June 2004
Date
of Press Release
June 25 - Grammy Winning Riders in the Sky Perform at Oregon
Zoo July 8
June 24 - Enjoy Lively "Plus"
Series Concerts
June 19 - Zoo
Celebrates Family Farm Opening, July 10-11
June 14 - Oregon
Zoo's Historic Steam Train Celebrates 45th Anniversary
June 10
- Mary Chapin Carpenter Concert Helps Support Condor Conservation
June 2 - Twist
and Tilt on Himalamazon Thrill Ride
June 1 - A Million
Minutes of Reading Means Principals Get Busy Cleaning
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June
25, 2004
GRAMMY-WINNING
RIDERS IN THE SKY PERFORM AT OREGON ZOO JULY 8
PORTLAND,
Ore. - Riders in the Sky will perform as part of the Wells
Fargo Summer Concert
Series on Thursday, July 8 at 7 p.m. All
the animals in the Family Farm barn can yodel along with America's
favorite cowboys, who have wrangled up many awards including a
Grammy and an "Entertainer of the Year" award from the
Western Music Association.
Riders
in the Sky, who simultaneously play tribute and poke fun
at classic cowboy songs of the 1930s and 1940s, begin each performance
with their trademark greeting, "Mighty fine and a great big
Western 'Howdy,' all you buckaroos and buckarettes," The Riders'
act centers around the expert musicianship of Ranger Doug, Woody
Paul, Too Slim
and Joey "the CowPolka King." They combine refreshing
acoustical music and a wide repertoire with outrageous comedy, delivering
entertainment to all ages.
"The
highlight of any Riders in the Sky summer tour is playing the Oregon
Zoo," says Ranger Doug. "Great atmosphere, great
sound, great setting, great fans. The best part happens before
the show when
we spend quality time catching up with Packy and the Mandrill
Sisters. An
outstanding series in every way."
This year
the zoo is celebrating its 25th anniversary of the summer concert
series, and Riders
in the Sky are honored guests,
as they
were one of the first national acts booked in the series.
"The concerts have long been a tradition in Portland," said Krista
Swan, event coordinator. "Whether it's a romantic evening
or a family night out, concertgoers enjoy great music, the
festive atmosphere,
and, of course, visiting all the animals."
Packy and his pals have been partying to zoo summer concerts
since 1979. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the unique series,
the zoo is making performances even more memorable; concertgoers can
pre-order gourmet picnics and reserve top blanket spots on the tiered
concert lawn, and chair rentals are available for the first time this
year.
"We're
making it really easy to enjoy the concerts and have a relaxing dinner
on the lawn," said Swan. "People can just
come to the zoo and find their delicious, gourmet picnic
waiting."
Tickets
for midweek "Plus" level
concerts are available for $9 after 4 p.m. the day of
the performance, include zoo admission and
are subject to availability. Zoo
membership at the "Plus" level
includes free admission to all "Plus" concerts,
daily visits to the zoo and the Zoolights holiday festival
in the winter.
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June
24, 2004
ZOO
CELEBRATES FAMILY FARM GRAND OPENING, JULY 10-11
New
hands-on exhibit is first in the nation to be run entirely by
teens
PORTLAND,
Ore. - Want to touch a Shetland lamb or brush a pygora goat? If so,
visit the Oregon Zoo's new 18,000 square foot Trillium
Creek
Family Farm, which celebrates its grand opening July 10-11, from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Zoo visitors learn about life on this traditional
farm,
while nuzzling farm animals like ducks, chickens, rabbits, lambs
and baby goats.
"Our
new family farm highlights all facets of farm living and the rich
agricultural heritage of the Pacific Northwest," says Director
Tony Vecchio. "Adults and children discover what life on
a working farm is all about-they can even shear sheep."
Grand
opening events, sponsored by the Dairy Farmers of Oregon, feature
a variety of hands-on activities, highlighting life on
a farm. In addition,
the Zoo's Little Zoo petting exhibit has been permanently moved
into the Family Farm exhibit. Visitors and their families can
compost in
the vegetable garden, create quilting squares, and interact
with the exhibit's many animals.
The
kids can play dress-up with various farm costumes, spin an animal
activity wheel to learn about
the behavior of different
animals, or
play on a tractor. The Dairy Farmers of Oregon and the Oregon
Dairy Princesses are on hand to give out samples of milk,
and children
can check out Dairy Anna, a life-sized fiberglass cow. Kids
can
also participate
in the interactive fiber arts displays led by zoo volunteers,
such as weaving, dyeing and spinning.
Victor
Johnson of The Dalles, Oregon will perform his newest collection,
Country Blues
for Kids at 10:30 a.m. and again
at 12:30 p.m. each
day. His CD just won the Parent's Choice Award for music
that entertains and educates children. In addition, his
CD has been
named editor's
pick by CD Baby and will soon be featured in Nick Jr. magazine
and
Parenting.
