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The Timberwolves hosted a Read to Achieve Reading Time Out at the Minnesota Zoo on March 16. Forward Mark Madsen and All-Star Reading Team members Jordana Green and Tom Smith read "Dolphin's First Day" and "We Are Dolphins" to Rosemount Elementary School fourth-grade students.

The students then participated in an up-close dolphin viewing opportunity in Discovery Bay, where trainers demonstrated learning behaviors. The Minnesota Zoo's five dolphins, Semo, Rio, DJ, Ayla, and baby Spree, currently participate in three daily shows.

In an effort to promote the importance of reading, online literacy and parent/child reading, the NBA, the WNBA, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx have developed a year-round program called Read to Achieve. The program, which targets children ages 6-11, includes monthly reading events (Reading Time Outs), a local and national All-Star Reading Team, the development and/or refurbishing of reading centers, local book donations, public service announcements, interactive website activities and in-arena promotions.

The Minnesota Zoo, located on 500 acres in Apple Valley, is just minutes south of Mall of America. For more information, call 952-431-9500 or visit www.mnzoo.org. The Minnesota Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things.