ZOOMG, Relax

Many people have the day off today; many others don't, and will drudge away in their air-conditioned nightmare of a cubicle until quitting time. And then? Home to family? No — off to the Saint Louis Zoo in Forest Park (314-781-0900 or www.stlzoo.org) for North Star Summer Zoo Evenings, and specifically, Jungle Boogie Friday. After a full day of spreadsheets and corporate productivity e-mails — it's like an ulcer you read! — there's no better tonic than walking through Schnucks Plaza with a dripping North Star Popsicle in hand, and listening to hordes of happy children squeal with delight. Between 5 and 8 p.m., you can listen to a flamingo keeper discuss the care and feeding of the long-legged birds, or learn about the shorter-legged penguins from a penguin keeper; enjoy the dips and dives of the sea lions when they're being fed; plant yourself by the stage and enjoy a musical performance (Kim Massie puts the boogie in Jungle Boogie tonight); or just stroll around, observing how the animals unwind after a long day of animalizing. Admission is free, but you'll need cash for treats and eats. Go ahead, you're worth it.
Fri., July 3, 2009