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You may have noticed that the swing sets of metal that have been the standard in playgrounds for so many years are slowly being superseded by the wooden swing set. The process is moving in a very gradual way because after all, the sturdy play sets of metal tend to last a long time, and have stood up to a lot of wear and tear over time. But improvements can always be made, and in more recent years, designers’ thoughts have turned toward keeping this playground equipment both durable and safe.

Make no mistake; the metal swing set has certainly stood the test of time. If it’s made of galvanized steel, it will be rust-resistant, but no matter how they were designed, all of these metal sets have served the public well over the years. But with an eye to adding a bit more security, people began switching to the specially treated wooden swing set and are gradually replacing those made of the harder material with less give.

In colder climates, for example, there has always been the risk of a child’s skin becoming frozen to the metal on the older play sets. And during a hot summer, there’s the reverse problem of a child being burned by the over-heated metal. On the other hand, a swing set made of wood, while it also cools down and heats up, doesn’t hit nearly the temperature extremes as metal does. Yes, if not properly maintained, wood can be subject to rotting; however, if these sets are made of pressure treated lumber, then this decay is much less likely.

It may seem a bit shallow to prefer a wooden swing set simply for esthetic reasons, but the look of the set can also be a factor in what is chosen. Since this play structure will be a prominent feature of the back yard, it’s an advantage that the wood can be stained to match other elements of yard furniture, like a picnic or patio table and chairs, or even the fence. With the multitude of accessories and add-ons that are available, the owner can make their wood swing set into not just a play area for the kids, but a showpiece of creativity.

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Visiting animal parks is a wonderful way to observe wild animals up close and personal. Today’s most world famous animal habitats offer larger, more open-air enclosures and closer encounters with animals. They may house rare and endangered species that can’t be found elsewhere. Parks like the National Zoological Gardens in South Africa let people camp out overnight. The Chester Zoo in England has a special “zoo keeper for a day” program. Enjoy a special wine tasting event at the Cincinnati Zoo. The world’s best zoological societies are finding new and innovative ways to capture an animal lover’s heart.

It should come as no surprise that America houses many of the world’s best animal habitats. In New York City, the 265-acre Bronx Zoo is home to over 6,000 animals, many of which are on the endangered species list. The Bronx has been operating its animal center since 1889 as the largest of the metropolitan animal parks and was the first place to house (and breed) rare snow leopards. Additionally, it’s the first park to house a predator-prey animal exhibit, where lions and gazelles are separated merely by dry moats, and it was also the first zoological center to host an educational program. Visitors love the Wild Asia tramway monorail, the indoor JungleWorld display and the 6.5-acre Congo Monkey Forest, which is the largest man-made rainforest in the world. Guests will also see a number of babies at this bustling breeding facility, including dwarf mongoose, lemur, okapi, sea lion, rhino, lion and pit viper species.

The Philadelphia Zoo is one of the modern animal parks to embrace natural habitat design. Its cage-less model offers rare views of giant Rodrigues fruit bats, naked mole rats, blue-eyed lemurs, tree kangaroos, black jaguars, amur tigers, red pandas, clouded leopards, warthogs, reticulated giraffes, giant anteaters and other rare animals. The Philadelphia facility offers a number of kids’ programs and also houses the nation’s best animal hospital facility. They are the only zoological park that breeds giant otters in North America. Their McNeil Bird House features two species that are extinct in the wild: the Guam rail and the Micronesian kingfisher.

There are also a number of European animal parks that make the list of the world’s best foreign zoos. The Basel Zoo in Switzerland hosts more than 6,000 animals and 600 species, including the dwarf hippopotami, scarab beetles and Nile crocodiles, as well as a number of baby animals born at their breeding program, such as cheetahs, Indian rhinoceros, pygmy hippos and Somali wild asses. Beauval Zoo in France began in 1980 as an aviary with 2,000 birds but later introduced over 4,000 exotic animals like red kangaroos, West Indian manatees, tarsiers, toucans, white lions, white leopards and gorillas.

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Autumn is a great time to visit a children’s zoo, given the number of special programs geared toward kids. For instance, the Henry Vilas Zoo has trick-or-treating, a fun house and music. Fort Wayne Zoo has a mystery maze, meet-Broomhilda-the-Witch, a petting zoo, pumpkin bowling, carnival games and a haunted train ride. The National Zoo in Washington DC has haunted trails, trick-or-treating, animal encounters and festive decor. Your family can get fall discounts at the National Aquarium in Baltimore ($8 instead of $29.95) and kids are free at the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park for the entire month of October (down from $26/$18). The Indianapolis Zoo also reduces their prices during the month of November. Additionally, “Crowds are down and animals are more active due to cooler temperatures,” says Allen Nyhuis, co-author of “America’s Best Zoos,” a guide book for families.

