Scottsdale

SOUTHWEST WILDLIFE DISCOVERY SERIES

It is Baby Season!

From ‘Living with Wildlife’ by Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center

his time of year, baby animals are busy frolicking, foraging and exploring in their exciting new world! It is enjoyable to see these youngsters in the wild, but it is very important that we do not approach, touch or handle them. Imprinting is when a young animal realizes what kind of animal it is, and what behaviors are typical for its species. Normally, baby animals imprint onto a parent and learn to act just like that parent at a very young age.

When humans pick up baby animals, we drastically change their lives. Most animals that are handled frequently by people at an early age become imprinted on humans. This means that the animal no longer sees itself as a wild animal, but as a human! These animals won’t know how to act as the wild animal they actually are and are incapable of surviving in the wild.

Being dependent on people does not mean the animal will make a good pet. First, it is illegal in Arizona to have a wild animal as a pet (without a permit). Second, imprinted wild animals are not domesticated like a dog or cat. They are still wild animals and belong in the wild! They want to roam and be free, not kept in an enclosure or cage for the entirety of their lives.

So, if you happen to find an orphaned, injured or displaced wild animal, do not touch him/her. The mother is nearby and will continue to care for the baby. If the animal is in fact orphaned or hurt, then call Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center (SWCC) or another wildlife rescue organization in your area.

When we, at SWCC, are handling baby animals, we take certain precautions to prevent the baby from becoming imprinted on us. This includes not talking around the animal unless we are doing an exam on it and playing recordings of its own species, so it relates to the animal that it actually is! We want the animal to imprint on its own species, not a human!

Just as the definition suggests, “to fix indelibly or permanently,” imprinting is permanent and cannot be undone. So, we must be very careful to make sure that when a wild animal imprints, it imprints on its mother or father.

To find out more about our rehabilitated and released wildlife, sign up for our Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center newsletter at www.southwestwildlife.org and watch for our new “Walk with Wildlife at Home” video series. When possible, visit us in person and don’t hesitate to call us at 480.471.9109 if you see a baby animal in need of help.

COMMUNITY VOICES

Eye Care During These Surreal Times

STEPHEN COHEN, O.D.

Scottsdale

Many people have delayed getting their eyes examined during this time, whether it is due to avoiding going out, other priorities or work situations. Many eye doctors have closed their offices during this crisis. In some parts of the country (e.g., New Jersey), eye care practitioners are only permitted to see true eye emergency patients or face State Board disciplinary action. Fortunately, it is not that drastic here in Arizona and in many other places.

Here are a few facts and recommendations as we work through this crisis. I will base some of the information on how our office is working with our patients, and you can check with your regular eye doctor to see what their procedures are right now.

First, there is a form of conjunctivitis (inflammation of the white part of the eye) that has been associated with COVID-19. It is not among the most common signs of the disease, and there are many other causes of red eye besides this specific virus, so don’t panic if your eyes get red. When you call, your eye doctor’s office will likely ask if you have other symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, etc.) to see if it is OK for you to be seen in their office. If you do show other symptoms, or if you are just not comfortable going out, they, like us, might offer “virtual consultations” through telemedicine (text, photos, videos, FaceTime, Zoom), where a diagnosis could be determined and a treatment plan put in place without you having to leave your home. We have been encouraging all patients with eye emergencies to avoid emergency rooms and Urgent Care centers so that their resources can focus on people who might be sick from the virus and to help protect you from possible exposure to people who might be sick from the virus. Your eye doctor, like us, may also have an after-hours emergency system where they can be paged. Over the past month, I have met numerous patients at my office over the weekend with serious eye problems like sudden retinal detachments and strokes in the eye, issues that cannot wait until this crisis passes. If you have something sudden and dramatic, do not delay…call!

Your doctor might be willing to extend out expiration dates on ocular medications and contact lenses. We are refilling medication requests and are extending contact lens expiration dates as well as shipping a supply of contact lenses directly to patients, with no charge for shipping. As far as contact lenses are concerned, the CDC has determined that contact lens use during this crisis is still acceptable. Just make sure you wash your hands before and after insertion of contact lenses. While routine eye care can be delayed for now, we are “triaging” each patient who calls to determine when it would be best to schedule their appointment. Your eye doctor may be doing the same, so they may be available for more than just true emergencies.

All of our lives have been drastically impacted during this crisis. It is hard to fully grasp how different life is now than it was just two months ago. We all believe this will pass, and there will be changes in our day-to-day existence. Hopefully, many will be for the better. Stay safe!

Scottsdale Public Library Offers Support & Resources to Community

While library branches remain closed, three of the Scottsdale Library locations (Appaloosa, Arabian and Mustang libraries) are still open for limited services to the public via their respective drive thru. They are open 9am–5pm, Monday–Saturday, as is the call center, which can be reached at 480.312.7323.

Digital Library Services

Scottsdale libraries offer free eBooks, audiobooks, music, movies, magazines, AcornTV, newspapers and kids’ books that can be accessed on computers and mobile devices. All residents need is a library card and 4-digit PIN.

More information and help can be found at www.scottsdalelibrary.org/ downloadables.

Research services can be found in Learning and Research. Take advantage of this time to enroll in a free online continuing education class through Universal Class or learn a new language.

Fine Forgiveness

The Library is offering Fine Forgiveness until May 31. Return overdue items to a Scottsdale Public Library book drop, then speak to a staff member to get your fines and fees waived by calling, sending a message through “Ask-a-Librarian” on the website (see the “Services” tab) or visiting the drive-thru windows listed previously.

