27 Things Track 1 Can Do During the Next 2 Weeks

Visit our calendar for details on all of these events.

There are about 17 holiday events posted on our calendar at this link.

1. Go to the movies! Visit Movie TRACKS for more information.
Now showing:
"The Day the Earth Stood Still" Movie Released at IMAX® and Theaters Everywhere, Dec. 12
"Bolt" Movie Released Nov. 26
"Madagascar: Return 2 Africa." Released Nov. 7.
"The Tale of Despereaux" Movie Releases Dec. 19
"Marley and Me" Movie Releases Dec. 25

The following $1.50 movies are currently showing at Blue Ridge Cinemas in Raleigh:
"The Dark Knight"
"Journey to the Center of the Earth"
"WALL-E"
"Igor"

2. Drawing for Kids at Ackland Museum of Art in Chapel Hill, Dec. 13.

3. Family Fun Saturday: Making Artist Trading Cards at N.C. Museum of Art, Dec. 13

4. 'GERBO's GRAVITY RACER WORKSHOPS With Artist/Sculptor Steve Gerberich', Dec. 13

5. Year Round Camp D-Three (Track 1) at Marbles Kids Museum, Dec. 15-19

6. Mommy & Me Fitness Fun at Jump!Zone, Dec. 18

7. Carolina Ballet Presents "Nutcracker", Dec. 19-28

8. Storytime Science at Morehead Planetarium Dec. 20

9. Music With Mom at Booda Beans in Apex: Featuring Dawn Graff, Dec. 23 and 30

10. Marbles Kids Museum's Camp Fun Days for K-5, Dec. 29-30

Wake County Kindergarten Eligibility Date Changes for the 2009-10 School Year

This is probably old news to you by now, but just in case you haven't heard, here's the information (taken from the WCPSS website):

The State of North Carolina has made changes to the eligibility dates for children entering kindergarten. Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, students attending kindergarten must be 5 years of age on or before August 31, 2009.

This is a change to the current Oct. 16 cut-off date. Gov. Mike Easley signed House Bill 150 last year, which modified G.S. 115C-364 to become effective with the 2009-10 school year.

Information about kindergarten registration is available on this Web site: http://www.wcpss.net/newcomer/getting-started/registration/kindergarten.html.

Provisions are available for Kindergarten Early Entry for academically gifted students who are 4 years old by April 16 and demonstrate an extraordinary level of academic ability and maturity. Please be aware the guidelines for Kindergarten Early Entry are very stringent: http://www.wcpss.net/isd/elementary/lang_arts/kindergarten/.

Discovery Toys "Give Back Hostess" Program Aims to Donate $350,000 in Learning Products

(Raleigh, NC), December 2, 2008 -
When the 30-year-old direct-selling company heard that donations to Toys for Tots were down this year, and that the charity organization would be hard-pressed to deliver gifts to thousands of needy families on their rosters, Discovery Toys quickly mobilized to help fill this shortfall by leveraging the efforts of the thousands of individuals across the country who host Discovery Toys parties in their homes and workplaces.

Shoppers looking for quality educational toys, books, and games for the children in their lives can contribute to families in need by making a purchase at a Discovery Toys party. Explains Cindy Franco, Discovery Toys Vice President of Sales, “When someone hosts a Discovery Toys party, she earns free products based on the level of sales from that party. A party generating $550 in total sales, for example, earns the hostess $100 in free products. Discovery Toys will match this earned free product value and make an equal donation to Toys for Tots.”

The matching donation program runs through December 12. The toy company hopes to contribute upwards of $350,000 in new toys to help bring some joy to families who find themselves in need during these difficult economic times. The program affords individuals the opportunity to assist these children without having to trade off dollars spent on holiday gifts. The more someone spends, the higher the contribution. Shares Rich Newton, Discovery Toys President, “With our distressed economy, so many families have taken a hit financially. Many are eager to help, especially children, but their resources are limited. Our Give Back Hostess program allows customers to contribute to our Toys for Tots donation without having to sacrifice gift purchases for their own loved ones.”