The top children’s zoo, according to Child Magazine, is the 56-acre Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida, where your child can see 1,614 exotic animals. The Australian-themed petting zoo lets the kids feed pet kangaroos and wallabies, mimic sheep herding and visit a water-play area with animal fountains and statues. Your kids will love the Safari Africa exhibit, featuring giraffes, elephants, zebras, warthogs, bongos and African ground hornbill birds. The “Spirit of the Skies” show features high-flying hawks, bald eagles, vultures and owls. Kids can hold lorikeets and feed them nectar, pet koi fish, ride on a camel, feed sting rays and act at a summer camp. With 35 educational programs designed to leave lasting impressions on youngsters, you can be sure your kids will never forget this trip to the zoo. For more information, visit www.lowryparkzoo.com.

Special at the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois, another top children’s zoo, is the 2,000-seat “Dolphinarium” shows, their 20-species butterfly showcase, bar-less panda and black rhino displays and Hamill Family Play Zoo, where kids can play in a fake animal hospital, plant gardens, dress up in animal costumes, paint murals, build animal exhibit habitats and pet animals. On the third Saturday of every month, kids between the ages of 5 and 10 will enjoy painting, sculpting, games, journals, mural-making and discussions geared toward their age group. All in all, you’ll see 5,938 exotic animals in this 216-acre park. For more information, visit www.brookfieldzoo.org.

New York City’s Bronx Zoo is another top zoo for kids, with 4,427 animals on 265-acres. The best thing about this zoo is its education programs that include summer camps, animal-themed plays, scavenger hunts, day camps, craft making and classes about animal studying technology. “Our zoo is a living classroom,” says Richard Lattis, general director. “Children are constant fountains of knowledge who are going to keep adults headed toward saving wildlife.” For more information, visit www.bronxzoo.com. Other great zoos for kids to check out include the Toledo Zoo, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo and the Columbus Zoo.

Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed cure panic attack cures as well as tips on the various anxiety disorder medication available at anxietydisordercure.com.

Just about every local zoo offers some sort of zoo education program for students, parents, teachers and individuals who are interested in animals, conservation efforts or the zoo keeper’s daily tasks. Sometimes you can get a glimpse of animals moving about at night, while other times you can try your hand at creating your own zoo animal exhibit. There are activities, tours and special lectures for visitors of all ages. Read on about some of the best animal education programs.

A London Zoo has recently received two awards for its zoo education programs. In 2004, the United Kingdom’s Chester Zoo won the Sandford Award (run by The Council for Environmental Education). Judges called the Chester zoological park “an excellent resource” and said that “nothing could compare to seeing live, wild animals at close quarters.” In 2009, the zoo won this same award again. Zoo head of Discovery and Learning, Stephen McKeown, explained: “The awards take into account our whole approach to conservation education, including taught educational discovery programs for schools, interactive materials, award-winning signage at animal enclosures around the zoo and extensive library facilities. What makes us different from a normal classroom is the environment we occupy and the 7,000 animals within it. Seeing and handling things from live snakes to snake skins and exploring the x-rays of animals opens up a whole new world that more and more students are now taking advantage of.” The Chester Zoo is just one of many parks offering unprecedented access to exotic animals.

Many opportunities are available for zoo education at the Houston Zoo. As their mission statement plainly says: “By promoting connections with the natural world through diverse learning experiences, we strive to empower others to inquire, act and conserve.” Teachers and students can visit the zoo for free and enjoy a number of special activities, including an Adventure Class (where students touch animals and artifacts in a hands-on lab simulation), Eco-Tracks (where students watch a 30-minute video and take a self-guided tour) or Critter Encounters (where students watch a factual 20-minute presentation). There are also overnight adventures, which include dinner, continental breakfast, interactive activities, petting zoos, guided walks and two park admissions for $45. Kids ages 10-12 can attend Zoo Keeper Camp to learn about the day-to-day activities of animal caregivers for $425. Other “Zoofari” camp events allow children to build their own large-scale animal zoo, learn how species adapt to new environments and partner up with conservationists.

