12 Days of Panda Claws in Washington, DC

Panda Claws (the official ZooLights ambassador) will be visiting hot spots in the D.C. metro area over 12 days, between November 29 and December 3 and December 6 and 12. He is very excited to let everyone know that ZooLights is free this year.

GG is excited. She thinks that, finally, this year she will be going to ZooLights. (Doubtful. But you never know.) If you are in the Washington, DC Metro area, visit the link for complete rules & prizes. Personally, we'd choose any prize called The Guppy Gala.

If you're not here but will be visiting, be aware that this is a popular event & though it's free this year, parking is not. Therefore, if it's a mere brisk night, park at an outer Metro station car park & hop on the Metro Red Line to the Woodley Park-Zoo or Cleveland Park stops & follow the hordes. (images via National Zoo website)

ciao-meow/GG's holiday freebie coordinator

Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye)

So Long, Farewell, auf Wiedersehen, Tai Shan (from DCist).GG & her editor tried to avoid posting about this but we can't help it. We're big panda fans (forever!)...check out the link to see lots of terrific shots from the National Zoo farewell party for Tai Shan. He leaves for China Thursday morning on a special FedEx "Panda Express." Farewell, Butterstick.

ciao-sulk-meow/GG Central

[The top photograph is courtesy of the National Zoo.The second is by keviikev via Dcist. He has lots of terrific shots via flickr for Dcist. ]

ZooLights 2009 - Bid Adieu to Tai Shan

The annual ZooLights Festival is ongoing at the National Zoo. It's lots of fun & this year if you're in the DC-area, you have a special reason to go. This is adorable panda Tai Shan's last Christmas in America. He will travel to China & take up residence quite soon. Throughout ZooLights, the Giant Panda Habitat will be open for extended hours for those who wish to bid farewell to Tai Shan before he departs for China in early 2010. The Chinese have extended Tai's stay twice due to pleas from the public. This time the departure is for real, so go as soon as you can. [photographs by Rachel Cooper]

ciao-cheery-meow/GG & her editor