Z-mail from the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo!

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June 30, 2011
Everyone's a Winner at the Iron Zoo Chef Challenge Featuring a tense cook-off and a mystery ingredient, Friday's Iron Zoo Chef Challenge was a real treat for zoo fans. Zoo Commissary Supervisor Brooke "Rocket Chopper" Stowell, Zoo Area Manger Tanisha "Old School" Dunbar, and DQ Manager Ed "The Blizzard" Merz faced off to create the ultimate meal for zoo primates.  Using fresh fruits and vegetables and a mystery ingredient (which turned out to be horned melons), the trio competed for ten intense minutes to develop their unique creations.  Carrie "Bud" Wellman expertly emceed the event.  After the chefs presented their finished dishes, zoo guests voted for the favorites.  Here are the results: Zoo guests gather to watch the Iron Zoo Chef Challenge on Friday, June 24.      Kids vote for their favorite chef's creation at the Iron Zoo Chef Challenge.  A fruit salad and vegetable salad by Zoo Area Manager Tanisha Dunbar won Most Appetizing      Voted Most Creative, this floral design by Zoo Commissary Supervisor Brooke Stowell incorporated the mystery ingredient as the sun.  DQ Chef Ed Merz's palm tree creation featuring a strawberry fence won Best Use of Ingredients  You can watch a short video of the Iron Zoo Chef Challenge here. Zoobilee Raises $140,000 Enthusiastic bidding at the live and silent auctions helped raise more than $140,000 at Zoobilee 2011. On June 17, the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo was covered in spots and stripes while entertaining more than 300 people at Zoobilee 2011. The 9th annual gala fundraiser was a huge success, raising more than $140,000 to support the zoo. With the theme of Spots & Stripes Forever, guests were challenged to match spots to win a Pandora bracelet from Peter Franklin Jewelers, enjoyed a delicious dinner from Club Soda and appetizers from Chop's Steaks & Seafood, and had the opportunity to bid on unique auction items such as a stay at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona, a dinner on the giraffe platform, and an opportunity to have Santa and a reindeer visit your home during the holidays!  Emcee Terra Brantley and DJ Shelby Lynn entertained the guests throughout the night. The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is completely self-supporting, receiving no tax money for operations or improvements.  Thank you to the generous sponsors, individuals, and donors that made Zoobilee 2011 - Spots & Stripes Forever possible. Zoobilee 2012 will be held June 15 at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo.  Event tickets sell quickly, so please contact Kelly at 260-427-6836 to get on the mailing list or reserve your seat! Zoobilee attendees enjoyed great food, fun, and fundraising for the zoo.   Camp out at the zoo on July 23. Sleep Under the Stars July 23 Experience the ultimate family adventure!  Pitch your own tent at the zoo for our popular Family Wild Nights program on July 23.  Register by July 8.  Click here for details and register online.	Coming Up Now - Aug. 5 Summer Safari Day Camp Now - Aug. 7 Creature Features July 1 - 31 Early Bird Hours MEMBERS ONLY July 6 Wild Wednesday MEMBERS ONLY sponsored by Fort Wayne Komets July 7 Backstage Pass July 13 Wild Wednesday MEMBERS ONLY sponsored by Fort Wayne Komets July 20 Wild Wednesday MEMBERS ONLY sponsored by Fort Wayne Komets July 25 Zoo-Loo-Au Click for event details and mark your calendar! Hours The zoo is open every day, including holidays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until October 9, 2011. Admission Prices $13.00 for adults $8.50 for children age 2-14 $10.50 for seniors age 60 and over Babies age one and under and Zoo Society Members are admitted free. Helpful Links Renew Your Zoo Membership Renew for 2 years and save $10! Adopt-an-Animal The perfect gift for Mom, Dad, or anyone! Make a Donation You too can make a difference at the Zoo by making a donation. Member Change of Address Have you moved?  Update your membership information to continue receiving our mailings.

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