June of 2004
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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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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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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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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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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