WildBird center begins new chapter

Thanks to everyone who turned out for the Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center’s Open House on Sept. 7 at our new rehab facility. The turnout was fabulous, the enthusiasm and support was contagious and it didn’t rain! Our appreciation goes out to everyone who donated goods and services to make the event possible, especially Three Bears Meadow Lakes and KGB stores, and Eddie Ezelle from the Wasilla Food Pantry, as well as all our volunteer chefs and grillers.

Now it’s time for us to turn our attention towards our sixth annual “Fall Migration.”

The theme of this year’s Migration is “Celebrate our New Nest,” and the event will indeed be a celebration.

In addition to appearances by some of our popular education birds, festivities will include a live auction with an “Ice Road Trucker” trip among many exciting items to bid on; silent auction tables laden with art, food, clothing and other gift certificates (and no, they are not all bird-related); wine tasting by Big Lake Moonshine Shop as well as craft beer tasting by Last Frontier Brewery of Wasilla; and new this year, quick draw artists! These talented Valley artists, cartoonist Chad Carpenter of Wasilla, chainsaw carver Scott Thompson of Willow and painter Chip Brock of Wasilla will each have one hour to create a work of art in their respective medium, then will graciously allow their artwork to be auctioned off at the event.

Our celebrity auctioneer will be Martin James, emcee of many large events around Alaska for KAKM Alaska Public Media and the March of Dimes. The evening’s fare will be hearty appetizers by locally acclaimed caterer Marian Romano.

The Fall Migration, AWBRC’s largest fundraiser of the year, is always well attended, fast-paced and offers something for everyone. This year’s event will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m., Oct. 5 at the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn, Wasilla. Tickets are $55 in advance, $60 at the door. They can be purchased at Madd Matters and NonEssentials in downtown Palmer, at Steve’s Toyo Stove Repair on Knik-Goose Bay Road in Wasilla, and via PayPal at AkWildBirdRehab.org. Call 892-2927 for more information.

We have been blessed by many members of our community who have come forward to help us help the birds. We would like to give thanks to Spenard Builders Supply, the Pumpkin Hill Foundation, Mary Dolmatoff and Jim Brooks, Mat-Su Sertoma and Mary Hall, our senior volunteer at 96 years young for all their incredible contributions to AWBRC. We could not do it without all of you, and your assistance is deeply appreciated.

Migrate over to the Best Western and come soar with us! We look forward to seeing you at our Fall Migration.

Randi Perlman is board vice president for Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center.