.m. on Friday, February 28. Meet on the deck behind the building at Chinsegut Conservation Center, 23212 Lake Lindsey Road, Brooksville. Learn to identify birds at feeders and during a short walk. There will be binoculars available for use. Make reservations here: https://www.mobilize.us/audubon-chapters/event/660432/ For information, contact Linda: lindalark85@gmail.com or text 352-428-2629. Read the full article

[rex-rivetter-transcripts]

Rex Rivetter: Private Eye

Episode 6: The Case of the Poisoned Parakeet (Conclusion)

Note: Item with (?) is open for feedback.

[Nightmare by Artie Shaw starts.]

Tonight and every Monday night, Downstairs Entertainment in association with Davey Boy Productions presents: Rex Rivetter: Private Eye. And now ladies and gentlemen, the exciting conclusion of: Rex Rivetter: Private Eye in The Case of The Poisoned Parakeet.

[Nightmare by Artie Shaw plays.]

REX (V.O.): The name is Rivetter. Rex Rivetter. License number 698753, issued by the Police Department of Los Angeles. Occupation: Private Detective. I was hired by a college Professor by the name of Finch to find out who killed a couple of birds in his classroom. Sure, the case was nonsense, but I figured a couple days of R&R would suit me just fine. Unfortunately, things got a lot more complicated. Evelyn Lawrence, Finch’s lab assistant, was found dead and my client is the prime suspect. ‘Fore heading over to see the deceased’s apartment I spoke to the lawyer down the hall from my office, whose name is Angelo Martin. Probably short for Martinez. He says he’ll go straight to police HQ and I should meet him there when I can. The only thing I found in Evelyn Lawrence’s place was Professor Hoffman. Maybe there was something to the rumor he’d been having an affair with the dead girl. Maybe not. [SFX - Door closes. Footsteps. Telephones ringing. Grate moving. Elevator ambiance.] I had been inside the police headquarters building twice in as many days. Being on this end of the arrest didn’t feel much better. The minute the elevator doors open on the third floor I can hear Burke preaching across the room. 

[Nightmare by Artie Shaw ends.]

[SFX - Footsteps. Finch blubbers behind Burke’s sermon.] 

LT. BURKE (muffled & boisterous): For he is God’s servant, for your own good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain!

[SFX - Something breaks.]

LT. BURKE (muffled & boisterous): For he is a servant of God, an avenger, who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 

REX (V.O.): Professor Finch and the mouthpiece I hired on his behalf walk toward me like the proverbial long-tailed cat in Sam Maloof’s (?) factory. Burke only gets louder.

LT. BURKE (clearly): Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for the conscience’s sake. Romans Chapter Thirteen, Verses Four and Five. The vehement hand of justice will seek ye out, Professor. We will have the truth!

REX: Hello Professor.

LT. BURKE: And you, Rivetter! I should’ve known you would be involved with this! I should’ve brought you all in on charges!

PERCIVAL (relieved): Mr. Rivetter, I cannot tell you how thankful I am to see you. 

REX: Forget it, Professor. You hired me to solve a murder, that’s what I’m going to do. 

LT. BURKE (far away): This isn’t over. We may not have enough to hold you on now, Finch, but don’t you worry sir. 

REX: I see Mr. Martin here was able to drag you out from the pits of hell. 

PERCIVAL: Yes, I’m grateful for–

ANGELO: W-who was that?

REX: Lieutenant Burke, Counselor. He couldn’t afford a big enough hat to be on the Real Squad, but don’t tell him that.

LT. BURKE (behind Angelo): Coroner’s Report is on my desk as we speak…

ANGELO: The “Real Squad?”

REX: Hat Squad? Read a paper. Don’t let his bluster scare you off, his bite is worse than his bark.

ANGELO: Is that supposed to make me feel better?

REX: Not in the least. How did you get Finch out so quickly?

PERCIVAL: Bartlett-Finch! Professor Percival Bartlett-Finch!

REX (with Finch): Percival Bartlett-Finch!

REX: It’s hyphenated, I remember. So how did you get– my client out so quick?

ANGELO: Oh it wasn’t that difficult. [SFX - Paper rustles.] Page twenty-three of the times. The Audubon Society had an event Monday night that the Professor attended. [SFX - Paper rustles.] Look, you can see him in this photo! There in the back. 

