Fri. Feb. 20

 Last call!! Ah, to be 16 again. The age of indecision and acne, of hopes and dreams, of dating, of finding an identity, of parental confrontations, of learning to drive, of looking for signs beyond your little town ... Well, that's what happened, sort of, in my world long ago and far away. For Little Joe, Franklin Park Zoo's famous western lowland gorilla, turning 16, as he does this week, probably won't mean cake or ice cream or any of those thoughts. He's a gorilla - he's been an escaped gorilla (hence his fame) - but he's probably just thinking the same gorilla thoughts he's been thinking for a long time now. Humans, having the upper hand (for now) on planet earth, get to appreciate - and not aggravate, damn it! And for those of you on vacation this week (or parents of kids on vacation, or parents on permanent vacation because of the recession) you can take refuge at the Franklin Park Zoo for a five day stretch. Each day: The first 25 visitors daily receive a special gift. (Not gorilla poo.) Educational "ape" related games and activities. We're not sure what these are, but we hope they don't involve throwing poo. The Zoo is open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Zoo Winter Hours). From 11 a.m. - 3 p,m. the Little Joe Celebration takes place. Visit the other roughly 200 or so other creatures, begging for your attention. The Lions, the tigers, the zebras ... Events are free with regular paid admission $12 adults, 2-12 is $7. $2 off winter season coupons available online.

One Franklin Park Road, 617-541-LION www.zoonewengland.org