Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

Diana

Play, play, play

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I don’t know what it was – the weather, the shed being built, or new-found stardom for the Cle Elum Seven, but the chimpanzees were SO playful today. Jamie was sporting a shirt and her tutu for most of the day, and I saw each of the chimpanzees playing at some point. I was able to catch a few photos. The one of Jamie hanging is so precious to me – she reminds me of a little girl. Of course, she’s not a little girl – she’s ony a few years younger than me, but perhaps today, for whatever reason, she felt young again. (For a bit of background on the chimpanzees wearing clothing, please see this blog post).

Missy and Annie with big playfaces Missy and Annie with big playfaces
Jamie playing by herself
Jamie and Foxie playing - in style and with trollJamie and Foxie playing – in style and with troll

Behold the shed

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Convenient storage (for blankets, enrichment, etc) is at a serious premium at the sanctuary. So, we are really, really excited about the donated shed being built today! Jim (who donated all of the materials and carpentry skills) and Brian are spending the day working on constructing it right outside the kitchen of the sanctuary building. They couldn’t have picked a nicer day to work outside.

I doubt the chimpanzees were excited about the shed, but they sure were in good moods today – I’ll post some photos of them playing after I serve dinner 🙂

Jim and Brian constructing new shed
Jim and Brian constructing new shed

Jody changing

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Welcome to new blog readers! We are so excited about the ABC coverage that brought you here! To get you up to speed, I hope that you have perused the blog and learned about the wonderful Cle Elum Seven and their growing human family of supporters.

We have periodically been posting some “then” and “now” photos of the chimpanzees to show how quickly they are changing, and I thought it would be appropriate to post another one of these today as so many new folks view the blog. I think that Jody’s physical improvements have been the most dramatic. What do you think?

Jody on day one at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, after decades in research.
Jody on day one at the sanctuary, after decades in research.
Jody a few days ago outside.
Jody, taken a few days ago outside, after four months of sanctuary life at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest.

See your chimpanzee family on ABC World News tonight!!!

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I know regular blog readers have been waiting for this announcement with great anticipation. And here it is!

Here’s what we know: the segment will air on ABC World News with Charles Gibson, which begins at 6:30EST and 5:30 PST. Please check your local stations.

We’re so excited to see the Cle Elum Seven on national television!

UPDATE: you can watch the segment online here: http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6043780

Foxie and Negra

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Foxie continues to change… on Saturday, J.B. and I saw her display for the first time! She pant-hooted and even banged on the plexiglass window the way that Burrito does when he displays outside. I thought I was seeing things for a moment. Foxie is gaining so much confidence and obviously feeling more comfortable – I can’t wait to see what she does next!

Below is a photo of Foxie outside shortly after her display, with Negra behind her draped in a blanket.

And here is Negra – a photo I recently found and edited. I wish I could put into words how special and beautiful Negra is, but with images like this, maybe I don’t need words.

Stand-Up for Chimps – so fun!

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Thanks to everyone who came out to the Nonprofit Comedy Night that helped raise money for the Cle Elum Seven, and thank you to the comedians who donated their time to entertain us. I had a great time! Based on the laughter, I would hazard to say that everyone had a great time. It was nice to see people who had only “spoken” through the blog and the forum meet each other in person. And it was so nice for me to meet some new supporters. The raffle was a lot of fun and the slideshow was cool to see on the big screen. Thanks goes to Margaret for getting prints of Jamie’s artwork as well as cards she made together for us to sell that night – both were a hit! We’ll have to do it again!

Keith at the mike (not doing stand-up, just thanking folks) with Burrito on the screen behind.
Keith (not doing stand-up, just thanking folks) with Burrito on the screen behind.
Comedian with another photo of Burrito from the slideshow on screen.
Comedian with another photo of Burrito from the slideshow on screen.

Laugh and Shop

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We have a lot of stuff going on to support the Cle Elum Seven – I hope you can join us for these upcoming happenings:

Tuesday, October 7th: If you’re in the Seattle area, come to comedy night this Tuesday! Doors open at 8:00pm, and you can rsvp now using Evite.  You can meet Keith, J.B. and myself. You can laugh up a storm. And you can buy some prints of Jamie’s artwork, as well as cards that have prints of a watercolor of Jody that Margaret painted! If you caught the interview on the radio this morning, you learned all about Yoram Bauman “the stand-up economist” and his Non-Profit Comedy Nights at Seattle’s Comedy Underground. It’s bound to be a lot of fun and it will raise needed funds to help care for the Cle Elum Seven. UPDATE: THIS SHOW IS FOR 21+ ONLY – a new decision by the state liquor board.

Sunday, October 12th: Our first Holiday Shopping event is happening at the Freemont store Urban Weeds. 25% of all purchases on the 12th will go towards CSNW. If you’ve never been to this cool urban gardening store, visit their website then visit the store on the 12th.

Saturday, October 18th: Wild Birds Unlimited in Monroe, WA is donating 10% of their profits for the day. This store is a must-visit for all bird enthusiasts, and a great place to pick up gifts for the backyard birders in your life.

Saturday, October 25th: 20% of sales from the Seattle store Laura Bee Designs will be donated to the sanctuary. Laura Bee has all kinds of unique, stylish and customizable handbags and accessories. A perfect place to pick up unique gifts! Check out Laura Bee’s recent blog post featuring Negra!