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GAF Northeast Picnic...10 Years of Fun & Friendship
Joyce Carta - Fri May 24, 2013 @ 08:02AM
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Happy 10th Anniversary to the GAFNE Picnic!!  Which gave me an idea for the next newsletter...if anyone has pictures of GAFNE Picnics through the years, I'd love to have them for a special photo story in our next edition.  I think it would be lovely to recap 10 years of great times and we'd all enjoy the memory lane stroll.  If you'd like to contribute one or more pictures, please send them to either Marilyn or to me, digital format, and labeled by year and photographer.

Maureen & Tony...Barry...Mark...everyone who's so very good at recording memories, and there's so many of you in the Northeast...this is a shout out to you all!

Thanks!  And have a fantastic time on June 2!

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Long Overdue FL Rules for Greyhounds' Better Treatment
Joyce Carta - Sat May 11, 2013 @ 09:23AM
Comments: 2

Although legislative victories were not coming this year, Florida greyhounds will benefit from a new ruling from the FL Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering.  Taking effect on 21 May will be the following requirements:

1.  Greyhound trainers will be required to notify state regulators every time a dog dies on racetrack or kennel grounds...in writing and within 18 hours of the death.

2.  Greyhound haulers must be licensed.

3.  Trainers must maintain a "roster" identifying each dog by name, tattoo number, owner's name, trainer's name, dog's date of arrival and departure and the name & license number of the person transporting the dog.

4.  Keeping more than one dog per racetrack cage is now prohibited.

5.  Track officials will be required to complete a "weekly documented walk-through" of occupied greyhound kennels.

This is progress.  This is added transparency which history has proven to be the most effective check on maltreatment.  This is proof that the tide is turning and the industry is being forced to listen to people like all of us who care only for the welfare of these dogs that we love. 

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FL Humane Lobby Day 10 April Tallahasse
Joyce Carta - Wed Apr 10, 2013 @ 08:08PM
Comments: 1

 

There were about 60 animal welfare activists from all over Florida who gathered today in Tallahassee to lobby for a variety of Animal Rights bills…including those of us concerned with greyhound welfare in general and, ultimately, with the abolition of greyhound racing in this state.  And quite frankly, not IF but WHEN greyhound racing dies in Florida it will be essentially GONE in the entire United States.  We are Ground Zero for this "sport."  This is a high stakes effort and FL is at its crux.
 
Bad news: in a nutshell, this year nothing will happen.  Florida, this year, is undertaking a year-long massive evaluation of gaming/gambling in total…no doubt with an eye to maximizing this State's revenues but also to evaluate the extensive gambling sources and constituencies and to put in place some philosophic overview of what role gambling will play in Florida's revenue future.  From a politician's viewpoint, there is so much more than the welfare of the dogs at stake here; greyhound racing is a tiny component in a state that's lobbed on layers and layers of "Let's do this gambling deal and hope for the best" in the attempt to get the most money with the least amount of expended effort into the state's coffers.  The fact that dogs here are suffering, injured and dying for "entertainment" value is the last of many concerns.  However, there will be a Listening Tour of the two Houses', Senate and House of Representatives, Gaming Committees, in the coming months to hear from FL citizens.  To hear from YOU.
 
Good News: this is where WE, FL residents, come in.  As soon as this Listening Tour schedule is published, I will GET THIS SCHEDULE OUT TO YOU.  It is vitally important to have a strong show of anti-racing support that these committee members can see, hear and feel for themselves.  Next year's efforts will not abolish dog racing, but, with the successful addition of the two bills proposed…the Decoupling Bill AND the Injury Reporting Bill (we are one of, I believe, 3 racing states that do NOT report greyhound racing injuries out of the 7 states that still legally have racing)...which will find a way to be included in the 2014 Massive Gambling Overview Legislation…WE STAND AN EXCELLENT CHANCE to deal a significant blow to this abhorrent industry that literally chews up dogs to provide for human greed and "entertainment."   (If you've guessed that I am feeling more than a little combative after today's session, oh yeah, did you guess right.)
 
