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>>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "PRAIRIE PULSE."
COMING UP A LITTLE BIT LATER IN THE SHOW, WE'LL PROFILE ARTIST CARMEN ROW.
FIRST, OUR GUEST JOINING US NOW IS CANDY WILLIE, THE VICE
PRESIDENT OF THE CENTER FOR AVION ADOPTION, RESCUE AND
EDUCATION LOCATED IN WEST FARGO I BELIEVE.
CANDY, WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY.
WE HAVE ANOTHER SPECIAL GUEST WE'LL GET TO IN JUST A MINUTE.
BEFORE WE DO THAT, TELL THE FOLKS OUT THERE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR
BACKGROUND.
>> WELL, I WAS BORN IN JAMESTOWN, NORTH DAKOTA.
WE MOVED TO FARGO, AND I STARTED
WORKING AT NDSU AND KIND OF FOUND I HAD A LOVE FOR BIRDS SO HERE I AM TODAY.
>> SO OBVIOUSLY YOUR PASSION GOT TO WHERE YOU ARE IT SOUNDS LIKE >> YEAH.
>> TALK ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION WHAT DOES IT DO?
>> CARE TAKES IN DISPLACED AND
UNWANTED PARP RO P PARROTS AND S TO FIND A HOME FOR THEM.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FOREVER HOME.
THEY LIVE 50 TO 100 YEARS.
WE TRY TO FIND A HOME AS CLOSE AS WE CAN.
THE AVERAGE BIRD SEES SEVEN TO 11 HOMES IN ITS LIFETIME.
WE TRY TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO FIND PLACEMENT.
>> GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY OF CARE.
WHAT TYPE OF ORGANIZATION -- IT'S A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.
>> YES.
>> GIVE US A LITTLE HISTORY ON IT.
>> THEY STARTED OUT IN 2001 AS A BIRD CLUB WHERE PEOPLE GOT
TOGETHER AND SOCIALIZED ABOUT BIRDS.
THEN THEY SAW THE NEED FOR THESE GUYS TO BE RESCUED AND FIND HOS FOR THEM.
THEY JUST SAW TOO MANY OF THEM NEEDING THAT HELP.
JUST LIKE A DOG OR A CAT RESCUE, THERE'S A LARGE NUMBER OF THEM.
SO THEY BECAME CARE, THE CENTER FOR AVIAN ADOPTION FOR RESCUE AND EDUCATION.
AND THAT WAS IN 2002.
AND THEY GOT THEIR 501(C)(3)
STATUS WITH NORTH DAKOTA AND HAVE BEEN GOING SINCE THEN.
>> WITH THAT THEN, HOW MANY STAFF DO YOU HAVE?
>> THE STAFF VARIES.
OUR BOARD CONSISTS OF FOUR PEOPLE -- MYSELF, OUR PRESIDENT,
AMY OUR SECRETARY AND JANEL MARK OUR TREASURER.
THE REST ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS.
>> DOES IT TAKE THE VOLUNTEERS TO MAKE THE ORGANIZATION WORK?
>> YES, IT DOES.
WE ARE ALL ACTUALLY VOLUNTEERS.
WE DO NOT GET PAID TO DO THIS.
WE ALL GIVE OUR TIME.
OUR VOLUNTEERS HELP OUT BY COMING INTO THE SHELTER AND
CLEANING AND FEEDING THE BIRDS AND SPENDING TIME WITH THEM, AS
WELL AS THE BOARD MEMBERS.
>> WE'LL GET INTO MORE OF THAT IN A LITTLE WHILE.
WHAT IS A COMPANION BIRD?
>> A COMPANION BIRD IS USUALLY A BIRD THAT'S IN CAPTIVITY, EITHER
BRED IN ACTIVITY OR WILD CAUGHT BROUGHT INTO CAPTIVITY THAT
DESIRES HUMAN COMPANIONSHIP.
THEY WORK WELL WITH HUMANS.
THEY PICK YOU AS THEIR MATE.
THEY DO PICK THEIR MATES FOR LIFETIME.
THAT'S HOW IT WORKS WITH THESE GUYS.
THEY ARE BROUGHT UP TO BE SOCIAL.
>> WITH THAT SAID, WHO DO WE HAVE WITH US TODAY?