Some zoos cater more to little ones with their zoo education programs, trying to instill an early interest in animals, biology and conservation, while other zoo programs concentrate on making it easier for older kids to learn about zoo philosophy, zoo keeper’s activities and pursuing a rewarding life-long career as a veterinarian, animal caregiver, animal exhibit designer, zoo director, animal trainer expert, breeder of baby animals or nonprofit organizer. There are ample opportunities to make a difference in this world, but how many are as rewarding and enjoyable as a career at the zoo?

Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed anxiety therapy as well as tips on the various medications for panic disorder available at anxietydisordercure.com.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums managed over 450 animal programs, including Species Survival Plan programs, Population Management plans and Reintroduction to the Wild initiatives. This nonprofit organization began in 1924 as an instrument of zoo conservation, animal research and a way of enforcing the Animal Welfare Act. AZA-accredited zoos care for over 900,000 animals and generate more than $8.4 billion each year, which is no small feat! The prestige that this organization brings to a zoo is unquestionable, but more important is the amount of clamor they bring to the public sphere.

The AZA has many zoo conservation programs underway. In 2007, they announced some of their greatest success stories. For instance, the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle nests are being protected along the Mexican Gulf Coast, with hundreds being added each year. Grevy’s zebras are being conserved in Kenya, thanks to the work of a Saint Louis Zoo. The Great White Shark is being preserved at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where the animal exhibit hopes to change the public’s perception of these infamous trophy creatures. Butterfly monitoring in Florida, marmots at the Toronto Zoo and bald eagles in San Francisco are all successful programs underway.

The World Wildlife Federation has also been credited with much zoo conservation work. In 2009, they proudly announced the shift in rhinoceros populations from 8,466 to 14,500 white rhinos and 2,599 to 4,000 black rhinos. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Virunga National Park increased its number of mountain gorillas significantly. The panda reserves have also been protected over the past year. Over the winter, the Bhutan Wangchuck Centennial Park was set up as the only place on Earth where tigers and snow leopards live together. There is now a 10-year plan to protect Coral Triangle reef marine life. The Sumatran forest will now be a home for even more tigers, elephants, rhinos and orangutans, now that the Tesso Nilo National Park has been doubled in size. Thanks to the work of dedicated Americans, more and more species will thrive for years to come.

Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed stop panic attack as well as tips on the various anxiety disorder medication available at anxietydisordercure.com.

Pregnancy & Nutrition

You are besides yourself with joy as you see that your pregnancy test is postive. You find yourself already caressing your stomach in hopes that your little one can feel you. The next nine months are going to be an exciting time for you and your baby. You are going to have a human life grow inside of you and feel them move as they get bigger. Your baby is going to go from a single sperm and egg into pounds of adorable flesh that you can’t help but kiss over and over again. It truly is a miracle.

In order to help this miracle along, it is essential for you to eat as good as you can through out most of your pregnancy. The first three months might be a little difficult to eat balanced meals when you are dealing with food aversions and morning sickness.

Making sure you eat balanced nutritious meals is laying down the foundation for your baby. A diet of junk food is not going to help your baby with bone development and organ formation. Potato chips will not help with brain development.

Eating well during pregnancy is going to help your baby eat well after it is born and on solid foods. As your pregnancy progresses, some of what you eat will cross the placenta and the taste will be in your baby’s amniotic fluid. Babies swallow this fluid and their taste buds are so develop that even in the womb they are able to taste the flavors. Doctors believe that babies who are exposed to a wide variety of fruit and vegetables while in utero have less of a chance of being a fussy eater later in life. They believe that these are the babies who will eat their fruit and vegetables without putting up any fight.

Doctors also believe that moms who drink their milk through out their pregnancy have an easier time weaning their babies from formula or breast milk to regular milk. This however is only one benefit, the other benefit of drinking milk throughout your pregnancy is all the calcium you will be giving your baby’s bones. Many doctors recommend that you drink at least one eight oz glass of milk, usually fat free a day. Calcium is a must have your baby’s bones and his teeth, even though you won’t see his teeth for at least a few months.

This isn’t to say that you have to stay away from all sweets all the time. You can indulge every now and then and thanks to cravings you may find yourself wanting sweets more often than not. You do have to keep it in moderation. Being pregnant should not be looked at as an excuse to eat whatever you want for nine months. Both you and your baby could pay a dear price.

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