Family valued 7.27.05 

Awesome cuteness

As members of Rochester's Seneca Park Zoo, my daughter and I have visited frequently this summer to see the awesome cuteness of the three new tiger cubs. The male and two females Amur tiger cubs were born May 21 to mother Kira (her third litter). The kittens are out quite a bit, but are video monitored if they happen to be napping. Time moves quickly with all kittens, so if you want to see them, act now.

Another new cool cat is at the new cougar display. Cougar, puma, mountain lion, cuguacuacuarana... call it what you will, I'm afraid it's awesome. The special new display puts kids safely eye-to-eye with two full-grown pumas, providing an experience in animal education that television can't provide.

This summer's visiting animals, two American black bears, have been having fun soaking in and pounding apart their large metal tub. They don't mind mugging for the crowd and I've actually seen them posing for photos (no, not really).

Changes are underway for new housings for both the elephants and the orangutans. Making changes to the park's historic Fredrick Law Olmstead design --- one of Rochester's known 21 --- is creating more space but also controversy. Is it worth changing a space designed by the "founding father of landscape design" in order to have a more modern and fair space for the zoo's collection? Don Alhart reported fairly recently that Lowell, the large male orangutan, had locked a keeper in his cage while he went for a walk. Lowell is no fool.

The Seneca Park Zoo is at 2222 St Paul Street. It's open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tix: $7, $6 seniors, $4 kids. 467-9453, www.senecaparkzoo.org

--- Dave Cross

This week for families

Amazing Maize & Back 40 Activity Area Sat, July 30-Sept. Long Acre Farms, 1342 Macedon, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 315-986-9821, www.longacrefarms.com

Central Library Mon, Aug 1. Evening with Genesee Storytellers, ages 5 and up, Children's Center, 115 South Ave, 7-7:45 p.m. Free. Register. 428-8150

Corning Museum of Glass Wed, July 27. Scales & Tales, 11 a.m. | Wed, Aug 3. Songs & Glass, 11 a.m. | 1 Museum Way, Corning, 607-974-8124, www.cmog.org

Family Summer Concert Series Sundays. Total Sports Experience, 880 Elmgrove Rd, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Geneva Historical Society Wed, July 27. Scrapbook Secrets. 1-3 p.m. $3 | Wed, Aug 3. Victorian Girls' Day, 1-4 p.m. $10 | 543 S Main St, Geneva, 315-789-5151

Henrietta Public Library Mondays, Family Pajama Story time, 7-7:30 p.m. | Tuesdays, Jumbles, 10:30-11:30 a.m. (grades 1-3) | Fridays, Movies, 2 p.m. | Wednesdays, Toddler Story times, 10:30 a.m. (preschool). | Thursdays, Preschool Story time, 10:15-10:45 a.m. (ages 3-4) | Thursdays, Story time, 11-11:30 a.m. (age 5) | Wed, July 27. Cooking with Sandra, 7-8:30 p.m. Register. (ages 8 & up) | Tues, Aug 2. My Farm. 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Wed, Aug 3. Dragons, Demons & Heroes Art Program. 2-4:30 p.m. (ages 10 & up) | 455 Calkins Rd. 359-7092

Ice Cream Social Wed, July 27. Westgate Park, 1489 Howard Rd, Gates, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Register. 247-6100 x 234

Ontario County Historical Museum Wed, July 27. Historical Read. 55 N Main St, Canandaigua, 394-4975

Photography Workshops for Kids Thurs, July 28. Unique Polaroid Transfers, George Eastman House 900 East Ave, 5-6:30 p.m. 271-3361 x379, www.eastmanhouse.org

Planetarium Dome Saturdays, through Sept 3. Vacation Skies. 657 East Ave, 11 a.m. adults, $8; seniors/ college students, $7; kids, 3-18 $6, 697-1944, www.rmsc.org

Seneca Park Zoo Sun, July 31. Butterfly Bonanza, 2222 St Paul St, 2-3 p.m. $15-$24. Register. 467-9453, www.senecaparkzoo.org

Sonnenberg Mansion & Gardens Sundays: story time, 2 p.m., free with admission, 394-4922 | Sun, July 31: Teddy Bear Party, 2:30-4 p.m. $10, $5 kids. | 151 Charlotte St, Canandaigua, 394-2222, www.sonnenberg.org

Summer Food Program Mon-Fri, through Aug 26. 60 sites serve free breakfast, 8-9 a.m.; lunch, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 428-6896 or 325-1440

Sterling Nature Center Wed, July 27. Herpetology, 2 p.m. Jensvold Rd, Sterling, 315-947-6143, www.cayuganet.org/sterlingpark/