Beanie the Chicken's Blog

Mechanicsburg residents working to restore war memorial

2010-03-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

MECHANICSBURG — Weather and age have taken a toll on a monument built in 1948 that bears the names of Mechanicsburg residents who died in combat during World War II and the Vietnam War.

Click here to read story, from The State Journal-Register (Springfield, Il) 3/28/10.

Film digs up forgotten past of war's Hill 60 tunnellers

2010-03-29T19:45:00.000-07:00

Australian and Allied soldiers created the largest blast the world had yet seen. THEY made the earth quake; their handiwork was heard and felt across the seas and they crafted a great battlefield victory. Then they faded away and were forgotten. But not for much longer.

Click here to read story, from The Australian (Surry Hills, NSW, Australia) 3/27/10.

World War II Memorial plaques stolen

2010-03-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

They “served God and their country” in the 1940s and now police are looking for the culprits who desecrated their memory.

Click here to read story from New Britian Herald (Britain, CT) 3/25/10.

Nahant will clean up vet's memorial

2010-03-29T19:32:00.000-07:00

An aging plaque on a stone in a little known park in town will be refurbished in the near future.

Click here to read story from Itemlive.com (Lynn, MA)

Tribtowns.com: Enter your Zip code to find news and events in your area Print Email Font Resize Statue project saved man's life

2010-03-29T19:28:00.000-07:00

Ninety-four-year-old Edward Zajac was "heartbroken" when someone stole the statue that memorialized his wife during the weekend, but was elated when police found the statue Monday night.

Click here to read story from Salt Lake Tribune.com (Salt Lake City, UT) 3/16/10.

Chickens in the news

2009-06-15T11:38:00.000-07:00

For several years I have paid keen attention to the growing phenomenon of chickens being raised in the city. I found a site that lists published articles about it called "The Weekly Roost: chickens in the news" on the website "Urban Chickens."

Click here to go there.

"Mad City Chickens," A Real Hit On DVD review

2009-06-14T17:34:00.000-07:00

LA Canyon News - Beverly Hills,CA, published an interesting review of the feature length documentaryMad City Chickens, mentioned in earlier blog posts. Click here to read article.

Group promotes raising chickens within city limits of Sarasota

2009-06-10T14:01:00.000-07:00

Click here to read story from heraldtribune.com

Iowa City joins growing urban chicken movement

2009-06-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

The Chicago Tribune (June 8) has run a story about people in Iowa City petitioning the city to change its ordinance about keeping chickens.

Click here to read the story.

Beanie's passing mentioned on Tarazon Films Blog

2009-06-07T17:57:00.000-07:00

Click here to see what Tarazod Films Blog has to say about Beanie passing away.

Beanie's Memorial Stone

2009-06-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Beanie's final resting place. Her remains lie beneath this boulder, which represents a modernistic interpretation of a chicken's basic essence.

Sad news about Beanie

2009-06-03T23:11:00.000-07:00

I am very sorry to report that Beanie died a couple of months ago. It is hard to post this notice, but I know it needs to be done, since Beanie was loved by so many people. I have decided to carry on with the Beanie Blog, but I am not sure just how the saga will proceed. Please stay tuned.

On a more positive note, Beanie was included in a feature length documentary called "Mad City Chickens" which is now available on DVD. I recently watched the movie and really liked it, especially seeing Beanie in it. If you have chickens, or you like them, you should get this DVD! Below is a press release that explains more about it:
------------------

Tarazod Films Releases Mad City Chickens On DVD

It's here—the film that's been causing a buzz in the backyard chicken world! Tarazod Films has released Mad City Chickens on DVD. Three years in the making, the 79 minute documentary is a sometimes wacky, sometimes serious look at the people who keep urban chickens in their backyards.

Filmmakers Tashai Lovington and Robert Lughai take you into the backyard like you've never seen it before. From chicken experts and authors to a rescued landfill hen or an inexperienced family that decides to take the poultry plunge—and even a mad scientist and giant hen taking to the streets—it’s a humorous and heartfelt trip through the world of backyard chickendom.

