Halibut Herald August 13

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ALIBUT HERALD August 13, 2009

National Geographic Photo of the Day

This photo was submitted in a photo contest to National Geographic so if anyone can ID this lovely creature *ahem, Marine Mammals, cough* please do and your response will be posted next week! SOURCE: http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/enlarge/beluga-whale-vancouver.html

ANOTHER COOL BELUGA PHOTO FROM NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: http://photography.nationalgeographic.c om/photography/enlarge/belugawhales.html

Bizarre Bald Bird Discovered In Asia

An odd songbird with a bald head living in a rugged region in Laos has been discovered by scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Melbourne. READ ON: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/

Killer Whales Visit 'Social Clubs'

Killer whales create and visit social clubs just like people do, scientists have discovered. Up to 100 fish-eating killer whales come together in the Avacha Gulf, off the coast of Russia. But no-one knew why the whales form these huge superpods, when they normally live in smaller groups. READ ON: http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8188000/8188071.stm

Shipwrecked: Graveyard of Ships Found Off Sweden

Ralph the Penguin Gets A Wetsuit

A vast graveyard of ill-fated ships hidden in the murky waters of the Baltic Sea, protected from the shipworm that destroys wooden wrecks in saltier oceans. Some 20,000 shipwrecks have been found - half of them in Swedish waters - dating back to as far as the Viking age. Researchers believe as many as 80,000 more could still be waiting to be discovered. READ ON: http://www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=10873252

Live Blogging the Annual Coral Spawning Event Across the Caribbean So it’s that time of year again in the Caribbean where the corals undergo the annual mass spawn. Along with this ritual comes the coral researchers, who run a bunch of experiments with coral recruitment, settlement, fertilization, which involves catching coral sperm and eggs using nets (see above) and mixing it all up in jars (see pictures here – honestly, i’m not kidding). Spawning time is usually pretty hectic for all researchers, as it’s generally a once a year sort of affair to raise and settle the larvae, and gather data to write papers and justify the next funding round. READ ON: http://www. climateshift s.org/?p=2 583

When Ralph the penguin lost his feathers it looked like he wouldn't be able to swim with his friends at Marwell Wildlife - until he was fitted for a mini wetsuit to stop him getting sunburn. READ ON: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6 Dog Nurses Lions & Tigers to Health 020875/Bald-penguin-given-wetsuit-to-prevent-sunburn.html

SOURCE: http://www.petsugar.com/3515832

Local Grocer Sells ONLY Local Goods @ Columbia & 18th!

Home Grow-In Grocer www.home-growin.com 196 West 18th Avenue 604.708.0006 READ ABOUT IT: http://www.yoyomama.ca/2009/ 08/home-grow-in/

Plant-a-Potty

Live For Tomorrow Products

There’s something satisfyingly cyclical about a potty that can be planted or composted once your tot’s finished their toilet training. That’s right, once the very cool Becopotty has done its duty you can drill a few holes in the bottom, bury it in the earth and it will biodegrade over a few years. READ ON: http://www.yoyomama.ca/2009/08/becopott y/

Live for Tomorrow products: 1. Products are locally manufactured; 2. The products are locally distributed; 3. The ingredients are plant & mineralbased; 4. The products contain no petrochemicals; 5. Contains no sodium lauryl sulphate; 6. Hypoallergenic; 7. Biodegradable; 8. For use in high efficiency (HE) and standard washers; and 9. The packaging is re-usable. READ ON: http://www.live-for-tomorrow.com/

Solar-Powered Ferries

Could We Inspire Vancouver? Cycle Fridays: London, UK

On a “typical sunny day” they will operate mainly using the sun’s energy, and also with liquid petroleum gas…The technology could cut in half carbon-dioxide output on a typical urban ferry route, Solar Sailor said on its Web site… READ ON: http://deepseanews.com/2009/08/solar-powered-ferries/

A Bloom in Biofuels

A series of bike convoys led by experienced riders will be on hand to guide novice commuter cyclists into central London each Friday in a new initiative by the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) dubbed ‘Cycle Fridays’. READ ON: http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?rele aseid=23132

Turning Waste Into Windfall Shawn Saylor of Hillcrest Saylor Farm in Rockwood, Pennsylvania has saved $200,000 by taking what most Dairy Farmers regard as waste and turning it into energy. With the use of a Methane Digester, Saylor takes his dairy cows manure, cultivates it and harvests the methane. The methane The same organisms that created the oil is then used to power a generator and gas now powering our industrial that provides electricity for his farm society and warming the globe can also and enough to sell back to the energy be used to make carbon-neutral fuels. grid. READ ON: READ ON: http://seedmagazine.com/content/articl http://earthandindustry.com/2009/0 e/a_bloom_in_biofuels/ 7/turning-waste-into-windfall/

Animal Attachments: A Helping Hand for Injured Aminals

SOURCE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/6015882/Animal-attachments-ahelping-hand-for-injured-pets.html