To learn more about hosting a Discovery Toys fundraiser or party, contact Andria Lake Independent Discovery Toys Consultant in the Raleigh area at 919-612-4782 or visit www.discoverytoyslink.com/andria
# # #

Help a Local Paralyzed 6-Year-Old Get an Adaptive Bike

Dream-2-Reality is trying to help grant a holiday wish from a paralyzed 6-year-old boy who would like to have an adaptive bike. These are specialized bicycles for people with limited mobility.For a boy with his special needs, this one present would make a world of difference to him. These are quite expensive, so if lots of people donate even $1 or $2 dollars, we can make this child's dream come true and help him feel more like a normal child.

Please help us make this extra special dream a reality.

Make checks payable to:
Dream-2-Reality, Inc.

Mail to
Dream-2-Reality
PO Box 1996
Apex, NC, 27502

Thank you and Happy Holidays to All,

Rod Graff
President, Dream-2-Reality

11 Things Track 2 Can Do Through Dec. 5

Visit the Triangle TRACKS Calendar to get the details on all of these events.

1. Visit the Museum of Life and Science in Durham and get your Santa Train tickets, which go on sale Nov. 12.

2. CHECK OUT MARBLES NEW EXHIBIT, "WORLDTREK"
Marbles Kids Museum
Exhibit opened Oct. 8. Guests are transported to several exciting locales around the world to engage in hands-on exploration of commerce, culture, arts, music and more.

3. GO TO THE MOVIES
"High School Musical 3: Senior Year." Released Oct. 24
"Madagascar: Return 2 Africa." Released Nov. 7.
"Bolt" Movie Releases Nov. 26
You can also see "Madagascar: Return 2 Africa" at the IMAX Theater and Marbles Kids Museum Nov. 7-Dec. 11.
**Check out "Kung Fu Panda," "Star Wars: the Clone Wars," "Wall-E" and "The Longshots" for $1.50 at Blue Ridge Theater in Raleigh.

4. Gerberich's Gadgetry: Art That Moves and Holiday Springs and Sprockets, began Nov. 15 at the Museum of Life and Science.

5. A NIGHT AMONG THE WOLVES WITH HELEN THAYER, Museum of Life and Science; Dec. 1, 7 to 9 p.m.

6. Adventures of Helen Thayer, Marbles Kids Museum. Dec. 2, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

7. Time for Tots: Let It Snow! N.C. Museum of History, 10-10:45 a.m.

8. 31st ANNUAL SANTA TRAIN begins running, Museum of Life and Science; Dec. 3

9. TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH 3rd ANNUAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST, Dec. 5

10. An Evening With Elves, Marbles Kids Museum. Dec. 5, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

11. Magic Tree House Track Out Camp, Dec. 1-5

Thanksgiving Week Activities for the Kids!

Visit the Triangle TRACKS Calendar to get the details on all of these events.

1. Visit the Museum of Life and Science in Durham and get your Santa Train tickets, which go on sale Nov. 12.

2. CHECK OUT MARBLES NEW EXHIBIT, "WORLDTREK"
Marbles Kids Museum
Exhibit opened Oct. 8. Guests are transported to several exciting locales around the world to engage in hands-on exploration of commerce, culture, arts, music and more.

3. GO TO THE MOVIES
"High School Musical 3: Senior Year." Released Oct. 24
"Madagascar: Return 2 Africa." Released Nov. 7.
"Bolt" Movie Releases Nov. 26
You can also see "Madagascar: Return 2 Africa" at the IMAX Theater and Marbles Kids Museum Nov. 7-Dec. 11.
**Check out "Kung Fu Panda," "Star Wars: the Clone Wars," "Wall-E" and "The Longshots" for $1.50 at Blue Ridge Theater in Raleigh.

4. Gerberich's Gadgetry: Art That Moves and Holiday Springs and Sprockets, began Nov. 15 at the Museum of Life and Science.

5. "Music with Mom” at Booda Beans in Apex, Nov. 25, 10 to 10:30 a.m.

6. THE CAROLINA BALLET PRESENTS "MESSIAH", Nov. 26-30

7. COMMUNITY DAY AT ACKLAND MUSEUM OF ART, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

8. CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP: ANNUAL THANKSGIVING MAKE AND TAKE, N.C. Museum of Art: Nov. 29, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

15 Things Track 2 Families Can do Through Dec. 5

Visit the Triangle TRACKS Calendar to get the details on all of these events.