>> THAT'S MOLLY.
SHE'S MY ADOPTED 14-YEAR-OLD AFRICAN GRAY.
SHE'S A CONGO AFRICAN GRAY.
>> A CONGO AFRICAN GRAY.
AND YOU MADE THE COMMENT -- HOW OLD IS SHE RIGHT NOW?
>> SHE'S 14.
>> SHE'S 14.
SHE'LL LIVE HOW LONG?
>> ANYWHERE FROM 50 TO 100
YEARS, SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN THERE.
ON A GOOD DIET THEY CAN LIVE A VERY, VERY LONG TIME AND WELL
SOCIALIZIZATION THAASSOCIATE SOT THEY NEED.
>> OUTLIVE THEIR OWNERS MANY TIMES.
>> YES, AND THAT'S THE NEED FOR THE RESCUE.
>> WITH THAT SAID, HOW MANY BIRDS DO YOU TAKE IN EACH YEAR DO YOU THINK?
>> APPROXIMATELY 125 BIRDS A YEAR.
WE PROBABLY HOME THAT MUCH AS WELL IN A YEAR, BUT IT -- AS
THEY'RE GOING OUT, MORE TEND TO COME IN.
>> IS IT EASY?
AND THEN I GUESS LIKE ANYTHING, HOW EXPENSIVE IS IT TO ADOPT A BIRD SUCH AS THIS?
>> ADOPTION FEES ARE ACTUALLY RELATIVELY LOW COMPARED TO GOING
THROUGH A BREEDER OR PET STORE.
MY FIRST AFRICAN GRAY, FOR
, RANME $1275.
AN AFRICAN GRAY ADOPTS FOR $350
THAT'S NOT WITH A CAGE.
WE DO HAVE NEW AND USED CAGES AS PART OF THE SELECTION.
WE ALSO HAVE THE FOOD AND TOYS AND STUFF IN OUR STORE THAT FUNDS THE SHELTER.
THEY DO LIVE A LONG TIME, BUT IT'S RELATIVELY EASY TO COME IN AND GET A BIRD.
WE DO DO HOME VISITS AS WELL.
>> YOU SAY IT'S EASY AND OBVIOUSLY NOT THAT EXPENSIVE
MAYBE, DEPENDING ON HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.
WHAT ABOUT OWNING A BIRD?
IT'S LIKE ANY PET, YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT -- WHAT DO YOU NEED
TO KNOW GOING INTO IT, THE COMMITMENT FOR AN ANIMAL SUCH AS THIS?
>> THAT'S ACTUALLY THE HARD PART.
THEY DO LIVE A LONG TIME.
THEY REQUIRE THREE HOURS MINIMUM OF ATTENTION EVERY DAY.
THE CLEANING OF THE CAGES HAVE TO BE DONE DAILY.
THEY REQUIRE SHOWERS AND MISTINGS ON A REGULAR BASIS.
MISTINGS SHOULD BE DAILY.
THEN THERE'S THE SPENDING TIME WITH THEM IS PROBABLY THE HARD PART.
YOU HAVE TO KEEP THEM HAPPY.
IT'S VERY HARD TO KEEP A GRAY HAPPY, FOR EXAMPLE, OR A COCKATOO.
THEY CAN END UP WITH ISSUES LIKE PLUCKING.
MOLLY DOES SOME PLUCKING.
SOME OF OUR BIRDS AT THE SHELTER ARE COMPLETE NAKED AND THEY
PLUCK FOR MANY, MANY REASONS -- DIET, BOREDOM, JUST STRESS.
THEY DON'T LIKE CHANGE.
GRAYS ARE REALLY ONE OF THE HARDEST BIRDS TO HAVE BECAUSE
ANYTHING THAT CHANGES IN YOUR HOME CAN EVEN CAUSE THEM TO PLUCK.
>> MOLLY, WE HOPE WE DON'T STRESS YOU OUT.
WITH THAT SAID, YOU TALK ABOUT THEY WANT ATTENTION OR THEY CONNECT WITH PEOPLE.
TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.
>> THEY WILL BOND WITH THEIR PERSON USUALLY, LIKE A GRAY, FOR
EXAMPLE, IS A WITH YOUR PERSON BIRD AND ACTUALLY A LOT OF BIRDS ARE.
