Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, May 12, 2018

7

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 12, 2018 

CELEBRATE NATIONAL WILDLIFE WEEK


HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

While scanning through Facebook the other day I came 
across a friend’s post about National Wildlife Week, an 
annual event that observes, celebrates and educates on 
the remarkable wild animals that dwell in our continent’s 
natural spaces. And as we locals well know, many tend 
to spend a good amount of time among us in our 
neighborhoods, too.

 As I read the post, it inspired me to find out 
more about this important annual celebration. I am 
embarrassed to say I do not recall having heard of it 
before, and I wondered if there may be other animal 
and nature lovers out there who, like me, are unaware 
but would be interested in knowing that there is a week 
specifically set aside each year, to show our appreciation 
for the wild creatures we so adore.

 The week-long event is organized by the National 
Wildlife Federation, and on their website - www.nwf.org 
- they have a page specifically dedicated to informing the 
public about it. I found it to be so interesting, I decided to 
share it in this week’s column and encourage those who 
hold a special place in their heart for the preservation 
of our wonderful wildlife, to observe and help celebrate 
National Wildlife Week, 2018.

 Details of the event provided on the NWF website 
were so eloquently and informatively written, I’d be 
hard-pressed to do it justice with words of my own, so 
I’ve taken the liberty to borrow some of their language in 
sharing the important points. Credit goes to www.nwf.
org and I want to thank the people behind this amazing 
movement for all the work they do to manifest what 
could have stopped at being only a dream, into a reality.

 NWF puts it all very well in a nutshell; “The rich 
history of National Wildlife Week dates all the way 
back to its first celebration in 1938. As our longest-
running education program, National Wildlife Week 
connects budding conservationists of all ages to the 
awesome wonders of wildlife. Now more than ever, these 
connections serve as a vital component to recovering 
vulnerable wildlife. For people across the nation, this 
week is a chance to learn more about animals native 
to North America, their habitats, and how we can help 
them thrive.”

 This year National Wildlife Week will be held March 
12-16 and since the future of our planet is ultimately in the 
hands of our youth, NWF offers 10 practical programs 
for students to participate in. There are live links to each 
of the referenced materials to review, download and 
print. NWF makes the objective quite clear; “Today’s 
students will play a vital role in saving wildlife for future 
generations. These resources, assembled by the National 
Wildlife Federation’s Eco-School USA program, provide 
ways for students to connect with wildlife in their 
backyard, schoolyard, and beyond. 
Here are 10 ways to take action:”

 1) Get to know this year’s Final 
Fur competitors - Download the 
Final Fur trading cards for stats on 
each player. Join us as we highlight 
32 native species that will go head-to-
head for the championships title. Fill 
out your bracket anytime between 
March 12-15, then stay tuned on 
Friday, March 16, when we reveal the 
winner.

 2) Browse the Wildlife Guide 
- Learn more about some of the 
featured species for 2018, such as the 
Hawaiian monk seal or the Florida 
panther.

 3) Research threatened and endangered species in 
your state - Start your search online with the US Fish 
and Wildlife Service, then develop an action plan that 
will support the species’ habitat needs.

 4) Conduct an audit - Investigate and assess how your 
school engages with biodiversity or Schoolyard Habitats.

 5) Develop an action plan to build wildlife habitat at 
school - Once habitats are built, apply for a Schoolyard 
Habitat certification designation.

 6) Conduct species-specific citizen science - Support 
professional researchers by getting involved with a 
citizen science program.

 7) Volunteer to remove invasive species from local 
parks - Invasive species can decimate wildlife habitat.

 8) Participate in or host a watershed cleanup event 
- Many local plant and animal species rely on healthy 
waterways to meet their habitat needs.

 9) Partner with a local college or university to assist in 
research about a particular species.

 10) Adopt an animal - Visit the National Wildlife 
Federation’s adoption center to symbolically adopt a 
wildlife species.

 Let’s all do our part to preserve what wildlife we still 
have by supporting the National Wildlife Federation and 
participating in National Wildlife Week, March 12-16, 
2018. Love and let live!


ALL IS WELL —IN MY BELLY

Did you know, 
according to 
Ayurveda(the sister 
science to yoga), 
digestion is the single 
most important 
determinant of good 
health? 
When we don’t 
absorb the nutrients from food we eat, the body 
slowly turns the undigested excess into toxins. These 
toxins can be harmful in all ways – physical, mental, 
emotional, and even spiritual. The physical asana 
practice can substantially improve digestion. Poses that 
bend forward or create a twist are especially helpful. As 
expected, diet plays a huge role in healthy digestion. 
One of the best dishes to improve digestion is called 
Kitchari. Some yogis make Kitchari once and a while 
and others make this lovely dish once or twice per week 
as a gentle cleanse. 

 I thought I’d share an excellent recipe to help get you 
on the road to wellness! Recipe credit belongs to the 
cookbook: Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-Healing, by Asha 
Lad & Dr. Vasant Lad. 

 Here goes:

MUNG DAL KITCHARI 

(Serves 4 –ingredients can be found at Whole Foods or 
an Indian Market)

1 cup basmati rice 

. cup yellow split mung dal

3 tbs ghee

1 tsp black mustard seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 pinches hing

. tsp turmeric

. tsp salt

4 cups water

 Wash the rice and mung dal well. If you have time, let 
the mung dal soak for a few hours before cooking as it 
helps digestibility. In a saucepan over medium heat, heat 
the ghee and add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds and 
hing. Stir a moment until the seeds pop. Add the rice, 
mung dal, turmeric, salt and stir until well blended with 
the spices. Add the water and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 
minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Turn down the 
heat to low and cover, leaving the lid slightly ajar. Cook 
until tender, about 20-25 minutes. 

