The field guide "Birds of Arizona" was a labor of love for author Richard Cachor Taylor.

Featured on the December 15th, 2022 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

• Too often, mental illness goes unrecognized and undiagnosed The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that in any given year, as many as 1 in 5 Americans will experience mental illness. Many will choose not to seek out the help they need because of stigma. In response to these statistics, the Pima County Public Library has established the Synapse Team that wants to provide support and resources to those who are trying to cope, and start a larger public conversation about the mental and emotional needs that are most prevalent in our community. Arizona Spotlight assistant producer Leah Britton interviews librarian Matthew Landon for more information.

The Pima County Public Library's Synapse Team logo.

• Birdwatching is one of our state’s most popular outdoor activities, and Tony Paniagua talks with author and avid birder Richard Cachor Taylor about his latest book Birds of Arizona, published by the R.W. Morse Company. It is a field guide to more than 500 of Arizona’s native species, including 17 varieties of hummingbird, plus many new observations about their activities.

A male Elegant Trogon, as featured in Richard Cachor Taylor's 2022 book "Birds of Arizona".

Fred Forssell

A male Blue-throated Mountain-gem, as featured in Richard Cachor Taylor's 2022 book "Birds of Arizona".

John Hoffman

A Montezuma Quail, as featured in Richard Cachor Taylor's 2022 book "Birds of Arizona".

Tony Battiste

A male Flame-colored Tanager, as featured in Richard Cachor Taylor's 2022 book "Birds of Arizona".

Jim Burns

An adult Whiskered Screech-Owl, as featured in Richard Cachor Taylor's 2022 book "Birds of Arizona".

Richard Cachor Taylor

• Cats can become pets in some very random ways in Tucson, and many are difficult to predict. But, The El Jefe Cat Lounge, a local business located near Glenn & Campbel, is trying to help prospective cat adopters meet a wide range of potential adoptees. Or, if owning a cat is too much commitment, you can just visit and spend some relaxing time enjoying feline company. Leah Britton did just that, and she sent back an Audio Postcard.

Oakley is one of many cats available to adopt at El Jefe Cat Lounge.

Leah Britton / AZPM

Conrad is one of many cats up for adoption at El Jefe Cat Lounge.

Leah Britton / AZPM

El Jefe Cat Lounge is home to many cats you can play with as you enjoy the lounge. They have facilitated over 400 adoptions since their opening in Nov. 2019.

Leah Britton / AZPM

• In November of 2022, Larry Schnebly, a legend in radio & TV broadcasting, passed away at age 94. He left behind a large, loving family, more friends and fans than can be counted, and a legion of folks who work in radio & TV who will always consider him a role-model and a mentor. About four years ago, at his 90th birthday party, Larry told his daughter Lisa that the only thing left on his “bucket list” was to travel up US Route 89, from Williams, Arizona to the Canadian border, and revisit many places he had known since childhood. This father / daughter journey would end up taking the Schneblys more than three thousand miles round trip. For Larry – it would be through almost 90 years of memories. [You can listen to all six parts of The 89-90 Trip here], including Lisa Schnebly-Heidinger’s travel diary and many photos from the journey.

Larry Schnebly and daughter Lisa Schnebly Heidinger pause for a photo.

Courtesy Lisa Schnebly Heidinger

View of the San Francisco Peaks from the east.

Courtesy Lisa Schnebly Heidinger

Lisa Schnebly Heidinger and her father Larry Schnebly pose in front of a Ray Swanson mural from a cowboy poetry festival in Prescott, Arizona.

Courtesy Lisa Schnebly Heidinger

Hawaiian Delight pie from Pine Country Cafe.

Courtesy Lisa Schnebly Heidinger

ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT airs Fridays at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm, and Saturdays at 5:00 pm, on NPR 89.1 FM / 1550 AM.