THEY PICK ONE PERSON IN THE HOUSEHOLD.
USUALLY THAT'S THE PERSON DOING THE CARING OF THEM, THE CLEANING
OF THE CAGE, FEEDING, ET CETERA THEY JUST DON'T REALLY WANT
INTERACTION FROM ANYBODY ELSE BUT THEIR PERSON.
MY FAMILY, SHE'LL GO TO EVERYBODY, BUT SHE WILL DEMAND
THAT THEY TAKE ME -- TAKE HER TO ME.
I'M HER PERSON IN THE HOUSE.
>> OTHER THINGS COME TO MIND.
DO YOU HAVE BABY BIRDS FOR ADOPTION?
>> SOMETIMES YOUNG BIRDS DO COME IN, BUT, FOR THE MOST PART, MOST
OF THEM ARE ADULTS.
THEY CAN BE FROM TWO YEARS OLD ALL THE WAY UP TO -- AN EXAMPLE
WOULD BE MY AFRICAN GRAY BUDDY WHO IS 38, THEY CAN BE UP IN THEIR YEARS.
WE DID ADOPT OUT TWO 30-YEAR-OLD BIRDS HERE NOT LONG AGO.
>> WHEN YOU SAY THAT, TYPICALLY HOW DO BIRDS COME TO YOU?
YOU TALKED ABOUT ABANDONED.
ARE THEY INJURED SOMETIMES?
HOW DO THEY COME TO YOU?
>> USUALLY THEY COME TO US DUE TO LIFE CHANGING EVENTS.
SOMEBODY, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAD A GRAY COME IN FOR A LADY WENT TO
A SENIOR LIVING AND BIRDS WERE NOT ALLOWED THERE.
SO SHE TURNED HER BIRD OVER TO US.
THERE'S ALSO LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE,
COCKATOOS AND M MACAQUES SCREAM VERY LOUD.
THEY CAN END UP MOVING FROM A HOUSE TO AN APARTMENT AND YOU
CAN'T HAVE A BIRD LIKE THAT IN AN APARTMENT BECAUSE OF THE VOLUME.
IT'S JUST MANY VARIOUS REASONS.
TOO OLD TO TAKE CARE OF THEM, THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> WHY WOULD SOMEBODY WANT TO ADOPT, SAY, AN OLDER BIRD?
>> I WOULD SAY BECAUSE THESE GUYS OUTLIVE YOU USUALLY.
SO HAVING AN OLDER BIRD WHO IS MORE MATURE PROBABLY IS BETTER
FOR YOU IN THE LONG RUN.
THEY MAY MAKE IT PAST YOU ANYWAY, BUT THEY JUST WON'T SEE
ANOTHER HOME IF THEY'RE WITH YOU THAT WHOLE TIME.
>> YOU TALKED ABOUT HOW LONG THE BIRDS, YOU SAID 50 TO 100, LIVE
WHAT ABOUT THE SPECIOUS?
OBVIOUSLY YOU SAID THE AFRICAN GRAYS.
>> I ACTUALLY GOT A CALL FROM SOMEBODY AT ONE TIME THAT SAID
THAT THEY HAD AN AFRICAN GRAY THAT PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 78.
SO THEY DO LIVE A LONG TIME.
>> SO DO OTHER SPECIES, THEY'RE ALL SIMILAR TO THAT OR DO THEY RANGE?
>> THE SMALLER THEY ARE, THE LESS THE YEARS.
PROBABLY COCKATIELS AND SUN CONYERS ARE RIGHT AROUND 25
YEARS.
PARAKEETS, 10 OR 15.
>> I HEARD YOU MENTION THREE HOURS A DAY, ATTENTION FOR THREE HOURS A DAY.
HOW DO YOUR VOLUNTEERS TAKE CARE OF AND DO FOR THE BIRDS?
>> THEY'RE ACTUALLY IN AND OUT.
THERE ARE SEVERAL THAT WILL GO IN JUST TO HANG OUT WITH THEM.
THE CAGE CLEANING TIME THEY'RE TALKING TO THEM.
THEY'LL PULL THEM OUT WHILE THEY'RE CLEANING CAGES.