 Enjoy this staple recipe for great digestion and healthy 
living! Don’t hesitate to add in a yoga practice filled with 
gentle folds and twists. 

 To learn more about Ayurveda, the sister science to 
yoga, please contact me via email keely@keelytotten.com. 

Namaste, Keely Totten

Yoga & Meditation Teacher 

www.keelytotten.com


Lori A. Harris

THE MISSING PAGE

Real Life Tips from LIfe's Instruction Manual

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

To Chris Leclerc, re: Are Pets People Too? 


Count me in as a huge YES! I’m sure that all 
the millions of pet owners, rescue and shelter 
organizations, veterinary offices, groomers, 
etc., will heartily agree! And, along those lines, 
people can and should provide for their pets in 
case they are unable to care for them. Can’t tell 
you how many sad stories we hear about this. 
Love your articles, Chris!

~Darlene PapaLifeline for Petswww.
lifelineforpets.org

THE MOTHERS THAT CAME BEFORE US

It all started with my sister's simple text, "What 
was our great grandmother's first name?" I didn't 
know. I had the answer within 20 minutes; her 
name was Henrietta, but I fell into to the rabbit 
hole of the internet. I'm a naturally curious 
person, on a mission to find out more, and from 
the comfort my home I searched the archives 
of two distant states. I was reviewing the 1900 
census, and I found the names of three relatives, 
the expected information was all there, but the 
education responses stopped me in my tracks. 
At age twenty, Henrietta was a married woman 
with a five-year-old child, and she could not read 
or write. My grandmother Charity always talked 
about her third-grade education, and I missed the 
point. My grandmother could read and write, that 
was a big deal. Her father, also illiterate, was a 
farmer, a demanding profession, and her mom was 
a domestic who died at the age of forty-one. My 
grandmother lived to the age of 91 and was proud 
of her work in the catering business and her ability 
to take care of herself.

 As you spend time with your family and friends 
this Mother's Day, there is so 
much to appreciate in our 
family trees. I often feel 
gratitude for my anonymous 
relatives for all that they 
endured for me to live the 
life I now have, but I realize that I can deepen my 
practice. Life was hard, and it wasn't that long 
ago. One hundred years ago it wasn't merely an 
agrarian society. It was a deeply divided time. 
Our country legally separated folks by gender 
and race, but we also separated by education and 
opportunity.

 This Mother's Day I will appreciate my ancestors 
who lived in a world that shut them out with 
words. I am thankful for my parents who sat with 
me and taught me to read before I went to school. 
I will appreciate the leaders that fought to provide 
the free public schools for everyone and I will be 
grateful for the women who continue the struggle 
for equality. 

Happy Mother's Day!


BEST FRIEND

Alex is a sweet little dog who 
was found running loose in 
Rosemead and was brought to 
the shelter for his own safety. No 
one has come to find him, so he is 
now hoping to find a new family 
to love him. His breed is shown 
as long-haired Chihuahua. 
He is 5-years-old and weighs 
a dainty 6.3 pounds, just the 
right size for a lapdog. Alex has 
the most beautiful soft black 
and white coat of long fur that 
glistens when he has had a bath. 
Alex has a calm disposition and 
seems to prefer being cuddled in 
a lap to physical activity. He is a little shy at first, but 
really seems to like people once he is comfortable. 
He has shown an interest in other dogs that share his 
calm nature. Alex is looking for a safe, secure home 
with a loving person or family. He would probably 
be more comfortable in a quiet 
setting rather than a very active 
home. If Alex sounds like the 
new family member you are 
looking for, come and meet him 
soon. His adoption fee is $130 
and includes neuter surgery, 
vaccinations, microchip and 
a free wellness exam at a 
participating veterinarian. Feel 
free to call us at (626) 286-
1159 for more information. 
She currently resides at the San 
Gabriel Valley Humane Society 
located at 851 E. Grand Avenue 
in San Gabriel which is located 
off San Gabriel Blvd, north of Mission and south 
of Las Tunas Drive. To arrange a ‘Meet and Greet’, 
please stop by any time from 10:30am to 4:30pm 
Tuesday through Sunday.Website:www.sgvhumane.
org.


WHO DO YOU CHOOSE?


We call them, 
“The Buggsies,” 
age 1. Since their 
all white mother 
was named 
June Bug, we 
continued with 
the cute buggy 
names. The male 
is HOPPER, all 
white with some 
light gray on top 
of his head. LADY BUG, female, is a Hopper look-
alike, and CRICKET, female, is all soft black. Hopper 
is playful, mild, and likes to chill. Lady Bug is a tad 
shy, but warms up quickly. Cricket is active, friendly, 
and sweet. Adopt one, two, or all three! Use our 
Twofur Offer, & they will come spayed/neutered, 
current on vaccines, and microchipped. Call 626-
676-9505 or email us at info@lifelineforpets.org for 
more information. See more pictures and adoption 
information on our website, www.lifelineforpets.org. 
Can’t adopt? You can sponsor, donate, or foster! 

 
Walter Cailleteau, DVM Free Exam!
927 N. Michillinda Ave. For New Clients 
Pasadena, CA 91107 Bring this coupon to save! 
(626) 351-8863
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com