If you’re a meat eater but are nonetheless concerned about the treatment of animals from farm to plate, you’ll want to check out the new database launched by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) found at EatHumane.org. It features more than 150 restaurants in 15 U.S. cities committed to serving humanely raised meat and dairy products that have not been factory farmed, a method which has been linked to environmental issues.

(Photo: CC2.0 tonythemisfit)

To build the database, WSPA selected 15 cities by region, metro population, and popularity as a tourist and business travel destination. WSPA experts scoured menus to identify meat, dairy and egg products that were sourced from places with a higher level of animal welfare than products from factory farms. Some labels that identify more humane standards: “USDA Organic,” “American Humane Certified,” “Animal Welfare Approved” and “Certified Humane.” WSPA said it spoke with restaurant chefs to verify accuracy of the information.

Cities currently included in the list: Atlanta, Boston , Charleston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

I was quite pleased to see that many of my favorite restaurants in New York, Chicago and San Francisco made the list, including Spring Street Natural, Lula Café and Perbacco, to name one from each city, and hope to see even more venues and cities added in the near future.

WSPA wants to expand its database and encourages other U.S. restaurants that source humanely raised products to e-mail restaurants(at)wspausa(dot)org to apply to be added to the list. EatHumane.org also keeps a grocery store database to help users find brands of humanely labeled foods.

Looking for a chic shopping experience for a girls’ weekend or a Mother’s Day celebration? Swank it up at The St. Regis San Francisco with a St. Regis Aficionado Event: Shopping With Julie Chaiken.

Julie Chaiken’s line, Chaiken Clothing, launched in 1994 and is a modern collection of sleek sportswear for women of all ages. The line includes fashion’s best-fitting pants, as well as great style that complements real bodies, so it’s no wonder that stars such as Angelina Jolie, Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey are Chaiken admirers. Here in TravelMuse Editorial, we’ve been Chaiken wearers for years.

The Shopping With Julie Chaiken package is $500 per person, and includes accommodations for one night, a cocktail reception with Julie Chaiken, continental breakfast at the designer’s studio and a one-on-one fashion consultation (designed to help you select clothing to fit your personal lifestyle).

Sound like a shopping dream come true? Mark your calendars for May 8 and 9, and contact Lilian Wagner by telephone (415-284-4010) or e-mail (lilian.wagner@stregis.com) by May 1 to reserve your place. www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis

Last week, I attended my first Travel Bloggers Meet-Up in San Francisco, and I’m ready to sign up for more. Sponsored by the Orchard Garden Hotel’s Roots restaurant, Frommers.com and UpTake.com, the gathering included bloggers from Nile Guide, Gadling, Vagablogging, What a Trip, Ciao Bambino, Traveling Mamas and other sites.

After chowing down on yummy appetizers from Roots’ menu of locally sourced organic food, we toured through a few of the hotel’s eco-friendly rooms, which include a key card energy control system, organic bath products and sustainable amenities, and an in-room recycling system. After checking out the sweet Junior Suite rooms, I’m ready to find a San Francisco shopping weekend opening in my calendar just so I can stay there (even though I live a short distance away).

If you’re a Bay Area travel blogger and want to get in on the next Meet-Up, let us know and we’ll add you to the e-mail list.

Who says you have to be a geek to appreciate museum events? At the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, Thursday nights from 6 to 10 p.m. (through Oct. 29, 2009) are now dedicated to NightLife, with music, food, cocktails and science presentations for adults 21 years and older.

For only $10 ($8 for members), you can shake your groove thang to hot DJ-supplied tunes or learn something scientific with your drink in hand. Each week, a different part of the Academy hosts the party, but you can still walk through the exhibits to your heart’s content (although some, like the Rainforest and Penguin exhibits, close early).

NightLife is the perfect event for those of us who love seeing kids excited about science, and who also prefer to get in close to see that cool-looking stingray, thankyouverymuch.

