Crews install one of new roller coaster’s two bridges (VIDEO)

One of the two bridges over Peninsula Drive that will support the tracks of Waldameer Park & Water World’s new wooden roller coaster went up this morning at about 2:14 a.m.

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Corps Permit Next Hurdle for Ohio Co. Theme Park

Plans for creating a major amusement park in Ohio County have a large hurdle to cross with federal regulators. The Ohio County Development Authority has submitted tentative plans for the Highlands Theme Park, but it involves a substantial stream impact, triggering permit applications with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers.

http://www.wvmetronews.com/index.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=23006

Six Flags to add water ride

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080115/BUSINESS/80115010/1003

Newport Aquarium one of only two institutions in US to breed Gentoo penguins in 2007

Congratulations to our friends at Newport Aquarium!

Newport Aquarium one of only two institutions in US to breed Gentoo penguins in 2007

Newport, Ky. –- The Newport Aquarium is proud to announce the hatching of two Gentoo penguin chicks. One chick hatched on Dec. 3, weighing 90 grams (just under 3.2 ounces). The second chick hatched on Dec. 24 and was found on Christmas Day, weighing 163 grams (5.8 ounces). Currently, the chicks weigh 4,160 grams (about 9.2 pounds) and 1,660 grams (about 3.7 pounds), respectively.

In early 2007 the Aquarium welcomed a King Penguin chick, but these are the first Gentoo chicks since December 2005. There is also a possibility that several additional Gentoo eggs that may hatch in the weeks ahead.

The older chick is beginning to slowly venture away from its nest and can be seen in the exhibit, not far from its parents. The younger chick is still nestled under its penguin parents. Guests can view it at irregular intervals when the penguin parents feed the chick.

Currently, there are 13 AZA-accredited institutions that hold Gentoo penguins in North America. Only two others were able to successfully breed Gentoos in 2007 (Shedd Aquarium, Chicago and BioDome, Quebec).

“We are very proud of our penguin program,” said Newport Aquarium Biologist Ric Urban. “Penguins are a visitor favorite. Right now, the new chicks are fuzzy, grey and cute, and guests have the opportunity to come back and visit
them and can watch them grow.”

With these chicks, 10 King and 17 Gentoo penguins reside in the 34-degree Kingdom of Penguins exhibit. In addition, three African Blackfooted penguins reside in the 70-degreee Penguin House, for “Penguin Encounters” with Aquarium visitors. As a result of the popularity of “Penguin Encounters,” Newport Aquarium’s nonprofit WAVE Foundation donated $5,000 to the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) to be used in the direct care and rehabilitation of rescued penguins and other sea birds in South Africa.

Discovery Place Paints the Town Red, White and Blue with New Exhibition

Rockwell’s America: Celebrating the Art of Norman Rockwell
Rockwell’s “The Saturday Evening Post” covers come to life in 3-dimensional, interactive exhibition

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Guests can find a picture-perfect excursion through 20th century America by stepping into Norman Rockwell’s imaginative world and becoming part of his most famous The Saturday Evening Post art as Discovery Place introduces its newest exhibition, Rockwell’s America: Celebrating the Art of Norman Rockwell opening Saturday, Jan. 19.

Rockwell’s America: Celebrating the Art of Norman Rockwell contains more than 100 original The Saturday Evening Post covers and original Rockwell art and transports guests back in time as these famous illustrations are brought to life. Dozens of interactive, educational experiences depict the changing times and technologies in America through life-sized, three-dimensional versions of Rockwell’s The Saturday Evening Post covers, allowing visitors to step right inside Rockwell’s famous art.

“Rockwell’s America is a journey to America in different times. It takes the frame off the wall and allows guests to step back to the way we were,” said John Mackay, president and CEO of Discovery Place. “Grandparents will reminisce about the past and parents will relive their childhood memories, while their children learn about the dynamic changes that shaped America today. Rockwell’s America will touch and connect all generations.”

