The San Francisco Zoo reopened the “Big Cat” exhibit to the public this past week, which was newly renovated after the fatal incident when the Siberian Tiger, Tatiana, killed a teenager and mauled two others last December.

After two months of being kept indoors, the SF Zoo’s lions and tigers have relocated to their new pen with raised walls, new glass barriers, electrified wires (to keep the animals from trying to escape). Fear not for your safety, the exhibit walls now meet national guideline standards and have been raised to the recommended height of 16.4 feet.

There are over 200 zoos and aquariums in the U.S. So, if you’re in the mood to go outdoors and get a rare glimpse of wild, exotic animals and endangered species, here are our top 5 recommendations:

1 . The San Diego Zoo is world-famous. It’s located just north of downtown San Diego, and is the place to see giant pandas. More than 4,000 animals are spread out over 100 acres. Other exhibit highlights include the new Ituri Forest with its hippos and myriad primates, and Australasia, which has the largest koala colony on this continent.

2. Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida spans over 500 acres with more than 1700 animals throughout the park. They even feature a ride on the Kilimajaro Safari that will take you throughout the kingdom, as though you were being taken through an African Savannah.

3. The Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington D.C. was founded in 1889 and is a part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex. More than 2 million people visit the 163 acre campus every year. The zoo is perhaps best known for its Giant Panda exhibit, and it’s Cheetah Conservation Station and Amazonia, a simulated rain forest.

4. The Bronx Zoo in New York is the largest network of metropolitan zoos in the country with exhibits featuring over 4,000 animals. They’ve got lowland gorillas in their famous Congo Gorilla Forest, leopards in the naturalistic Himalyan Highland Habitat, and nearly an acre of indoor Asian rain forest with an impressive variet of the world’s most amazing wildlife.

5. The Saint Louis Zoo houses more than 17, 900 exotic animals and also features “behind the scenes” tours to see what it’s like to be a zookeeper, giving you a chance to see wildlife up close: penguins, giant tortoises, giraffes, legless lizard, and more. *Just be sure to schedule your tour 3 weeks in advance!*  Oh, and one other notable mention, admission is FREE!
Flickr Photo Credits - Sumatran Tiger by Nikographer, Panda Mei by Somesai, and Peacock Spiffy by Lab2112

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Did you know that this is your last chance to view a TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE until December 20, 2010? That’s quite some time to wait! A total lunar eclipse takes place when a full moon passes into the Earth’s shadow and is blocked from the sun’s rays, which ordinarily illuminates it. During the eclipse, the Earth will line up directly between the Sun and the Moon, which will be covered by the Earth’s shadow. The cool thing is that the full moon will actually turn yellowish and then appear blood red, rusty or grey, depending on the atmospheric conditions on Earth.

Reuter’s News interviewed a Royal Astronomical Society spokesperson who said: “The lunar eclipse promises to be a spectacular sight. Unlike the solar equivalent, the whole event is quite safe to watch and needs no special equipment.”

Check out the eclipse with your naked eye! Several museums and observatories across the continent are hosting special sightings tonight, February 20, 2008:

• “Total Lunar Eclipse Viewing at OMSI” at 5:43pm - 9:09pm at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland, OR
• “Moonlighting With Total Lunar Eclipse” at 8:00pm - 10:00pm at Wild Basin Wilderness in Austin, TX
• “Lunar Eclipse Watch” at 9:00pm - 10:30pm at the Arboretum on Alumni Drive in Lexington, KY
• “Lunar Eclipse Hike” at 9:00pm - 10:30pm at North Chagrin Nature Center - North Chagrin Reservation in Mayfield Village, OH
• “Lunar Eclipse: Free Star Party” at 8:30pm at the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa, Ontario
• “Total Eclipse of the Moon” at 9:00pm - 11:00pm at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, MA

If you’d like to learn more about the science behind the total lunar eclipse, visit NASA’s website!

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Marilyn Monroe’s seductive version of the “Happy Birthday” song sure gave a new meaning to the phrase, “Happy Birthday, Mr. President.” But on Monday, February 16th, we’ll be celebrating President’s Day to recognize the birthday of the first President of the United States: George Washington. It may be a good excuse to stay home from work/school or take advantage of President’s Day shopping sales…yet there are also many interesting ways to commemorate the man who has been repeatedly ranked by scholars as one of the greatest presidents in U.S. history.

Celebrate President’s Day with a walk back in time to the founding of our nation. The Revolutionary War Walking Tour will take you through the streets of lower Manhattan to discover what New York City was like during the revolutionary era. Walk to the steps of Federal Hall, rally at the liberty pole and learn about the pivotal conflict in U.S. history.

Or, join fellow New Englanders at the Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts, to honor the life and achievements of George Washington. You’ll toast the president, learn a 19th century dance, and help make a Washington cake!

Visit Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens near Alexandria, Virginia, which is the location of President Washington’s plantation home on the banks of the Potomac River. George Washington resided at Mount Vernon from the time of his marriage to Martha Washington to his death. Visitors can also visit their burial ground where wreathlaying ceremonies are held daily.

Mount Vernon is open seven days a week, 365 days of the year. You’re invited to discover Washington’s life and history, as you explore the mansion house and buildings, including the slave quarters, kitchen, stables, greenhouse, and gardens.

Photo credit (Portrait): Flickr User s0crates82

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Valentine’s day is only 4 days away. Oddly, Neil Diamond’s classic song, “Turn On Your Heartlight” popped into my mind. Sure, it’s a bizarre choice when there are countless love songs out there to choose from…but then again, why not? Valentine’s Day is all about HEARTS! Maybe you’re a sappy romantic…maybe you’re someone who’s been obliged to recognize the holiday (due to the expectations of a certain significant other?), or perhaps you’re just one of those people who looks forward to those delicious chalky Sweetheart candies…there’s something for everyone to do on Valentine’s Day.

Here are the TOP 10 THINGS TO DO ON VALENTINE’S DAY:

Number 10

Reenact your first date - Get nostalgic with your significant other. Women love it when their men remember the details of the past. It’s like celebrating an anniversary…but more festive!

Number 9

Enjoy a romantic dinner for two at your favorite restaurant…or try something new and interesting — how about chocolate fondue at The Melting Pot? If you’re not too embarrassed about PDA, you can lick the chocolate off one another!

Number 8

Indulge your significant other with a massage, or better yet — reserve a couples massage at your local spa.

Number 7

Cuddle up and watch a romantic movie like Atonement, Juno, or P.S. I Love You.

Number 6

Share a bottle of champagne at a local wine bar — it’s the perfect time to pop open the bubbly!

Number 5

Spend time with your family and make Valentine crafts and cards or sweets with your kids!

Number 4

Reserve a hotel room and take a romantic weekend getaway!

Number 3

Get out of the house (even though it’s a weeknight) for some entertainment and treat yourselves to a night out on the town! Try a comedy show, symphony performance, or art exhibit!

Number 2

Want to satisfy that huge craving for chocolate? Visit a Chocolate Factory for a delectable tasting of all kinds of confections!

Number 1

Most importantly, just spend time with your loved one — focus entirely on one another for the entire evening and have a fun!

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

*Flickr Photo credit: Sweetheart Candies by Thorne Enterprises

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