So, FL residents PLEASE…when there's a schedule of when these Listening Tour meetings will take place…PLEASE…PLAN ON ATTENDING.  And be vocal, and sincere, and insistent.  2014 will be the best chance we have had in decades to make ourselves heard…to make the suffering of these dogs we love actually have a voice that will be heard.  And maybe, just maybe, usher in the final act of this abomination called greyhound racing.
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Tags: by Joyce Carta
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Memorial Garden Rededication - 3/24
Admin - Mon Mar 18, 2013 @ 08:00PM
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The re-dedication of Freedom's garden will take place this Sunday, March 24 at 1:00pm at Grey Haven. 

 
The address for Grey Haven is: 1470 NE 140th St., Citra, Fl. 32113
 
Directions to Grey Haven. From the south follow US441 into Ocala, after passing the light at  nw 10th St, bear right onto 200A/Jacksonville Rd.  At the 2nd light bear left staying on 200A/Jacksonville Rd.  After approx. 10 miles you will come to a 4 way stop at CR329.  Continue straight on 200A and NE 140th St. is about 1/4 mile on the left.  140th St. is a dirt track and Grey Haven is well marked on the left.  Once you go through the 4 way stop at CR329, there is a large horse ranch named Gunn Farm on the left with horse fencing running along the road.  This fencing ends at 140th St.
 
Also after turning onto 200A from US441 and traveling about 5 miles you will see a gated community called Jumbolair on the left.  If you see a huge white tail of a very large jet aircraft sticking up, then you will know that John Travolta is in residence and I am sure he would be happy to give you a tour.
 
If you come north on I75 it is best to exit at CR326 and go East approx. 2 miles and turn left onto 200A/Jacksonville Rd.  Then follow the above directions.
 
I also want to remind everyone that we will be introducing Freedom's Chimes during the re-dedication.  All are welcome to attach a name or ID tag belonging to a treasured pet to these chimes.
 
Please plan on attending the re-dedication.  Not only is it an opportunity to participate in this worthwhile event, but also an opportunity to interact with other members of the area Greyhound loving community.
 
This event is for humans only.  Sr. Sanctuary folks please RSVP that you are coming so we will have an idea of the amount of food to order.
 
For more background on this event please read below. 
 
The renovation of Freedom's garden is complete.  The purpose was to downsize the garden and make it as maintenance-free as humanly possible, and at the same time preserve the original ambiance and message that the garden conveyed.  This special garden was conceived to celebrate the spirit and story of a Greyhound named Freedom and also to remember Bob Varnberg, who was a true hero and Greyhound advocate.  Hopefully all of these goals have been achieved in the renovation.
 
We have scheduled a re-dedication ceremony to honor the people who have worked so hard over the years to originate this Memorial Garden, and to reaffirm our dedication to this cause.
 
A new feature of the garden is "Freedom's Chimes".  All of us who have loved and treasured a pet hang on to the collar and (hopefully old and well worn) ID tag.  All are welcome to attach these ID tags to "Freedom's Chimes" and if an old and worn tag is not available, feel free to have one produced.  This is a great opportunity to remember our beloved hounds.
 
The re-dedication is scheduled for March 24, 2013 at 1PM.  Please put this date on your calendars and help celebrate the memories the are embodied by Freedom's Garden.
 
The program will consist of a short service (you are more than welcome to say a few words), a small bonfire ceremony and then food and drink for all!  There will be at least one more notice with any changes or just as a reminder before the March 24th date. 
 
Please join us.....Grey Haven has been the starting point for so very many greyhounds as they began their journey to you.  It is only fitting that we end that journey here with years of wonderful memories.  If you have any thoughts or questions, please feel free to contact Russ Anderson ( scootacius@aol.com )  or me at ( mvarnberg@embarqmail.com )
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Tags: memorial garden, Freedom's Garden, rededication
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Results of the on-line auction to benefit the Father Al Dash Memorial Fund
Admin - Wed Mar 06, 2013 @ 07:45PM
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A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in the recent on-line auction for the newly created Father Al Dash Memorial Fund. A total of $7,786 was raised to help special needs hounds from the generosity of donors and winners. 

You can make a tax-deductible donation to the Father Al Dash Memorial Fund anytime. All donations received will enable us to say yes the next time the phone rings with news of a greyhound who desperately needs help. 

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Results of the Villages Greyhound Club Pancake Breakfast
Admin - Tue Feb 26, 2013 @ 05:54PM
Comments: 1

We would like to thank all the people who got up in the middle of the night and came to work at the pancake breakfast this past Saturday. You all did a GREAT job! 