1. Visit the Museum of Life and Science in Durham and get your Santa Train tickets, which go on sale Nov. 12.

2. CHECK OUT MARBLES NEW EXHIBIT, "WORLDTREK"
Marbles Kids Museum
Exhibit opened Oct. 8. Guests are transported to several exciting locales around the world to engage in hands-on exploration of commerce, culture, arts, music and more.

3. GO TO THE MOVIES
"High School Musical 3: Senior Year." Released Oct. 24
"Madagascar: Return 2 Africa." Released Nov. 7.
"Bolt" Movie Releases Nov. 26
You can also see "Madagascar: Return 2 Africa" at the IMAX Theater and Marbles Kids Museum Nov. 7-Dec. 11.
**Check out "Kung Fu Panda," "Star Wars: the Clone Wars," "Wall-E" and "The Longshots" for $1.50 at Blue Ridge Theater in Raleigh.

4. Gerberich's Gadgetry: Art That Moves and Holiday Springs and Sprockets, began Nov. 15 at the Museum of Life and Science.

5. "Music with Mom” at Booda Beans in Apex, Nov. 25, 10 to 10:30 a.m.

6. THE CAROLINA BALLET PRESENTS "MESSIAH", Nov. 26-30

7. COMMUNITY DAY AT ACKLAND MUSEUM OF ART, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

8. CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP: ANNUAL THANKSGIVING MAKE AND TAKE, N.C. Museum of Art: Nov. 29, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

9. A NIGHT AMONG THE WOLVES WITH HELEN THAYER, Museum of Life and Science; Dec. 1, 7 to 9 p.m.

10. Adventures of Helen Thayer, Marbles Kids Museum. Dec. 2, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

11. Time for Tots: Let It Snow! N.C. Museum of History, 10-10:45 a.m.

12. 31st ANNUAL SANTA TRAIN begins running, Museum of Life and Science; Dec. 3

13. TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH 3rd ANNUAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST, Dec. 5

14. An Evening With Elves, Marbles Kids Museum. Dec. 5, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

15. NEW HOPE VALLEY RAILWAY HOLIDAY TRAINS. Begins Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

New Triangle Nonprofit, ‘Dream-2-Reality,’ Reinvents the Giving Tree Program

Cary, NC (Nov. 18, 2008) A new Triangle-based nonprofit is reinventing the former Giving Tree organization, which in years past provided holiday presents to at-risk children throughout the region. Dream-2-Reality (D2R) will pick up where Giving Tree left off by collecting “Dream Tree” holiday presents for at-risk children in the Triangle region and beyond. The organization also plans to eventually provide additional assistance to these children throughout the year.

“We want to give the dreams of these individuals a chance to become reality, thus came our name, Dream-2-Reality,” says D2R President Rod Graff. “Currently, we are going to focus solely on the Giving Tree effort, but when we get the infrastructure and support, we would like to expand our efforts.”

“I've been doing this for a decade and a season doesn't pass where I hear real life stories from these children that tug at your heart,” states D2R Vice President Laurie Mann. “It matters. It does make a difference when there is a real something brought to a child that the child believed was just a dream.”

Graff and Mann are employed by John Deere, a local company that supported the former Giving Tree project. They will direct the new non-profit and are currently accepting holiday gift sponsors for at-risk children referred by North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Graff and Mann welcomed the opportunity to reinvent the Giving Tree program when they learned it had never formalized into a non-profit corporation and consequently disbanded. They accepted the request to help keep the effort going and keep the holidays alive for the hundreds of kids it helped annually in the Triangle area. The first discussions were focused on the holiday wish lists of the children, but organizers soon realized they have the opportunity to keep this effort going all year through. “Need doesn’t end when the holidays are over,” Mann says.

To learn more about D2R, visit www.dream-2-reality.com. Companies, organizations and groups interested in supporting the D2R holiday gift drive by collecting presents for at-risk children, can contact the organization via the website.

Triangle TRACKS Membership Drive Winners to be Announced Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

We'll email the winners and announce them on our home page Wednesday afternoon. Click here to see a description of the prizes they will win. Thanks to everyone who participated!

