Visiting Woodland Park Zoo just got a little easier for iPhone users. A new application features a GPS-enabled zoo map with “Near Me” recommendations, a daily schedule of zoo activities, educational animal fact sheets, a “Friend Finder” that shows where other iPhone users in your zoo party are, easy access to Facebook and Twitter, and more.
Go to the iTunes App Store and search for Woodland Park Zoo to download the 99-cent application. Proceeds from each sale go toward the zoo's animal care, education, conservation and operations costs. For other brands of “smartphones,” there's a mobile version of the zoo's Web site (www.zoo.org), without the GPS features.
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Other ODDS & ENDS from our editor's desk …
Christmas Ships
The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival is a holiday tradition that is quintessentially Pacific Northwest. The Christmas Ship season begins Nov. 28 at the Kirkland City Dock, and continues at different ports daily through Dec. 23. The lead ship, the Spirit of Seattle, is decorated with thousands of white lights, and leads a group of Argosy parade boats and private vessels. The Spirit of Seattle carries a different choir each night, and holiday songs are broadcast to shore via loudspeakers. Some communities sponsor onshore bonfires, and onlookers are welcome to join in singing. Look online for the Christmas Ship Festival schedule. Passengers are welcome onboard the Spirit of Seattle (adults $35, children ages 5 to 12 $19, kids ages 4 and younger free) or the Argosy parade boats (adults $25, kids ages 5 to 12 $12, children ages 4 and younger free). A portion of the sales goes to benefit The Seattle Times' Fund for the Needy. The boats do fill up, so preregister now. 206-623-1445. www.argosycruises.com.
Military Recognition Day
In honor of Veteran's Day, some local venues open their doors for free on Wednesday, Nov. 11 to members of the military, and in some cases, their families, too. Be sure to bring military identification cards. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Who: Active duty military and their household family members. Children under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult with military identification. Where: 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma When: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact: 253-591-5337; www.pdza.org
Northwest Trek Who: Active duty military and their household family members. Children under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult with military identification. Where: 11610 Trek Drive E., Eatonville When: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact: 360-832-6117; www.nwtrek.org
Museum of History & Industry Who: Veterans and members of the Armed Forces Where: McCurdy Park, 2700 24th Ave. E., Seattle When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact: 206-324-1126; www.seattlehistory.org
Museum of Flight Who: U.S. veterans and current U.S. military personnel Where: 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact: 206-764-5720; www.museumofflight.org
