Muchas Gracias!!!

They said it couldn't be done. "It's too late in the season, too many people have already left town".

Ha! We proved them wrong! The benefit went great. Better than great. We were expecting 100, hoping for 150 people. There was over 200 stuffed in the Purple Onion and alot of money (and awareness) was raised! Thank you!! Because of all of this Conrehabit has some breathing room and the parritos will get some much needed supplies.

The "Gringo Workday" did not go exactly as planned since it was so packed. Instead it was "Gringos Just Trying To Help the Staff And Not Get In Their Way Too Much Day". A big thanks to the businesses and individuals that contributed prizes for the raffle; The Purple Onion, Mr Aces, Olas Altas Steakhouse, Soul and Spirit Ventures, Casa de Leyendes, Estrella del Mar, Carlos and Lucias, Tom and Cathy Coonce, Autumn Brown (massage therapist), the Patricia Belle, Unico Gift Shop, Brentster, Dick Damron....I think that's it. Jennifer Swarts of Deadeye Design was wonderful in helping me with flyers. Dick Damron, the Brentster, and the rest of the musicians were great and there was alot of diffrent genres played. It was some kind of fun! There were jello shots, raffles, and dance contests. Alot of new friendships were made that afternoon as well-----or so I was told-----I was way too busy behind the bar to mingle! I did meet one couple who were ending their 'Mexico Tour '08', that they had been on to see where they were going to retire. They told me that after all the other places they had visited, they were pretty much set on Mazatlan, but they had so much fun and met so many friendly people at the benefit, they now have no doubts! Welcome to Mazatlan, Robert & Sandie!

Before I close, I want to send a big 'shout-out' to Howard, the staff of the Purple Onion, and also to my fellow "Onion-Heads" that were dragged into helping with this deal. You guys rule!!

For anyone still wanting to help out, here is the Conrehabit link once again:

http://www.conrehabit.org/view.php?id=2.

Here is a collection of pictures from several people around town of the parrots being fed;

http://picasaweb.google.com/maximphoto/CONREHABITRESCUEPARROTS?pli=1

One more link, this is an article about Conrehabit and a previous rescue:

http://massarticle.com/articles18758-tourists-be-aware-the-dark-side-of-wildlife-trafficking.html

Mazatlan is going to the birds!!

There was an incident in Culican two weeks ago that involved 2 guys, a pickup, telephone booth and 476 illegal birds. Here is the article; http://www.noroeste.com.mx/publicaciones.php?id=364634&id_seccion=10 .

Flash forward to today and because of this there are almost 300 baby parrots , estimated to be about four weeks old, being hand fed three times a day by alot of volunteers around Mazatlan with baby cereal embedded under their nails. The above picture is one I found on the web of a half moon conure which is the breed they are said to be. Right now they look kinda like that, but alot smaller and no feathers! For pictures and video of some of the actual orphaned birds see; http://countdowntomexico.blogspot.com/.

The group that is spearheading the effort is Conrehabit, which is a local organization that rescues and rehabilitates wildlife. It has been a huge job for all involved and once they are able to eat and survive on their own they will be released into the wild at the Conrehabit ranch. I do not have any parrots to feed, although I did receive a call yesterday that there were a couple that were not doing so well and I may be caring for them. I am helping to organize a benefit, however! For anyone in town this week, we are having a "Gringo Workday" at the Purple Onion, this Sunday April 20 from 3-6 pm. Howard from the Onion and Major from Mister A's will be manning the grill for a 'build your own' hamburger and hot dog bar. Myself and Italiano Joe will be handling the bar with happy hour prices and there will be a jam session with several musicians including Dick Damron. We will be running a raffle and the prizes include a golf/dinner/condo package at Estrella del Mar, wines, jewelry, art, two at home massages, gift certificates to various restaurants and more. It will definitely be alot of fun! For those of you that are not here, don't worry, you can still help! Just go to the Conrehabit website and click on the PayPal button. http://www.conrehabit.org/view.php?id=2 .

Also, next time you are in Mazatlan, swing by the Conamigos Bazaar to either shop or drop off that knick knack that you are tired of looking at! It is located in Centro, Calle Luis Zuniga #505 and all the proceeds help both Conrehabit and Amigos de los Animales. That is all for now, I am off to run around town and beg for more raffle prizes!