Free captive elephants like Mohan, 50 years a slave, on World Elephant Day - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

It's World Elephant Day on August 12. Environmental News Network says it's trunks up for pachyderms! But many elephants won't be celebrating their own holiday. Captive elephants, like Mohan, 50 years a slave, are shackled in chains, underfed, and beaten. Mohan is the friend of Raju, the "crying elephant." Raju is the elephant who famously wept tears when he was released by Wildlife SOS India. Mohan is also in the custody of Wildlife SOS India as per a court order. But he is not freed yet. When rescuers attempted to take him, Mohan's vicious taskmasters beat them back with a 300-person armed guard. For their own safety and Mohan's the rescuers backed off. They've been relentlessly pursuing legal channels to get Mohan into protection. Time and again, they've been put off and rescheduled. Finally, Mohan will have his court day in court, August 13, just one day after World Elephant Day.   Free captive elephants like Mohan, 50 years a slave, on World Elephant Day - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Walter Palmer killed Cecil the lion, rival male lion Jericho may kill cubs

When Walter Palmer killed Cecil the lion, he killed Cecil's offspring in effect, too. AFP reported July 29 that the American dentist paid $50,000 to kill Zimbabwe's beloved "pet" lion Cecil. And now a rival male lion Jericho may kill Cecil's cubs. Cecil was beheaded by big game hunter Palmer, to hang on his trophy wall. And now some people want Palmer's head on their wall. The Minnesota dentist has received death threats for killing Cecil and his progeny by default. Theo Bronkhorst, the safari hunters who organized Cecil's illegal kill has paid his bail. But Cecil not only was well-loved in Hwange National Park, he was also helping with a University of Oxford research program.   Walter Palmer killed Cecil the lion, rival male lion Jericho may kill cubs - Grand Rapids News | Examiner.com

Free printable Canada Day crafts, coloring pages, lesson plans

 Canadians celebrate Canada Day on July 1 (formerly called Dominion Day). Here are free printable Canada Day paper crafts, games and activities. Use these printables if the weather is too hot or too cold and rainy to play outside. Children creating these fun patriotic crafts. Use them to decorate the house for Canada Day and teach kids the significance of the holiday.  Free printable Canada Day crafts, coloring pages, lesson plans - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Free printable baptism cards, baptism invitations, christening cards

 Many faiths celebrate the sacrament of baptism, be it infant baptism or adult. Infant baptism is also called christening in some denominations. Baptism and christenings are usually followed by a celebration. To keep party planning costs down, use free printable christening invitations. To keep gift giving costs down, use free printable baptism cards.Free printable baptism cards, baptism invitations, christening cards - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Don't miss Houma-Choctaw native pow wow at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is all about music and food. But there's a second part to the name: heritage. Everyone comes from somewhere and some people, whether they know from where or whom. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is about preserving that genealogical lore and disseminating it to future generations. New Orleans is redolent of flavorful cultural influences, a vital one being indigenous tribes.   Don't miss Houma-Choctaw native pow wow at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Selfie at NYC explosion site ignites furor over insensitive photo ops

A group selfie at a New York City explosion site ignited furor over insensitive photo ops reported Yahoo News March 30. In the wake of an East Village apartment building explosion, some gals thought it would be cute to snap smiling pics of themselves with the still-smoldering ruins as backdrop. The thrill seekers' tackiness was further heightened by the fact that two men are still missing after the NYC explosion.  Selfie at NYC explosion site ignites furor over insensitive photo ops

Jewish Purim printables, Queen Esther activities, lessons for Hebrew holiday - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

The Jewish celebration of Purim begins at sundown on 14th day of Adar in the Hebrew calendar. That's March 4, 2015. Purim celebrates the bravery and wisdom of a Jewish girl, Esther. Esther became queen of Ahasuerus, King of Persia. Here are free printable Purim activities and Jewish lesson plans to help children learn about Queen Esther.Jewish Purim printables, Queen Esther activities, lessons for Hebrew holiday - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com