Owl’s name is up to you
The female barred owl is a two-pound ball of talons and feathers. Hit by a car in 2007, she has spent the last year rehabilitating at West Sound Wildlife Shelter, and is now ready to tour classrooms as part of the shelter’s education program.
But first she needs a name.
The shelter is holding a “Name the Owl” contest to christen the owl, which will join the shelter’s great horned owl Orion as the second education animal in its program.
Orion was named in a 2007 contest open to elementary students. The contest was popular enough that shelter Executive Director Kol Medina decided to open the barred owl naming to entries from all ages.
Entry forms are available at www.westsoundwildlife.org or by contacting Medina at kol@westsoundwildlife.org or 855-9057. Entries are due by Sept. 14 and the winner will be announced by Sept. 25.
By law, injured raptors like the barred owl must either recover fully and be released, euthanized or placed in an education program. Having suffered a broken bone in her breast, it was determined the owl would never fly well enough to be released. Plus, her lack of timidity made her an ideal candidate for the education program.
Shelter educators present the owls in classroooms and at community group meetings that offer lessons on natural history, Native American mythology and wildlife rehabilitation. In the last one and a half years, Orion has made more than 60 appearances.
Islander back from Burundi
Former Bainbridge Islander Joey Alsberge has returned to the area after spending a year in Kigutu, Burundi.
Alsberge had deferred his enrollment at Cornell Medical College to work with the humanitarian relief effort Village Health Works. The group aims to bring quality health care to communities suffering from socio-economic and health deprivation. Alsberge met and worked with philanthropist and doctor Paul Farmer and Joia Mukherjee on his trip, and helped open a medical clinic which currently provides over 100 outpatient consultations a day and various inpatient services.
The experience was so rewarding that Alsberge is deferring enrollment again to return to Burundi in late September with Bainbridge graduate Justin Hanseth.
Benefit today for islander
Stellar Skin on Ericksen Avenue is hosting a spa day today to benefit crash victim Alyssa Chamberlin.
Chamberlin, 20, was struck by a van while riding her bicycle on State Route 305, Aug. 1. She suffered a severe spinal injury in the crash.
Stellar Skin owner Chris Kelly is offering 15-minute spa services for donations of $25 or more, with all proceeds benefitting Chamberlin.
Services include brow shaping, spray tan, bikini wax, tropical foot soak and chair massage.
A collection box will also be out during the day for those who prefer to contribute without the spa treatment. An account has also been established in Chamberlin’s name at Wells Fargo Bank.
Book in advance at 780-2381 or stellarskin@yahoo.com.
