I live in Omaha.

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Monday, May 10, 2010

Henry Doorly Zoo's Expedition Madagascar brings unique species to Omaha


After two years of construction, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo kicked off this past weekend with the opening of Expedition Madagascar, a 300-foot-long building showcasing animal species exclusive to Madagascar. The building - located at the east end of the Garden of the Senses - officially opened to the public on May 7.

The 17,000-square-foot main building houses 15 indoor exhibits, featuring fish, reptiles, small mammals and several unique species of lemurs. There are also four outdoor exhibits for guests to view: a 1,050-square-foot fossa enclousure, a 1,750-square-foot ring-tailed lemur island with manmade baobab trees, a 1,600-square-foot netted Coquerel's sifaka exhibit and a 6,700-square-foot walk-through island home to ruffed lemurs.

The exhibit also serves as an education hub for guests to learn about the Omaha Zoo's Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership. Mentors from the zoo's molecular genetics and education departments are working with students from Omaha North High School to introduce fuel-efficient rocket stoves to Malagasy natives. These stoves promote an alternative way of cooking that deters natives from contributing to the loss of about 90 percent of Madagascar's forests. This is one of several projects conducted through the Madagascar partnership, which began in 1998.

Visit http://www.omahazoo.com/ for more information on Expedition Madagascar and other conservation efforts of Omaha's Zoo.

(Photos by Andrea Ciurej)

Saturday, May 8, 2010

30 Seconds to Mars wages 'war' at the Sokol




It was a quiet, overcast Thursday evening in Omaha as kings and queens of promise filled the Sokol Auditorium for a war-raging, head-banging 30 Seconds to Mars. Before lead vocalist Jared Leto and the gang, the Utah-based Neon Trees stumped the stage with their slick "Habits" and New Orleans-born MUTEMATH blasted their "Typical" electro-alternative-rock and psychedelic-gospel-pop. 30 Seconds to Mars came in for "The Kill" with new vocals from their latest album "This is War" and some older favorites. The band returned to Omaha after a seven-year absence, said Sophia John, host of 89.7 The River's "The Nooner." She also announced that the band was originally supposed take their tour to Kansas City, but Omaha "stole" the show instead. The band also had various parts of a music video shot at the concert.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Graduating soon, need new blog name

It's 11:50 p.m. and rather than slaving away at The Gateway (last issue came out last week), I am at home wondering when I am going to start my GIS (Geographic Information Systems) final paper and poster and complete my final meteorology assignments. Among all of the thought-gathering, here's another thought: What am I going to change the name of my blog to? After May 7, I will be considered a UNO alumna - I am graduating. Rather than solely reporting campus news, I will be paying more attention to the Omaha community as a whole. Therefore, I can't very well have a blog titled "University Weekly."

I have a week left to decide. Hmmm...?