Sierra Club Fun Workshops at Borders starting June 25!

Hello Family,
Falcon and Dove hope you had a great weekend. We wanted to let you know about some cool Sustainability Workshops that will be starting at Borders Books East Side (East Liberty location) beginning at 6:30p on Wednesday, June 25. The first workshop will be on organics and herbs. Why is organic so important? Find out at the workshop! What's the difference between home grown versus organic? Get your questions answered by a Sierra Club member. Want an herb garden in a hurry? What herbs are the best to have all year 'round? Here is where you find out! We are very excited about this, and are invited to do one big workshop in July at Borders...July 19...but more on that later..hehe.

There will be other workshops on a variety of subjects throughout 2008! Some will have very special guests. We will keep you posted.

We hope to see you there!

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Bravo Rocco! Good job Tiger...see you next year!

Hello Everyone!
Falcon and Dove hope that you are having a great week!

For any of you that know anything about golf, the greatest major tournament in television history ended on Monday when Tiger Woods, the number one player in the world went head-to-head with Southwestern PA's Rocco Mediate for a playoff that took 19 holes to complete. Tiger, congratulations on Major Win Number 14! Rocco, you made us all here so very proud. Yes, we all cheered and cried for both of you: tears of joy, and a little sadness, because we realized how special this tournament was to the two of you, and to history.

There was no televised event in 1913 when Frances Ouimet beat Harry Varden and Ted Ray to win the U.S. Open that year. That tournament was referenced this way on the eve of the 18 hole playoff:

" ...one David against two Goliaths...I have given up all attempts at prophecy. Tomorrow's round should be the greatest game ever played."

This of course was a key-line in the 2005 Bill Paxton directed film called, "The Greatest Game Ever Played" starring Shia Le Boeuf as Frances Ouimet and Stephen Dillane as Harry Varden. If you haven't seen this movie, check it out. It was one of the best films of that year, yet didn't get the attention it deserved.

There could have been two Goliaths on Monday...Lee Westwood missed a putt on the
18th green that would have put him in the game for the next day, so no proverbial Ted Ray...only our modern day Harry Varden in the incarnation that is Tiger Woods.

Rocco Mediate is one of the nicest, kindness golfers on the PGA tour. Falcon and Dove know this because we have talked to Rocco numerous times while marshaling PGA events, and playing golf at Rocco's favorite places in the Laurel Highlands. Falcon also remembers Rocco in FL when Dove played in the Nike Junior Championship at the TPC at Sawgrass in July, 2005. There was Rocco, cheering on the junior golfers and commented out loud about the difficulty of the pin placements. It was hysterical, and on one of the hottest days during one of the hottest weeks in memory, highly welcomed.

Falcon also remembers when Rocco was playing in the 84 Lumber Classic the year of Hurricane Isabel, when the temperatures were dropping and the wind was becoming chill. Falcon and Dove were working the 15 hole, and Rocco came by, bright and chatty as always, asking pleasant questions like he had just seen us the day before. Then he asked about Falcon's hair, and was I ever going to be able to get a comb through it the next day, and I burst out laughing.

Remember, there's a PGA golf tournament going on, but all the while, there is Rocco, chatting as he was in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. He was never too busy to be polite, and talked about our collective kids with warmth and pride. We were out there 12 hours that day, and Rocco (along with some other really cool PGA players) realized how awful the conditions were, and never forgot that.

That's the gift of Rocco: his glee in playing the game of golf,(even when he was injured), his humor and his kindness. He was great with Leno last night, too. That's Rocco...what a joyful soul!

Today, Tiger Woods announced that he is done for the season. He needs another surgery on his knee (two stress fractures) on the ACL, and he requires rest and rehabilitation. Today is Tiger's daughter Sam's first birthday. Happy Birthday, Beautiful!

I know this had to be a difficult decision to make for any professional player, but particularly for Tiger because he is so passionate about the game. Your tenacity to stay in the U.S. Open when you probably should have taken the week off is admirable, and we hope that you have a good respite, enjoy your family...we'll see you next year.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

These Black Labs Need Good Homes

Hello Everyone!
We hope everyone is doing well! Today, we are here to talk about those near and dear to Falcon and Dove's heart: the Black Labrador Retriever.

We have one that we absolutely adore, who went out on an unexpected walkabout over Memorial Day weekend, and drove us to tears. Falcon printed posters and hung them everywhere, checked into the police, fire, and animal control agencies, and of course, all the shelters. One tool that made a HUGE difference was the use of Find Toto.com. Falcon used the website and chose to have a pre-recorded phone message sent to all my neighbors. Find Toto is not subject to the Do-Not-Call List, so the calls go through to everyone that can get the message. As a result, the entire neighborhood was involved and supportive. Kids on bicycles helped me with the search, and some nice firefighters went out to search after Falcon had been up for about 30 hours. He was found by a wonderful, but anonomous individual, and safely returned. On the search, there were two other missing dogs, returned to their families quickly.

Falcon and Dove want to give massive props to everyone who helped and to www.findtoto.com.
You completely rock!

Our friends at Washington County Humane sent out a newsletter today full of Black Labs who need new homes. Here is the link:
http://www.washingtonpashelter.org/PDF/Dog_poster.pdf
If you are in Eastern Ohio, Western PA, Northern West Virginia, or Western Maryland, and interested in a beautiful, loyal, friendly dog, please check out these playful pups!

To all those of you who dedicate your time, job, and lives to bettering the quality of life for animals: kudos to you!

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

See the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for $7-Thursday, May 22

Hello Brothers and Sisters,
Falcon here, hoping that you had a great week and that all is going well.

Falcon and Dove want to offer our prayers to those cleaning up after terrible storms, earthquakes and typhoons. There are people in various places around the world fighting for food, water, and simple human needs. If you can afford it...donate. If you can't, volunteer with an organization that is helping those here at home and around the globe get and maintain aid. You really can make a difference.

Are you near Pittsburgh? Want to see the Pittsburgh Symphony for a mere $7 for adults and $3 for children? Read on...

May 22, at 7pm at Wilkinsburg Junior/Senior High School, there will be a community concert conducted by Maestro Dan Meyer. Students will also be performing with the PSO, and there is a collection of wonderful music and dynamic soloists scheduled for the evening. There will be Beethoven, Hungarian selections, and one of my personal favorites, The Firebird Suite.

Tickets will be available at the door, and the box office will open around 6pm. These concerts are unique, special treats, and if you can attend, it will be an unforgettable experience for you and your family...great joy and musical pleasure.

Falcon and Dove say, be safe, and enjoy your week.
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Ian Cahr and Friends Raise $10,000 for New Leash on Life!

Hey, this is Dove, posting from college! Great news! Our 6-year old friend, Ian Cahr, has just won a National Community Service Award from the American Humane Association for raising over $10,000 for New Leash on Life with Ian's Bead Company, which includes 30 of his friends who helped him! Great job, Ian and friends! Good luck and keep it up!

See the news at www.americanhumane.org!

Golden Corral Rocked Mother's Day!

Hello Everyone!
Falcon and Dove hope all the mothers of the world are honored all year long, especially on Mother's Day. Falcon took her mom to the Golden Corral-a wonderful buffet restaurant with choices that boggle the mind. Falcon's mom is not the easierst person to please, and is not the most patient, but Golden Corral was uber busy on Mother's Day and handled the crowd with no problem.

The really cool part is when it's really busy, they get you a table, so no scrambling or fighting for a seat. The salad bar is the Field of Dreams with lots of leafy choices and tons of fixings. But, let's get to the good part...the entrees! Yes, the sides include the best baked sweet potatoes of all time, baked potatoes, various veggies, macaroni and cheese and well...chicken galore, (in various forms) and STEAK!!!! Ok, that was the carnivore in me, but Angus steaks cooked the way you like...to order! On a buffet!!! Now, I know my brothers and sisters of the south have probably had Golden Corral for awhile, but we just got a few in Pittsburgh over the past couple of years, and they are wonderful! Clean, neat, and unpretentious, but never tacky. The food is always hot, home cookin' with extremely nice people from the door, the salad bar, the dessert table, until you depart. Everyone is warm and friendly, and that fact that they were that happy on Mother's Day is remarkable. They ran the restaurant like a well-oiled machine, and accolades are deserved all around.

Did I mention the desserts?! Leave room...the Hogwarts feast or Peter Pan table in Neverland would be jealous. Did I mention the price? Dinner for two, all you can eat for $25!!!!!

The best part...mom LOVED it! She couldn't stop talking about how much fun she had. I also think part of the fun was that everyone in line was so absolutely pleasant. No one complained, everyone was nice.

I have now been in Golden Corral restaurants from Monroeville, PA through North Carolina. I have had a genuinely great experience every time. I am very impressed with the chain, and I can't wait for Father's Day!

They say there will be steaks served all day...hehe.

Falcon and Dove say...we hope you had fun with your mom, whatever you did. Stay strong, mothers! You have the hardest, but greatest job in the world!

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Last minute ideas for Mother's Day

Hello Everyone!

Falcon here...offering some last minute ideas for gifts for Mom's special day. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Falcon, are these things that you would actually give, or things you want for Mother's Day?" The answer is: both! The grest news about these ideas are that they are very inexpensive to do, and will be well received by any mom with a pulse! Here we go...

Gift basket...made by you. Have you noticed how most gift baskets put together by companies have things in the basket you don't really want, but you just deal with it because it comes with the package? Well, the solution is: make your own! It's easy. Just get an empty basket at a thrift store (the bigger and sturdier, the better), and then fill it up with a theme: kitchen basket, fruit basket, spa theme, flowers and herbs, etc.

The Kitchen Basket is a piece of cake: get spices, utinsils, preserves, jellies, teas, coffee, chocolates, honey, pancake mix, berries, sea salts...whatever you know mom would like, put them together in a basket and wrap it with clear or colored plastic wrap. Done! You can make this basket as expensive or as inexpensive as you can afford.

Another basket along a similar line, but also great for gardners is the Herb Basket. Of course, this is a living basket. Go to your favorite greenhouse and for a few dollars get the most commonly desired herbs: sage, basil (there are many varieties), chives, borage, organo, dill, sweet margoram, parsley, (many kinds), lavender, etc. and put them in a basket or a planter basket. Get some good potting soil, carefully remove your herbs and place in the planter, surround and cover them with soil and water. That's it! It smells wonderful, and helps mom have great access to healthy herbs.

The Spa Basket should have pampering items: lavender, creams, sponges, lotions, and gift certificates or gift cards for places that mom can relax: a spa day (if affordable), movies, favorite restaurant, etc.

The Fruit Basket is obvious: just get a strong basket, go buy fruit (wash it) and arrange. Wrap and you're ready to go.

Okay, suppose you are really on a budget...here are a couple that are nearly free!

Get mom a journal so she can write all her special thoughts.

Go to a park for a secial Mother's Day walk. If you're involved with Race for the Cure, you already have a great way to spend time with your mom. If you are not, take mom on a special walk to your favorite place in the park. She will enjoy you sharing that with her, and she will never forget it.

Extreme Mom Home Makeover
Let's suppose that mom has a porch or patio that needs a little fix-up. Some chairs may need cleaned, or a table painted and spruced up...well, while mom is out at a church luncheon, you and your gang can do a quick fix, add a couple of flowers and make her spot beautiful. She will appreciate any effort, and it can be the beginning of a springtime project, or completed in an afternoon. Either way, mom will love it, I bet.

Picnic in the park-get your siblings together, make a cover dish, and take mom for lunch in the park. She won't have to cook, and she will love it. Remember to take pictures. If the weather is poor, take the cover dish to mom's house, so she doesn't have to cook, and have some fun. Are there more than one mom you need to honor on this special day? Make a special dish or dessert for each; they'll know that you're thinking about them, and how much they mean to you.

Have a great weekend, and to all the moms everywhere...have a happy, blessed mother's day!

Peace,
Falcon and Dove