For more than forty years, Norman Rockwell documented the human experience and the changes in social values, technology and world events through charming and candid images on 322 covers of The Saturday Evening Post. These illustrations gave him an audience larger than that of any other artist in history.

Rockwell’s America: Celebrating the Art of Norman Rockwell, the world’s largest Norman Rockwell exhibition, features 20 theatrical environments which blends elements of multimedia and sensory experiences:

Rockwell’s Art Studio – Guests start their journey into Rockwell’s world by visiting an exact recreation of his art studio. Visitors can poke around his studio, try on costumes and use props, models and paints.

Summertime – Parents can watch their children play while revisiting their own childhood memories in Summertime. Families enjoy the sounds of summer by the pond, soak up the sun in a real Model T Ford, listen and watch baseball greats as they wander the park and view several 3D recreations of Rockwell’s famous Summertime The Saturday Evening Post covers.

Main Street – Main Street recreates the experience and priceless moments of bygone small town America. Kids can take a seat in a classroom they may barely recognize by today’s standards featuring realistic props like quill pens and ink wells in The Schoolhouse. After popping into Main Street’s Soda Shop to review orders placed in yesteryear, guests can reach out and touch a real working switchboard at The Telephone Company. In Main Street Appliances visitors can turn the dials of an antique radio and listen to sounds from times past, watch TV from yesteryear and marvel at emerging technologies and their influence on America.

Attic Adventures – Visitors rummage through the attic and let their imaginations run wild opening old trunks of clothes to play dress up or pretending to be a train conductor while playing with a miniature railroad set.

Times of Change – After entering a camouflage tunnel guests are led to an Army encampment as Rockwell’s art begins to reflect the impact of a changing world on American life during World War II. Guests jump back in time and explore Willie Gillis’, one of Rockwell’s beloved characters, foot locker, try on army fatigues, listen to the Armed Forces radio network and climb into a real army jeep.

War Production – Visitors can join the assembly line as Rockwell pays homage to the millions of women who entered America’s workforce. A larger-than-life sculpture of Rockwell’s highly-celebrated cover, “Rosie the Riveter”, anchors this area dedicated to women in the work force.

Freedoms & Presidents – The “Four Freedoms” which solidified Rockwell as one of America’s most important painters, takes a closer look at the dreams of many, “The Freedom from Fear”, “The Freedom of Speech”, “The Freedom from Want” and “The Freedom of Worship”. Known for illustrating common people in everyday situations, Rockwell expanded and began painting major presidential figures in 1956. Featured in this area are his paintings of President Dwight Eisenhower, President John F. Kennedy and President Richard Nixon. Guests also can view a multi-media presentation including moving images of Dr. Martin Luther King and Rockwell’s artwork that spoke out on Civil Rights.

The Tribute Gallery – The journey through the twentieth century as seen through Rockwell’s eyes culminates in The Tribute Gallery showcasing all 322 of his The Saturday Evening Post covers, the world’s largest collection, in chronological order. Rockwell’s The Saturday Evening Post covers gave him an audience larger than that of any other artist in history. This breathtaking gallery allows guests to absorb the power and importance of Rockwell’s work.

In addition, Discovery Place features two original Norman Rockwell paintings, provided by Curtis Publishing, “Downhill Daring” and “Circus Strongman”, valued at $3.5 million each.

Rockwell’s America: Celebrating the Art of Norman Rockwell opens Saturday, Jan. 19 and is on exhibition through Wednesday, April 30. Rockwell’s America is free with Museum admission. For more information on pricing or programming, call (704) 372- 6261, ext. 300 or visit discoveryplace.org.

Rockwell’s America: Celebrating the Art of Norman Rockwell is produced by the Becker Group under license by Curtis Publishing Company. The exhibition is sponsored in Charlotte by US Airways, AT&T Real Yellow Pages. Parker Poe Adams & Berstein LLP (Main Street USA sponsors: War, Freedoms, and Civil Rights), Morgan Stanley (The Schoolhouse) and BB&T (The Soda Shop).

