Show #391 Airing Sunday, 6/19/07
No time to take an African Safari, to sight lions, tigers and elephants? Well, instead we've got a Senior Safari, right here in our own backyard and there's no passport needed! Joining us today is Tom Robatin, marketing and public relations specialist at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Sandy Emery, a very decent docent, and some very special friends. Welcome.
Question: Tell us about the Zoo's Senior Safari.
Answer: The Senior Safari will be held on Friday, June 22nd, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those age 55 and over will receive free admission to the Zoo and the Rainforest, and there will be various events for seniors going on all day.
Question: What kind of information adventure will we have?
Answer: We have lots of activities going on that day. First, we will have various exhibitors in our Picnic Pavilion, including:
- Free healthcare screenings from Discount Drug Mart.
- Representatives from various community and government organizations, like: --The County Treasurer (unclaimed funds) --The County Recorder (information on living wills) --Social Security Administration --Senior Living Facilities
There will be live music from the Jacobs Field Dixieland Band, as well as live theatre from the RSVP players
Exercise opportunities include Tai Chi and Chair Yoga.
Visitors receive complementary tram service so they don't have to walk from one part of the zoo to another.
Plus there will be various small animal programs, where visitors can get close to zoo animals.
Question: Sandy, I understand that you're a volunteer. Can our viewers get involved?
Answer: Yes, the Zoo trains people who are interested in volunteering. First, you are trained to be a service volunteer and then, after some time, you can receive more training to become a docent, and handle animals.
Question: Tom, what else is going on at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this summer?
Answer: We have several new exhibits this summer.
- "Butterfly Magic" is a free exhibit in the Zoo's public greenhouse.
- In "Touch," for $1, guests have the opportunity to touch barb-less stingrays and sharks.
- "Dinosaurs" features 15 animatronic dinosaurs that realistically move and roar. The cost to attend is $2. (Great to take grand kids too)
- The Zoo celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. As part of the celebration, we are putting on a new show, "Dr. Doolittle's Wild Animal Show: Quest for the Key." The show focuses on animal healthcare, looking back at the Zoo's history and forward to preserve the future for wildlife.
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is celebrating its 125th anniversary. On June 22nd, they're also celebrating seniors. To learn more, give them a call. My thanks to Tom Robatin and Sandy Emery.
