This past weekend my sister and I attended the Raptor Workshop hosted by Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation. They are a fantastic organization dedicated to helping injured and orphaned wildlife. They treat all species of wild birds, reptiles and amphibians and treats all wild mammals excluding skunks, bats and raccoons. (although they can refer you to a wildlife organization who helps raccoons if you happen to find one). We have called them a couple times over the years for advice on various wildlife we have found and have even brought them a few injured creatures.
The raptor workshop is designed as an introduction to birds of prey and their care targeted for Nature Center and wildlife staff and volunteers, along with those just serious about birds of prey. Jackie and I learned about this class from the Flint Creek website and were immediately interested in taking it.
The workshop covers an amazing about of information for 1.5 days of work. Granted this is a high level view of raptors and their care and handling, but it was very detailed and interesting. It is meant to prepare students for the 10 week raptor internship (also through Flint Creek) where you go into further detail on raptor care and work more with the raptors.
The first day was spent on the legal bits of caring for raptors – there are a ton of laws and regulations at both the state and federal level that govern what and how Flint Creek must care for not only rescued wildlife but also its education birds. Flint Creek’s goal is to release every animal it rescues back to the wild so they have few education birds (compared to other centers). Flint Creek uses a variety of methods to make sure birds (and other animals) released get the best chance possible to survive and their numbers show that they are succeeding at their mission.
On Day 2 of the workshop, we got to handle 2 of the smaller raptors – an American Kestrel and a Screech Own. Now a kestrel is probably my favorite raptor so I was really excited and Jackie loves owls so she was equally as excited. The workshop size is kept small and the volunteers allot enough time they we were both able to handle both raptors.
Although we would both like to continue on to the raptor internship, we aren’t sure at this point if we have the time in our schedules. The internship is held once a year and only has spots for 8 people but you get hands-on training in all aspects of caring for captive birds of prey. Its a 10 week course but if you pass you can go for your raptor handler certification and even volunteer at Flint Creek to work in their raptor program. For Jackie and I, it would be a way to help any injured/orphaned raptors while also supporting a great organization in our area.
Last night I attended Fashion Forward at Northbrook Court. It consisted of a silent auction, live auction and fashion show – plus lots of edible goodies and drinks. All the proceeds went to various charities.
It was a lot of fun. The fashion show wasn’t crazy like Fashion Week but showed actual outfits you could wear from stores in the mall. For the live auction volunteers from the charities would walk the runway wearing outfits from a specific store in the mall and you would bid on a gift certificate to that store. The gift certificates were all in the $350 – $400 range. I bid on Tommy Bahama and White House/Black Market but lost both to higher bidders.
I also bid on a silent auction from Burberry which was a scarf and a $200 gift certificate. I lost that as well but my cousin bid on a Sephora silent auction with a bunch of products from their store and won!
There was also small bites from Whole Foods. I tried some of the Hors d’vours and they were ok but for dessert they had an assortment of mini-tarlets which were totally delicious. I liked the Key Lime Pie one the best. Whole Foods does such a good job with their tartlets I recommend you try them if you haven’t already. There was also coffee and tea from Corner Bakery as well as an open bar.
By far the best thing at the bar was the signature drink called “Glittering in Gold” It was a mix of Goldschlager and Apple Cider mixed together than topped off with Champagne. It tasted like cinnamon apple sauce and was absolutely amazing! I intend on serving these during Thanksgiving – they were that good.
All in all it was a fun night and if they have a similar event next year I will definitely go back.
I recently took in two cats from a co-worker of mine who, due to some extreme family and medical issues, was no longer able to care for them. Both cats are female, spayed, up to date on shots, have their claws and both are in need of a new “Forever Home”. They can be adopted together or separately. Both have lived with other cats, a dog and children in the past. Free to a caring home.
Chilly
Chilly:
Chilly is a 5 year old orange tabby short hair. She is the more active of the two and enjoys exploring her surroundings, playing with her toys and climbing on my cats’ trees. Chilly likes to snuggle and will come to you for attention but I would not consider her a “lap cat”. Most of the time when I am watching TV or working on the computer she is nearby and interested in what I am doing, but without being “in my face”. Chilly loves to play with her toys and is capable of having fun by herself but she definitely likes it when you interact with her (such as with a laser toy or wand).
Here is a video of Chilly in action:
Missy
Missy:
Missy is a 3 year old black short hair. She is more reserved then her house mate Chilly and prefers to wait until you make the first move. Once you do though she is an extremely affectionate cat who loves to be petted. She has even jumped on my desk in an effort to get some snuggle-time! Missy favorite toys are plastic rings from milk cartons, which she will carry around in her mouth. Her previous owner said she used to sleep on his bed and follow him around the house so once you win this cat’s loyalty she will be yours for life.
Here is a video of Missy in action:
If you are interested in either Missy or Chilly, please let me know and I can setup a time for you to come over and meet them.
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