A Rhino by Any Other Name …
 When the Tampa Lowry Park Zoo in Florida comes across an animal birth with great conservation significance, it celebrates by getting the public involved. On July 7, an Indian rhinoceros calf was born at the zoo, and within the month more than 800 zoo lovers had gone to the zoo’s web site to choose the calf’s name, as they participated in the zoo's third naming contest.
“We’ve been thrilled with the response to these naming contests,” says Rachel Nelson, director of public relations for the zoo. “We hope that all who vote will take pride and joy in watching the offspring grow through the years.”
Zoo staff with cultural and geographical knowledge devised a selection of Hindi names starting with the letter “J” to honor Jamie, the rhino’s mother.
Jaba (jeh-ba)—“a flower or hibiscus”
Jahki (jaan-kee)—“of the earth”
Jama (jeh-ma)—“daughter”
Janya (jahn YAH)—“born of the earth”
Jaya (JAY ah)—“victorious”
And the winner is … Jaya won out as the chosen name with 30 percent of the vote; approximately 2,000 people voted in total.
www.lowryparkzoo.com
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The Right Fit for an Evolving Park
Stone Mountain Park in Georgia recently made over the entire staff from the ground up. Operators wanted to change the old theme from an 1870s setting where employees dressed in traditional 19thcentury attire to a new focus on outdoor adventure activities.
 “It was obvious there would need to be a complete overhaul of our wardrobe program as part of that change,” says Stan Morrell, director of guest experience, entertainment, and special events at the park. So the park went to OOBE—an apparel designer and manufacturer that had recently revamped workers’ uniforms at restaurant chain Chick-Fil-A. Here are some key components of the project:
Dress Code Necessities: More comfortable, stylish, and modern uniforms.
Hands-On Approach: “The fact that we could conveniently meet to see fabric samples, color choices, and storyboards, and really have an understanding of the whole process—all of which was done on their premises—was significant,” says Lynne Dundon, manager of guest experience and wardrobe at the park.
The Result: Crisp orange and green polo shirts with a slight ribbing and the park’s insignia on the lower left sleeve. Employees now have a uniform that easily identifies them as authority—especially necessary when leading adventure activities.
www.stonemountainpark.com; www.oobe.com
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Under the ‘Twister’ He Kissed Her
On July 25, James McCollough and Audra Sharifi Isfahani tied the knot in the most unlikely of places: on the Big Wheel stage at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colorado. The couple— season pass holders—say it was the perfect wedding locale to match the “silliness” of their relationship. “We started thinking about possible wedding venues and Elitch’s was the only place where we wouldn’t be bored,” says Isfahani. The reception afterward in the park’s Sunlight Picnic Pavilion included rides on the “Twister II” coaster, acrobatic cutouts for photo opportunities, and the throwing of a cotton candy bouquet.
www.elitchgardens.com
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