PERCIVAL: We discussed a children’s book to introduce the youth of this country–

REX: You got an alibi? How did you find this?

ANGELO: Mr. Rivetter! This is what I do! But I don’t relish the thought of going up against Lieutenant Burke again any time soon! I might have to raise my fee. 

REX: Um, about that…

ANGELO: Aw, don’t worry Rex! May I call you Rex? You look after the Professor. This first one is on me.  

REX (V.O.): I take the shyster’s advice and put the Professor in a yellow cab before heading back to my office to see if Jenny’s gotten any word from the coroner. Finch isn’t outta the woods yet. 

[SFX - Car drives away. Car honks. Door opens. Typewriter noises.]

JENNY: Hiya Boss!

REX: You’re in a chipper mood, Angel. Any word from Margie?

[SFX - Typing. Liquid pours.]

JENNY: Yes. She called about ten minutes after you left. Things don’t look good for the bird man. Apparently the cops think they found a murder weapon in the Professor’s lab and the coroner is in the process of checking that against the stab wounds. She’s pretty sure it’s a match. She’s sending the report over on what they had so far to me. I thought you were the delivery guy. 

[SFX - Knocking. Typing. Door opens. Papers rustle. Door closes. Chair squeaks.]

REX (V.O.): As if on cue there’s a knock on the door. It’s the courier bringing the coroner’s report. Not complete, but there’s enough to get the general idea. I send Jenny down to Schnider’s Deli for a couple of pastrami sandwiches while I look over the report.  I hadn’t eaten all day and my head was starting to pound. Mixed in with Latin medical terms and an outline drawing of a human body is a possible death sentence for my client. Sure, the evidence is circumstantial, but the Los Angeles Police Department isn’t particularly fond of jigsaw puzzles. The suspect doesn’t fit the evidence, leave out the evidence. Simple. It gets good press and the average voter can go about his average day without worrying about the boogeyman. It’s an unspoken agreement in a civilized town like Los Angeles. You start digging into how the cops do their job, you might have to abandon the idea that they don’t make mistakes. You start thinking they’re fallible. You begin to wonder if there’s more stake here besides “upholding the law.” Maybe there’s an agenda that we don’t get to see. Maybe it’s not as much about Law & Order as it is about political agendas and getting the right people in the right positions. Pretty soon the whole world is topsy-turvy. Apples start falling up and cats start chasing dogs. System falls apart if the “Q” in John Q. Public stands for Questions. But don’t get me wrong, most of the flatfoots I met are walkin’ the pier out there because they want to make a difference. They join the force because it’s all on the up and up. Who knows, maybe years of going to work wondering if this is the day you take a lead bath makes you want more than just to watch after twenty-five years. Maybe you see all the bad around you and wonder how the little guy can ever get ahead with so much working against him. Maybe when you look in the dark long enough, your eyes start to adjust. Maybe it doesn’t all seem so dark after all. Pretty soon, maybe you become one of the shadows that everyone else is running from. But none of this is helping. Sometimes when I get hungry, I tend to wax philosophical. There’s something about a hot pastrami sandwich that makes the world slow down, just a bit. I find that whenever I run up against a problem I can’t solve, there are two things that can get the brain workin’: A pastrami sandwich, or a visit to the pie shop. [SFX - Plastic bag crinkling. Door opens and closes.] It’s strange sometimes how something so innocent can blow a case wide open. 

JENNY: We should’ve eaten in my office. 

REX: Out there? I can’t have a potential client walk in and see us chowin’ down. I have an image to protect. 

JENNY: Oh, some image. Besides, that’s why man invented locks, Boss. 

REX: What’s the matter with eating in my office, Angel?

JENNY: It still smells like ammonia in here. I think I used too much when I was cleaning up yesterday. You should open a window. 

REX: I can’t smell it. Maybe that’s what’s giving me a headache. 

JENNY: Well I have an excellent sense of smell. Ever since I was a little girl, ammonia sets me off. Oh, my kid sister was always bugging our folks about pets – we had cats and dogs, fish! We had these birds one time that–

REX: Is this gonna be a long story?