With over 60 minutes of extras, the DVD includes: The Making of Mad City Chickens featurette, Cheryl Long from Mother Earth News, Cherrie’s Backyard Chicken Tips, deleted scenes and interviews, bonus chicken footage, movie trailers and more!

The filmmakers worked for three years before completing the film, shooting on location in WI, IA, TX, KS, MI, and CA. They met with chicken experts and poultry enthusiasts, and gathered over 40 hours of interviews and chicken footage. They have appeared on Public Television, the CW Network, and on numerous talk radio shows in the US and Canada as well.

Mad City Chickens opened to shining reviews at the 2008 Wisconsin Film Festival and continues to please audiences at festivals and public screenings across the US and Canada.

“I never thought I would sit here mesmerized, open-mouthed over a chicken movie,” declared one audience member at the end of the evening. Neither did I. Kristian Knutsen, Isthmus Daily Page.

Buy the DVD ($21.95) from the Tarazod Films online shop at www.tarazod.com/shop

The return of the backyard chicken...the city will never be the same again!

Beanie's greatest hits, number one

2008-05-24T21:25:00.000-07:00

Click the play button on the video screen below for Beanie's MTV-like creation of her best hit to date.

Beanie Auditions for Stupid Pet Tricks

2008-04-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

On April 5, Beanie auditioned for David Letterman's TV show's "Stupid Pet Tricks." I'm not sure just why, but that's what they call it.

Beanie gets a new piano!

2008-04-17T08:13:00.000-07:00

Click here to check out the Schoenhut Piano web site.

Play Tic Tac Toe with a Chicken

2008-03-02T20:07:00.000-08:00

You probably have heard about casinos that offer $10,000 if you can
beat a chicken in Tic Tac Toe. Well, click here to try your hand online. It's free, it's fun (well, up to a point), but no $10,000 if you win.

Beanie's valentine note

2008-02-12T00:21:00.000-08:00

Beanie has her own unique way to communicate her valentine greetings.

Beanie's first advertisement!

2008-02-10T20:13:00.000-08:00

Beanie has just produced her first advertisement.
Since she is a musician it made sense for her to advertise
how music enriches everyone's life.

Eplaining how Beanie really did pick the Giants afterall

2008-02-05T11:59:00.000-08:00

Important press release explaining how Beanie really picked the Giants
and not the Patriots for Superbowl 2008.

Beanie picks Superbowl 2008 winner

2008-02-02T16:49:00.000-08:00

You might recall that Beanie1 had some unfortunate experiences picking
the Superbowl winner of 2005. We wondered if perhaps a hen has better
abilities along this line. The following video clip is an experiment
to prove whether or not it is so.

Beanie & Jim play chopsticks duet

2008-02-02T08:40:00.000-08:00

You will notice that Beanie, as always, puts her own unique
creative spin on a time worn piece of music. If it seems like she
is playing notes out of tune, please remember that her sense of
music is not anchored to western European tonalities.

Mad City Chickens YouTube Group

2007-12-24T23:07:00.000-08:00

As you probably know, YouTube.com is a popular place for uploading
and viewing video clips. In fact, that is where I am storing the
video clips for this blog. I recently found out about the YouTube
"group" called Mad City Chickens (hosted by Tarazod Films, producing
the movie "Mad City Chickens")that features everything chicken.
Their link is located on the right side of this blog, under heading:
Blogs & Etc.

Beanie wins first place in pet contest!

2007-11-02T00:35:00.000-07:00

Click play button to see Beanie's meteoric start to stardom.

Bronze sculpture may have been dedicated to Beanie!

2007-10-14T20:16:00.000-07:00

A new bronze sculpture has been placed in Cedar Falls, IA. It is called "Drop Leaf Chicken," but rumor has it that its real name was squelched because of politics, since Beanie lives in another state and town.