Don’t have any overdue items but owe past fines, they will delete those too. Just let them know. Learn more at www. scottsdalelibrary.org/fine-forgiveness.

Don’t Have A Library Card?

The Library is temporarily offering online card registrations to Maricopa County residents while they are closed. Simply fill out an online form; this library card will allow access to digital resources and a restricted three-item checkout limit. Visit a library branch when able and show them proof of ID and proof of address to remove all restrictions.

For additional information about services and resources available through Scottsdale Public Library, visit www. scottsdalelibrary.org.

Providing Solutions to Unique Challenges Faced During COVID-19 Pandemic Family mediation offered to first responders

The Aurit Center for Divorce Mediation is now offering one hour of complimentary online family meditation for first responders and their spouses who are experiencing acute family conflict due to pandemic-related stress.

Mediation services will help partners communicate in a new way and find creative solutions to the unique challenges they are currently facing. The Aurit Center is inspired to use the “magic of mediation” to support first responders to maintain healthy relationships through this time of uncertainty. During the meeting, couples will improve communication, lower conflict and reach understandings or agreements on points of contention.

“First responders are on the front lines of this pandemic risking their lives to protect our families,” said Aurit Center co-founder and professional mediator, Michael Aurit. “Our goal is to support them by helping to resolve any conflict or challenges they are facing within their own family.”

Karen Aurit, the Center’s co-founder, continued, “We acknowledge the complicated issues between couples that may arise out of stress and quick choices that must be decided. We want to do all we can to help them maintain healthy family dynamics.”

The couples will attend their mediation meeting via video conference with an experienced mediator who will help them to communicate in effective ways. Mediation may light a path for the couple to maintain a healthy relationship in the face of this crisis. Complimentary one-hour online mediation meetings can be scheduled by calling 480.378.2686 or by emailing info@auritmediation.com or online at www.auritmediation.com.

Husband and wife team, Michael and Karen co-founded The Aurit Center for Divorce Mediation in 2014 to provide Arizona families with a healthier divorce option to litigation in the courts.

Fearless Kitty

Hosts Kitten Shower During Month of May

During the entire month of May, Fearless Kitty Rescue is hosting a “Virtual” Kitten Shower to help provide care and support for the many new arrivals at the rescue — and Valley residents are invited.

COVID-19 may be forcing lockdowns but that is not stopping the rescue from celebrating the new arrivals with the public.

Fearless Kitty Rescue will be broadcasting live via Facebook Live and MaddieCam with games, raffles and more May 1–31.

Here are some ways that residents can participate: • Name a kitten for $10 or a litter for $25 • Buy a Raffle ticket to win Kitten Shower baskets (and the kittens pick the winner).

Drawings will be held the first week of June. • Purchase a gift from the kittens’ “AmazonSmile” Kitten Wishlist • Watch the rescue live via Facebook Live and its MaddieCam

This is an activity that can be done in the comfort of one’s own home that will provide smiles and help Fearless Kitty Rescue kittens at the same time.

Founded in 2012, Fearless Kitty Rescue is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, no-kill cat rescue, serving the immediate community of Fountain Hills, and surrounding areas. The organization is dedicated to rescuing cats left homeless for whatever reason – cats in municipal shelters where they are at high risk of euthanasia due to animal overpopulation, abandoned and homeless strays, cats surrendered by their owners because of difficult circumstances, and those in danger of abuse or neglect.

For more information, visit www.fearlesskittyrescue.org.

The opening track, “Delgado,” “blasts you back into your seat to a time when rock and roll topped the charts,” and the EP concludes with “Bloom,” an “honest and emotional account of young heartbreak with a touch of hope.”

“Our influences are found in different areas of rock music,” said Kontos. “My playing is very much rooted in 90s alternative and grunge, particularly Foo Fighters, Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins.”

Kulik agreed, and added, “My music influences were much more classic rock based (Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac) but have constantly shifted over time. If there is a guitar in the music, I’ll listen to it,” he joked.

And the band name? Kulik explained that it is in part inspired by the Jimmy Eat World song, “23.”

“The message of the story is all about how you can’t wait for the best time to do something you want. At some point you realize the perfect time to do something will never come, and that you just have to jump in.” |CST

“Dire Questions” is available now on major streaming platforms. A physical CD is planned for later release. For more, follow the band on Instagram (@23valkyriesmusic) and Facebook (fb.me/23valkyriesmusic) or send an email to 23ValkyriesMusic@gmail.com.

By Kathryn M. Miller Valkyries, composed of Cameron Kulik (guitar, vocals, bass) and Chris Kontos (drums, backing vocals), has been writing, performing and recording together since early 2018. Last month, the band released what Kulik describes as one of his “bucket list” item: their first EP.

The duo met in in 2016 as students at Arizona State University.

“Cameron had joined the student club I was the president and co-founder of,” said Kontos. “Super rock and roll, I know. Just through conversion we discovered our mutual love for music. I had already played in other bands, been on tour, and been hired as a studio performer, while Cam was more or less just getting his feet wet.”

“We jammed a few times just for fun but didn’t play shows. I had finished school in December 2016 and moved away for work, but moved back to Phoenix in early 2018 and we started writing and practicing two to three times a week. Once we had some of our own songs and covers, we started playing open mic nights, which led to getting booked for proper shows.”

The band released the digital single “Hypnotist” in June 2019, which led to the 2020 EP, “Dire Questions,” released April 23.

Kontos describes the music as a blend different flavors of rock and roll that create “an honest and raw sound that borrows from the best parts of 70s, 90s, and current music.”

“The four EP tracks take the listener on a journey all the way from gentle melodies to powerful, unapologetic anthems.”