Nancy C. Avritt: News

My new CD has been in the works for over three years.  Right now it's being mastered and reproduced, with a 12-page lyric booklet and artwork.  Check back to find out when it will be available through Stoops Manufacturing Company, of course!

My new CD has encountered a few production snags, primarily because of infighting.  Yes, the staff is at it again, with their usual artistic differences. Unfortunately, there has been a lot of slapping and hissing.  We hope to resolve the conflicts soon and will have the new CD available in the next few weeks!  Keep checking!

The gopher tortoise (yes, it is a turtle, but not one that lives in water) is a tan and gray tortoise that can grow to 12 or 15 inches long.  They are known for digging a burrow with their flat, flipper-type legs.  There is a gopher tortoise habitat in my front yard, meaning dry leaves, loose sandy soil, and a canopy of trees.  Several fruit-bearing camelia bushes are present as well.  I'm not sure whether they eat the fruit, but it is a strong possibility.  In the spring, I encountered a pair of gopher tortoises in this area.  We also discovered a tiny one near the garage.  These tortoises are on the threatened species list, which means that I am intrigued by them.  However, they often share their burrows with rattlesnakes, which means . . .  I'm not intrigued for very long!

Sadly,  Pensacola Beach was hit today with ugly oil from the BP spill.  We went out to take a look this afternoon, and were stunned, especially since the beach was absolutely pristine only a few days ago.  I was able to photograph this with my cell phone while standing on the walkway.  Some workers were watching us to be sure we didn't get too close.  The smell was strong, and in the waves we could see red-brown oil rolling in relentlessly.  It took 65 days for the oil to reach our sugar-sand beaches, but it looks like it is here to stay for awhile.

On the photos page you will see a group of outstanding pictures sent in by my guests.  If you have any contributions, please send them (along with a detailed description) to my e-mail:  navritt@nancyavritt.com

Yesterday was Earth Day, a day that has been set aside since 1970 to think about our care for the Planet.  Of course, we should do that every day! However, I did take a little time out of my day to visit some gentle creatures at our local Zoo, and I have added a few new photos to my gallery for you to enjoy.

The Gulf Breeze Zoo is now under new management and is open for business!  Our precious animals have been well cared for during the months of closure and are now greeting visitors once again!

Some fans of Heartening Songs for Critical Times have asked if I had any part in the new songbook which was released at the "Keep on the Watch" Conventions this year.  The answer is no.  Perhaps the publishers thought my staff would be too difficult to work with. . . maybe they don't like cats. . . maybe my "Roadie" looked a little too ferocious. . . anyhow, I was completely unaware of a new songbook until its' release last June. . . and that's the truth!

The former Zoo Northwest Florida will reopen in late winter or early spring as the Gulf Breeze Zoo under the ownership of a company that runs a drive-through animal park in Virginia, according to zoo founder Pat Quinn.

This is certainly welcome news to those of us who love our local Zoo! 

Plagued by financial troubles since Hurricane Ivan struck the area in 2004, the Zoo closed on Sunday, August 16, 2009, awaiting the decisions from the governments of two local counties to provide $125,000 each in funding. Zoo officials said that if they could not secure the funding by Friday, August 21, then closure will be permanent.

On Wednesday, August 19, Zoo officials announced that the closure of the Zoo would be permanent. However, the Zoo's website says it's temporary. 

I will try to give more updates as they become available.

You may now go to the LISTEN page and get a free download of "Whatever Things," a song based on Philippians 4:8, 9. This song was included on my first album, New Earth Songs, which is no longer available. I hope you enjoy the new version, and if you have any comments on it, please leave them on the Guestbook page or e-mail me. Enjoy!

Yes, and this time our travels took us to Germany and Austria, so check out the photos of the Web of Life, European style!

Special thanks to John Hodgson for submitting the beautiful photo of the Golden Eagle in Canada.

Also, a few photos of my staff are now available, including my arranger, piano tuner, editor, and critic: actually just two not-so-ordinary tabby cats! Enjoy!

If you want to play along with my music or create your own version of what I do, just put in your request by e-mailing me. I will send a copy of my song(s) for your personal use, free of charge. You may request songs from "The Web of Life," "Heartening Songs for Critical Times," and "New Earth Beats." So, come on. . . start singing and playing my songs yourself and help spread some good music around!

Can't believe I've actually seen them here in Florida, soaring right over my head, but I have, several times in the past six months. The first time, back in September, there were four or five together, and I immediately noticed white heads. I remembered learning in grade school (many moons ago) that we would probably never see a bald eagle in the wild because there were so few left. Thinking it was just too good to be true, I doubted myself and wondered if they were ospreys. However, unlike ospreys, these guys were making a lot of noise. And they were HUGE. So I went to the National Geographic webpage on Bald Eagles, and it had a recording of their cry, and it was exactly what I had heard: very unusual, and unforgettable. Wow! What a thrill to see this marvelous creature come back from the brink of extinction! Sorry I have no photos. By the time I run for my camera, they're gone. I guess that's not surprising that they fly faster than I run . . . but I'll keep trying!

I recently cancelled 68 DIFFERENT catalogs that were coming to my home, some as often as every week! Over time, these had accumulated because of my penchant for mail-orders. Little did I realize how the catalogs would multiply because these companies sell addresses to one another. However, by e-mailing each company, I was able to cancel most of the catalog mailings. Of course, I am now inundated with junk e-mail ads, but my postman thanks me, AND I'm saving trees! Also, don't forget to recycle all of your newspapers! It may be a small effort, but we can all show some respect for The Web of Life by recycling!

Now you can go to walmart.com and get Nancy's music. Click on the "Links" page and place your custom order now!

A new music flashplayer bar has been added to Nancy's website so you can listen to all of her 'Web of Life' tracks. If you like what you hear, please sign the Guestbook. Enjoy!

Many of the animal photos you see on this website as well as on the CD artwork were taken at The Zoo Northwest Florida. Unfortunately, the zoo has recently experienced some financial problems due to severe damage from hurricane Ivan (which closed the zoo for 5 1/2 months) and hurricane Dennis (which hit only nine months after Ivan). This has led to an outpouring of community support. In order to contribute to the cause, Nancy's CD "The Web of Life" is now available at the zoo's gift shop, with all proceeds going to help feed and care for the 1,400 creatures who live there.

To find out more about our very special zoo, and how you can help, go to the "Links" page and click on The Zoo Northwest Florida.

I'm very excited about my new CD, "The Web of Life." It features many instrumentals and a couple of songs about biodiversity. You will hear mellow music, African-style music, and songs with meaningful lyrics. We all depend upon the Web of Life!

Check out the "Buy" and "Links" pages for info on purchasing and downloading!

Click on "Music" for a preview of songs from this beautiful new album.