'Gerberich's Gadgetry: Art That Moves and Holiday Springs and Sprockets' Kicks Runs Through Jan. 5

The Museum of Life and Science welcomes the return of one of its most popular exhibits. Gerberich's Gadgetry: Art That Moves and Holiday Springs and Sprockets opens Nov. 15 and runs through Jan. 5. Artist Steve Gerberich presents an all new artful exhibit of holiday-themed mechanical sculptures made from old-fashioned kitchen appliances, machine parts and pop culture collectibles cleverly transformed into motorized reindeer, candy cane making machines, mobile holiday cookie bakers, egg nog makers, Santa, his reindeers and more. Click on the museum's ad on our homepage or on this link to learn more about this event and to download a "buy-one-get-one-free" ticket admission coupon.

Image provided by the Museum of Life and Science.

Santa Comes to Town

Santa arrived at several local malls this weekend and will arrive at others soon. Here's a list of where you can find him this holiday season!

RALEIGH
Crabtree Valley Mall
Triangle Town Center
North Hills
Cameron Village
Brier Creek Commons

CARY
Cary Towne Center
Crossroads Plaza

DURHAM
The Streets at Southpoint
Northgate Mall
Brightleaf Square

CHAPEL HILL
University Mall

“What I Love About Apex” Art Contest Extended Until Jan. 15

Enter the “What I Love About Apex” Youth Art Contest!

Contest Categories:
Paint*
Pencil*
Photography*
*Must be < 16x20 (paper or canvas w/ frame or hard backing)
Video - 3 minutes max

Works must be original and from entrants in
Age Categories:
6 and under
7-12
13-18

Entries must be delivered to 104-B N. Salem St. by 5pm Jan. 10. Voting ends at 5pm Thursday Jan. 15!

View/Vote on Entries In person: Downtown Apex at 104-B N. Salem St. or Online at www.ApexGoodLiving.com/Artcontest

People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice Awards and Auction date and location TBA.

Original Art entries may be displayed in various locations in downtown Apex. They will then be donated to the Apex Arts Council to be sold at auction with proceeds toward starting a new Apex Youth Theater Group. Digital copies will also be displayed online.

Click here to view the contest flier.

Click here to download the registration form.
If you aren't able to access the registration form, you can copy and past the information below and fill it out.

ENTRY FORM

Entrant’s Name:______________________________________ Age:___________
Parent’s Name:_________________________________________________
Medium/Category: (circle one) Pencil Paint Photography Video
“Name of Entry”:_________________________________
Date Submitted:_________________
I (parent)_____________________________________________ understand that all original art work will be displayed in downtown Apex businesses during the contest period and will then be donated to the Apex Arts Council to be sold at auction at Halle Cultural Art Center)with proceeds to benefit the “Apex Youth Theater”. It is also understood and agreed that digital copies can/will be displayed online by contest sponsors and beneficiaries, with proper credit given.

Parent Signature:______________________________________________ Date:________
For contest details and to view entries online visit: www.apexgoodliving.com/artcontest
Sponsored By:
Heather O Real Estate Together with the Town of Apex

Sirius and XM Merger Complete

Well, it happened! Sirius bought XM and now both satellite providers have merged into one. The merged providers are now broadcasting as Sirius XM Radio Inc.
Learn more here.
A holiday music channel is available as of today (can't start too soon, you know!), and the kids music selection appears to be untouched. Hopefully the merger will produce more kid-friendly stations. The current selection includes:
Radio Disney
Kids Place Live (replaces XM Kids)
Access additional information about kids and family channels here.
View the complete channel guide here.

Triangle TRACKS' Monthly Linkzine Covers Important Childhood Issues

This month it's childhood depression, last month it was hormones in food and their possible affect on early puberty. Previous Triangle TRACKS Linkzines covered academically gifted children, adolescent social networking, childhood stress, childhood obesity and overscheduled kids.

We created this concept to offer visitors effortless access to important child-related topics. Much like an online magazine experience, each issue links you to credible sources that offer educating articles.

We're open to your suggestions for future topics, so please send any that you think of to epshugg@trianglettracks.com. Thanks for reading!

TRACK 2 Families: 20 fun things you can do during the next 2 weeks!

Visit the Triangle TRACKS Calendar to get the details on all of these events.