JENNY: It’s rude to interrupt, Mr. Rivetter. And no. I was just sayin’ that we had these birds and one time we were doin’ some spring cleaning and Antoinette spilled some ammonia–

REX: Antoinette?

JENNY: My sister. I’ve told you about her. Anyway, Antoinette accidentally spilled some cleaner with ammonia in it, A LOT of ammonia. It was the one in the ads that has the bottle with arms and legs on it– oh, what is the name of that one? Oh, you know the one. Anyway, she then tried to clean it up but I guess it got to the birds, they got pretty sick and died a couple days later. [Music swells slightly.] At least we assumed–

REX (realizing): Wait, what did you say?

JENNY (slowly): My sister spilled a bunch of ammonia and since then–

REX: No! About the birds!

JENNY: What? Oh, nothing. Oh, Antoinette was so upset she cried for days.

REX (connecting dots): The birds died?

JENNY: They did! Haven’t you been listening?

REX: From the ammonia, of course!

JENNY: Oh yeah, I guess there’s somethin’ in it that– 

REX: That’s why the lab smelled like that!

JENNY: What?

[SFX - Rex quickly cleans up his food and rises from his chair.] 

REX: Angel, I could kiss you. 

JENNY: What?!

[SFX - Rotary phone dialing. Rex grabs his stuff. Keys jingle.]

REX: Get Lieutenant Burke on the horn. Have him pick up Finch, Simon Hoffman, and the kid, Eugene. And have him meet me at Finch’s office. Tell him I know who murdered Evelyn Lawrence. 

JENNY: You do??

REX: You bet, and I can prove it, thanks to you. 

JENNY: Me??? Oh, wait, where’re ya’ goin’?

REX: On my way to the university, but I have a stop to make first. 

[SFX - Door closes.]

JENNY: Huh, well. Whaddya know. I solved the case.

[Music swells.]

[Whimsical music fades in.]

[Shoutout to fans/DSEntertainment from Dave Rivas.] 

[Nightmare by Artie Shaw starts.] 

GREG MCAFEE: And now, for the exciting conclusion of Rex Rivetter: Private Eye in and The Case of the Poisoned Parakeet.

[Nightmare by Artie Shaw plays and fades out.]

[SFX - Car engine. Footsteps.]

REX (V.O.): I had to hightail it to the university. I needed to check on a few things before my guests arrived. 

REX: Finch hired me to find out who killed his birds – I thought it was a fluff case, no offense Professor.

PERCIVAL: Offense taken, Mr. Rivetter. Those birds are people too! Well, you know what I mean. And it’s Bartlett-Finch. Professor Percival Bar– 

[SFX - Something strikes a rack of glassware. Glass clinks.]

LT. BURKE (menacingly): Can it, Finch. Get to the point, Rivetter. I’ve got half a mind to arrest you along with the Professor as an accessory after the fact. I don’t care what the time says.

REX: Bear with me, Inspector. Evelyn Lawrence was last seen Monday night, here in this lab. Is that correct?

LT. BURKE: That’s what we have. Finch’s testimony is corroborated by several witnesses. 

REX: Right. But she wasn’t alone. She was working with you, Professor Hoffman. Isn’t that right?

HOFFMAN: Even if that were true, it does not prove anything.

PERCIVAL: Working with? Why would she be working with–

REX: Evie had been working with Hoffman for quite some time. Months, in fact. Isn’t that right Hoffman?

HOFFMAN: I have no comment. 

REX: That is why she ended things with Eugene here. She couldn’t bear the idea of lying to him anymore. Eugene thought they were having an affair, along with most of the faculty and students. You thought that’s why she broke it off, but I found evidence to the contrary. 

LT. BURKE: What evidence?

REX: These.

[SFX - Paper rustling.]

LT. BURKE: What is this? It’s a bunch of chicken scratch.

REX: That’s what I thought, at first. And then I noticed something at the bottom of the last page, the number 138.

LT. BURKE: What is it?

REX: It corresponds to a test Professor Hoffman ran. The remains of which are inside the refrigerator, over there. 

HOFFMAN: What?! Let me see that!

[SFX - Rex yanks the paper away from Hoffman.]

REX: Not just yet, Professor. I think L.A.’s finest might want to take a peek in your ice box.

