FYI Philly | What's new at the Zoo, history of July 4 fireworks, a mom on a mission for clean living
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- This week on FYI Philly, we have a look at what's new at the Philadelphia Zoo, show you the 'how' behind 4th of July fireworks, introduce you to a mom on a mission to support clean and healthy living and so much more!
The Philadelphia Zoo's new Francis J. Carey Bear Country is home to three rare bears.
Turbo and Alba are Andean bears (think Paddington Bear) who come to Philadelphia from the San Diego Zoo. The bears are native to India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka and known for climbing.
There's also a sloth bear named Bhalu! Sloth bears, designed to hunt insects and are missing a couple of front teeth so they can slurp up bugs. Their distinctive claws allow them to dig in termite mounds.
Their new $25 million state-of-the-art home is a naturalistic habitat that replicates what you would see in the wild, while keeping the bears safe from the challenges of the real world.
Both bear species are threatened by extinction in the wild and it's hoped that baby cubs will be coming to Philadelphia Zoo soon.
Philadelphia Zoo is America's first zoo and to celebrate America's 250th, the zoo has some special Zootopiaries.
There's a Bald Eagle, a bear topiary to celebrate the new Bear Country and a 7-foot tall tortoise, a nod to the zoo's Galapagos tortoise, Mommy, who made world news last year when she became a first-time mom at the estimated age of 97.
The intricate designs use 8,800 plants and highlight the zoo's founding mission as a zoological garden, where people could see animals in a garden setting.
Hop on the zoo's first ever Ferris wheel (spelled Pherris to give it some Philly flair!), and you can take in the lush 42-acres from 110 feet up in the sky.
There are 24 gondolas offering spectacular views of the city skyline, the Schuylkill River and the Philadelphia Museum of Art throughout this semi-quincentennial year.
Philadelphia Zoo | Facebook | Instagram
3400 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa 19104
There are few places in the region where history and nature meet. Chester County's Brandywine Valley is one of them, with both scenic and historic treasures in our own backyard.
Paid Sponsor Partnership: Chester County's Brandywine Valley
Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square is a natural beauty, and adds fireworks and fountain displays all summer long.
The year of America's 250th birthday is the perfect time to explore sites from the Revolutionary War, like Brandywine Battlefield Park and the Chadds Ford Historical Society - both in Chadds Ford.
On September 19, Chadds Ford Days and Tavern Night in The Grove offer visitors immersive recreations of battles on the grounds where they took place.
You can go back in time at The Mill at Alselma, one of the nation's original custom grain mills.
Making your exploring a getaway is easy with accommodations in the midst of all the history, at places like The Francis Hotel and Suites in Kennett Square, and The General Warren in Malvern - which is also a renowned fine dining restaurant.
Longwood Gardens | Brandywine Battlefield Park | Chadds Ford Historical Society | The Mill at Anselma | The Francis Hotel & Suites | The General Warren
For generations, the Flourtown Swim Club has been a go-to summer destination for families.
The private club has been open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, offering fun, relaxation, and a space for community connection since 1961.
There are three heated pools, a 25-meter main pool, a diving board, and a popular "Big Slide" to cool off in.
The club also runs an eight to ten week summer day camp for kids ages 4 to 14, featuring swim lessons, sports, and a wide range of activities.
They're most proud of their undefeated swim team and community garden that donates food to local shelters.
The Flourtown Swim Club's goal is to bring families together in the summer to create meaningful, lasting memories.
Flourtown Swim Club | Facebook | Instagram
1528 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA 19031
"Flash! Bang! Boom! A History of Fireworks" at the Science History Institute is a blast.
The free exhibition, in celebration of America's 250th, explores the history and science behind the spectacular Fourth of July tradition.
Visitors get a literal look inside the aerial shells that burst into those sparkly explosions, and learn everything that goes into a fireworks show, from testing, designing, launching and selling.
It is believed the Chinese were the first to make fireworks. But the ones popular in America today derive from a firework brought to the United States at the turn of the 20th century by Italian immigrants.
The exhibit runs through July 31, 2027 at the Science History Institute.
Science History Institute: Flash! Bang! Boom! A History of Fireworks | Facebook |Instagram
315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
For lovers of coffee and history, Rival Bros. has created a limited edition Founders Blend for America's 250th birthday.
It has notes of berry, lemon and caramel flavors and comes in a collectible tin.
The coffee is roasted right here in Philadelphia and sold online and in Rival Bros. cafes. Their newest location is on North 2nd Street in Kensington.
Rival Bros. America 250 Founders Blend | Facebook | Instagram
At Simply Sage in the Pocono Mountains, owner Kari Pierpont chooses each product with care.
Paid Sponsor Partnership: Pocono Television Network
She calls her shop her project to make people aware of what's in the products that they're bringing into their homes.
Pierpont does the research and carefully curates items she deems to be safe and effective, making it easy for people to switch to clean products.
The mom of four says she operates on a simple rule: If she wouldn't put it in or on the bodies of her young children, she won't sell it in her store.
Simply Sage | (570) 840-0669 | hello@simplysage.us
110 Shafer Drive Unit 4, Brodheadsville, PA 18322