1. Visit the Museum of Life and Science in Durham and get your Santa Train tickets, which go on sale Nov. 12.

2. CHECK OUT MARBLES NEW EXHIBIT, "WORLDTREK"
Marbles Kids Museum
Exhibit opened Oct. 8. Guests are transported to several exciting locales around the world to engage in hands-on exploration of commerce, culture, arts, music and more.

3. GO TO THE MOVIES
"High School Musical 3: Senior Year." Released Oct. 24
"Madagascar: Return 2 Africa." Released Nov. 7.
"Bolt" Movie Releases Nov. 26
You can also see "Madagascar: Return 2 Africa" at the IMAX Theater and Marbles Kids Museum Nov. 7-Dec. 11.
**Check out "Kung Fu Panda," "Star Wars: the Clone Wars," "Wall-E" and "The Longshots" for $1.50 at Blue Ridge Theater in Raleigh.

4. Gerberich's Gadgetry: Art That Moves and Holiday Springs and Sprockets, begins Nov. 15 at the Museum of Life and Science.

5. MAGIC TREE HOUSE TRACK-OUT CAMPS, Nov. 17-21 ,Dec. 1-5

6. "ANNIE" BY BROADWAY SERIES SOUTH, Nov. 18-23

7. 64th Annual Raleigh Christmas Parade, Nov. 22, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

8. "THE DAY IT SNOWED TORTILLAS" WITH CRABGRASS PUPPETS" at the N.C. Museum of Art, Nov. 22, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

9. WAKE PTA HEALTHY LIFESTYLES 5K, Nov. 23 at 3 p.m.

10. "Music with Mom” at Booda Beans in Apex, Nov. 25, 10 to 10:30 a.m.

11. THE CAROLINA BALLET PRESENTS "MESSIAH", Nov. 26-30

12. COMMUNITY DAY AT ACKLAND MUSEUM OF ART, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

13. CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP: ANNUAL THANKSGIVING MAKE AND TAKE, N.C. Museum of Art: Nov. 29, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

14. A NIGHT AMONG THE WOLVES WITH HELEN THAYER, Museum of Life and Science; Dec. 1, 7 to 9 p.m.

15. Adventures of Helen Thayer, Marbles Kids Museum. Dec. 2, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

16. Time for Tots: Let It Snow! N.C. Museum of History, 10-10:45 a.m.

17. 31st ANNUAL SANTA TRAIN begins running, Museum of Life and Science; Dec. 3

18. TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH 3rd ANNUAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST, Dec. 5

19. An Evening With Elves, Marbles Kids Museum. Dec. 5, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

20. NEW HOPE VALLEY RAILWAY HOLIDAY TRAINS. Begins Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Triangle TRACKS Membership Drive is On!

All Triangle TRACKS members as of Oct. 28 are eligible to participate. The Triangle TRACKS member who produces the most joined invited members will win a grand prize! Click here for a description of the prizes.

Triangle TRACKS Kicks Off Fall Membership Drive Oct. 29-Nov. 12

If you haven't joined Triangle TRACKS yet, you may want to consider joining before midnight tonight!

Triangle TRACKS is sponsoring a fall membership drive Oct. 29 through Nov. 12. All members as of midnight Oct. 28 will be eligible to participate in the drive, and prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, as well as 2 honorable mentions!

All Triangle TRACKS members will receive an email the morning of Oct. 29 requesting that they invite friends to join the growing parent resource directory and social network, which now links to 1,780 local resources for children in Wake, Durham, Orange and Chatham counties. The member who yields the most invited joined members will win a grand prize valued at $300. Prizes for second place, third place and two honorable mentions will also be awarded. Prizes will be announced to members in the Oct. 29 email. We're excited about kicking our first membership drive off, so stay tuned!

The November Triangle TRACKS Newsletter is Now Available!

The November newsletter is out and it's filled with fun fall and holiday events for children in the Triangle region. If you haven't subscribed to the newsletter and would like to, just email epshugg@triangletracks.com with the subject "Subscribe to newsletter."

14 Fun Things Track 3 Families Can Do During the Next Week!

Visit the Triangle TRACKS Calendar to get the details on all of these events.

1. "MUSIC WITH MOM" at Booda Beans Coffee & Candy Cafe.

2. PRESCHOOL PROGRAM: WHAT'S IN THE BOX at the N.C. Museum of Art, Nov. 5.

3. NEW MOVIES RELEASES
"Beverly Hills Chihuahua." Oct. 3.
"High School Musical 3: Senior Year." Oct. 24
"Madagascar: Return 2 Africa." Nov. 7.
You can also see "Madagascar: Return 2 Africa" at the IMAX Theater and Marbles Kids Museum Nov. 7-Dec. 11.

4. Madagascar Madness at Marbles Kids Museum's IMAX Theater

5. DRAWING FOR KIDS at the Ackland Museum of Art in Chapel Hill

6. STORYTIME SCIENCE AT MOREHEAD PLANETARIUM, Nov. 8

7. MAKE IT, TAKE IT: PATRIOTIC PINS, Nov. 8

8.LETTERBOXING. See blog post about this fun anytime-outdoor activity.

9. FALL PUMPKIN AND HARVEST FESTIVAL AT HILL RIDGE FARMS
Sept. 13-Nov. 9 in Youngsville.

10. CHECK OUT MARBLES NEW EXHIBIT, "WORLDTREK"
Marbles Kids Museum
Exhibit opened Oct. 8. Guests are transported to several exciting locales around the world to engage in hands-on exploration of commerce, culture, arts, music and more.

11. STORYTIME SCIENCE AT MOREHEAD PLANETARIUM
Nov. 8, 10:30 a.m.

12. DEAD SEA SCROLLS ON VIEW AT N.C. MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES
Through Dec. 28.

13. Check out "Kung Fu Panda," "Star Wars: the Clone Wars," "Wall-E" and "The Longshots" for $1.50 at Blue Ridge Theater in Raleigh.

14. TIME FOR TOTS: PICKING COTTON, Nov.4 at the N.C. Museum of History.

'Daughters Without Dads' Gives Hope to Young Girls

Doresa Armstrong, who has over 10 years of experience in clinical research, conflict management and medical documentation, has launched an organization in Durham called Daughters Without Dads to help young women in the community adjust to life without a dad.

Daughters without Dads takes a holistic approach to the well-being of pre-teen, teen and young adult women. The organization focuses on the wellness and healing of the whole person through programs and services that address many youth-related issues, such as domestic violence, wealth management and self-esteem. The organization's goal is to help daughters without dads break the negative cycles in their life and serve as a source of positive influence to those around them.

Doresa Armstrong received her education from North Carolina Central University, Duke University and Mount Olive College. She has also been an ordained minister for three years.

Visit http://daughterswithoutdads.net to learn more about this worthy organization.

Triangle TRACKS Adds Classifieds Section and New Pages, Features and Enhancements

From a press released issued Oct. 13:

Apex, N.C. (Oct 13, 2008) Triangle TRACKS, a resource directory and social network for Triangle parents located at www.triangletracks.com, now offers a classifieds section and an assortment of new features, enhancements, pages and links.

The site’s new classifieds section enables members to sign in and post child-related items for sale, such as toys, clothes and equipment. System enhancements include an improved message center, customized iPhone interface, drop down tabs for easier access to site content, streamlined profile pages that contain more links to user content, and full OpenSocial Support. OpenSocial enables members of Triangle TRACKS to add a variety of new applications to their profile pages, such as Emotes, GroupCard and PollDaddy. All of these enhancements further improve and simplify usage of Triangle TRACKS.

In addition to the new features and enhancements, Triangle TRACKS has added several new pages, including Game TRACKS, Movie TRACKS, Charity TRACKS and Special Needs TRACKS. The Outdoor TRACKS page now links to local farms offering children’s activities, and the Health and Fitness TRACKS page now links to local sports medicine offices.

Currently, Triangle TRACKS consolidates 1,780 links to local resources for children in Wake, Durham, Orange and Chatham counties. Content focuses on education, museum exhibits, parks, youth sports, camps, music lessons, art lessons, performing arts studios, party venues, amusement centers, restaurants, childcare facilities, healthcare resources, children’s trends and much more.

Businesses and organizations interested in advertising on the Triangle TRACKS website or in the monthly e-newsletter can access rate information by clicking on “Advertise With TRACKS.” Or, email epshugg@triangletracks.com for an electronic media kit.

