March 25, 2015 • Vol. 13, No.17
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
www.thefoothillsfocus.com
ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ
Anthem | Black Canyon City | Carefree | Cave Creek | Desert Hills | New River| North Phoenix | Tramonto
Wild at Heart dedicated to preserving, protecting Arizona’s raptors ELIZABETH MEDORA STAFF
CAVE CREEK – “Time well spent,” said Bob Fox of Wild at Heart Raptor Rescue, referring to Roja, a 10-year resident of the wildlife sanctuary. Roja, a red-tailed hawk, came to the sanctuary 10 years ago as a seriously injured baby. After months in treatment, he’s a permanent and precious resident of Wild at Heart. Directors Sam and Bob Fox have devoted their lives to the care and keeping of the birds at Wild at Heart. The Wild at Heart sanctuary is operated out of the Foxes’ home. Sam Fox joked that the location “’was’ our home” and that she and Bob now have a bedroom and a bathroom on the property – the rest is devoted to Wild at Heart operations. “It’s all good,” Sam said, smiling, as she discussed the sanctuary.
The Foxes started out as volunteers at another facility. “The more we learned about it, the more we got involved and invested,” Bob said. Opened in 1990, the Wild at Heart facility has grown significantly in the past 25 years. Each year, Wild at Heart cares for over 400 raptors that come from all over Arizona to the sanctuary. Funded only by donations, the sanctuary relies on volunteers and donors to be able to save raptors. Wild at Heart spends $450 a day just on food for the birds to maintain a healthy diet for them. Wild at Heart volunteers work around the clock to care for the raptors at the sanctuary. Sam described midnight feedings for the tiniest nestlings. Wild at Heart provides a 24/7 helpline for people who find an injured raptor.
Over 50 volunteers donate their time and efforts to Wild at Heart. The directors encourage youth participation; kids are welcome to volunteer. “We do a lot of work with young people,” said Bob, noting that the volunteerism provides pathways for kids’ future education and careers. “We try to get the community very heavily involved,” Bob noted. “We can always use more volunteers!” Those interested in volunteering can visit http:// wildatheartraptors.org/getinvolved/volunteer and fill out a volunteer application. Wild at Heart was recently awarded at the International Festival of Owls for multiple programs, including Foster Parenting by Owls and Hawks, Burrowing Owl Relocation, Breeding of Endangered Owls in Captivity, andvarious educational programs.
Vice Mayor Les Peterson to serve as interim Carefree Mayor TARA ALATORRE STAFF
CAREFREE – Numerous leadership changes in the Carefree Town Council have occurred within the last month after the resignations of Mayor David Schwan and long-time Councilman Marty Saltzman were announced, both due to illness. Former Mayor Schwan announced his diagnosis with Lou Gehrig’s disease in February and resigned from his position immediately due to
Vice Mayor Les Peterson
complications in performing his duties while managing the care of his health, according to his resignation letter.
“It has been a privilege, an honor and a most rewarding experience,” said Schwan about his time as mayor of Carefree. Vice Mayor Les Peterson will be fulfilling the mayoral duties as interim mayor until the next general election in November 2016. “I look forward to working with the citizens of Carefree and the entire town council to move the business of the town of
VICE MAYOR continued on page 6
Tim Medora photo
Pictured is Wild at Heart Director Bob Fox, replacing the leg band of a three-week-old Great Horned Owl. This nestling will be able to be released into the wild when he is old enough.
“We’re really honored,” Sam said regarding the award. The festival promotes worldwide awareness of the plight of owls in danger and highlights programs, like those at Wild at Heart, that work to save owls. Wild at Heart is currently
working with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to help build up the numbers of Cactus Pygmy Owls in the state. Right now, fewer than three dozen are
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Mail theft: Recognizing it and reporting it ELIZABETH MEDORA STAFF
NORTH VALLEY – Waiting on an important piece of mail can be frustrating. Worse than the waiting, however, is confirming that it was sent and has had plenty of time to arrive but you haven’t received it. If you think you’ve been a victim of mail theft, file a report with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. While the Postal Inspection Service can’t guarantee the return of
COUNCIL:
CLEAN-UP:
FREE CLASSES:
New Cave Creek Council
Community association
YMCA offering free water
members seated
thanks clean-up crew
safety classes
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your stolen items, theft reports establish a pattern and can help avoid the theft being repeated. File a mail theft complaint at https://postalinspectors.uspis. gov or call 1(800) ASK-USPS if you believe your mail has been stolen. If you see someone tampering with mailboxes or stealing mail, the Post Office asks you to call 911 and report it the crime immediately. You
MAIL THEFT continued on page 9
OTHER : • Bluhm Column
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• Service Directory
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• Classified Ads
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