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‘Professor Paws’ leads the way
“Today’s kids are tomorrow’s dog owners”
Mary Russell
The American Pacific Kindergarten, Hang Dong Road, has started a
Humane Education Programme, basically an interesting and important method of
teaching children basic knowledge about living safely with dogs. The
programme has been approved by educational bodies and schools in the Chiang
Mai area and it is hoped that more teachers will volunteer to help children
learn about the pleasure of a well behaved and loving dog in their lives.
The idea was developed by Soraya Holbrook, a teacher at the school and
helper at Care for Dogs Shelter and Nienke Palma, the well known dog
behaviourist and trainer at Lucky Dogs. The programme has been carefully
planned following the tragic death of a child in Bangkok as a result of lack
of understanding of basic do’s and don’ts when living with dogs. The
programme is included as part of the English lessons and class work includes
discussion, writing and drawing about what has been demonstrated by
‘Professor Paws’.
 Children,
on a visit to Care for Dogs, take the dogs for a walk in the countryside.
The class teacher will carefully explain that dogs have the same needs and
feelings as we do. They like to be praised and included in things. They need
good food, to be kept clean and to have a cosy place to sleep to make them
happy. They are told that often the dog is not naughty but it does not
understand what is expected of it and we must teach the dog about acceptable
behaviour in family life. The children hear about how to identify
approachable and unapproachable dogs and understand the basics of dog body
language. They hear that running, screaming and shouting near a dog may
cause it to bite. Kasper and Huey, owned and trained by Nienke, were the
perfect role models to help the smaller children to relate to dogs during
the lessons.
Later in the course they visit the Care for Dogs shelter. and understand
that the dogs need homes but are not there because they are ‘bad dogs’. They
are told why the shelters are necessary and what they provide and see the
dogs being showered and taken for walks. There is a lot of physical contact
between dogs and children and this helps to dispel any fears. The children
are encouraged to plan an awareness event and a fund-raising activity. They
write a story about what they can do to solve problems and make positive
choices when animals need help.
The children of to-day are the dog owners of tomorrow. Thanks to this well
planned and informative series of lessons children are learning how to
relate and understand ‘Man’s best Friend’.
5th Rooftop Charity Party
2009 events start early
This year’s fund-raising events for the Hillside 4 Charity Rooftop Party
2009 will continue on April 27 at the House restaurant, situated just
off the moat in a lovely old renovated property set in beautiful
grounds. Hans and his team will host a “Wine and Tapas” evening, with
the wines being supplied by Horeca and a delicious tapas menu including
Pumpkin and Carrot with US Scallops and crisp Chorizo, Avocado and
Smoked Salmon on Potato Blinis, Poached Cod Mousseline in Herb Veloute
Sauce, Compote of Capsicum with Quail Egg and Bacon, Veal Cheek,
Mushroom and Bean Cassoulet, accompanied by assorted breads, chips and
dips. Cost is 400 baht per head, and all money raised will go to the
Party fund. You will also be able to purchase bottles of their wine from
Horeca. If guests would like to continue the evening by dining at either
the House, or its sister restaurant, Ginger’s, a further 10 % of your
bill will be donated to the fund by Hans. The “Wine and Tapas” evening
is at 6 pm through 7:30. Sounds delicious!
On May 20, the famous Coq d’Or restaurant will host a fabulous 7 course
dinner with wine. Established over 30 years ago in Chiang Mai, this
venue, according to the Tatler Food Guide is one of south-east Asia’s
finest French restaurants. Set in a beautiful renovated traditional teak
house amid luscious tropical gardens, this as an event which should not
be missed. The superb menu includes two appetisers, a consommé, sorbet,
a choice of Chateaubriand with Béarnaise sauce or a mountain trout with
lemon and caper sauce, a dessert and coffee or tea. The price per
person, 2,100 baht, is inclusive of wines. Again, all money raised will
go to the fund. A very special treat.
The Charity Party is now in its 5th year as a fund-raising event, and
has so far raised over 3 million baht for local charities. It is hoped
that he 2009 event will raise more than 1 million baht, which will be
used to support two local charities who do not receive any major or
governmental funding. The evening dinner at which the charities will be
selected will be held as usual at the Amari Rincome Hotel on August 2;
tickets will cost 500 baht.
The first fund raising event this year was the Garden Market hosted by
City Life, which started the fund off with over 25,000 baht. Tickets are
available for the above events from the Hillside 4 reception desk, or
from Steve or Sally. For further details, email Sally on seward
@csloxinfo.com, or Steve on charityrooftopparty@gmail.com. Please note
that tickets for the Coq d’Or will be available from April 25.
Give and Live Benefit for Ban
Kingkaew with Kete from America!
April 26 – Lucky Foo’s restaurant – don’t miss!
While on a charitable tour to Thailand, singer-songwriter Kete will be
the featured performer at a Give and Live Benefit Concert, cosponsored
by the LiL Foundation and Chiang Mai’s very own (and very new)
restaurant Lucky Foo’s. The extravaganza will take place on Saturday
evening, April 26, 2008 from 7 to 11 pm. All proceeds will go to Baan
Kingkaew Orphanage on Thanon Wualai, the first charitable foundation in
Chiang Mai to dedicate itself solely to the care of needy children. The
kids need new bathrooms, training wheels for their bikes, and beds with
mosquito nets, and we need your help to help them.
 Benefit
with Kete from America on Sunday, April 26.
Besides free snacks, your 200 baht admission/donation at the door gives
you a chance to win prizes contributed by local businesses, and the
nonprofit Give and Live will match, baht for baht, any additional
donations made during the evening, up to a total of 20,000 baht.
Although the roster of entertainment is not completely set, several
Chiang Mai musicians are lending their talents to the cause, including
stand-up photography and keyboards from musician/columnist Scott Jones,
toe-tapping blues from Liverpool Warren, and great songs and guitar
wizardry from The Hug Bars’ Aey, well-known locally and in Bangkok. An
updated performance schedule and contact info can be found on the web at
www.thelilfoundation.org.
Only one month old, Lucky Foo’s restaurant/lounge at 26 Moon Muang Soi
2, just off the moat, has a relaxed atmosphere with a “rock star” feel,
exceptional food and their charming mascot/namesake, a dog named Foo. A
USA-based NPO, the LiL (Love is Life) Foundation is geared to helping
humanity worldwide and are currently spreading their love in Thailand. A
tax-exempt, nonprofit organization in America and soon an official Thai
foundation, Give and Live raises funds, presents benefit events, builds
dormitories in conjunction with orphanages and rural schools, and
provides learning materials, scholarships and necessary living expenses
for less-fortunate children in northern Thailand (www.giveandlive.org).
Kete, a Massachusetts native, has just finished recording a new album,
soon to be released in the USA. Those who have experienced her touching
music will vouch for her amazing voice, sweet and not-so-sweet songs and
splendid guitar styling. It’s her only performance in Chiang Mai. Catch
her while you can, on April 26, while you’re helping her help the
children!
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