Jenn Smith accepts position at Mills College

Great news in the lab today:  Jenn Smith has accepted a position as an Assistant Professor at Mills College where she will start in the fall.  Congratulations to Jenn!

NEWS: Phil saw his shadow

This report just in:  Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow:  6 more weeks of winter.  Sorry folks who needed a more positive mid-winter festival.  However, our RMBL marmots could use a little more snow in their blanket just now (it's been a low snow year).  Hopefully the Spring will come early to them and the population will start to recover. 


Of course, we'll have our annual Groundhog Day party this afternoon (again!).


Happy Groundhog Day to all!  

Groundhog day...

For marmot enthusiasts, this is a BIG week. Why? Because February 2nd is Groundhog Day...the only holiday named after an animal (turkey day does NOT count), and the only holiday celebrating animal behavior. A perfect pairing from my perspective.

So the news stories have started (we often are asked to comment) and I was touched by one in the Los Angeles Times today about the caretaker or Dunkirk Dave. Check it out; it's a story about a man who cares for injured groundhogs. What a kind man.

Bob Will, right, and Bill Verge visit with Dunkirk Dave on Groundhog Day 2011. The two of them rescue groundhogs year-round. (Photo Credit: Dunkirk Observer, Nicole Gugino / January 30, 2012)

Happy Groundhog Day! We'll have our annual party (again!).