NOT ALL THE BIRDS GET PULLED OUT LIKE THEY SHOULD.
SOME OF THEM NEED WORK AND THEN THERE'S ALSO THE TIME ISSUE.
EVERYBODY WORKS FULL-TIME.
THAT'S WHY WE SEEK TO FIND HOMES FOR THEM, TO GET THEM IN HOMES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE LONGEST THAT THEY'RE IN THE SHELTER, WE DO HAVE A COUPLE
THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR TWO TO THREE YEARS.
>> HOW MANY AT ANY GIVEN TIME DO YOU HAVE IN THE SHELTER?
>> IT CAN BE ANYWHERE FROM 35 TO 40, SOMETIMES MORE DEPENDING ON
HOW MANY ARE COMING IN, HOW MANY ARE GOING OUT AT THAT TIME.
>> HOW DOES SOMEONE GET INVOLVED WITH YOU AND VOLUNTEER?
>> THEY CAN CALL OUR ORGANIZATION.
THE NUMBER IS 701-293-3833.
CONTACT US ABOUT VOLUNTEERING AND WE'LL TRAIN THEM IN.
WE GO OUT AND SPEND TIME WITH THEM SHOWING THEM ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE DO.
>> WITH THAT SAID, HOW ARE THEY TRAINED?
HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE TO, QUOTE, TRAIN A VOLUNTEER?
>> I ACTUALLY HAVE THEM COME IN A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT TIMES AT LEAST.
AND THEN WHEN THEY TELL ME THEY'RE COMFORTABLE DOING IT ON THEIR OWN.
I'LL ASK THEM, OF COURSE, IF THEY FEEL READY ONCE THEY'RE READY TO DO IT ON
THEIR OWN, THEN THEY'LL LET THEM GET THE DOOR COAT AND START ON THEIR SCHEDULE.
>> AS WE LOOK AT YOUR NAME, OF COURSE IT SAYS RESCUE AND EDUCATION.
EDUCATION BEING PART OF THE NAME, WHAT'S ALL INVOLVED WITH THAT?
HOW DOES CARE EDUCATE?
>> IT CAN BE ONE-ON-ONE OR WE CAN POSSIBLY HAVE A MEETING AND HAVE PEOPLE COME IN.
THEY'RE ALLOWED TO BRING THEIR BIRDS WITH FOR THESE MEETINGS.
I ALSO DO SCHOOLS, WHICH IS MY FAVORITE THING.
I LOVE TAKING THESE GUYS AND LOADING THEM UP AND TAKING THEM
TO THE SCHOOL AND THEY DO WONDERFUL WITH THE CHILDREN.
>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO ASK.
AS YOU GO TO SCHOOLS AND YOU TAKE BIRDS BECAUSE YOU TALK
ABOUT STRESS ON THE BIRDS AND THINGS.
SO YOU THINK THEY DO ENJOY BEING OUT IN THAT ENVIRONMENT AS LONG AS YOU'RE THERE?
>> THEY'RE VERY SOCIAL CREATURES SO I THINK THEY DO.
THE CHANGES THAT I WAS REFERRING TO IS MORE ALONG THE LINES OF
JUST TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, A GAL, HER CAR BROKE DOWN.
HER GRAY KNEW THE SOUND OF HER CAR.
WHEN SHE GOT THE LOANER CAR, THE BIRD STARTED PLUCKING.
WHEN THE REPAIRS WERE DONE TO HER OTHER CAR AND SHE GOT IT
BACK, THE BIRD QUIT PLUCKING.
IT'S SUBTLE THINGS LIKE THAT.
WHEN THEY'RE TAKEN OUT OF THEIR HOME ENVIRONMENT, THEY ALWAYS DO
BETTER IN FRONT OF PEOPLE AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
>> SO WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE DO YOU GET FROM -- WHAT AGE GROUPS
DO YOU TAKE THE BIRDS OUT TO?
>> I GO ANYWHERE FROM PRESCHOOL ALL THE WAY UP TO HIGH SCHOOL.
THE AGE-GROUP VARIES.
>> AND WHAT KIND OF RESPONSES DO YOU GET?
DO YOU SEE DIFFERENT THINGS?
>> THE YOUNGEST, THE PRESCHOOLERS ASK THE BEST QUESTIONS.
