Sold out Zoo La La fundraiser is not your average fashion show

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Bay Morris and Meg Morris model fashions from Beall’s. The event featured more than 35 models and 17 merchants. Numerous items were raffled. All proceeds provide support to the Frank Buck Zoo in the form of facility improvements, animals purchases and promotions. Staff photo by Jim Perry
One of the highlights of the Thursday afternoon Zoo La La fashion show was Frank Buck Zoo Director Susan Kleven bringing out unusual zoo inhabitants such as this barn owl to walk the runaway. Staff photo by Jim Perry

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August 10, 2012

Sold out Zoo La La fundraiser is not your average fashion show

By GREG RUSSELL, Register Staff Writer Gainesville Daily Register The Daily Register Fri Aug 10, 2012, 08:46 AM CDT

Gainesville — Frank Buck Zoo advocates organized an afternoon of high society by way of “Zoo La La,” a fashion show-themed fundraiser presented Thursday at Gainesville Civic Center.

An auction and several rounds of runway modeling highlighted the show, which had the goal of garnering $5,000 in proceeds for the Frank Buck Zoological Society.

Participants modeled clothing and accessories from Gainesville-area merchants, and visitors dined on catering by Glenda Ashwill.

“The idea was to let people know that we have fashion in Gainesville and to shop local and stay within Cooke County, which is what it’s all about,” said Zoological Society President Karen Cook. “To help our community.”

The society used the event to raise money for Frank Buck Zoo promotions, exhibits and animal purchases during 2013, many of which are too tentative to be announced.

But Zoo Director Susan Kleven said the addition of a red-ruffed lemur may be on the roster of projects in the next year, if possible.

And by design, Thursday’s event was not as elaborate as the annual Zoobilee, which still represents the society’s biggest fundraiser.

But Cook said the turnout was a sell-out number of 250 — and since some attendees paid extra money for premium tables, the goal was likely reached.

“We’re hoping to do this annually rather than just having the smaller events,” Cook said. “Zoobilee is the biggest and we’ll continue to do that. And I’m not sure what we’ll take out of the mix. But this seems to be something the ladies are interested in having, since they haven’t had any style shows in Gainesville in a long time.”

• Models at Thursday’s fundraiser included Ava McLeod, Bay Morris, Christy Morris, Meg Morris, Jackson Otts, Robin Rose, Kelly Corbett, Laurie Sawyer, Dick Haayen, Wally Cullum, Marilyn Koontz, Patty Haayen, Janis Skupin, Kimberly Cain, Mary Jump, Patti Wallace, Jamie Davis, Chisam Cain, Jennifer Goldsworthy, Claire Reed, Elizabeth Neal, Boogie Cullum, Karen Cook, Nancy Moore, Sara Wallace, Laura Otts, Linda Ellender, Sandra Currie, Susan Kleven, Kaylee Patchakos, Lisa Tweed Barnett and Jim Perry.

• Participating merchants included Beall’s, B Hive, Brejeweled Gifts, Cato, Cavender’s, Chapman’s, Dress Barn, Girlfriends, Lovejoy’s, Purple Umbrella, Rustic Ranch, Steppin’ Out, Sunny Paige, Texas Star Embroidery, Kinne’s Jewelers, Cahoot’s Handbags and Frank Buck Zoo.

The event was sponsored by First State Bank, Cahoot’s Handbags and Kinne’s Jewelers.

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Sold out Zoo La La fundraiser is not your average fashion show

Gainesville City Council has proposed an ordinance that would place restrictions on smoking in certain public areas in the city. How do you feel the council should handle the issue?

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