Hot day - cold ice cream

calmicecream031: Hot day - cold ice cream

While the California Living Museum (CALM) couldn’t do anything about the sizzling Saturday temperatures of July 12, it did offer an entertaining diversion with an enjoyable way to avoid cooking. It was CALM’s annual Country Barbecue and Ice Cream Social which took place from 6-9 p.m., when temperatures were cooling.

Approximately 250 visitors took advantage of a shredded beef or chicken dinner including beans, salsa, salad and bread. Afterwards, they had a real opportunity to cool off by making their own sundaes with ice cream from Rosemary’s Family Creamery, which they did with a passion. Over 25 gallons of ice cream were consumed.

Early arrivals were entertained by CALM’s newest resident bear cub Cinnamon, who was on display from 6-7 p.m. Cinnamon is being introduced to his habitat in short intervals to ease him into the new environment gradually.

Speaking of entertainment, visitors had a chance to kick up their heels to a live country and western band with the appropriate name — Wild Horses.

The event had a real family feel to it with a variety of games planned for the children. Some played CALM bingo. Others felt more at home with the ring or ping pong ball tosses. There was even a game called butterfly metamorphosis which one had to experience to fully understand how it’s played.

An opportunity drawing presented the chance to win a DVD player, children’s BMX bike, gift certificates, live plants, locally grown fresh fruit and gift baskets.

Once the food had been consumed, the sundaes savored, the music heard and the games played, the biggest draw at CALM — the animals — were out to play in the cooler weather much to the obvious enjoyment of all members of the family. CALM docents strolled the grounds displaying ambassador animals, giving new, young and curious visitors a chance to come face-to-face with animals outside their enclosures. Reactions varied from surprise and amazement to laughter.

During warm times, visitors took full advantage of the shade-producing trees, located near refreshing streams and admired the well-manicured beauty of CALM’s natural landscape.

Sponsors and donors for this year’s event included Action Sports, Advance Beverage/Budweiser, Champs BBQ & Catering, Chuy’s Mesquite Broiler, Kern County Museum, Rosemary’s Family Creamery, Sunridge Nurseries, Trader Joes Company, Wal-Mart Stores and Yellow Book.

CALM is located between Lake Ming and Hart Park on Alfred Harrell Highway. Regular operating hours are 9 a.m-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday. CALM only houses animals that have been injured or cannot survive in their native environment. All animals and plants found at CALM are native to California.

For more information, check the CALM website at http://www.calmzoo.org/.
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