THEY ACTUALLY STUMP ME ONE TIME BY ASKING HOW FAST THEY FLY.
I GUESSED.
I HAD TO FIGURE THAT WE HAVE HAWKS THAT CAN FLY EXTREMELY
FAST, SO I FIGURED WELL, HAWKS ARE ONE OF THEIR PREDATORS SO I
JUST KIND OF ESTIMATED 25 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR AND I WAS PRETTY CLOSE.
>> WITH THAT SAID, WHEN YOU HAVE A BIRD LIKE THIS, I MEAN,
OBVIOUSLY YOU DON'T RELEASE THEM IN THE OUTSIDE IN ANY WAY.
DO YOU RELEASE THEM IN THE HOUSE FROM TIME TO TIME?
>> MINE -- I HAVE ONE THAT IS ACTUALLY WHAT THEY CALL RECALLED TRAIN.
I CAN CALL HER FROM A DIFFERENT ROOM AND SHE'LL FLY TO ME.
RIGHT NOW I COULD PROBABLY HAVE HER DO IT, BUT THE OTHER THING
IS, IN THE SUMMERTIME, YOU WANT TO CLIP THEM.
BECAUSE IF YOU'RE TAKING THEM OUTSIDE, YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO FLY OFF.
WE CLIP THE FEATHERS ON THE WINGS.
IT DOESN'T HURT THEM BY ANY MEANS.
IT KEEPS THEM FROM IF THEY TAKE OFF, WHEN THEY GO UP, THEY COME
DOWN AT A NICE GLIDE.
>> I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT CLIPPING.
YOU TOOK CARE OF THAT FOR ME.
YOU DO RECOMMEND.
>> I DO.
IF YOU ALSO HAVE A BIRD THAT GETS A LITTLE MORE AGGRESSIVE AT TIMES.
WHEN THEY'RE FULLY FLIGHTED SOMETIMES, THEY CAN ACT LIKE A BULLY.
SO YOU CAN CLIP THEM AND SOMETIMES THAT TAKES THE EDGE OFF OF THAT A LITTLE BIT FOR
YOU.
>> YOU MENTIONED YOU HAVE A STORE.
TALK ABOUT THE STORE AND WHAT ALL YOU OFFER AND WHAT YOU DO THERE.
>> THE STORE IS WONDERFUL.
WHEN WE HAVE PEOPLE ADOPTING AND THEY NEED SUPPLIES, IF THEY
BECOME A MEMBER, WHICH IS $25 A YEAR FOR A SINGLE PERSON OR $30
A YEAR FOR A FAMILY, THEY GET 15% OFF ALREADY LOW PRICES IN THAT STORE.
WE'RE EXTREMELY LOW JUST BECAUSE WE'RE ONLY MAKING ENOUGH TO KEEP
THE SHELTER SUPPORTED.
THE PRICES, FOR EXAMPLE, A BAG OF PELLET, THE SMALLER BAGS THAT
YOU GET AT THE BIGGER STORES ARE GOING TO RUN $16 TO $20.
FOR US IT'S ABOUT $10 AND SOME CHANGE.
IT'S JUST BECAUSE WE ONLY NEED TO KEEP THE SHELTER GOING AND KEEP THESE GUYS HAPPY.
>> WITH THAT SAID THEN, MAYBE WE TOUCHED ON IT.
YOUR ORGANIZATION IS FUNDED STRICTLY THROUGH INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS?
>> THE MEMBERSHIPS, THE ADOPTION FEES AND THE STORE ARE WHAT KEEP
THESE CAGES FOR THESE GUYS.
SOMETIMES WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO BUY CAGES WHICH ARE LIKE TRIPLE
STACKERS OR DOUBLE STACKERS.
WE HAVE TO BUY FOOD FOR THEM.
THE WATER FILTERS, THEY HAVE TO HAVE FILTERED WATER.
THAT'S ANOTHER EXPENSE THAT WE HAVE TO PAY OUT.
SO EVERYTHING GOES INTO THESE GUYS PRETTY MUCH AS FAR AS THAT GOES.
WE DO HAVE DONATIONS AND SOMETIMES HAVE A SILENT AUCTION
TO TRY TO RAISE MONEY THAT WAY.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT TRYING TO DO FLOORING IN OUR SHELTER.