Also performing is Juliet Wyers, a local singer/songwriter
playing uplifting folk music. Wyers performs both days
at 1:30 p.m. and
3:30 p.m. She has performed around the country and locally
at the Portland
Rose Festival and the Clackamas County Fair.
The Trillium Creek Family Farm includes a 3,000 square
foot barn, a 1,700 square foot farmhouse, a farmyard and
several
animal
corrals. The farm design is based on existing historic
farms in Oregon.
"We're accurately replicating an authentic Heritage Farm as specified
by the Oregon Historical Society," according to Design
Coordinator Pat Kaczmarek. "Heritage Farm designation
means that a farm has been in a single family for more
than 100 years."
The farm will be the zoo's first-ever exhibit run exclusively
by teen volunteers.
The
volunteers are part of the ZooTeen
program, the zoo's
award-winning youth development and education program.
The ZooTeen program began more than 25 years ago and
has grown
into a program
that staffs several hundred high-school volunteers
from all over the state.
ZooTeens currently work in the zoo's pygmy goat kraal
and tide pools in the summer.
"We're
taking this concept even further, allowing teens to work in our farm
exhibit all year round-they'll feed, care for and
train animals just as a zookeeper would," says Youth Volunteer Coordinator
Mia Reager.
Trillium
Creek Family Farm is a key component of the zoo's Great
Northwest Exhibit, which replicates major
areas of
our region's
diverse ecosystem
from the crest of the Cascades to the Pacific coast
and beyond.
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June
19, 2004
ENJOY
ZOO ANIMALS "PLUS" LIVELY
CONCERTS
Oregon Zoo's $9
concerts are among Portland's most affordable; zoo members get in free.
Oregon Zoo announces 13 additional Wells
Fargo Summer Concerts, featuring family-friendly performances as
diverse as the animals that live at the zoo. "Plus" musical
artists perform on the zoo's concert lawn beginning in July and
running through late
August. This season the series celebrates its 25th anniversary, making
it the Northwest's longest-running outdoor concert series.
In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first zoo in the nation to host
a summer concert series. Since then, the series has become one of the
top outdoor venues in the Northwest, and is the region's longest-running
outdoor series. A portion of concert proceeds helps support the zoo's
extensive conservation and education programs.
"The Wells Fargo Concert Series has had music fans howling with the
wolves for 25 years," quipped Krista Swan, event coordinator. "Zoo
concerts are always memorable-sometimes even the elephants trumpet
along with the tunes," she added.
Some of the renowned acts include Grammy-winners Riders in the Sky
(July 8), seminal San Francisco psychedelic rock band It's A Beautiful
Day (July 15), and swingsters Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (August 11). The
tigers can roar along with blues giants like 80-year-old Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
(July 28) and Cajun rockers The Iguanas (July 14).
This season
also highlights world music to entertain the zoo's world of animals,
including "African
Artist of the Century" Youssou
N'Dour (July 22), Brazilian Grammy-winner Daude (August 5), the Congo
dance music of Kekele (August 4), and Pakistani ensemble Rizwan-Muazzam
Qawwali (July 29).
"Plus" concerts are free to Oregon Zoo "Plus" members
and above.
"Our concerts are favorites among both animal lovers and music enthusiasts," according
to Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "Many Northwest residents become
zoo members because of the "Plus" concerts. Members enjoy
our animals all year round, but especially seem to enjoy the tradition
of warm summer music on the concert lawn-it's a great value."
"Plus" concerts are held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings throughout
the summer, and are free to zoo "Plus" members and above.
Zoo membership at the "Plus" level includes free admission
to all "Plus" concerts, daily visits to the zoo and the
Zoolights holiday festival in the winter.
Nonmembers
can buy tickets for $9 at 4 p.m. on the afternoon of the performance. "Plus" concerts
include zoo admission after 4 p.m. Tickets are sold on a first-come-first-served
basis the day
of the performance. This year concert fans can pre-order gourmet picnics,
reserve a coveted spot on the concert lawn, and rent chairs.
Zoo concertgoers can help save endangered California
condors by adding
$1 to their ticket price. The zoo is breeding rare condors for
release back into the wild. In May, the zoo welcomed the first condor
chick
hatched in Oregon in more than a century. Still, the zoo must raise
$500,000 to build its flight nursery-an investment crucial to preparing
these impressive birds for the wild.
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June
14, 2004
OREGON
ZOO'S HISTORIC STEAM TRAIN CELEBRATES 45TH ANNIVERSARY, JUNE 19
PORTLAND,
Ore.-The Oregon Zoo, well known for its work with many species of endangered
plants and animals, is celebrating yet another conservation success.
