Moab Happenings Archive
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Non-Profit Happenings June 2013

Annual Dawg Days of Summer Barbecue and Silent Auction

Humane Society of Moab Valley BBQThe eleventh annual Humane Society of Moab Valley BBQ and major fundraiser will take place at Old City Park from 4 to 8 P.M. on Saturday, June 29th. Tickets are available at the HSMV office in the Moab City Shelter, as well as the Moab Barkery, Sgt. Pepper’s Music and Video, WabiSabi (both locations) and Farmer’s Market on Thursday evenings at Swanny City Park.
Food will be provided by Jeffrey’s Steakhouse, and includes backyard style BBQ with sliced beef, grilled chicken and a beautiful selection of salad, rolls and dessert. Adult tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the “door,” and kids under 10 years of age are $10 in advance and $12 at the “door.” Buy four adult tickets and get one free!

Enjoy the talents of local musicians Eric Jones playing acoustic Americana folk and bluegrass; Mickey Blue doing 60s, 70s and 80s classic rock, country and blues; and the Lost Buffalo Band offering easy listening and classic rock. This year’s silent auction will be better than ever, with restaurant packages, spa dates, landscape plant certificates, beautiful art work, massage and fitness certificates, and more - great gift items to pamper yourself or give to a friend or loved one! The silent auction and BBQ are the primary annual fundraisers for the Humane Society of Moab Valley. In addition to Jeffrey’s Steakhouse donating food, and musicians donating their time and talents, this event is sponsored by Zions Bank and the Moab Brewery. Jeffrey’s also has sponsored the Paws for the Cause Wine and Hors d’oeuvres “Night Out” benefit for HSMV for the past three years.

The BBQ started in 2002, by Paul and Zee McCarroll, then chefs extraordinaire at the Center Cafe. They had just opened at their new location on First West; Zee’s mother used to love to come by and check out the construction progress and was excited to see it open. Sadly, she passed away just before the new cafe opened. With this business, the McCarrolls decided that one of their missions was to give back to the community. At the time, funds were being raised to build the first animal shelter in Moab. They decided that by holding the BBQ, they could honor Zee’s mother, help to accomplish and support something much needed, and do something fun that people would enjoy. Zee started barbecuing several days in advance; friends and staff shucked corn and helped with other preparations. The Center Cafe’s staff was awesome, donating their time and even their tips to the Humane Society! They all looked forward to it and had a great time. The lovely cafe, the generosity of the staff, donors to the auction, and attendees made this a highlight of the summer season for many local residents.

After the Center Cafe closed, Buck’s Grill House was the next venue for the event. Tim Buckingham opened up the outdoor patio and supplied a great selection of delectables. In 2011, a new atmosphere was created at Old City Park - a bit less formal, a bit more fun with great food, and the silent auction - every year better than the last! The Moab Brewery catered the event for the past two years.

Celebrating 13 years of serving the Moab area, the local Humane Society is run solely on donations and grants, with volunteers supplying the vast majority of work. The organization’s mission is to improve the lives of companion animals and their owners by:

• Saving the lives of orphaned animals through rescue and adoption services.
• Providing training, support and education for pet owners and the community.
• Providing spay/neuter opportunities for all cats and dogs.

Holding adoption days most Saturdays, sponsoring three spay/neuter clinics per year as well as year-round low-income vouchers, and providing discounted fees for senior adoptors and/or senior animals, are just a few of the on-going programs of HSMV. For more information on the BBQ, adoptable animals, or volunteering, call 435-259-HUMANE (259-4682).

 

 

Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

On the day before Christmas in 2005, a big crowd had gathered at the Sunset Grill for a memorable event. It had nothing to do with the festivities of the season, but everything to do with a second chance on life for a male, immature golden eagle named Petrie.

In early October this young eagle was found in the Cisco Desert and brought to Debbie Pappas, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator at the Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Price, Utah. An injury to his left leg and foot had prevented him from hunting successfully. Weak from starvation and dehydration, he couldn’t even stand up. Under Debbie’s tender loving care, however, Petrie had made a quick and full recovery. Now he was ready to go out on his own.

