Archive for the ‘Construction’ Category

Happy Birthday, Negra!

Sunday, June 13th, 2010

You may have noticed in the video posted previously that we’ve been keeping a secret from you.

On Friday,  we replaced three caged windows with clear chimp-proof glass. Thanks to a generous donation from LUSH for two of the windows:

LUSH 2 new windows

And Anna Kircher and fellow blog readers for the third window (view of the garden!)

New lower window

If you received the e-newsletter sent out earlier today, you saw photos of Negra’s view and her sitting in one of the windows upstairs.

Here’s a photo of Jody taking a peak out the blog reader’s window downstairs:

Jody peaking out window

and Jamie cleaning the window (apparently we forgot to complete the installation with a wipe-down using a sock):

Jamie wiping window with sock

We’ll be installing four more new windows soon thanks to everyone who donated between March 17th and today for our 2nd Anniversary Fundraising.

We’ll share the final fundraising amount and who raised the most early this week. Thanks, everyone for helping us exceed our goal!!

happy anniversary and thank you

Sunday, June 13th, 2010

We really can’t thank you enough for following the lives of the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees and helping to fill their new lives with love and happiness.

The last two years have been remarkable.

This video is for you:

Spring!

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

Warm weather has finally arrived. Yesterday J.B. removed one wall of the greenhouse panels.

Negra was ready

Negra spent yesterday and today in her spot enjoying the view

While we enjoyed the view of Negra with the direct sunlight on her face

She also spent some time in her favorite pose, taking a nap

Doesn’t this close up of Negra just compel you to contribute (and tell all of your friends to donate) to the 2nd Anniversary Fundraising to celebrate Negra’s birthday and 2 years in sanctuary?

Thank you to everyone who is working hard to give Negra and all of the Cle Elum Seven this second chance on life at the sanctuary.

Sun!

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

The chimps were outside bright and early this morning to welcome the return of the sun to Central Washington.

Greenhouse update

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

I wish I had more progress to report, but the weather has been awful. Still, we’ve managed to start installing panels on the roof and we’ve nearly completed one wall. From the inside, the view is somewhat distorted but it lets in nearly all the light. We’re all excited for the chimps to have more space in the winter. Now all we need is some sun!

web greenhouse construction one wall complete from outside outdoor area IMG_0635

web greenhouse construction one wall complete outdoor area from inside IMG_0632

Greenhouse Update

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

We’re getting closer! Volunteer Jim Spencer has been coming all the way from Whidbey Island to help with construction, and together we’ve nearly completed the framing.

1-12-10 greenhouse from pasture IMG_5299

1-12-10 greenhouse north and east IMG_5280

1-12-10 greenhouse south and east IMG_5295

The greenhouse won’t be heated, but the polycarbonate panels should trap enough solar heat to make it comfortable on a sunny day. This morning, Annie spent a little time outside, despite the temperature being in the 30′s. With the greenhouse, she should be able to hang out in the outdoor area a lot more often.

1-12-10 annie_MG_5293

Also, while the chimps love to eat snow, they don’t like to walk in it. Foxie will appreciate not having to tip toe through the cold snow to get to where she wants to go.

1-12-10 foxie 1_MG_5309

1-12-10 foxie 2_MG_5313

YOU did it!

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Yay!! Big thanks to Barb in Ohio for her generous pledge for the last $$ needed for the window fund. You’ve raised the money needed to replace one of the caged windows with clear chimp-proof glass!

Thank you to Anna K. for initiating this window fundraising and to Denice, Jill K., Julie H., Gayle B., Theresa, Jeani, Candy, Kathy B., Leslie S., Sue and Jack, Stephanie P., Steph and Kurt, Donna A. and now Barb in Ohio. What a wonderful x-mas gift for the chimpanzees! Thank you also to an anonymous donor and friend who is sending a cash gift for the sanctuary and offered to have that gift go towards the window, if needed. The Cle Elum Seven have the best supporters!

There was a big snowstorm overnight, so winter is here. We’ll keep you updated on the timeline for installing the window. In the meantime, be thinking of Negra’s new view and another window for Jody to lick :)

$900 to go for the cageless view

Monday, December 7th, 2009

We’re more than halfway to a new chimp-proof glass window. Anna Kircher kicked it off with the challenge pledge of $1000 and $600 more was pledged almost immediately. Thank you Anna for initiating this gift and to all who responded so quickly. Replacing one of the windows that currently has a safety cage over it with clear chimp-proof glass will make a significant difference in the lives of the chimps. And we only need $900 more! Please see Anna’s original post and the responses so far: http://www.chimpsanctuarynw.org/blog/?p=3082

Thank you!!

Greenhouse construction continues

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

More progress on the greenhouse, thanks to Jim and John Spencer. Today was cold, but when the sun was out you could imagine how nice it will be inside once we’re done.

greenhouse 12-5-09_MG_4933

Challenge gift for a new window!

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Anna K. is pledging to give $1000 towards a new chimp proof window if we can raise the remaining $1500 to cover the costs of installation. Come on blog readers!! All of us staff will tell you what a huge difference the window makes. It lets in so much more light and the chimps absolutely love it. There are a lot of windows in the playroom with caging that we could replace with clear chimp-proof glass. Imagine seeing Negra looking out at the valley without having to look through bars.

Share Anna’s challenge (below) with others and let’s see how quickly we can give the chimps another view!

From Anna:

Ok – I’m thinking grandly here. But sometimes if you have high aspirations, the universe surprises you by coming through! :-)

One of the b-i-i-i-g things on CSNW’s wish list is another chimp-proof window. And it’s so heartwarming to see how much the chimps are enjoying the one they have – wouldn’t it be great if they could have another?!

It costs about $2500 total to acquire all the parts/materials/labor to install a chimp-proof window. I’d be willing to seed the pot with $1000. I’m wondering if there might be 15 folks out there each willing to throw in $100?

Any takers? Could we gather enough money by Christmas to collectively give the chimps another window this winter? If you’re interested in participating, please reply here in the blog or contact me off-line at kirchera at hotmail dot com.

Kudos and cyber-hugs will be freely distributed to partners in this venture – I’ve got my fingers crossed for another cage-less view of the world for the chimps!!