Click here to read newspaper article

Australian researchers have compiled the atlas for the brain of a chicken

2007-06-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

To those who believe we are selling the intellectual capacity of
chickens short, here is a link to a news article that will bolster your
position:

Etude con Movimiento

2007-06-08T08:50:00.000-07:00

Your first impression of this piece may be that a compilation
of short, unrelated, impromptu etudes punctuated by pauses
have been cobbled together willy-nilly, or that Beanie was
bored or distracted. However, upon more studied reflection,
you will see that just the opposite is true. Indeed, each
section is short and there are pauses, but it is these pauses
that give cohesive relation to the whole piece, adding
information and commentary that beckon you to search for
the deeper meaning.

A case in point, is when Beanie inserts a brief sigh-like
clucking sound while she elevates her neck. Is she indicating
that we must stretch beyond our preconceived biases? I think
so. In any case we must go beyond what we hear to receive the
full impact of Etude con Movimiento.

(click the "play" button to view YouTube clip)

Beanie practicing the piano

2007-06-06T22:21:00.000-07:00

Beanie is very serious about what and how she plays.
Click "play button" to view YouTube clip demonstration
of her ability to weave suble tonal variations to a basic
atonal theme.

Catching up

2007-06-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened. To catch up with the latest, click "play"
button below the screen. The clip is just over 4 minutes, a
bit longer than usual, but worth it since it contains the
essence of several months' activity.

Chicken in the city

2007-05-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

The Scientist online magazine just published an article
titled, Chicken in the city.

Check it out here:
http://tarazod.com/blog/wp-content/
PDF_Files/may07_TheScientist_Chickeninthecity

Chicken movie

2007-05-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

Tarazod Films is currently working on a movie involving chickens.
For more info, check out their blog:
http://www.tarazod.com/filmsmadchicks.html

The perfect pet may be a chicken - article

2007-05-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to an online article in Plenty Magazine about urbanites keeping chickens as pets:
http://www.plentymag.com/thecurrent/2007/05/the_perfect_pet_might_be_a_chi.php

The 5 Stages Of...

2007-02-19T20:54:00.000-08:00

Sorry for taking so long in posting this entry.
After you view the video below it may make more sense.

Click the "Play" button on the viewer to see video clip.

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Chicken of Note

2006-02-15T07:51:00.000-08:00

Matilda, noted as the world's oldest chicken, died last Saturday evening.
Click here to read newspaper article.

Beanie Award!

2006-02-14T21:48:00.000-08:00

Woman does "mouth-to-beak" to save chicken.
Click Beanie's picture to read newspaper article.

Beanie picks Superbowl 2006 Winner!

2006-02-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

Watch as Beanie picks who the Superbowl 2006 winner will be.
Click "play" button to see as WMV video. See below to view
it as a QuickTime video.

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Life Is Like An Egg

2006-01-18T10:10:00.000-08:00

New discoveries about Beanie in this latest episode:
"Life Is Like An Egg." Click "play" button to view.

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Beanie begins piano lessons

2006-01-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

When you have a chicken with creative interests, it is important to direct those interests in creative ways. So, for Beanie, it is time to being taking piano lessons. Click the "play" button to see how she's doing.

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Beanie Award

2005-12-30T18:41:00.000-08:00

Beanie awards special recognition to Archie Limpagnano, a New York veterinary technician at Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists and 24-Hour Emergency Care (FAVS).

Shown here with Chicken Little, who Limpagnano rescued on the 59th Street bridge during the recent transit crisis. The bird was found with multiple injuries and was swiftly taken to the facility where it received a thorough examination and treatment.

Let Beanie know if you have someone you would like to nominate.

Moon Bean(ie)

2005-12-29T11:02:00.000-08:00

Do chickens daydream? Beanie does. Click "play" button below to see what she daydreams about.

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Beanie has a special message

2005-11-22T22:03:00.000-08:00

Click the "play" button below to see Beanie's special message (as WMV video), done in her own inimitable style.

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Click here to view special message as QuickTime movie.

The Beanieator Model 1.0

2005-11-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

Click the "play" button below to see latest video clip of the Beanieator Model 1.0 in action!

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Beanie pulls a string!

2005-11-02T09:56:00.000-08:00

Beanie has gone from pecking a string to learning how to pull on a string. Click "play" button below to see (you may have to click twice).

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Beanie does the chicken dance!