14 Things TRACK 4 Families Can Do Before Tracking Back In Oct. 20

Get your calendars out and visit the October Calendar TRACKS to get the details on all of these events.

1. NEW HOPE VALLEY RAILWAY TRAIN RIDES
New Hope Valley Railway and N.C. Railroad Museum, New Hill
Train rides take place the first Sunday of each month through November.

2. NEW MOVIES RELEASES
"Beverly Hills Chihuahua." Oct. 3. Click here to learn more.
"High School Musical 3: Senior Year." Oct. 24. Click here to learn more.

3. LETTERBOXING. See blog post about this fun anytime-outdoor activity.

4. 2008 NORTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR
Oct. 16-26, N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.

5. FALL PUMPKIN AND HARVEST FESTIVAL AT HILL RIDGE FARMS
Sept. 13-Nov. 9 in Youngsville.

6. OPENING OF WORLDTREK
Marbles Kids Museum
Exhibit opens Oct. 8. Guests are transported to several exciting locales around the world to engage in hands-on exploration of commerce, culture, arts, music and more.

7. SOUNDSPACE: HEAR MOTION
Museum of Life and Science
Through October 2008.

8. WAM! MAGIC TRICKS
Marbles Kids Museum
Oct. 15
Session: 1 10–10:50 a.m. (ages 5-7)
Session 2: 11–11:50 a.m. (ages 8-11)
Just in time for Halloween, join Marbles Kids Museum for a spook-tacular workshop to learn fantastic magic tricks.

9. WAM! HOLIDAY COOKING
Marbles Kids Museum
Oct. 15, 10-11:50 a.m.
Bring the family and create holiday goodies.

10. 2008 TOUR OF GYMNASTICS SUPERSTARS
Oct. 19, 4 p.m. RBC Center

11. DEAD SEA SCROLLS ON VIEW AT N.C. MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES
Through Dec. 28.

12. Attend a free open Carolina Hurricanes Practice. Click here for this week's schedule.

13. Celebrate "No Child Left Inside" with the Museum of Life and Science During Earth Science Week, Oct. 12-18

14. Check out "Kung Fu Panda," "Wall-E" and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" for $1.50 at Blue Ridge Theater in Raleigh.

7 Things Track 1 Families Can Do This Week Before Heading Back to School

If you're on a year-round school schedule like we are, you'll find that our community offers a great variety of children's activities during year-round track-out breaks. In addition to track-out camps, there are plenty of activities to keep your track 1 kids busy and entertained over the next couple of weeks. Here's a list:

1. Fall Pumpkin and Harvest Festival at Hill Ridge Farms in Youngsville: through Nov. 9. Learn more here.

2. Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm at Marbles Kids Museum: through Jan. 25. Learn more here.

3. Summerwings Butterfly Pavillion at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham: through Sept. Learn more here.

4. Family Science Day at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Learn more here.

5. View the Dead Sea Scrolls at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, through Dec. 28. Learn more here.

6. "IGOR" released at movie theaters: Sept. 19. Learn more here.

7. Track 1 Magic Tree House Camp. Register and get details here.

With a Broom in Her Hand...

Yesterday, my 6-year-old daughter offered to help me sweep the kitchen. "Of course!" I said. Now for Katie, this is typical. She enjoys cleaning and actually tidies up her room without me having to ask her. (My friends call me "Monica"--from "Friends." Katie may as well be Mini-Monica.)

Keep in mind, I have two older boys who think cleaning their room means moving their dirty clothes from the floor to the bed; and shoving assortments of Legos, pirate coins and PSP cartridges into one corner of their dressers will fool me into thinking they actually "put things away."

But the thing that stopped me in my tracks as Katie and I were sweeping was what she said after I mentioned that she would be good at keeping her own house clean when she grows up. She said, "I know. I want to clean and cook and drive my kids to school while my husband is at work, just like you do."

Now, Katie knows I am also a freelance writer and complains that I am "always" on my computer, but in this particular context, she viewed me as what I truly seek to be: a stay-at-home-mom. I thought about this fact--that my daughter wants to be a SAHM someday, too--and immediately, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. THIS is exactly what I want for her!

