Mike Kraus: September 2012

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Last Gasp of Summer

Lollypop Farm's Barktober Fest 2012 raised $110,000 to help homeless and abused pets in the Greater Rochester community! Thanks to all of you who donated to the festival, to me personally (even you "anonymous" whoever you are), to all of our volunteers, staff, and everyone else who participated.

People hanging out in Egypt Park

AND THEIR OFF! Runners on their 5-mile race

I believe this is a back-to-back win for our first place runner.

THE FINISH. Thanks to Fleet Feet/Yellowjacket Racing! Great job and thanks for all your hard work

Sinzibukwud rockin' out the park

Fairport Lions Club making up some delicious hamburgers and hot dogs!

Ate at Tournedos restaurant at the Inn on Broadway before going to the Fringe Festival

. Awesome meal. But, how can I go wrong with steak and potatoes?

Bandaloop dancing on the side of the HSBC building on the Manhattan Square Park side.

Tiny Dancers...

An old Irish Blessing says: "May your puppy be tired before you go home."

That's all for now. THANKS again to everyone who participated at Barktober Fest. It was a great time and you helped a lot of animals by having fun!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Please Join Us For BarktoberFest 2012 On Saturday!

Please join us for Barktoberfest 2012 on Saturday, September 22 from 8:30am to 3pm at Egypt Park (intersection of Pittsford-Palmyra Rd (Route 31) & Victor Road next to Lollypop Farm). Now entering its 15th year, Barktober Fest 2012 Presented by Pet$aver Healthy Pet Superstore is Greater Rochester's most popular event for pet lovers! Over 2,500 people and their pets will come together in an effort to raise $144,500 to support homeless and abused animals in our community.

Some of the fun activities include:

5-mile race

1.5 mile nature Walk for the Animals

pet portraits

agility course and demonstrations

The Kid Zone

Kissing Booth

Flea Market

Food

Shopping

music by Sinzibukwud

and much, much more!!!

For More Information, please visit:

www.Lollypop.org/bfest

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Meat the Bills!

For your meal, the chef has prepared for you a meal that combines a few of your favorites into one meal. A fine hybrid of pizza and philly cheese steak. For dessert, a table has been set up for your angioplasty... Must be tailgating season for the Bills

MEAT!

Conklin's Bar & Grill. Seems strange seeing a Bills game in nice weather.

Back of the line for the security strip search. Only half kidding...

"It's been a long time since there's been a blowout win like this; well... at least where the Bills won it." A 48-28 win. I guess that means the Bills are tied for 1st place in the division...

Good time as always!

It's nice to see a primitive civilization developing in the park near our apartment.

Please help the animals of Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester by supporting me at Barktoberfest 2012 this Saturday. Please visit:

http://www.lollypop.org/bfest/mikekraus

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Mike Kraus' Animal Kingdom

Hello Daisy!

Sorry, already adopted... But, a very sweet and funny Dachshund.

You can tell how tiny she is by comparing her to the chair legs.

And now for the kittens. Not adopted, but not quite ready yet. They are in the foster program and need to put on some weight first.

Fawn. Not at work, but hanging out at our apartment.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE! The walls of the new clinic are rapidly rising!

The walls of the new training center and offices!

"This means something. This is important."

If you don't get it, please put this on your Netflix queue: Movie suggestion

All the great things we do for the animals is because of you! So, please show your support and our race and festival below:

BARKTOBERFEST

September 22, 2012, Lollypop Farm from 8:30am to 3pm

http://www.lollypop.org/bfest/mikekraus

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Panorama Valley: Part II

Continued from Panorama Valley: Part I

The Panorama Valley redevelopment creates a traditional Upstate New York neighborhood while preserving and enhancing current green space.

Today, there is abundant open space between the strip mall and Irondequoit Creek that is underutilized. This area is ignored and neglected as no windows view this space and it is lined with dumpsters, used tires, and other refuse. New and refurbished buildings will be designed to face both the street and the new Panorama Park.

Current view of open space behind strip malls

New buildings will be designed to face both the street and the park. Along the park is a promenade to encourage foot traffic and restaurants. The lawn area provides ample space for personal recreation and community activities with the stage for theater, concerts, etc.

This aeriel view of the Irondequoit Creek area shows its underuse. The side facing the creek of all the buildings are windowless and used for loading docks and dumpsters.

Current view of Irondequoit Creek between Panorama Plaza and Panorama Creek Drive

With a few changes, this area could be a great asset. Rebuilding the dilapidated structures to the north to face the park and street would be valuable spaces for restaurants, boutiques, and a hotel. A tree-lined promenade would link businesses to the creek and parking. Existing trails along the creek should be preserved and connected to a community garden in the western portion and a lawn with a stage in the eastern portion. Inviting gateways along Panorama Trail and an improved connection to the trails that follow the creek toward Linear/Channing Park.