2005-10-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

Click the "play" button below (you may have to click twice).

Click here to view video as QuickTime movie

Pecking a string

2005-10-12T20:15:00.000-07:00

Beanie has learned how to peck a string!
If that doesn't seem impressive, click the "play"
button below (in WMV format).

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Beanie's nesting box is finished

2005-10-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Since Beanie has grown out of her temporary cage and into her new delux cage, she has been needing a nesting box to roost in at night. Well, we just finished it!

Beanie learns to sit on my hand

2005-10-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

Beanie REALLY loves grapes! I found I can use them as a training tool. Now she has learned to sit on my hand with a grape as a reward.

One problem, though, is that grapes resemble eyes. I have to be careful not to let her get into pecking range.

What kind of chicken is Beanie?

2005-09-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

Beanie is a Buff Orpington. Buff is the color. When she is full grown, I expect that she will be slightly darker and maybe a bit more golden color than she is now.

The Orpington breed originated in England in 1886. They are known for being good egg layers (brown) and for making good pets.

My wife Lori, started giving Beanie rides when she was just a chick.

Beanie in her new cage

2005-09-19T08:39:00.000-07:00

I put Beanie in her cage in the morning. Her old cage acts as a temporary perch and security blanket.

Meanwhile

2005-09-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

While I was showing Beanie all those instruments, she was growing -- really fast! I knew she would need a larger cage, but I didn't realize how soon she would need it. So, my father-in-law drew up some plans, based on some ideas I had and over a couple of weeks we put it together.

This cage is about 4 feet long, almost 2 feet wide and a little less than 2 feet high. We still are making the nesting box out of plywood, which will attach on the end. I still put Beanie in the workshop at night, but when I'm done with the box she should be able to stay outside.

Finally on the right track

2005-09-18T20:53:00.000-07:00

It was getting obvious that Beanie was just not cut out for either woodwind or brass instruments. So we moved on to something else altogether...

Now we are getting somewhere

BEANIE ROCKS!

Beanie goes for broke

2005-09-18T20:47:00.000-07:00

Beanie must have thought that too many keys made playing music hard, so she decided to try out a Baritone, which only had three keys. But, there was a slight size problem...

Beanie and the clarinet

2005-09-18T19:50:00.000-07:00

Beanie insisted on trying out a clarinet. I explained that you have to push the keys down to make music on the clarinet. But, of course, you also have to blow on the mouthpiece, which posed a serious problem. In, the end, Beanie got tired and wanted to rest er roost for a while.

Beanie discovers the trumpet

2005-09-18T19:44:00.000-07:00

I tried to explain the difference between playing a flute and a trumpet, but I don't think it made any sense.

Beanie discovers the flute

2005-09-18T18:36:00.000-07:00

I may not have mentioned it, but I have been repairing band instruments (woodwind & brass) since 1966. So my workshop is always filled with instruments. Well, one day Beanie wanted to learn what a flute was...

Beanie finally starts to explore the world

2005-09-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

I finally saw that Beanie needed more experiences, so I began letting her out to see the big wide world...and to meet some of her new friends, like Quenby the cat.

Beanie grows and so does her curiosoty

2005-09-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

You could almost see Beanie growing. From a baby chick it seemed like no time at all she was the size you see in this picture, wanting to see what was beyond her cage in my workshop.

Beanie's new life begins

2005-09-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

Since Beanie was so small, I kept her in a small carying cage in my workshop so she would be safe and warm.

Where did Beanie come from?

2005-09-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

Some have wondered where Beanie came from. Here is a short biography...

I bought Beanie from the Escondido Feed Supply Co., in Escondido, California. She was among a small flock of two week old pullets like these.
Who would have imagined that out of such humble beginnings, a chicken of such amazing abilities would come?

Picture of Beanie

2005-09-10T08:33:00.000-07:00

This is beanie, at about 5 weeks. See how curious she is?

Who is Jim?

2005-09-09T09:54:00.000-07:00

My name is Jim. I am the one who discovered Beanie. Since she was such a special chicken, I decided to tell her story in a Blog format so others could share in what I am discovering.