SO WE'RE TRYING TO RAISE MONEY FOR THAT RIGHT NOW.
>> OKAY.
WITH THAT SAID, WHAT ARE YOUR SHELTER AND STORE HOURS?
>> THE SHELTER AND STORE ARE OPEN WEDNESDAY EVENINGS FROM
5:00 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M. AND THEN SATURDAYS 11:00 A.M. TO 2:00
P.M.
IT'S ONLY THOSE HOURS -- IT'S ONLY TWO DAYS A WEEK BECAUSE WE
ALL HAVE OUR REAL JOBS THAT WE WORK AND HAVE TO WORK AROUND THAT.
>> BUT IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DURING THOSE HOURS.
>> YES.
>> GIVE ME AGAIN THE LOCATION AS FAR AS WHERE.
>> 2202 SECOND AVENUE EAST, SUITE D.
WE'RE ACTUALLY RIGHT BEHIND SIGN PEARL OFF OF 45th STREET.
>> YOU KNOW, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR SOMEBODY WHO MIGHT
HAVE AN INTEREST, MAYBE THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A BIRD AND THAT KIND OF THING.
I KNOW PEOPLE TALK ABOUT, THE LOVE, IT'S A PRETTY BIRD.
BUT DO YOU REALLY WANT TO KEEP IT AS A PET FOR A LONG TIME
BECAUSE IT IS A COMMITMENT WE TALKED ABOUT?
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR ANYBODY OUT THERE LOOKING AT US
TODAY AND SAYING, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE?
>> I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THEY TALK TO US.
COME IN, MEET THE BIRDS, TALK TO US, WE'LL EDUCATE THEM THAT WAY
THERE'S THE INTERNET.
THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION OUT THERE ABOUT WHAT IT IS TO RAISE A BIRD.
WE'LL EXPLAIN THE DIET AND HOW LONG THEY LIVE AND GO THROUGH BATHING.
WE'LL EVEN SHOW THEM HOW TO DO NAILS AND WINGS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
GOING THROUGH US FOR THE EDUCATION AND THE INTERNET IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT.
WE DO ALSO OFFER BOOKS AND VIDEOS TO BORROW FROM OUR ORGANIZATION TO READ UP ON,
SPECIFIC SPECIES EVEN.
>> DO YOU HAVE A CERTAIN AGE-GROUP?
I MEAN, WOULD YOU SAY A YOUNG PERSON COULD ADOPT A BIRD OR IS
IT BETR TO BE AN ADULT?
>> AN ADULT.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND ADOPTING A BIRD FOR A CHILD.
WITH CHILDREN, IT'S MORE OF A PHASE AND USUALLY THE ADULT ENDS
UP BEING THE CAREGIVER AFTER A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WITH CHILDREN.
BUT AS A FAMILY BIRD, I RECOMMEND IT, YOU KNOW, AS LONG
AS THE ADULT IS THE ONE MAKING THE DECIDING FACTORS.
>> CANDY, IF PEOPLE WANT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CARE OR WANT
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ADOPTING A BIRD, WHERE CAN THEY GO?
WHO CAN THEY CONTACT?
>> THEY CAN CONTACT THE CENTER FOR AVIAN ADOPTION, RESCUE AND EDUCATION.
AGAIN THE PHONE NUMBER IS 701-293-3383.
THEY CAN ALSO STOP INTO OUR STORE AND SHELTER HOURS AT 2202
SECOND AVENUE EAST IN WEST FARGO.
>> CANDY, WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.
MOLLY, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.
WE HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD TIME.
ANYWAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>>> TECHNOLOGY AND STEEL REPRESENT THE ARTISTIC TALENTS OF A MOORHEAD CITY WOMAN.
CARMEN ROW CAN'T REMEMBER A TIME WHEN SHE WAS NOT MAKING ART.
AS A CHILD, SHE SPENT HER DAYS BUYING ART SUPPLIES AND DIGGING
CLAY IN THE RED RIVER TO FASHION HER WORKS.
TODAY SHE EMPLOYS AN iPAD, PLASMA CUTTER AND WELDER TO GROW HER ARTISTIC DREAMS.