The Oregon Steamer,
a steam locomotive patterned after 19th-century steam engines, turns
45 this June. To celebrate, the zoo invites visitors to jump on this
birthday train on Saturday, June 19 at 10 a.m. for a zoo-wide birthday
event.
The
Steamer has been a zoo tradition ever since its first run 45 years ago.
However, it went out of operation in August 2000 due to budget restraints.
It was only through the dedication of the Oregon Zoo Station staff that
the train has been maintained. Oregon Zoo Station Manager Ben Harris,
a devoted fan of steam trains, donated the $5,000 needed for repairs,
and his generous contribution ensured that the Steamer would be maintained
for use on special occasions.
Thanks
to the hard work of the Steamer's staff, this birthday the train will
be offering rides all day long. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. with
a ceremony led by Metro Council President David Bradgon, who is also
turning 45 this weekend.
Visitors
can enjoy birthday cake as part of the festivities. Visitors can also
emboss their tickets, to create a special keepsake unique to the Steamer's
special place in zoo history.
The Zoo
Railway staff will be on hand all day displaying their memorabilia of
this historic train, with treasures dating back to the Steamer's first
run during the Oregon Centennial. Visitors are invited to bring their
own train pictures and memories to share.
A ride
on the Steamer is an experience rich in Oregon history. The train was
originally built in 1959 in celebration of Oregon's Centennial. It is
a replica of an 1872 Baldwin "American-type" locomotive, and
is patterned after the famous Reno, which was owned by the Virginia
& Truckee Railroad in Nevada.
People
who rode the steam train as children are now bringing their children
or their grandchildren to experience an important part of Oregon's history.
Bragdon himself considers the Steamer to be an important milestone in
his life. A train aficionado, he was born on the same weekend that the
Steamer officially became a part of the Oregon Zoo.
"This
weekend, the locomotive and I will be celebrating our 45th birthdays
together. The Steamer offers zoo visitors a bit of history, nostalgia
and a unique experience," he said.
The trains
cost an additional $2 for the Zoo Loop and $3 for the four-mile journey
through Washington Park.
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June
10, 2004
MARY
CHAPIN CARPENTER CONCERT HELPS SUPPORT CONDOR CONSERVATION
Zoo
concert heading towards sell out with more than 1,500 tickets sold--only
two weeks left to buy tickets
PORTLAND
Ore.- Mary
Chapin Carpenter, five-time Grammy winner and avid conservationist,
kicks off the 25th anniversary of The
Wells Fargo Summer Concert series at the Oregon Zoo Wednesday, June
23. The concert series helps fund the zoo's condor conservation
program, which has recently celebrated the first
condor born in Oregon in more than 100 years. The
zoo's program still needs to raise another $500,000 to build a flight
nursery--an investment necessary to prepare these impressive birds for
return to the wild.
"Having
such exceptional performers, like Mary Chapin Carpenter, coming to the
zoo this summer is a great way to introduce the community to the zoo's
conservation programs," says Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "In
addition to enjoying fantastic outdoor music in a great atmosphere,
concertgoers can become directly involved in saving a critically endangered
species."
Concertgoers
can help condors by adding $1 to their ticket price, which will directly
fund the zoo's conservation efforts. The Oregon Zoo is one of three
that participate in the condor-breeding program, which plans to release
condors into the wild. There are currently less than 250 condors left
in the world, making the Oregon Zoo's program vital to helping sustain
these remarkable birds.
Carpenter
will be showcasing her long-awaited album, Between Here and Gone, her
first release in over three years. Having taken a two-year break from
the studio, and witnessing firsthand the tragic events of September
11, 2001, Carpenter's new album touches upon the greater emotions of
life: tragedy, romance, peace of mind, and self searching. In addition
to her collection of five Grammies, Carpenter has received two "best
female vocalist" awards from the Country Music Association, sold
more than 12 million records and has ascended to the heights of popularity
in country music.
Opening
for Carpenter, Grammy-winner Jim Lauderdale will begin the evening with
an acoustically charged blend of bluegrass and country. Lauderdale's
most recent album Headed for the Hills was co-written with long time
Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. After his `90s success as one
of Nashville's most-recorded and successful songwriters, Lauderdale
has broadened his audience and received more attention for his own records
and concerts.
In addition
to sharing tunes with the tree kangaroos, concerts at the zoo feature
special activities to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the summer series.
The birds of prey will fly over the crowd during premium concerts-a
truly unique experience for music fans and animal lovers alike. People
can pre-order gourmet picnics online and reserve top blanket spots on
the zoo's tiered concert lawn.
"The
concerts have long been a tradition in Portland," said Krista Swan,
event coordinator. "Whether it's a romantic evening or a family
night out, concertgoers enjoy great music, the festive atmosphere, and,
of course, visiting all of the animals."
