Search Results for: blog phillys wild side

National Wildlife Day: How You Can Help

Last month I wrote about National Dog Day sponsored by the Animal Miracle Foundation. Today is another AMF sponsored day, National Wildlife Day. What It’s About Initially the woman who created these days, Colleen Paige, was going to have this one fall on June 6th. However, she changed it to September 4th to honor “the last day that Steve Irwin graced this planet.” The goal is to raise awareness of the non-domestic creatures those of us who are urban dwellers may forget about. The ones who are endangered or otherwise threatened, but who can be saved with a little help … Continue reading →

Going Wild In Miami

Miami, Florida is a wild place to be no matter what time of year you visit. And, I’m not referring to the late night parties in South Beach. I’m talking about the Java macaques, capuchins, gibbons, and spider monkeys that call the tropical locale home. They are the wild ones your children will want to get up close and personal with on your trip to the sunny city. If you have animal-loving children here’s where you want to take them the next time you are in Miami: Miami Metrozoo Located 20 minutes southwest of Miami International Airport, the zoo is … Continue reading →

Los Angeles Zoo’s Newest Resident

You now have one more reason to visit the Los Angeles Zoo. For those of you who have never made the trip, the L.A. Zoo is one of the only places in the world where you can see the rare and endangered Sumatran rhino and Arabian Oryx living within walking distance of each other. But these days it is a slightly less exotic animal that is drawing big crowds to the metropolitan zoo. His name is Reggie. He measures 7 1/2–feet-long, weighs about 115 pounds and… he’s an alligator. But, not just any alligator… Reggie, the alligator has a storied … Continue reading →

Philadelphia’s Green Side

As the nation’s sixth largest city, Philadelphia is better known for its concrete jungles than its botanical jungles. But that’s not to say the “City of Brotherly Love” is void of beautiful green spaces. Contrary to popular belief, the area is home to some incredibly family friendly attractions, which display nature at its best. Fairmount Park Fairmont Park is considered the largest urban park in the nation. It consists of more than 8,000 acres of trees, trails and rivers. One of the park’s most popular venues is the 25-mile long Schuylkill River Trail, which begins in downtown Philly at Locust … Continue reading →

Florida Airport Going to the Dogs and L.A. Zoo’s Newest Attraction

Southwest Florida International Airport is going to the dogs. Make that “A” dog. A very smart border collie named Radar to be exact. The 9-year-old pooch earned his name by helping airport officials patrol the runway. Radar’s job: chase away birds and other critters that could be sucked into aircraft engines. It’s a serious task and one Radar has effectively mastered since being hired back in 2001. Airport administrators say border collies like Radar scare the birds but don’t harm them. Only, airport workers say they can’t take credit for coming up with the pooch patrol idea. The military was … Continue reading →

How You Can Join in on Pittsburgh’s 250th Birthday Party

The Steel City is throwing a massive birthday blowout and you’re all invited. Pittsburgh turns the big 2-5-0 next year and to commemorate the occasion city leaders are hosting a series of events throughout 2008 in hopes people from this country and those throughout the world will travel to the area to help celebrate. In the process city officials are hoping to change the way people perceive the city. Tourism officials say their goal is to get visitors to realize that Pittsburgh is no longer “a smoky steel town but a city with a thriving cultural district, world-class universities and … Continue reading →

Cool Ice Skating Spots

Tomorrow morning my 3-year-old daughter will strap on ice skates for the first time. But, only time will tell if she’ll remain upright during our historic skating adventure. She’ll have me to cling onto, not to mention three of her playgroup pals, so I’m sure she’ll be fine. Fingers crossed. Yes, it’s that time of year again… winter sports season. And if you have children then you will likely be looking for any and all outdoor activities to combat cabin fever. Though, in most cases you don’t have to travel far to find a decent ice skating rink. For those … Continue reading →

Museum Mania in Philly

Philadelphia is home to a host of America’s most historic relics. It also boasts the nation’s oldest natural history museum. It’s not exactly as old as the dinosaurs that stand tall within its walls, but the Academy of Natural Sciences is getting ready to celebrate a big birthday. The major milestone—birthday number 200—won’t get underway for another four years, but the institution is already planning for a multi-million dollar extravaganza, complete with new exhibits and additional family-friendly attractions. Museum directors are not revealing all the details of their master plan, but did release bits of information, including the news that … Continue reading →

“The Office” Convention—Are You Going?

Yet, another reason to visit Pennsylvania (as if I haven’t given you enough already). Residents of Scranton, Pennsylvania brace yourselves… Die-hard fans of NBC’s hit show “The Office” will soon be invading your neighborhoods. This weekend the city where the fictitious Emmy Award-winning sitcom is set is hosting a gigantic shindig for every one of its loyal fans that dares to show up. While the concept for the blowout is funny, the party is no joke. The inaugural “Office Convention” is the real deal and promises to be as quirky as the show itself. Event organizers say fans will be … Continue reading →

Day Trips From New York City

I love the Food Network. I have been a die-hard fan for years—-long before Giada, Paula Deen, and the Barefoot Contessa came on the scene. I’ve been glued since Bobby Flay engaged in his first battle against Jack McDavid on Grillin’ and Chillin’. I’ve been hooked since the Two Hot Tamales whipped up their very first champurrado. And, of course, I became a true blue Iron Chef fan since the instant I saw chef Masaharu Morimoto whack the heck out of a fresh lobster. When the famous Japanese chef opened his new restaurant, Morimoto, in Philadelphia I was so disappointed. … Continue reading →