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Friday, April 30, 2021

A to Z 2021 – Z is for the Zoo and Zuckerberg SFG

We are lucky to have the San Francisco Zoo so close. I can remember visiting when I was a child and I revisited several times when the kids went on school field trips. Our next door neighbor works there and she has told me a couple of times to go and hold a koala but so far I haven’t.

In 2007 a Siberian Tiger named Tatiana attacked some visitors who were taunting her and throwing things at her. She was put down, which was sad because it really wasn’t her fault. That was the first visitor fatality due to an animal attack in the history of the organization. Of course the zoo was closed to visitors for a while and they made modifications so it could not happen again, although how do you modify for stupid visitors?

Right now the Zoo is open but you need to make a reservation to go. It is a fun place to visit, however, it is very close to the beach so the weather can be a bit iffy sometimes. Dress in layers. There are some amazing animals who live there but sadly no elephants since 2005. Many different exhibits and beautiful gardens as well. There is also a carousel to ride and a Children’s Petting Zoo. That’s where our neighbor works so if you go, say hello to Irene and tell her Janet sent you!

Our final “Z” is for Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. It used to be just San Francisco General Hospital but in 2015 Mark Zuckerberg and his wife donated $75 million toward the renovation project and so they renamed the hospital after them.

The hospital is very impressive from the outside. It is a teaching hospital for the UCSF medical students and provides 24-hour psychiatric services, just in case you were wondering. According to their website, it is the “safest place in California to have a baby and is the only certified “Baby-Friendly” hospital in San Francisco, also nice to know.

“Everyone is welcome here,” is their motto, which brings me to the hearts (you didn’t think I would forget did you?) In 2004 the “Hearts in San Francisco” art project was started by the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation as a means of fundraising. The idea was taken from the song by Tony Bennett, “I left my heart in San Francisco.”

Each year sculptures are designed and placed throughout the city including Union Square. At the end of the year the hearts are auctioned off to raise money for the hospital. Here are this years designs.

There is a map of over 80 hearts that are around the town. Some of them are in private residences or in buildings not accessible to the public although that seems kind of selfish. I mean, if I was going to pay for a statue like this, I certainly would show it off. I found a few of them but ran out of time to find more.

I am adding the hearts to my “list of things to go back to,” kind of like a TBR list of places instead of books.

And we’ve come to the end of the A to Z Challenge for 2021! I made it! I have really had a great time going exploring for you. I hope you have had an interesting journey as well. Oddly enough, what started because of a coloring book and the fact that my son worked in San Francisco turned into a great staycation. The pandemic limited my complete participation in some of the places but I think I managed to capture the essence of each area. One of my vision cards for this year is Experience and I can definitely say I’ve had some experiences so far. Time to start thinking of what to do for next year. My reflection post will have a link to all the places in case you missed any and I am definitely going to use May to go visit all of the other interesting blog participants this year that I didn’t get a chance to read. Another staycation! Thanks so much for all the comments and kind remarks that you have left for me. It is sincerely appreciated!



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6 comments:

  1. Hi, Janet!

    Happy Z-day, dear friend!

    I suspected your SF Zoo would be one of today's topics. I'm surprised they allow visitors to hold a koala. It seems like a warm and fuzzy experience, but I would think the human scent that rubs off on the animal would cause it to be shunned by other koalas. It looks like the SF Zoo is clean and the animal residents in good condition. Mrs. Shady and I are animals lovers. The zoo we visited most recently was the one in Naples, Florida. We purchased bundles of long endive leaves and fed them to the giraffes. You would think that anybody who goes to a zoo is an animal lover, but sadly there are some people who go there to tease, taunt, torment, injure and even kill the animals. I remember an attack on a flock of beautiful pink flamingos a few years ago at a zoo in our area. Several of the graceful birds were slaughtered. Why??? I'd love to visit your zoo and see the exhibits, gardens and petting zoo. Yessum, if I get out there and drop by the petting zoo, I will tell your friend that Janet sent me. :) I used to love going through petting zoos. The little goats were jumping all over me trying to get at the cup of biscuits I purchased on the way in. Waiting their turn and sharing with the other animals is an abstract concept to them. :)

    Thanks for showing me the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. Just think. All you or I need to do is donate $75 million and we could have a building named after us. :) Interesting that the hospital is a teaching facility with psychiatric services and is purported to be the “safest place in California to have a baby." I hope they can back up that claim.

    The Hearts in San Francisco fund raising project is a great idea. The hearts that are displayed all over the city are attractive, cheery, positive symbols and I'm sure they make everyone feel welcome, visitors and residents alike. Tony Bennett left his heart in San Francisco. People with deep enough pockets can find their heart in San Francisco.

    How many letters are left to cover? Zero - Zilch - Zip! Congratulations, Janet, on taking the A to Z Challenge and passing the test with flying colors. All month long you were a roving reporter, doing extensive legwork, searching high and low to bring us a fun and educational 26-part series on San Francisco. You did an extraordinary job. As April comes to an end, I know a heck of a lot more about SF than I did at the start of the month. I enjoyed learning and seeing the sights through your camera.

    Time to kick back now and bask in the afterglow of a job well done, the successful and triumphant completion of the 2021 A to Z Challenge!

    Have a safe and happy weekend, dear friend Janet!

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    1. Thank you my friend. I am so glad I was able to make it all the way through and will be a little sad now that it's over but also relieved. It makes the month of April a little stressful, especially if you are collecting info the day of the letter! I think I found something to occupy me for May that won't be as detail oriented but I need to put my thinking cap on for next year's A to Z! Have a wonderful weekend with the Mrs!

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  2. The gallery of hearts is a lovely and good idea. Love them, and it's a good goal for visiting the city, searching for the hearts!
    Congratulations on completing the challenge too ;)

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  3. I recently went to the zoo with a granddaughter. I haven't been there in a few years, so it was fun to go again.

    All those hearts around SF--such beautiful designs--would be magnificent to see!

    I've loved following your adventure around the city. It brought back so many memories, some from my time living in the area when newly married, and also from an anniversary trip there years later. And I learned about lots of places I wasn't familiar with and would like to see next time we are in the area.

    Congratulations on completing the challenge!

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    1. Thanks Trudy! I am so glad you enjoyed the series. I had fun doing it for sure.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts!