Ok, I resolve to write in this blog at least once every month this year because there is so much to discuss and recommend.

Start your 2012 off right with Lucie Arnaz at Feinsteins, Jan. 5th through the 8th.  She’ll be performing songs from her new LATIN ROOTS album, which is phenomenal and a must have.    Lucie has arranged for a very affordable cover of $40 and $50 ($25 food/bev minimum) so all her fans can get in to see her pay tribute to her Latin Roots.  Speaking personally, I can tell you that she is as warm, talented and funny offstage as she is onstage and you owe it to yourself to celebrate the New Year with her. Ron Abel serves as her Musical Director for her shows and this CD. 

There are many more shows to recommend, but so that I get this posted soon, I just want to touch on two other causes dear to my heart:  the Earth and her animals.  For the first, please check out the Songwriting Contest that THE CONCERTS AT TUDOR CITY GREENS is hosting.  During the winter, we long for our warm green spaces, but often forget that we need to continue to work to save them.  We’ve extended the deadline for the contest till Jan. 31st, 2012, so get those submissions in!  Click on the info to the right of this for more info.

Animal Adoption vs. Purchasing: 

When you purchase a pet, you merely have to put your money down, and leave with your pet.   The immediate gratification and falling in love with the puppy in the window is understandable, but it’s only after you become a pet parent, perhaps, that you learn the truth about purchasing a dog from a store.  What you may not be aware of, is that you are likely supporting a “puppy mill” by doing so.   Puppy mills are notorious for inhumane conditions for dogs, poor breeding leading to multiple health issues, and behavorial issues that often lead to animal surrender to a shelter.  Responsible dog breeders DO NOT SELL to stores – PERIOD!   If you choose to adopt from a shelter or rescue organization, you will save a life and take a small, but important step, in putting puppy mills out of business, or under more strict governmental requirements.  You can read much more about this by clicking on the APSCA or HUMANE SOCIETY  links on my on my “links” page.

As of this writing, we are just now finalizing the adoption of our newest fur baby – “Phoebe” – (formerly known as Princess) from Shih Tzu Fur Baby Rescue – from start to finish, it has taken about 2 months – hardly immediate

l to r: Otie, Garrett, Phoebe, Raissa, Brandy Bennett

gratification – but we are talking about a LIFE.  Rescue organizations can be an even better way to ensure the proper fit for you and your new companion.  The reason it can take longer to get your pet, is that the organizations are staffed entirely by dedicated volunteers.  Your application needs to be reviewed, you are interviewed, and they make sure you understand the requirements of your home before they’ll send a dog into another home.  They want to be sure that the dog is not shuttled around from place to place.  On the plus side for you, your future pet has likely been living in a foster home for a few months, so they can evaluate temperment, health and behavior and be sure of an even better fit for you both – something you would never get from a pet shop.

For a list of rescue organizations, go to my links page.  I’ll cover how to choose the right companion animal for your lifestyle in future blogs.

Now back to finishing MY new CD with Ron Abel and David Caldwell, right now in the studio!

Happy New Year!

Love and Light,

Raissa

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