Snowball a favorite of 2009 in Science Magazine

Snowball made the Top Ten list for favorite and most read stories of 2009 in Science Magazine.

http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2009/1224/1

Go Snowball!!!

Snowball's "Angel Tree" Dance-A-Thon Fundraiser

Snowball will be hosting a Dance-A-Thon Fundraiser on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 between 1pm and 3pm at the following location:

Dyer United Methodist Church
2016 Church Street
Dyer, Indiana 46311
(219) 865-8947

We need dancers, but we also need sponsors to make this a financial success! The "Angel Tree" program purchases clothes and toys for disadvantaged children in the Northwest Indiana region so that they may experience Christmas. The families of these children have experienced job losses, foreclosures, and other financial burdens. With your help, and with Snowball's help, we can make this a success.

Snowball, the world famous dancing cockatoo, has been on programs such as Letterman, Inside Edition, Ellen, Leno, Animal Planet, Mike and Juliet Show, Good Morning America, Bonnie Hunt, and numerous other tv, radio, and news programs around the world along with writeups in magazines, newspapers, and books worldwide. Snowball has also been in commercials such as Taco Bell and Geico in the US as well as Loka bottled water in Sweden.

Snowball is also looking for those willing to sponsor him. Sponsors may contact Irena Schulz directly via email birdloversonly@sbcglobal.net or by calling 219-322-0037. Snowball will be making his appearance toward the end of the Dance-A-Thon, but there will be two "Snowball impersonators" to try their best to mimic Snowball.

If you would like to be a dancer, please print the forms shown below and inform Irena Schulz through email or phone that you will be participating so that we will have an accurate number on those participating in this event. There will be a film crew there, so those participating will need to sign a release form stating that it will be ok for them to appear on tv.
Fundraiser Information Form - http://www.birdloversonly.org/media/Snowball_Angel_Tree_fundraiser.pdf
Fundraiser Pledge Sheet - http://www.birdloversonly.org/media/Snowball_Angel_Tree_PLEDGE_SHEET.pdf

Please feel free to contact Irena Schulz

or Dyer United Methodist Church

if you have any questions regarding the event.

Snowball's Rise to Viral Fame

I was interviewed recently regarding the story of Snowball's rise to fame. I had expected, once again, for my words to be edited into a much more glossed over version of the actual story. Much to my surprise, and a very pleasant one at that, my words appeared as I had written them...unedited!
http://bestinflock.wordpress.com/2009/09/20/the-story-of-snowballs-rise-to-viral-fame/

I have had many people ask me if I work in addition to what I do at the rescue. I have to chuckle to myself because I work over 80 hours per week at the rescue without a break even for weekends, holidays, or other special occassions. My duties include everything from being Snowball's manager and a collaborator in scientific research to scrubbing and disinfecting bird cages. At the end of major cleaning days it's not unusual for me to look like Mel Brooks in "High Anxiety" after he's been satirically pooped on by a flock of birds.

I've been judged by some for the content of the tv programs which I have been on with Snowball. But I have never had control over what is edited out and what is left to be shown to the audience. Heaven knows I've tried to emphasize to the interviewers the abuse and neglect that I see and how much I want to do something about this in the form of legislation, but Snowball's charm always prevails and the sad parts end up on the floor of the editing room.

I have recently been able to write, direct, and produce my own videos and have them show up on Jennifer Viegas' blog "Born Animal" which is found on Discovery News. This also happens to be one of my three favorite blogs (and I do follow many), so I was overjoyed at the prospect of having my unedited (albeit rough and amateurish) videos appear there.
http://blogs.discovery.com/news_animal/

So when my words do go unedited and I am able to speak my mind, I am grateful. To those of you who have allowed this...a very, very sincere thank you!

The Snowball Challenge

I enjoy reading all the blogs that write about Snowball. Bird owners have known for years that birds can dance, yet there are so many skeptics stating that Snowball is just mimicing me. How does a child learn to dance? Does he watch his parents? His teachers? His friends? TV? Or is it something much deeper within one's self that inspires that child to dance? If so, what is it?

I cringe every time I watch myself dance in the World Science Festival video. Elaine from Seinfeld is a graceful ballerina in comparison. Yet as good as Snowball's dance moves are, so many think he's really mimicing me. To those who think that...thank you, but I can't take the credit for any of his dance moves.

I've even left comments on some of the disbelievers' blogs. I've invited them to come see Snowball for themselves. No reply.

So, I invite all skeptical bloggers and scientists to...

the SNOWBALL CHALLENGE!

Bird Lovers Only is a 501c3 charitable bird sanctuary. Donations are down because of the state of the economy. Individuals donating a minimum of $200 (donations are tax deductible) are invited to come and watch Snowball dance in person. I may even be able to have a camera crew come to film the event. Let's set a date for Saturday, November 14th, 2009. Those interested should contact Irena Schulz at Bird Lovers Only at the following email address:
birdloversonly@sbcglobal.net

To view the latest article on Snowball in Psychology Today:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/music-matters/200910/snowball-the-dancing-cockatoo-is-he-listening-or-imitating

Snowball at IUPUI

Dr. Aniruddh Patel, lead scientist on the Snowball studies, was recently interviewed at IUPUI. Dr. Patel presented research that included findings published in Current Biology in May, 2009.

http://www.iupui.edu/podcasts/index.php?episode=378

Snowball in Indianapolis, Indiana

Irena Schulz discusses the science, the entertainment, and the high maintenance behind the famous cockatoo...Snowball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIJf4ChKkQw&feature=channel_page

Dr. Aniruddh Patel of the Neurosciences Institute in San Diego, California will be presenting the research on Snowball in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Biennial Conference of Society for Music Perception and Cognition on Wednesday, August 5th at 1:30pm.
http://music.iupui.edu/smpc2009/programs.html

Snowball in The TIMES newspaper

Snowball makes front page news once again. This time he is on the front page of Sunday's The TIMES newspaper. His story is also told online alongside his Taco Bell commercial at the following link.

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/article_4b3a58ed-2eae-5c3a-a095-fa3135bec62c.html

Bird Paradise

Snowball and Irena Schulz were recently in New York City to take part in the World Science Festival. Bird Paradise kindly donated a cage for Snowball to make him comfortable during his stay in New York for the Festival. They also donated numerous toys for Snowball and his friends back home, as well as food and some of Snowball's favorite treats...pine nuts!

When we went to pick up Snowball's cage, we could not believe how many different types of toys they had in the store. There were countless aisles of shreddy toys, leather toys, wood toys, acrylic toys, and you name it. If the toy was not found in this store, chances are that it's just not available. And if you wonder about cleanliness, this store was fastidiously clean. I've been to numerous pet shops over the years and none compared in product availability and cleanliness. This is a place that you have to see to believe. Below is a link to their online store.

http://www.mybirdstore.com/

Snowball and all his friends at Bird Lovers Only Rescue Service, Inc. wish to thank Bird Paradise for their generosity and kindness in making Snowball feel so comfortable in his donated show cage as well as countless hours of enjoyment playing and tearing apart his donated toys.

THANK YOU BIRD PARADISE!