So, on your next San Francisco vacation, go to the Academy of Sciences at night—and you can check “spectacular new science museum” and “cool San Francisco nightlife” off your itinerary at once! For more information, visit www.calacademy.org.

Maybe it’s a guy thing, but I really love fireworks. When I was a kid, I always looked forward to the Fourth of July with great anticipation. Sure the barbecues and pool time are great, but it’s the fireworks that really define the Fourth.

Big, small, ornate, booming, choreographed to music or just launched from the neighborhood cul-de-sac, nothing quite says Americana like Fourth of July pyrotechnics (and singed eyebrows).The sights, the sounds, the smells—all combine to create an exhilarating experience. 

Following is a list of some of the best BIG shows in popular U.S. vacation destinations. So gather up the family, get the glow sticks ready for the kids, and head out for an evening of oohs and aahs.

10. Lights on the Lake—Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is the perfect place to watch fireworks over a picturesque mountain lake. The show is set to music and lasts more than 30 minutes. http://www.bluelaketahoe.com/page.php?p=july4

9. Freedom Over Texas—[Houston|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/TX/201/houston]

An all day shindig with country performers and food and brew, culminating in a rockin’ aerial display. http://www.houstontx.gov/specialevents/cfot/index.html

8. Friendship Festival—[Buffalo, New York|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/NY/029/buffalo]

The Friendship Festival celebrates “nearly 200 years of peace” between the United States and Canada. It’s a week-long celebration that ends in a fireworks display on the Fourth, visible from both the U.S. and Ontario shores of Lake Erie. http://www.friendshipfestival.com/events.html

7. Go Fourth on the River—[New Orleans|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/LA/071/new-orleans]

Just when you thought New Orleans couldn’t get any better, it does. Live jazz and great food paired with “dueling fireworks barges” on the Mississippi. Yeah, that definitely sounds like fun. http://www.go4thontheriver.com/

6. Fourth of July Waterfront Celebration at Pier 39—[San Francisco|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/CA/075/san-francisco]

A solid fireworks display to be sure, but what makes this one special is the music of Tainted Love—possibly the world’s greatest ‘80s cover band. Warning: potentially dangerous combination of hair spray and explosives. http://www.pier39.com/Events/events.htm

5. WaMu Family Fourth at Lake Union—[Seattle|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/WA/033/seattle]

Hailed by Time magazine as one of the “Top Five Fireworks Displays” in the country, this free admission, family-friendly celebration is in its 20th year of bringing together the local community for a unique day of commemoration. http://www.wamufamily4th.org/

4. Welcome America—[Philadelphia|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/PA/101/philadelphia]

What better place to celebrate the Fourth of July than in Philly: the birthplace of our nation, Rocky Balboa and the cheese steak. http://www.americasbirthday.com/

3. Central Pennsylvania Fourth Fest - State College, PA

This extravaganza bills itself as “the greatest volunteer fireworks show in the nation. ”Where do I sign up? Central Pennsylvania Fourth Fest combines live entertainment, the Firecracker 4K fun run, food and drink with thousands of pounds of high explosives launched by amateur pyros. Rock on!  [http://www.4thfest.org/]

2. Macy’s Fourth of July Fest—[New York City|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/NY/005/new-york-city]

See one of theworld’s biggest fireworks displays in the greatest city in the world. ‘Nuf said. http://www.ny.com/holiday/july4/

1. Fireworks on the Mall—[Washington D.C.|http://www.travelmuse.com/destinations/US/DC/001/00-washington]

Yes, the crowd is insane, and you’ll want to claim your precious patch of real estate on the National Mall way early, but this is a show not to be missed. The fireworks are set against the backdrop of iconic U.S. landmarks and coupled with patriotic music performed by the National Symphony Orchestra. Having grown up in the D.C. suburbs, it’s one of those experiences I’ll always remember. http://www.nps.gov/mall/planyourvisit/fireworks.htm

Happy Fourth of July!