We raised a grand total of $974 to help greyhounds with special needs. 

Thank you all so much for your dedication to GAF.

Jackie O'Hara
on behalf of The Villages Greyhound Club

Tags: The Villages, fundraiser, pancake breakfast
Comments: 1
GREY2KUSA testifies before FL Senate Committee on Gaming
Admin - Tue Feb 05, 2013 @ 02:01PM
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Yesterday, February 4, Carey Theil of Grey2KUSA testified before the FL Senate Committee on Gaming as part of this Committee's comprehensive info gathering and evaluation of how gambling impacts FL revenues and lifestyles. For anyone unfamiliar with them, Grey2KUSA is an advocacy organization whose goal is the eventual abolition of greyhound racing worldwide, so Carey's testimony was integral to the lawmakers' understanding of racing dogs' welfare. The greyhound racing part of Florida's gambling industry is a small but highly newsworthy segment thanks to the major efforts of animal welfare activists here for the past 3 years. Ironically, both those of us working for the dogs' welfare and certain dog track interests are on the same side of the "decoupling" issue, which would allow individual tracks the freedom to run (OR NOT RUN) dog racing. This is a vast over-simplification of the issue, but an excellent report is at this link from the Panama City News-Herald. The GOOD NEWS: they are listening in Tallahassee, which they should be, as the points Carey & others made on Monday make perfect sense!
 
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Villages Greyhound Club Presents Billie Thatcher - A Concert to Benefit Greyhounds
Admin - Fri Jan 25, 2013 @ 08:20PM
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The Villages Greyhound Club Presents Billie Thatcher, a concert to benefit the Father Al Dash Memorial Fund.

The concert will be held at the Savannah Center at 6:30pm on Saturday, March 16.

Tickets are $10 each. The event is BYOB. Coffee & baked goods will be available for sale. There will be a 50/50.

To purchase tickets please contact Enis at 352-751-4416, Jo Ann at 352-751-6908 or buy on-line now:

Download the event flyer to print or share.

We hope to see you there!

Tags: Villages Greyhound Club, Billie Thatcher, concert, benefit, fundraiser
Comments: 0
Villages Greyhound Club Pancake Breakfast - 2/23
Admin - Fri Jan 25, 2013 @ 08:07PM
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The Villages Greyhound Club will host a Pancake Breakfast at the Havana Country Club on Sunday, February 23 from 7am-10am.

The cost is $7 per person for All-You-Can Eat Pancakes, Coffee, Juice and Tea plus sausage (1st plate only).

For tickets please contact Carol Bellavia 352-753-6563  (anglia48@aol.com) or Enis Bissonette 352-751-4418 (eabis@thevillages.net). You may also purchase tickets on-line:

Download and print or share the event flyer.

We hope to see you there!

 

Tags: Villages Greyhound Club, pancake breakfast, fundraiser
Comments: 0
Items for on-line auction needed ASAP!
Admin - Wed Jan 16, 2013 @ 03:42PM
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Our big, important on-line auction is weeks away!  We are desperately in need of auction items that will make this event a huge success.  With our focus on special needs dogs, we expect the vet bills to be high but this is the only way to be sure each greyhound has a chance to live a healthy, happy life with a loving family.
 
We hope that each of you will find a special item to donate to this important cause.
 
Pictures and descriptions can be emailed to both Diane Jackson djackson@snell-levin.com and me mvarnberg@embarqmail.com.  The auction is scheduled to start on FEBRUARY 24,  so, please....the sooner we can work on your donation, the happier the little auction elves will be.  :)
 
Here's what we need from you:
 

  •  what the item is
  • a detailed description
  • photo(s) 
  • what you want the donated by line to say

 
Please consider donating the postage within the contiguous US and even Canada!
 
If you don't have an item to donate, please consider making a cash donation that will help us cover all fees involved with this auction.
  
All funds netted in this auction go into our Father Al Dash Memorial Fund for special needs dogs.....GAF is hoping to be able to help other groups with vet bills to be sure all greyhounds receive the medical care they deserve.
 
Questions?  Contact me at the above e-mail address!
 
And thank you all in advance for your continuing support and love for greyhounds everywhere.
  
Marilyn Varnberg
Greyhound Adoptions of Florida
at the farm....Grey Haven
352-671-5333
mvarnberg@embarqmail.com
 

 

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