The
Oregon Zoo was the first zoo in the country to host summer concerts,
and features more than 20 shows this summer, including the Indigo Girls,
Emmylou Harris, David Byrne, Robert Cray, Cowboy Junkies, Greg Brown,
Lucinda Williams and John Hiatt. Performances take place on the zoo's
park-like concert lawn, Portland's premier outdoor venue for popular
music since 1979.
Tickets
for the Wells Fargo Summer Concert Series are available at TicketsWest
and at the zoo (no phone calls please). To purchase tickets through
TicketsWest visit www.ticketswest.com,
or call 800-992-TIXX.
Tickets
are valid at 4 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. (except John
Hiatt,
which begins at 6 p.m.). Learn more about the 25th anniversary summer
concert series, or pre-order
gourmet picnics, at the Summer
Concerts at the Oregon Zoo Online. Concert picnics can be ordered
by calling 503-525-4215. The Oregonian A&E provides media support.
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June
2, 2004
TWIST
AND TILT ON HIMALAMAZON THRILL RIDE
PORTLAND,
Ore.- Zoo visitors can take a ride down a steep mountain, careen
through
deep ravines and caves, and splash into a lake on Ride
the HimalAmazon, Oregon Zoo's new thrill ride, opening June 5.
Ride the HimalAmazon, produced by SimEx-Iwerks, is the zoo's latest
simulator
ride, which replaces the popular Dino Island thrill ride.
The
ride is set sometime in the future, where looming environmental
disaster
due to years of over harvesting in the Amazon forests have forced scientists
to develop a Super-Tree that quickly generates desperately needed
wood
and life-giving oxygen. Super-Trees are grown in a simulated "super
world" called "HimalAmazon," where a uniquely developed
combination of the attributes of the Himalayas and the Amazon has
been
created. The ride, which is described as a "roller-coaster with
an ecological message," follows the Super-Trees from seed to
harvest.
"The
zoo's previous thrill rides have been tremendously successful,"
according to Tony Vecchio, Oregon Zoo director. "More than 119,000
people have experienced the Deep Sea, Dino Island, and our holiday
themed
rides—all of which generated $410,700. The revenue helps pay for many
conservation and education programs at the zoo," he added.
Vecchio
believes Ride the HimalAmazon will continue the success.
Ride the
HimalAmazon is a high-action, animated simulation that relies on
computer-controlled
hydraulics, moving the entire audience in synchronization with the
actions on the screen.
The
thrill ride has two strong attributes, according to Vecchio. "It's
one heck of an exciting ride and it contains a conservation message."
Ride the
HimalAmazon is in the air-conditioned SimEx simulation theater located
on the former entry plaza directly across from the Amur Tiger exhibit,
close to the Zoo Railway Station. In addition to regular zoo admission,
a $4 ticket ($3 for members) is required. Proceeds from ticket sales
help pay for the zoo's conservation and education programs. Due
to the
limited number of seats, a maximum of 800 visitors per day are able
to experience the ride.
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June
1, 2004
A
MILLION MINUTES OF READING MEANS PRINCIPALS GET BUSY CLEANING
Principals clean up after pachyderms, while
schoolchildren meet the elephants
PORTLAND, Ore.- The Oregon Zoo and the North Clackamas School District
have joined forces to sponsor a million-minute reading challenge. As
a reward for meeting the program's goal, 36 students from Oak Grove
and Wichita elementary schools will visit the zoo to watch their principals
get down and dirty to clean the elephant yard, Thursday, June 3, from
10 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.
"This incentive program has the kids reading like crazy,"
according to Mason Branstetter, principal at Wichita Elementary. "This
partnership with the zoo has done an awesome job of motivating our kids
to read."
The incentive helps fulfill the school district's reading program, which
asks students to read with someone for 20 minutes every night. Grades
two through five are also asked to write a few sentences about what
they have read. Once a week, teachers tally the results and make "water
marks" on specially designed elephant bulletin boards at each school.
The top reader from each class will attend the event to cheer on the
principals in their cleaning. The schools will bring a total of 36 students-all
will get the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes with the elephants.
Last fall, zoo director Tony Vecchio-a long-time volunteer for SMART
(Start Making A Reader Today)-visited the schools to challenge the kids
to meet the program's goal. "I've seen firsthand how kids' confidence
can grow as they become good readers," said Vecchio. "If having
these principals clean up after our elephants serves as an incentive
to get kids excited about reading, we're more than happy to do it."
This is the second consecutive year the zoo has sponsored the reading
challenge. Last year, nearly 800 students from the North Marion School
District met the goal and saw their principals clean the hippo pools.
The zoo is currently seeking one new partner school for next year. School
administrators from Washington, Multnomah, Columbia, Yamhill, Clackamas
and Marion counties are encouraged to call the director's office at
503-525-4234 to sign up.
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