Rendez-Zoo’s ‘Night of the Tiger’
Alice and Tom Ambrose plan fun
affair to celebrate the Sumatran tiger.
As a youngster, Alice Ambrose visited Phoenix Zoo on opening day in 1962. Her father, Bob Aylsworth, was the controller of Arizona Sand and Rock, the company which had done all the hardscape for the much-anticipated zoo. It didn’t disappoint.
“We spent a lot of time at the Zoo,” Alice recalls. “Back then, we used to get to ride the Galápagos tortoises.”
She still is enthusiastic about the Zoo, and so is her husband, Tom Ambrose. Together, they are chairing this year’s Rendez-Zoo, the Zoo’s annual fundraiser, which will be held Oct. 10. The Theme is Night of the Tiger.
You might say, Alice and her husband, Tom, met in the middle – in South Bend, Indiana. A New York native, Tom was a student at the University of Notre Dame. A third generation Phoenix native, she was a student at St. Mary’s College. Within a couple of years, both found their way to Arizona and shortly afterward, they married.
Tom is well-known in the Valley as a prolific and tireless supporter of community organizations. He worked for the Phoenix Suns for 37 years, 20 of which he led Phoenix Suns Charities. While with the Suns, at one point he served on 23 different community boards at the same time. He appreciates the community aspect of Phoenix Zoo. “So many different businesses and individuals in the community have come together to help form this zoo,” he notes.
He adds that “the volunteer group is one of the strongest in the nation. They are run efficiently and contribute a great deal of financial support as well as their time.”
Change is inevitable, says Alice, who is a retired CPA and a current docent at Phoenix Art Museum. She is inspired by how dynamic the Zoo has been. While children can no longer ride Galápagos tortoises, that’s OK, she says. “It’s grown and really changed its focus from being animals in cages to being about educational conservation. It’s not stagnant, and you can’t be.”
UP-CLOSE WITH THE ANIMALS
Tom shares a story that underscores some of the change in direction the Zoo has taken. With Ed Fox, he co-chaired the Zoo’s capital campaign that kicked off in 2008. As they were getting ready to launch the campaign, he took his then 4-year-old grandson Logan for a day at the Zoo. “He really got into it,” Tom says.
At the end of the day, Logan was exhausted, and his shoes and socks were wet. But he was happy.
“Of all the animals we saw today, what was your favorite?” Tom quizzed his grandson.
“The squirrel,” was Logan’s prompt response.
Just one thing: The Zoo doesn’t have a squirrel exhibit. On reflection, Tom realized that Logan liked the squirrel because he was able to get up close to one running through the park.
“One of the things we needed to change was to get the animals closer to the public rather than so far away in cages.”
NIGHT OF THE TIGER
This year’s fundraising event celebrates the Sumatran tiger and coincides with the near-completion of the Zoo’s new exhibit, Isle of the Tiger. The Sumatran Tiger Experience will afford guests an up-close view of the Zoo’s two Sumatran tigers, Hidiah and Suriya, as well as the Asian elephant. By the evening of Oct. 10, the enclosure will be finished for guests to see. Jai and Suriya will not yet have acclimated to the new habitat and so will not be in it. The grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 4.
Jai, Phoenix Zoo’s male Sumatran tiger
TAILGATE RECEPTION
Alice and Tom and their committee have put together a fun evening for Rendez-Zoo, beginning with TAILgate, the cocktail reception. Guests will enjoy a number of animal encounters, some photo opportunities, music by the dynamic women’s string ensemble Urban Electra, mystery boxes, food and beverage stations and a silent auction. No need for guests to worry they will lose their way: Tiger paw footprints will direct their path.
LAKESIDE DINNER & ENTERTAINMENT
Following the cocktail hour, guests will be seated lakeside to enjoy cuisine prepared by Chef Skip Hause of Fabulous Food. Unique metal table centerpieces will be crafted by Magnum Companies and available for purchase at the end of the evening. After a brief live auction, the Groove Merchants will provide music for dancing under the stars.