[SFX - Fridge opens. Glass clinks.]

LT. BURKE: What in the Lord’s name?! What kind of ghoul keeps this… what are these, Hoffman?

HOFFMAN: DO NOT TOUCH THAT!! [SFX - Fridge closes.] That is all part of my research!

REX: The part that isn’t goin’ well, I’d wager. 

LT. BURKE: Cut to the chase, Rivetter. What do these sideshow displays have to do with the murder?

REX: I’m glad you asked, Inspector. 

LT. BURKE: Lieutenant.

REX: I’m glad you asked, Inspector Lieutenant. The handwriting on those notes matches the handwriting on the outside of those experiments. It belongs to Evelyn Lawrence, proving she was working with Hoffman.

HOFFMAN (angry): I told you this afternoon she was working with me. That is not news, nor is it any indication that I had anything to do with her murder!

PERCIVAL: But I just don’t… get why–

REX: No, the fact that she was working with you isn’t the evidence. The evidence is in her notes. Professor Finch–

PERCIVAL & REX: Bartlett-Finch, 

REX: before she started working with Hoffman, Evie Lawrence was your assistant, correct?

PERCIVAL: Yes, that is correct.

REX: I imagine you two worked very closely together. You think you could uh, decipher these notes?

PERCIVAL: Yes, I suppose I could.

REX: Would you mind? 

PERCIVAL (quietly): Huh, interesting.

REX: Hm. Out loud, Professor?

PERCIVAL: Oh! Of course. It seems that Professor Hoffman has been conducting experiments on a drug called thalidomide.

HOFFMAN: That is all part of my research! Any and all notes belong to the university!

LT. BURKE: Shut up! 

HOFFMAN: What would the committee chair say about–

LT. BURKE: I said shut up! 

REX: You have my permission to shoot ‘im.

LT. BURKE: You too, Rivetter!

HOFFMAN: There are always some small side effects introducing a new chemical into a system, anomalies–

PERCIVAL: Apparently there were several cases of side effects of the drug. 

LT. BURKE: These abominations in the cooler?

PERCIVAL: No. Inspector, the test animal showed no ill effect. Those “abominations,” as you call them, are the offspring. 

HOFFMAN: Quiet!

PERCIVAL: Ms. Lawrence detailed several cases where the animals’ litters were born with mutated appendages.

LT. BURKE: In English, please.

PERCIVAL: Flippers, Inspector. Like in the jars? Instead of feet, they had flippers.

HOFFMAN (heated): Lies! It’s-It’s-It’s all lies!!

REX: She was gonna rat you out, wasn’t she, Hoffman? That’s why you killed her.

HOFFMAN: I didn’t kill her!!

REX: Sure, you did. She told you she was going to publish your findings and you killed her, right in this room. You went into a mad rage and stabbed her seventeen times with one of the scalpels. When you realized what you’d done, you wrapped her up and took her to her apartment, but not before cleaning up the mess here. 

HOFFMAN: You can’t prove that!

REX: You used ammonia to clean up the blood. Lots of it, I imagine. That’s what killed the birds. 

LT. BURKE: Ammonia?

REX: Sure, Inspector. There’s no windows in here, so no circulation. That much ammonia would kill a bird in no time. Isn’t that right, Finch?

PERCIVAL: [SFX - Percival huffs.] Bart-! Yes, yes I suppose it would. 

REX: The place still reeks of it.

HOFFMAN (coming undone): Y-you-you can’t… this.. this will ruin me!

REX: All the money, all the notoriety – it was all coming to an end, wasn’t it, Professor? Right before your eyes!

HOFFMAN (through sobs): It will ruin me! Oh, my-my reputation!!

REX: I bet some drug company would’ve paid a fortune to publish your research, if you could only hide the anomalies.

[SFX - Equipment bangs together as Hoffman lunges for Rex.]

HOFFMAN: You can’t–!!

[SFX (dialogue below layered on top) - Hoffman and Rex fight. Glasses clinking. Heavy breathing and grunting. Glass breaks. Punches land. Percival exclaims and faints. Metal clanks.]

LT. BURKE: Careful, Rivetter!

PERCIVAL: Good Heavens!

EUGENE: What’s that in Hoffman’s hand!?

LT. BURKE: He’s got a scalpel!

