Thanks to everyone who came out for Enrichment Day! The cheetahs and dogs made a another run with the lure course, one of their favorite activities.
Here’s a shot from the good old days when the cheetahs and dogs ran the course together.
maybe the dogs should get a head start
It’s that time of year again…. are you starting to feel the mood of the season?
In the lull after Thanksgiving, before the next holiday’s activities ramp up, you could be getting together with your kids, parents or grandparents, your staff or co-workers, friends and neighbors, your Scout troop, church group, choir, book group, rock band or yoga buddies to kick it all off by doing something festive.
Sound good? What I’m talking about is sponsoring and decorating your very own 6 ft tall Holiday Tree and having it on display at the Zoo until the New Year!
We’re throwing two tree decorating parties on December 4th and 5th… that’s Friday and Saturday, from 8:30 – 10:30 AM. You provide the inspiration or theme and the ornaments — store bought or handmade (find decorating guidelines by CLICKING HERE). We’ll provide the coffee, juices and kolaches – and on Saturday Sunny 99.1FM will be there, adding their legendary holiday tunes to the air while DJ Dana decorates the Sunny Tree. After you stand back to admire your masterpiece, prominently displayed alongside our landmark reflection pool, you might want to stay awhile to visit your favorite habitats and say hello to the many new baby animals born here this year.
Your tax deductible donation to the zoo for families and community group trees is $75, and $150 for corporations. Each tree will have a sign recognizing your company, organization, family or group. You will also be listed on the Houston Zoo site with a photo and get multiple zoo passes for the entire month of December. CLICK HERE for details.
If you’re a company, this is a great way to have your holiday party while doing something for the zoo. But also, it’s an investment in yourself. 100,000 people are estimated to view the trees and will be exposed to your company/group name, and whatever theme you design that may reflect what you do, both on grounds and right here on our website.
If you are a family or friends, this is a good, old-fashioned way to celebrate in a time when everyone is simplifying, and focusing on what’s most important. The time you spend together and the fun you have making ornaments and decorating the tree will make for truly unique, lasting memories (and pictures!).
So come join us to ring in the holidays. The deadline for signing up is November 30th, so don’t delay! (Register online HERE). Who knows, this might be the start of an annual tradition. See you December 4th and 5th.!
*All trees will be recycled*
Written by Rochelle Joseph, Houston Zoo docent
Please visit Rochelle’s animal blog at www.naturegirrl.blogspot.com
As a volunteer for the Houston Zoo, I feel I can shamelessly gush all I want about last Friday night’s sold out annual fund raising event Feast with the Beast. It’s now Tuesday and I confess, I’m still thinking about how great it was.
I knew the zoo was a teriffic place to throw an event. For starters, it’s a pretty environment with so many interesting spots to utilize. But I was amazed at the beauty of place at night– and how festive the atmosphere was!
Just before the doors opened I took a last look at the reflection pool. The stage was set: tall candles rising up from the water, towering trees colorfully lit, lined by banquet tables covered in zebra and tiger cloth from end to end. On the lawn, street lights cast a romantic mood on tall cocktail tables and just beyond, white tents housing the hottest in Houston’s food and beverages were overflowing and ready for our guests.
The stage is set. Let the Feast begin!
Over three thousand people poured onto the red carpet and spent the first two hours winding their way around the paths sampling pulled pork sliders, spicy cajun shrimp, deep dish lasagna, grilled vegetable pies and carved kobe beef… to name a few. Some venues handed out extras like coupons, gift bags and flashy-blinky rings too.
Countless attractions were sprinkled throughout. The Aldine Dance Company let loose a costumed troupe of mischievous monkeys, an elegant ostrich, a lion, zebra and giraffe (on stilts!) that delighted passers by. Those with VIP tickets relaxed sipping drinks at the Bud Light Lounge at Cypress Circle and enjoyed additional hors d’oeuvres and a visit from the band (see below), hosted by 94.5 The Buzz’s Rod Ryan. Docents set up shop with bio-artifacts and keeper chats happened at the lion, elephant, reptile house and African wild dog habitats. At key points along the way, keepers brought out live animals to join in the fun. I passed by them holding two snakes, a few brightly colored birds, a curious white anteater, a magnificent great horned owl, and a porcupine!
Ernie, our people loving porcupine... and people seem to love him back!
After helping with the set up, I looked after the band — Big Bad Vodoo Daddy — getting them settled, then to sound check, and later to the stage to play at 9:15 PM. The crowd went wild from the first song, with several couples (a few dressed in 40′s attire) immediately breaking out into swing dancing on the floor. It was such fun to watch… and whether Swing is your love or not, everyone I spoke to agreed it was impossible not to get jazzed up by that kind of energy. The audience cheered like it was 1999 and kept it up through the entire set, which lasted until nearly 11 PM! The band floated off stage, feeling quite energized by Houston’s warm welcome.
Swing was the thing as the crowd went wild to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's 90+ minute set.
This was the second year attendees got to vote for their favorite restaurant by text. This years winner of The Beastly Battle was the Gumbo Bar, from Galveston.
I hope you’ll buy your tickets early next year and join in the fun. I know I’ll be back!
Written by Rochelle Joseph. Please visit her animal blog at www.naturegirrrl.blogspot.com
**All photos by Stephanie Adams