Emerging from the crowd Debbie held Petrie tightly in her arms. Wrapped in a blanket this magnificent bird anxiously peeked out from his protective covering as the gold on his neck, which gives the golden eagle his name, shimmered in the sunlight. In my wildest dreams, I never thought I’d ever get this close to a golden eagle. Then with a hefty toss into the crystal clear air, he immediately took flight.

Petrie was the third bird to be released from the Sunset Grill. First came an immature peregrine falcon followed by an immature turkey vulture. Most birds come to Debbie with impact injuries from collisions with vehicles, as orphans, the effects of lead poisoning or young birds who haven’t perfected their hunting skills. When a bird can’t go back to the wild, a painful decision must be made as to what works best for the welfare of the bird and some are placed in an educational program with a licensed educator.

On the evening of July 25, 2007 Debbie returned to Moab to release four juvenile screech owls at the Scott M. Matheson Preserve, an event I wasn’t going to miss. When she opened the container, everyone waited to see what would happen as these adorable owls with their bright yellow eyes stared back at their audience. Not wanting to leave the security of their temporary home, they made no attempt to escape and had to be hand released. I was thrilled when Debbie asked me to participate. Then for a powerful few minutes I had a small owl perched on my gloved hand that seemed content to stay there. Finally a nudge from behind sent this timid creature airborne to a new life in the wild, leaving me with a gripping experience I’ll never forget.

Over the years Debbie has cared for many birds including a loon that she kept in her bathtub. She and husband listened to that loon yodeling through the night. Unfortunately, this particular loon died from lead poisoning caused by gunshot wounds.
Currently the list goes on and on: A soon-to-be-released barn owl rescued last year from a tree where he was hanging upside down from a fishing line 30 feet above the ground - two injured great blue herons that were found in Moab; fortunately one was rehabbed sufficiently for its second chance on life - a non-releasable Swainson’s hawk who will go to Wild Wings, Inc., where hopefully he will thrive in his new environment – two ferruginous hawks – two crows – a screech owl named Little Avon - and Clark, a gunshot golden eagle, who is ready to be released.

Second Chance, one of only eight wildlife rehabilitation facilities in Utah, is both state and federally permitted. Debbie, her assistant Connie and their veterinarian donate their services, but the bills for surgical expenses, medical supplies, medications and food for their patients keep rolling in 365 days a year. Since they receive no federal or state funding, they are dependent on donations. Consequently Debbie is running out of money and unless she receives monetary help soon, she will be forced to close her doors.

Sara Melnicoff, after hearing about Second Chance’s financial crisis, stepped in to help organize a fundraiser, along with Yrma van der Steenstraeten, Lisa Justice, Linda Webb and Jeanine Montague. The event is called Flock Together – A Fundraiser for Utah’s Wildlife, a two-part event that will be held in Moab on Saturday June 8th. Part one takes place at the Scott M. Matheson Preserve from 10 A.M. to 1 P.M. with activities for all ages including face painting, an owl hooting contest and “come as your favorite bird” contest. Even though this is another drought year, the wildlife is still plentiful at the preserve and members of the local bird club will be available to help people spot and identify a variety of birds.

While you’re at the preserve be sure to stop by the educational booths about beavers, insects and wildlife rehabilitation. In addition Tom Haraden will present a demonstration about bats, stressing their importance in the environment, and Keith Cauley, a wildlife photographer for National Geographic, will be available to explain the techniques of nature photography.

A silent auction from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. will be held at Eddie McStiff’s. Local businesses have donated a variety of merchandise and local and statewide artists have also contributed their exquisite artwork. Here’s your chance to support Debbie while also taking home that special item you can’t live without and/or a treasured piece of art.

During this fundraiser there will be something for every pocketbook and every taste. So start your morning by enjoying all the outdoor activities at the preserve. Then wrap up your day with a relaxing dinner at Eddie’s while supporting the Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Both Debbie and Sara want to express their thanks to the restaurant for allowing the space to hold this part of the event. They also want to thank the Nature Conservancy for the use of the preserve and everyone else who donated their art, merchandise and services.

For more information, contact Sara at 435-401-4685 or Debbie at 435-650-3441.

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