When The Kentucky Theater announced its Summer Classic Movie Series, CKAS was pleased to see that the line-up included Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 film The Birds, scheduled to be shown on July 20th. (We've included it in the monthly calendar.) We've decided it might also be nice to have a small gathering to discuss the short story of the same name which germinated the film. Most people today don't even realize that the movie was based loosely on a short story published and widely read eleven years earlier by Daphne du Maurier, a very popular and highly serialized British author.  So on Saturday, July 16th, CKAS will gather for our first ever "book club."

To participate, first read a copy of du Maurier's short story The Birds (a copy can be downloaded and printed via this link). Second, RSVP to Birds, Words & Wine by the end of June. Third, procure a bottle of wine (or other beverage/snack) with a bird on it -- admission to the evening requires both having read the story and producing your bird-embossed bottle/snack. Fourth, show up on July 16th ready to have a good discussion about the story.  Fifth (optional), come see the movie on the 20th and join us for dinner, drinks, and discussion after the show. If this event generates the interest we think it will, then CKAS might begin holding it on a regular basis; so if you know of other bird-themed texts we should consider featuring, do tell!

NOTE: We ask for RSVPs by the end of June in order to better estimate the space we'll need. The location of this event is currently TBD. We still need a space for this event—the location will be announced in July's newsletter. If you would like to volunteer your living room and/or cozy basement and/or other entertainment option, please drop a note to president@CKAS.org and let us know how many folks you might be able to comfortably accommodate.

Even with the lousy cold and rainy weather, over seven-hundred people joined us for the 3rd Annual Bluegrass Birding Festival & Craft Fair. Attendees were entertained by varied bird walks, live raptors, parrot rescues, multiple exhibitors, and the real-life and fanciful illustrations and tales of John and Cathryn Sill. Tallies for the weekend's walks reached 101 different bird species. This year's silent auction and raffle raised over $800, all earmarked for McConnell Springs' Rita's Ride Transportation Grant, which helps bring students to the park for educational programs. Big thanks to all who volunteered—the Festival would not have happened without you!

The first week of July is your chance to double the impact of donations to CKAS. The Endow Kentucky Tax Credit provides an opportunity for people to donate to the CKAS Endowment Fund and receive an extra 20% directly off their Kentucky tax bill—meaning that from July 1st to 7th, your donation will have a net cost of only half or maybe even a third of what you give.

Unlike regular tax deductions, tax credits are taken off a donor’s tax bill dollar for dollar. A gift of $500 can eliminate a $100 state tax liability; a gift of $50,000 or more can eliminate a maximum $10,000 state tax liability. This is in addition to state and federal charitable tax deductions! For example, a gift of $500 gives a donor in the 28 percent tax bracket a federal tax deduction of $140, a state tax deduction of $30, and an Endow Kentucky Tax Credit of $100. So after tax deductions and credits, the net cost of giving a gift of $500 to the CKAS endowment is only $230 for the donor!

In order to receive the credit, donors must get preapproved by July 1, 2016 using this application; be sure to list "Central Kentucky Audubon Society Endowment" on line J. If you would like help with the process, the Bluegrass Community Foundation (where our endowment is held and your donation will go) is ready and willing to assist; they can be reached at 859-225-3343. Additional information about the Endow Kentucky Tax Credit can be found here.