Getting to Know Crinoids Through Close-Up Photography Crinoids, a class of marine animals in the phylum Echinodermata, are pretty creatures. The photo at right shows a crinoid perched on a Malaysian reef with its fluffy arms extended for feeding. Looking at the photo, it's easy to see how they acquired their common name, Feather Stars. READ ON: http://scienceblogs.com/ photosynthesis/2009/08/ getting_to_know_crinoid s_throu.php

Archival Photo

Docent Laurel Osler with Dinny the Malayan Monitor, 1976

Library News Library user needs survey The Robin Best Library and Archives needs you! The library and archives would love to have your feedback on our collection and services. The survey is active now and will run st st from July 31 – August 21 It should take approximately 10-15 minutes of your time For your effort you will be rewarded with the knowledge that you helped to build a useful and relevant library collection…and you’ll be placed in a draw for a $25 gift certificate from Amazon. Go to the survey now Thanks for your help building our collection!

Beat the heat! Looking for a nice cool place to have a break from the sun? The library is a great place to go. We now have a third computer station that you can use to browse the catalogue or do research or check your email. Library hours are 8:00-3:30 Monday – Friday apart from the exception below. st

Friday July 31 , closed at 2pm th Friday August 7 , closed The library will be open on BC day. For more library news, book reviews, access to our online catalogue and much more, visit us on the aquanet: http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/default.aspx Get your up-to-the minutes news via RSS feed from the library’s What’s new pages. Currently, there are two What’s new pages running a variety of interesting news feeds What’s New – Animals and Nature – for news about birds, reptiles, marine mammals, and places such as the Arctic http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/WhatsNewAnimalsandNature.aspx What’s New – Business and General – for news about business, finance, tourism, visitor experience and marketing http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/What%27sNewBGN.aspx News on Environmental conservation and education will soon be available via the Conservation Current http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/ConservationCurrent/Pages/Default.aspx Did you know that the Library has access to over 100 journals and magazines?? At least 80 of these are available full text online. For a complete hyperlinked list, visit the library journals page on Aquanet: http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/Journals.aspx As well, you can find new books and movies listed on this page of Aquanet: http://aquanet.vanaqua.org/IS/CRS/Lib/Pages/LibraryCatalogue.aspx

From Earth to Ocean: Stories from Gwaii Haanas

Parks Canada has identified the waters around Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site (Queen Charlotte Islands) as a potential national marine conservation area reserve. To present the stories of Gwaii Haanas, Parks Canada has partnered with The Vancouver Aquarium to offer a unique speaker series open to the public. Participation is free, though seats are limited. Each engaging event allows audience members to explore a different aspect of the region and understand the benefits of its protection. Starting in September, join us to find out more about: Session 1: Exploring the Islands Monday September 14 A virtual tour of Gwaii Haanas with stunning visual footage and presentations by the people who live, breathe and respect this extraordinary B.C. region. Session 2: Icons of the Pacific Monday October 26 A look into the history and journey of whales throughout Gwaii Haanas and why protecting these habitats benefit us all. Session 3: Changing Seascapes Monday November 16 Learn about ancient Haida villages, changing sea levels and how historical trade practices have all played a role in shaping today’s Gwaii Haanas. Session 4: Healthy oceans, healthy people Monday December 7 Whether it’s dining out or reporting a whale sighting, your actions can make a difference to our oceans. Join us for this special conclusion to find out what you can do to help Each session takes place at The Vancouver Aquarium from 7 – 9 pm. Please enter at the ‘Administrative Entrance’. To confirm your seat, email: [email protected] or call 604-659-3432. Please identify which session you would like to attend. Seating is limited.

Classified

NEXT BOOT CAMP SESSION STARTS JULY 21 2009 Are you looking to challenge yourself physically? Increase your strength and endurance? Tone up for summer? If so…...join us for boot camp! Program Description : This boot camp is a fun, functional, innovative and interactive workout session. The exercises will challenge one’s strength and endurance, improves general well-being while burning lots of calories. The workout moves quickly going from one exercise to the next with little or no rest. Open to anyone who is interested in achieving their desired health and fitness level. Participants will be taught on how to progress the exercises to meet their fitness level. Program Details : Fee : $40 per month Time : 4.30 – 5.30 pm OR 5.30 – 6.30 pm Day : Tuesday & Thursday Venue : Stanley Park If you would like to join, contact [email protected], ext. 3558 or [email protected], ext. 3587. Equipment Required : Bring your own mat, dumb bells and resistance tube.

http://www.cov erealty.ca/listin g_detail2995255.html

Events

Look for VanAqua’s Own Jose Gimenez with his group Sangre Morena (www.sangremorena.com) @ 3pm lighting the dancefloor on fire with smooth Spanish Guitar & vocals!

http://eatsnaprepeat.ca/2009/05/31/chinatown-market/

http://fishopolis.com

CONTEST ENDS AUGUST 15! SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS BEFORE THEN!

ENTER CONTEST HERE: http://www.marineph otobank.com/resour ces/OceaninFocusP hotoContestHome20 09.php

http://www.thebigwi ld.org/summerfriends-contest