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Looking for a unique gift? Catch ‘Orchid Fever’ at the Tennessee Aquarium

The Aquarium Blogger — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:34:00 +0000

Chilly days like today make me thankful for the opportunity to visit the Tennessee Aquarium's Tropical Cove and Butterfly Garden. It's nice to be surrounded by the warmth, hyacinth macaws, sharks, rays, butterflies, wood partridges and the new Palawan peacock-pheasant. This year visitors are in for a special treat, the Tropical Cove and Butterfly Garden are bursting with colorful and unusual orchids. It's amazing to see the dazzling hues and intricate shapes of the blooms. Guests will be surprised and delighted by this addition to the Aquarium's "Tropical Holiday Adventure." And if you know a plant lover, here's a chance to bring touch of the tropics into your home. The Aquarium has numerous varieties of orchids for sale right now.
Charlene Nash, Tennessee Aquarium horticulturist says orchids are great houseplants in spite of what you may have heard. Learn more by watching this video:

There are small plants in bloom starting at $8.99 and larger ones starting at 19.99 up to $40.00. There are also a few rare black orchids, in a very limited number, at $100.00. Remember, these are only available in the Ocean Journey Gift Shop!

Beth Cox and Geraldine Powell of The Orchid Gallery will be giving a free lecture and potting demonstration on December 19th and 20th. Their talk will be Orchids 101, providing some basic information on these spectacular plants. These talks are free with paid admission. The Tennessee Valley Orchid Society will have some of their members present to give talks in the Tropical Cove in Ocean Journey at various times during the next few weeks before Christmas.

Here's a video taste of what awaits you inside Ocean Journey:

Just for fun.

The Aquarium Blogger — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:35:00 +0000

Once in awhile something unexpected shows up in the mail that makes you smile. These two pictures were dropped off Sunday at guest services by some visitors. Apparently Alexis and Ashley had a lot of fun in the Ocean Journey building. I think they did a great job drawing the Tropical Cove area, including the Butterfly Garden. I'll have to walk over this afternoon to see if I can spot the stingray they decided to name "Goober."

Tennessee Aquarium Honored with IMLS National Medal

The Aquarium Blogger — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:16:00 +0000

A group of first grade students from the Chattanooga School for Arts and Sciences were among the school groups visiting the Tennessee Aquarium today. It was very fun to watch these youngsters inside the Ocean Journey building having the time of their lives. Lively discussions and laughter could be heard among them as they were touching stingrays, exploring the Butterfly Garden, watching penguins and asking our divers questions. They're studying a unit on oceans right now and this timely visit made the classroom lessons something they could literally put their hands on. This one visit to the Aquarium will likely be an experience many of them will remember for a lifetime.

Partly as a result of its tremendous educational impact, The Tennessee Aquarium has been named a recipient of the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries. The annual award, made by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) since 1994, recognizes institutions for outstanding social, educational, environmental, or economic contributions to their communities.

“Every day, the Tennessee Aquarium makes a real difference in their community,” said IMLS Director Anne-Imelda M. Radice. “Their exemplary programs respond to community challenges, positively impact people’s lives, and serve as model for the nation’s museums and libraries. I applaud their outstanding efforts and encourage others to follow their example.”

Most of us remember what the downtown Chattanooga area was like prior to the Aquarium. And it's nothing short of remarkable what has happened in the Scenic City since then. So while we are celebrating this top honor, we'd like to recognize everyone who played a role in the Aquarium's achievements.

"The Tennessee Aquarium is deeply honored to receive the National Medal and is proud of its long history of service to Chattanooga and the surrounding region," said Charlie Arant, the Aquarium’s president and CEO. "The Tennessee Aquarium has been leading the way in education, conservation, economic development and tourism since 1992. This award is a tribute to our staff, trustees, volunteers and community supporters who work tirelessly to help us connect people with nature in a meaningful way."

Only three other aquariums have been honored with the National Medal in the past. They are:
John G. Shedd Aquarium – Chicago, IL, Year: 2006
The New England Aquarium – Boston, MA, Year: 2001
National Aquarium in Baltimore – Baltimore, MD, Year: 1997

Other cities are also celebrating amazing success stories. In addition to the Tennessee Aquarium, other recipients of the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service are the:
· Braille Institute of America Library, Los Angeles, CA
· Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, PA
· Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, Cincinnati, OH
· Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, IL
· Indianapolis Museum of Art, IN
· Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
· Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa, FL
· Pritzker Military Library, Chicago, IL
· Stark County District Library, Canton, OH

Thanks everyone for supporting the Tennessee Aquarium!

The Partridge Family

The Aquarium Blogger — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:00:00 +0000

I never should have done it. As soon as my fingers hit the keyboard while typing the title to this post it happened. And admit it, for many of you reading this, it probably happened to you too. The "Partridge Family" theme song started playing in your head.

Hello, world, hear the song that we're singin' C'mon get happy! A whole lot of lovin' is what we'll be bringin' We'll make you happy! We had a dream, we'd go travelin' together, We'd spread a little lovin' then we'd keep movin' on. Somethin' always happens whenever we're together We get a happy feelin' when we're singing a song. Trav'lin' along there's a song that we're singin' C'mon get happy! A Whole lot of lovin' is what we'll be bringin' We'll make you happy! We'll make you happy! We'll make you happy!

It's actually appropriate. While these little birds are wandering around the Butterfly Garden, they quietly call to each other. Peeping and chirping softly....a little song they're singing while they're travelin' together. And.....fact of the matter is......watching this partridge family does make you happy.

The two crested wood partridge chicks are growing and learning how to get around in the exhibit. They are also able to fly short distances, something their parents typically do only to get into the trees to roost at night, or to quickly get away when startled.

Thanks to Dennis Harris for the great shots.