A Messy Week for Cooking!

A mess of yellow squash.

A Mess of Baby Bok Choy

I come from messy people.  We are a people of the mess.  When my father had a craving, he would make a mess of collard greens, or a mess of fresh cress and whipped potatoes, or a mess of ham 'n beans.  It's in the genes; however, I wonder that he would understand how my making of a mess of Baby Bok Choy actually fit into the DNA lineage

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MDZiB Fantasy Master Plan: Section 1 "Entrance-Parking-Events", part 3

Part 3 concerns itself with the front "lawn" of the zoo.  Directly in front of the ticket entrance stands a nineteenth century pavilion that at one time was used to host band concerts.  Today it's just a frame, open and seldom used.  There is a single paved path to the left of the pavilion leading guests from the parking lot to the ticket entrance.

My fantasy design would treat this space as a gem meant to sparkle in the eyes of visitors.  Playing off of the symmetry of the pavilion, I would create a pair of level and straight walkways from the parking lots to the entrance that would pass along either side of the pavilion's foundations.  In between I would create a symmetrical rose garden with a large circular fountain in the middle.  The design would allow guests who choose to celebrate events like weddings an additional venue for capturing photographic memories among other things.

The pavilion itself would remain largely open; however, I would transform it into a permanent exhibition highlighting the history, milestones, programs, mission and future of the zoo.  A series of 10 foot tall panels with widths varying from 8 to 6 feet would tell the story complete with appealing graphics and rich text.  The topics I share here are just ideas.  I offer one draft example to better illustrate the concept. 

I am unaware of any other zoo which offers anything like this as an experience for its guests.  In doing so, the Maryland Zoo would not only establish the possibility of a presidence, but also create a sense of importance to and within the greater community.  There are the sorts of things that foster pride and loyalty among constituents and supporters.

Hot Day, Cool Zoo

Coquerel's Sifaka

Cheetah

Lesser Kudu

Black & White Colobus Monkeys

Saddle-billed Stork

Burchell's Zebra

Maryland Zoo: New Chimp!

On July 5th one of Maryland Zoo's dozen chimpanzees, Bunny, gave birth to a healthy baby girl.  This is Bunny's first successful birth.  She's a special animal.  Brought to the zoo from a research facility when she was very young, she had the unique characteristic of being nearly deaf.  SO the concern centered around her ability to respond to her infant's sound cues.  However, from all indications, she's a magnificent mother.  Caring and completely aware of and tender towards all the newborn's needs.  It is an exciting things to experience new life. 

Due to the hot temps, my education station for volunteering which had been listed at the Farm Yard, was to be changed to an interior location.  I was thrilled to discover that it would be the Chimp Forest, and hoped that Bunny and her daughter would be out in the main area.  I was not disappointed.  Although the best moments eluded my senses to record with a camera, I did manage a few pictures when she was atop one of the "tree" gyms.  I look forward to getting more in the future and watching this beautiful chimpanzee grow up.

Kimchi!

I love Kimchi!  It was a personal revelation when I learned to make it for myself.  Today's latest batch ready to start fermenting.

MDZiB Fantasy Master Plan: Section 1 "Entrance-Parking-Events", part 2

The next part is also a parking lot.  At the zoo, it's generally used to 1) field trip busses, and 2) overflow on busy days.  My upgrades are really more about defining it so that buses can park easily, as well as, created obvious spaces for chaperone cars.  As an educational resource for Maryland's public schools, the Maryland Zoo is actually obligated by the state to provide access and support, as part of it's in kind response to the state's financial commitment to its general operating budget.  That being a given, why not create a first class experience?

I propose the addition of a small food services operation with an patio and well maintained restrooms for the bus drivers who bring the students and then generally just wait around for them to return.  Arrivals begin around 10 AM and departures usually wrap up by about 2:00-2:30.  Wouldn't it be amazing if drivers knew that when they came to the Maryland Zoo, a reasonable, tasty and healthy lunch option awaited them?  I honestly don't know of any zoo which extends such hospitality.

The other major feature would be an expanded sidewalk area where students could disembark to, organize and wait for their turn to enter the zoo.  This would be a tremendous upgrade in keeping the transition from buses to zoo un-chaotic and safer.

SOME OF THE COMPONENTS to this part of section 1 in greater detail:

A) The Secure Perimeter Fencing would be designed to look a little retro and compliment the historical design elements that remind guests of the zoo's provenance in the later half of the 19th century, only with state-of-the-art security elements embedded.

B) Guard Huts would all be replaced, and the number expended to provide the widest possible range of options when maintain security and guest and animal safety.  Each would also contain a powder room for the convenience of the staff.

E) Restrooms for Bus Drivers would be Mens and Womens and include a covered entrance with a drinking fountain.

G) The Hospitality Hut with its self-serve pre-made lunch options.  Once completed, schools would receive information about the service provided and be asked to convey this information to their bus drivers.  Additional, an announcement would be sent out to all of the regional carriers that routinely handle school field trips.

I) Reunification Pavilion.  Pavilions are found all across Druid Hill Park.  The addition of this pavilion would aesthetically fit in, and would provide the final link to a successful field trip experience by provided groups with an easily recognizable, designation location at which to reunify before departing.