Southwest Florida Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations

(Sanibel Island, Fla. – September 1, 2010) – Renowned artist Ikki Matsumoto, of Buckingham and formerly of Sanibel Island, created a unique illustration to be featured as the logo for the 2010 Taste of the Islands to be held November 21 to benefit the Center for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW).

The 2010 Taste of the Islands event logo featuring a custom illustration by Ikki Matsumoto.

Featuring five birds and a turtle carrying Caribbean-style dishes on the beach, it captures the essence of the festival and CROW’s mission to care for sick and injured wildlife. The logo will be featured on all festival collateral.

“We were thrilled when Ikki offered to create the logo for this year’s event, “ says CROW board president Susan Petersen Tucker. “He has been such a good friend to CROW over the years, and we feel very fortunate to have his continued support.”

Born in Tokyo in 1935, Matsumoto came to the U.S. in 1995 to study art. After graduating from the Art Academy of Cincinnati, he worked in advertising, and art studios before going into business himself illustrating books and creating newspaper ads, package designs and displays. In 1972, he was commissioned to illustrate The Joy of Cooking. He later moved to Sanibel Island where he began painting and making prints and opened a gallery. He was one of 50 artists chosen by first lady Nancy Reagan to paint Easter eggs in 1985 and his design remains on display at the Smithsonian Museum.

Voted “Best Island Event” for several years, Taste of the Islands brings together the island’s finest restaurants in a celebration of Sanibel style cuisine, all while raising money for CROW’s mission to care for sick and injured native and migratory wildlife. Attendees will enjoy delicious dishes from local establishments, live music and a recipe competition that will challenge the island’s finest chefs to come up with a new dish featuring a yet-to-be-named native ingredient. Event goers can also vote for their favorites in categories in the People’s Choice Awards for categories as Best Vegetarian, Best Appetizer, Best Meat, Best Seafood, Best Dessert, and Best Booth Presentation.

For more information, call 239-395-0048.

About CROW

CROW provides high quality medical care to more than 4,000 animals annually, representing over 200 different wildlife species. Recognizing that much of the trauma experienced by wildlife is impacted by people, CROW’s mission includes increasing public awareness of how human population growth and activity impact wildlife. In addition to providing medical care, CROW aims to prevent environmental hazards through a variety of educational programs designed to help teach respect and how to protect native wildlife populations. For more information, visit www.crowclinic.org.

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(Sanibel Island, Fla. – August 23, 2010) – The board of directors of the Center for Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc. (CROW) named Dr. Amber A. McNamara as clinic director after serving as a veterinarian for more than seven years with the Sanibel Island non-profit wildlife animal hospital.  As clinic director, McNamara will provide and oversee medical care for sick and injured native and migratory wildlife patients. She replaces Dr. PJ Deitschel who resigned as clinic director in July.

Dr. Amber McNamara

McNamara first came to CROW in 2001 as part of a student externship and returned to CROW as veterinary intern in 2003. She then became CROW’s associate veterinarian and was named as staff veterinarian in 2006.

She is a graduate of Purdue University School of Medicine. In 2007, McNamara also graduated from the Chi Institute, where licensed veterinarians master traditional Chinese Medicine skills including veterinary acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

“CROW’s tradition of providing quality medical care to our patients is my highest priority,” said McNamara, who becomes the 7th veterinarian in CROW’s history to supervise patient care.  “With the support of the clinic staff and interns, the board of directors, donors, members and volunteers,  I’m focused on caring for these animals and committed to educating residents and visitors on how we can work together to prevent the injury and neglect of these special creatures.”

CROW was founded in 1974 and is the oldest wildlife hospital still in existence.  It is managed by a volunteer board of directors.

“The members of the board and I are happy that Dr. Amber has been promoted because it enhances the continuity of care which our board is committed to,” said Susan Petersen Tucker, board president.  “She is a trusted leader, protector of wildlife and very deserving of the position.”

CROW provides high quality medical care in its clinic to more than 4,000 animals annually, representing over 200 different wildlife species. Recognizing that much of the trauma experienced by wildlife is impacted by people, CROW’s mission includes increasing public awareness of how human population growth and activity impact wildlife.

In addition to providing medical care at its clinic, CROW strives to prevent injuries to wildlife through a variety of educational programs in its visitor education center and in the community with programs designed to teach people to care for and care about our native wildlife populations. For more about CROW, visit www.crowclinic.org or call 239-472-3644.