Evansville, IN – Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden is pleased to announce the opening of the new Animal Commissary. Zoo visitors are now able to watch through large windows as the diets for over 700 animals are prepared in this newly constructed facility. Animal diets are prepared daily to insure that only the freshest of food is being served to the animals. Denny Vogt, the Assistant Animal Curator at the Zoo, says “The new Commissary is a big improvement to the Zoo. It allows us to have a centralized location to prepare and distribute all of the animal diets.” The Commissary is separated into many different areas to help keep the food stored safely. The building includes a grain room, refrigerator and freezer, and a live animal room which holds our feeder rodents and insects that are feed to several collection animals. According to Erik Beck, Director of Operations, “The new commissary is a great balance between a modern, clean, efficient work space for the zookeepers and an opportunity for zoo guests to get a glimpse behind the scenes and see what it takes to feed a zoo.”

The Animal Commissary was also built to exemplify the Zoo’s many green practices. All lights will automatically turn off when there is no activity and multiple skylights will reduce the need for lighting. The zookeepers try very hard not to throw anything away. All food that the Zoo does not use directly for animal diets is either recycled or composted.

Zoo Members will receive a special opportunity to preview the new Animal Commissary during Member Appreciation Evening on July 11. This facility will be open for tours during the event from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Evansville’s Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden is open 365 days a year from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (entry gate closes at 4 p.m.). Adult admission is $8.50 and children ages 3-12 are $7.50. Children 2 and under are free. In recognition of their support, Vanderburgh County residents receive $1 discount. Group discounts and yearly memberships are also available. Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Please visit www.meskerparkzoo.com for more information.

In his remarks at the White House yesterday President Obama Called for extending Bush tax breaks for another year — at least for certain taxpayers, those earning less than $250,000 per year. Apart from the continued exacerbation of class warfare in pitting “the middle class” against “the wealthy,” a more deadly nuance lurked in his words.

Twice in his brief speech he pointed out that we need to enact this cutoff because “we cannot afford to spend on tax breaks for the wealthy.” Those words should frighten and arouse anyone who has an income. They are not ill-chosen words; they are a look into the very political and economic heart of the current president and his regime. Allowing income earners to keep a portion of their money is considered by them to be spending by the government. In other words, all of your money is theirs to spend. They spend it on their special programs, their cronies, their allies and their adoring lapdogs. They spend some of it on the producers in order to keep the well flowing.

Government has no money to spend except what it confiscates from those whose labor and intelligence produce wealth. A tax reduction is not government spending except in the convoluted sense of socialist elitists who believe they own everything and they alone know what and in what quantity is best for the masses.

Government is necessary and valuable. Its primary functions are to restrain evil, maintain internal peace and order, and keep its citizens secure. It needs to encourage individual liberty and personal responsibility. The details of how these are accomplished are matters of legitimate debate. One thing not subject debate is what government owns. It owns nothing.

by Kevin Kane

The City Council tonight approved by a 6-1 vote an ordinance giving itself greater authority over the Carmel Redevelopment Commission.

The council approved amendments to the ordinance that created the CRC in 1989, adding text requiring the commission to get approval from the council before taking on new debt. Previously, the CRC only had to seek the council’s OK for municipal bonds, but the approved amendments now require the commission to bring before the council all forms of new debt – such as installment purchase contracts or notes of participation.

“I do believe the action we’ve taken tonight might be the most important we’ve done in my time on the council,” Council President Rick Sharp said.

A recent financial report from the CRC shows the commission has issued nearly $249 million in debt, though slightly more than $140 million was not approved by the council.

Councilman Ron Carter, former CRC president and the only councilor to vote against the changes, said he is not opposed to the council overseeing the CRC’s finances as long as politics are not involved.

“(Before 1996) Nothing was happening on Main Street. Nothing was happening on Range Line. And if we had not had a revived redevelopment commission, nothing would have happened,” Carter said. “It is my hope my fellow City Council members, especially those who have not served on the CRC, will come to understand this and will act as a true partner in the ongoing redevelopment of our city, and not as an impediment.”

In recognition of their support, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden will be hosting a fun “Members Only” evening on Wednesday, July 11 from 5-8 p.m. The evening will consist of behind the scenes tours, free paddle boat and bumper boat rides, chances to win wonderful Zoo prizes and experiences, and entertainment by the Boom Squad. This evening is for current Zoo members only! Anyone whose Zoo Membership has expired, may renew at the Zoo or by visiting www.meskerparkzoo.com.

Greetings from Blondie, a 9-month-old DSH. Blondie is a super sweet girl who just craves love and attention. She will easily make the transition into any home! Blondie would love to find a family with children that will spend lots of time playing with her. She would also be just fine sharing her space with a feline friend. Blondie is such a wonderful little girl who will make an excellent addition to your family. She will bring lots of love and laughter to your home. For more information about Blondie, please visit our website, www.vhslifesaver.org or call (812) 426-2563.

EVANSVILLE, IN – Please join Mayor Lloyd Winnecke for the kick-off of Anchor Industries’ 2012 Wellness
Program on Tuesday, July 10, at 11 a.m. at Anchor Industries, 1100 Burch Drive.

Mayor Winnecke, Anchor Industries President and CEO Pete Mogavero and Anchor Vice President
Hubert Clark will invite company employees to accept the Mayor’s fitness challenge by taping an
exercise video filmed by health advocates from St. Mary’s Medical Center. Roger Krebsbach, Anchor’s
Director of Human Resources, will outline components of the Anchor 2012 Health and Safety Initiative.

Please note: Pete Mogavero, Hubert Clark and two employees who will be featured in the exercise video
will be available for interviews. The media is welcome to video tape the first three to five minutes of the
exercise video taping session. Guidelines for news coverage of the exercise video shoot will be explained
at the news conference.