Aquarium’s WAVE Foundation gives to shark, penguin and turtle organizations

Newport, Ky. –- ’Tis the season for giving to those in need. And thanks to the generous Greater Cincinnati community, animals are getting help they need year-round.

The WAVE Foundation has received nearly $22,000 from the “Dollars for Conservation” campaign (from Aquarium guest donations) and profits from Penguin Encounters (where Aquarium guests get to spend 20 minutes with the African penguins Paula, Randy and Simon). All of the funds raised are going to support conservation groups for sharks, penguins and turtles.

WAVE has provided $6,200 to the Shark Research Institute (SRI) to fund satellite tags for whale sharks in support of their Whale Shark Research program that tags and tracks these endangered animals for research and protection. WAVE donated $5,000 to the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) to be used in the direct care and rehabilitation of rescued penguins and other sea birds in South Africa. These gifts come on the heels of WAVE’s $10,500 donation to fund satellite tracking for two loggerhead turtles in North Carolina.

Sharks
WAVE’s grant, along with funds from the World Wildlife Fund, has allowed Shark Research Institute (SRI) researchers to place placard identification tags on whale sharks off the coast of Tanzania. As the tagged sharks are re-sighted, scientists learn where the giant sharks travel. The grant also allows for deployment of satellite tags for eight sharks. The satellite tag, also known as a PAT tag, archives locational and depth data, then detaches from the host animal on a pre-programmed date and transmits its archived data to the Argos satellites, a system of orbiting polar satellites. The Argos satellites, in turn, forward data from the tag to scientists at SRI.

The SRI works to correct misperceptions about sharks and stop the slaughter of 100 million sharks annually. Current programs involve visual and satellite tracking, behavioral and DNA studies of sharks, ocean advocacy, publications and public education. More information can be found at www.sharks.org.

“Satellite technology allows us to gather critical data needed to save this species from extinction,” says SRI researcher Matt Potenski. “If we can uncover the migratory route of the whale sharks along the east African coast, determine where they are at most risk, then SRI will be able to concentrate its conservation efforts in those areas.”

Penguins
WAVE’s donation will provide fish to save 100 orphaned penguins. The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) is the nonprofit sea bird rehabilitation centre predominantly responsible for conserving the vulnerable African penguin population along the Southern African coast. SANCCOB has responded to every oil spill along this coast since 1968, and continues to treat about 1,000 oiled, orphaned, ill and injured African penguins every year that there is not a major oil spill (and thousands more when there is an oil spill incident). More information can be found at www.sanccob.co.za

“SANCCOB would not be able to achieve the successes we do without such generous support,” said Alan Jardine, SANCCOB Chief Executive Officer. “[WAVE is] giving the African penguin a second chance.”

Turtles
This fall, WAVE donated $10,500 to fund satellite tracking for two loggerhead turtles in North Carolina.
Two turtles were tagged with the help of N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, staff from the Bald Head Island Conservancy and the Marine Turtle Research Group. The data the turtles provide is helping researchers determine why the population of sea turtles has decreased dramatically in the last few decades.

The Bald Head Island Conservancy, SEATURTLE.ORG, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the Marine Turtle Research Group at the University of Exeter, UK. These nonprofit organizations all support research and conservation efforts for the sea turtle community. See www.seaturtle.org for more information.

“We are so grateful to our community for their continued support. WAVE is proud to continue to serve as a leader in conservation in our community. Local support makes a global impact to support these endangered animals,” said Katharene Snavely, WAVE Foundation’s Executive Director.


The WAVE Foundation, designated as a 501(c) 3 organization, is an education foundation located at the Newport Aquarium. The WAVE Foundation’s mission is to excite, engage and educate the public about the wonders of aquatic life and the importance of conservation. The WAVE acronym stands for Welfare of Aquatic Animals and Natural Resources, Advocate for Conservation, Volunteer Pursuits and Educational Opportunities. For more information visit www.wavefoundation.org.