[SFX - Fighting dies down.]

EUGENE: Was Professor Finch hurt? How? He was over here with me!

LT. BURKE: He wasn't hurt, he fainted again. You alright, Rivetter?

REX: Right as rain! I guess Hoffman couldn’t take a punch.

LT. BURKE: Cuff him, Jeffery.

[SFX - Music swells. Handcuffs tighten. Hoffman sobs in the background.]

REX (V.O.): As the Boys in Blue cart Hoffman off, Lieutenant Burke has a few more questions for me. Eugene and Finch join us, and in the back of my head, a voice screams at me saying I should leave well enough alone. Remind me to listen to that voice next time. 

LT. BURKE: Alright Rivetter, that wasn’t bad work. I will give you that. When did you put it all together?

REX: It was… bits and pieces, really. The dead birds, the rumors of Hoffman’s affair with Evie, the handwriting on the glass jars in the cooler that match the notes in her apartment.

EUGENE: Yes, where did you get those?

REX: Behind the picture of you and Evie. She kept it on her dresser. That’s what tipped me off that it was more than an affair that caused her death. 

EUGENE: Why?

REX: A woman having an affair wouldn’t have kept your picture out in the open. 

EUGENE: Huh.

REX: Maybe that’s why she broke it off. She knew there was something hinky about Professor Hoffman’s research, but couldn’t put her finger on it, so she went undercover.

EUGENE: But.. why break it off with me?

REX: Dames are funny sometimes. Would it help if you knew she was still in love with you, son? You got a promising career ahead of you, I’d imagine. She probably didn’t want you to get involved in something sordid like this. 

EUGENE: I-I don’t know what to say. 

REX (V.O.): Eugene excuses himself from the group. The next time I look up, he’s gone. It’ll take a while for him to get over his first love. I like to think he’ll find some happiness, eventually.

LT. BURKE: We had it figured the murder didn’t occur at Lawrence’s apartment. But there was no sign of a struggle or a blood splatter in the lab. The birds were a nice touch.

REX: The smell of ammonia was the final piece of the puzzle. 

LT. BURKE: And with all those scraps you put it all together. Good detective work. You guessed, didn’t you? 

REX: I’ll never tell.

LT. BURKE: And now the real effort begins. You see Rivetter, police work isn’t just about solving the case. It’s also about keeping your superiors happy and working with the public to protect the image of the department.

REX: Well, I can’t do everything for you. 

LT. BURKE: This isn’t going to look good. We already brought in one Professor for questioning, now we have to let him walk and arrest another. No, it’s not going to look good at all. 

REX: Supposing it was all part of your plan.

LT. BURKE: Plan?

REX (V.O.): There’s that voice again, telling me to stow it. But I’m on a roll now.

REX: Sure, you arrested Finch to flush out the real killer. You figured if he thought you had the culprit he’d relax, slip up somehow. After all, you’re dealing with an educated man with more degrees than a thermometer. He’s not your run-of-the-mill killer. You had to approach things differently. 

LT. BURKE: Right. We had to show him that we could outsmart him. 

REX (V.O.): Burke was catching on.

REX: So, you clued me into what you were doing, and I went along. 

LT. BURKE: Now hold on a minute there, boyo–

REX (slowly turning into a Burke impression): I was happy to help the police department protect the innocent citizens of this fine city–

LT. BURKE: So now we know what you get out of this.

REX: We’re killing two birds with one stone. 

[Nightmare by Artie Shaw starts.]

REX (V.O.): The sun begins to set on the City of Angels. Another case is behind me and I’m feeling pretty good! [SFX - Paper shuffling.] The next morning The Times reads: “COPS ARREST PROFESSOR FOR STUDENT MURDER.” I skim the article, and find my name. It’s toward the end. Almost as an afterthought, but it’s in there. That should be good for business! Jenny can cut that one out and add that to her scrapbook. 

[Nightmare by Artie Shaw plays.]