>> I DON'T REMEMBER A TIME WHEN I WASN'T MAKING ART.
I'VE BEEN MAYBING STUFF SINCE I WAS A LITTLE KID.
I REMEMBER GOING TO GARAGE SALES WITH MY ALLOWANCE FOR THE WEEK
AND TRYING TO BUY ART SUPPLIES AND DIGGING CLAY AT THE RIVER
AND MAKING LITTLE SCULPTURES AND JUST ANYTHING I COULD DO.
I WAS ALWAYS MAKING SOMETHING.
WHEN I WENT TO COLLEGE, MY CONCENTRATION WAS IN SCULPT EUROPEAL SER AMICS.
ING -- SCULPTURE SER AMICS.
WHEN WE CAME OUT, I DIDN'T HAVE THE WIRING FOR MY KILN.
I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO PAINT THEN.
I DECIDED THAT MEANT LESS TOOLS, IT WAS EASIER TO SET UP.
I HAD SMALL CHILDREN AND I WENT AND STARTED PAINTING LIKE CRAZY
JUST PAINTED AND PAINTED FOR YEARS, I THINK ABOUT 12 YEARS.
I'VE NEVER REALLY UNDERSTOOD AN ARTIST WHO STICKS WITH A MEDIUM
THEIR ENTIRE LIFE JUST BECAUSE I'M INSPIRED BY SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS.
I'VE ALWAYS HAD THIS PASSION TO LEARN NEW MEDIUM.
THIS IS A PIECE THAT I STARTED, I GUESS, IT'S CALLED INTO THE FIRE.
IT'S ABOUT-FACING YOUR YEARS.
A FRIEND OF MINE SAID, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD TAKE THIS WELDING CLASS.
I SAID YEAH, I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO LEARN HOW TO DO THAT.
I NEVER LEARNED THAT.
WE TOOK ONE COURSE, I THINK IT WAS ONE EVENING.
BY THE END OF THE WEEK, I HAD ALL THE TOOLS.
I HAD A WELDER AND A PLASMA CUTTER.
I WAS SET UP.
GOT MY FIRST PART THERE.
I LOVE THE TOOLS.
THE FACT THAT YOU CAN MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF THIS FLAT SHEET
OF STEA STEEL AND CUT IT DOWN AD MAKE THIS THREE DIMENSIONAL OBJECT.
THAT WAS REALLY INTRIGUING TO ME.
IT BROUGHT ME BACK TO WHAT I LOVED ABOUT SER AMICS THE SAME WAY WHERE YOU START
WITH A PIECE OF MUD AND CLAY AND BUILDING SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
THIS IS MY FAVORITE TOOL, THE PLASMA CUTTER.
IT'S LIKE DRAWING WITH FIRE.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT PAINTING PROBABLY HELPED W THE METAL WORK
IS THE HAND-EYE COORDINATION.
SO WHEN I JUMPED INTO DOING METAL AND CUTTING METAL WITH THE
PLASMA CUTTER, IT WAS EASY FOR ME TO HOLD IT STEADY AND MAKE THE FINE LINES.
A LITTLE BIT SCARIER THAN PAINTING BECAUSE YOU'RE WORKING
WITH 1,000 DEGREE FAHRENHEIT TEMPERATURES.
I DON'T LIKE USING PAINT SO MUCH ON METAL.
I LIKE USING NATURAL PATINAS OR USING CREATIVE COLORS IN THE
METAL INSTEAD OF PAINT SO YOU CAN SEE THE METAL.
A LOT OF TIMES I'LL KIND OF THINK OF A THEME I WANT TO BUILD ON.
LIKE THIS YEAR, I'D SAY THAT MY THEME WOULD BE KIND OF CHANGE, CHANGE AND GROWTH.
THAT'S JUST SOMETHING I FELT WHEN THE YEAR TURNED, THAT IT
WAS GOING TO BE A HUGE YEAR OF CHANGE.
SO SOME OF THE SCULPTURES THAT I MADE WERE BASED ON THAT.
IT'S ALL JUST SKETCHING ON MY iPAD, SKETCH OUT MY IDEAS.
NOT ONLY THE BASIC LAYOUT OF WHAT THE SCULPTURE WILL LOOK
LIKE, BUT WHAT I THINK THAT IT MEANS TO ME.
I'M NOT GRINDING THESE ALL THE WAY DOWN.
I'M JUST GIVING THEM A LITTLE TEXTURE WITH THE GRINDER AND
MOVING THE EDGES A LITTLE BIT.
I HAVE A BIG TRAILER OF SCRAP OUT HERE.
I SAVE MOST OF THE SCRAP FROM OTHER PIECES THAT I DO.
THEY'RE EXTREMELY INSPIRING TO ME.
A LOT OF TIMES I'LL DIG THROUGH THAT AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY OF
THE SHAPES THAT ARE STRIKING ME AT THE MOMENT THAT WOULD GO WITH THIS PIECE.
THEN I'LL KIND OF GO FROM THERE THIS IS WHERE I LIKE TO ADD A LOT OF DIMENSION.
SO I'LL GET SOME METAL PIECES AND JUST BEND THESE UP OFF OF IT A LITTLE BIT.
I DIDN'T DO COMMISSIONS UNTIL TWO YEARS AGO.
I HAD A CUSTOMER COME INTO THE GALLERY AND LIKED MY WORK AND
REALLY WANTED ME TO MAKE SOMETHING FOR HER.
IT REALLY PUT ME OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I USUALLY LIKE TO DO EVER.
SO I IMMEDIATELY GAVE HER THE CARD OF AT ARTIST.
SHE SAID NO, I REALLY, I WANT YOU.
I LIKE YOUR WORK, I WANT YOU TO DO IT.
FINALLY I SAID OKAY.
I'LL DO ONE COMMISSION AND SEE WHERE THAT GOES.
IF ET CETERA HORRIBLE I'LL NEVER DO IT AGAIN.
ACTUALLY, PROBABLY ABOUT 85% OF MY WORK IS NOW COMMISSIONED WORK.
IT'S BEEN FANTASTIC.
IT'S REALLY PULLED IN IN DIRECTIONS THAT I PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE GONE ON MY OWN.
DEFINITELY TOOK ME OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE BUT I'M GETTING
MORE COMFORTABLE LEARNING FROM WHAT THE CUSTOMER WANTS AND
TRYING TO CREATE WHAT THEY SEE IN THEIR HEAD.
SOME OF THEM HAVE A REAL RIGID IDEA OF WHAT THEY WANT.
OTHERS SAY, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE SIZE I WANT, COME UP WITH SOMETHING.
THOSE ARE THE MOST FUN.
I WOULDN'T SAY I'M A CLEANEST WELDER EITHER.
I JUST KIND OF WANT TO MAKE IT STICK.
IT'S NOT REAL PRETTY UNDERNEATH THERE.
NOBODY IS GOING TO SEE IT ANYWAY.
MSUM IT WAS GREAT TO GO BACK AND WORK WITH THEM.
THEY WERE DOING A REMODEL ON THEIR BUILDING.
THEY WANTED A FOUR-FOOT DRAGON WHICH IS THE LOGO FOR THEIR ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT.
IT WAS BASICALLY JUST A DRAGON.
I MADE IT THREE DIMENSIONAL SO THE BACK AND HEADS WERE SEPARATE PIECES.
I HAD TO LIGHT BOTH.
THE FLAMES OUT OF THE MOUTH I KIND OF HEATED TO CREATE A GOLD COLOR ON IT.
IT WAS JUST A REALLY FUN PROJECT.
IT'S IN A REALLY NEAT SPACE THEY'VE BUILT OVER THERE.
THE METAL GOES TO KIND OF A GOLD AND THEN A BLUE AND THEN A
PURPLE, DEPENDING ON HOW LONG YOU LEAVE THE HEAT ON.
I HOPE TO STAY WITH METAL FOR A LONG TIME.
I REALLY, REALLY LOVE IT.
YOU KNOW, IF I HAD THE RIGHT STUDIO SET UP, ENOUGH ROOM TO DO
MY METAL AND PANT AND SER AMICS, I'D PROBABLY BE WORKING IN ALL
THE MEDIANS ALTHE IMMEDIATE THEL THE TIME.
>>> THAT'S ALL WE HAVE ON "PRAIRIE PULSE" FOR THIS WEEK.