GREG MCAFEE: Tonight’s episode of Rex Rivetter: Private Eye stars Randy Coull (Rex Rivetter) and Rhiannon McAfee (Jenny McIntosh), featuring Nick Young (Lieutenant Burke) and Dave Rivas (Angelo Martin), guest starring Dave Hibler (Professor Percival Bartlett-Finch), James Steinburg (Professor Hoffman), and Joe Fejeran (Eugene). Tonight’s episode was written by Greg McAfee and is transcribed in San Diego, California. It is produced by Downstairs Entertainment, with recording, sound, and editing by Davey Boy Productions. The Rex Rivetter Theme ‘Nightmare’ by the Artie Shaw Orchestra is used by permission of Music Sales Corps. Rex Rivetter is directed by Rhiannon McAfee with vocal, sound, and technical direction by Dave Rivas. And if you enjoyed tonight’s episode please find us on the internet at www.dsentertain.com or on THE FACEBOOK or THE TWITTER. Tonight's episode of Rex Rivetter: Private Detective is brought to you in part by Davey Boy Productions. For sound design, private voice-over workshops, or to consult with voice over recording artist Dave Rivas about your project, visit www.daveyboyproductions.com. And be sure to join us next Monday night, same time and place, for The Case of Triple Indemnity. For Downstairs Entertainment, this is Greg McAfee speaking. 

[Nightmare by Artie Shaw fades out.]

[whitepolaris]

Meteorite Hazard at Audubon Golf Course

At the northern end of the eighteenth hole fairway in New Orlean's Audubon Park Golf Club course is one weird hazard. An iron meteorite weighing in at more than fifteen tons juts out nearly six feet from the well-maintained grounds of the old course. The Picayune described the meteorite's arrival on March 31, 1891:

The terrific explosion and detonation which startled all of Carrollton just previous to daylight yesterday morning, shook houses and smashed panes of glass, proves to have been caused by the fall of an enormous meteorite. All people throughout the city who happened to be awake heard the noise and felt the shock. Indeed, the effects were felt as far away as Biloxi, and no doubt at more distant points.

The few who were on the streets or rushed to the doors and windows saw an immense glare of fire in the sky and the kissing of flames, which ceased as suddenly as they appeared.

Initial descriptions measured it at eight feet high and twenty-one feet in circumference at its widest point. But in the nearly 120 years since it slammed into the dark, rust, ground subsidence under its enormous weight and souvenir collecting have diminished the spectacle somewhat. In fact, after it was determined that it probably posed little or no danger to the park or its visitors, city officials soon realized that the greater danger was to the meteorite itself from the swarms souvenir hunters. Twelve lesser masses of space iron and thousands of smaller chunks and fragments scattered around the site were quickly carried away as mementos, many of which still grace mantals and curiosity cabinets throughout the region. By late afternoon on the day the interplanetary traveler arrived, a committee headed by the commissioner of public works, E. T. Leche, decided to post a guard of armed policemen around the site until an iron fence could be constructed to preserve it for future citizens to enjoy and admire.

It turns out the best way to preserve an intergalactic artifact is to tell a lie about it. A false rumor was started, claiming that the rock hadn't come from space at all. Instead it was touted to be a giant sample iron ore from Alabama's famous Red Mountain quarries near Birmingham. It purportedly had been abandoned in New Orleans after the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition of 1884-85.

This version of the origins of the meteorite gained momentum after readers realized that the original newspaper article had come out April 1, although the event itself had happened the day before. It did not explain, however, how such a big chunk of "iron ore" had completely escaped notice until then, or why, if Alabamans had thought it was so impressive before the fair, they had decided it was so worthless afterward. What is more, in a region with almost no outcroppings of solid rock at all, surely over the course of six years of supposedly sitting in plain view in a park surrounded by hundreds of daily visitors, someone would have noticed it, if it had really been there all along.

After the lake meteorite story began circulating, the public quickly lost interest. The Public Works office quietly canceled plans for the elaborate fencing as the meteorite sank into the mists of history. For decades afterward, unfortunate old-timers were branded as fabulists or lairs if they admitted that they'd actually heard the blast or seen the flames. Meanwhile, gawkers and curiosity seekers refocused their attention on the other wonder of that year, the great Ames Crevasse. A breach in the levees had flooded Gretna, destroying homes and creating quite a tourist attraction. The Audubon Park meteorite, on the other hand, crashed down in a party of the city with no dwellings, at a time when few people were awake, and on a day when almost no one would later believe it had ever really happened at all.