Don't get me wrong. I want her to attend college, find a profession she enjoys and get to work right away. But when the time comes to start a family, I hope she still values the importance of what a SAHM can offer, and that she and her husband will find a way to make it work financially so she can fully enjoy the enriching experience of motherhood. As for my sons, I have already told them I hope they will choose a wife who values these same ideals.

I'm not ashamed to feel this way, and I hope there are others of you out there who feel the same way. I'm proud to be a SAHM, and even prouder that my daughter sees me as one.

12 Things Track 1 Parents Can Do This Week and Next

If you're on a year-round school schedule like we are, you'll find that the community is on top of it. In addition to track-out camps, there are plenty of activities to keep your track 1 kids busy and entertained over the next couple of weeks. Here's a list:

1. Borders Brisinger Party: Friday, Sept. 19. Click here to locate the store nearest you, where you'll find more details on this event.

2. Caniac Carnival: Sunday, Sept. 21. Click here for more info.

3. Fall Pumpkin and Harvest Festival at Hill Ridge Farms in Youngsville: through Nov. 9. Learn more here.

4. Bugfest at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences: Sept. 20. Learn more here.

5. Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm at Marbles Kids Museum: through Jan. 25. Learn more here.

6. SparkCon Kids Events in Raleigh: Sept. 19-21. Get the details here.

7. groundSPARK Street Painting Festival in Raleigh: Sept. 19-21. Learn more here.

8. Summerwings Butterfly Pavillion at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham: through Sept. Learn more here.

9. Celebrate Crowder Park's 10th Anniversary (in Holly Springs): Sept. 20. Get details here.

10. View the Dead Sea Scrolls at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, through Dec. 28. Learn more here.

11. "IGOR" released at movie theaters: Sept. 19. Learn more here.

12. Track 1 Magic Tree House Camp. Register and get details here.

Caniac Carnival Set for Sept. 21

Bring the kids out to the RBC Center Sunday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the Carolina Hurricanes annual Caniac Carnival. Parking and admission to the event are free of charge and the carnival will feature rides, interactive games, a designated sports zone, a TNT Freestyle Motocross show, live music, an autograph session with select Hurricanes players, and more. Click here for more information.

Bugfest 2008

The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences takes the "ewww" factor up a notch with its annual Bugfest event. This year's Bugfest takes place Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jones Street, The Plaza, Edenton Street, The Capitol Grounds, and all four floors of the Museum will be filled with buggy fun! This year’s theme bugs are bees, wasps and hornets! Check out the Bee Zone on the Capitol Grounds to learn more about these fascinating insects, buy some local honey or treat yourself to beekeeping supplies. You can even enter a Beehive Hairdo Contest and participate in a Backyard Beekeeping Workshop. Learn more here.
Photos provided by WRAL.com.

Storm Troopers at the Museum of Life and Science?

If you have Star Wars fans in your house, you won't want to miss this event. Here are the details:

HEROES, VILLAINS AND SPECIAL EFFECTS
Museum of Life and Science in Durham
Sat., Sept. 13, 10-5 p.m.
You don't need to travel to a faraway galaxy to meet Storm Troopers and other Star Wars characters - since the force will be with you, as the science and artistry of entertainment takes the main stage. Talk to video game design experts about how they create dazzling special effects. Learn about makeup effects from one of Hollywood's leading makeup artists with two-time Emmy award winner Dean Jones. See how stunts are choreographed and more! Free with museum admission. Learn more here.

(Photo provided by the Museum of Life and Science.)

The September Triangle TRACKS Newsletter is Out!

Hi everyone. The September issue is out, and it includes information on lots of fun activities going on for kids in the area this month. If you haven't signed up to receive it, just visit www.triangletracks.com and click on "Subscribe to our newsletter."

Great Triangle TRACKS Forum Posts in August!

Hi TRACKS visitors! Below are some of the great forum topics Triangle TRACKS members posted this month, in case you didn't get a chance to check them out yet.

Also, stay tuned for the September newsletter. I'll send it out Friday!

August Forum Topics:

Museum of Arts Introduces Track-Out Camps

Children’s Cooking School and Etiquette Training Center Opens

APA Jazz Class in Need of Dancers

Are Your Tires Safe? Important Information Every Driver Should Know

Swim Lessons Available Year-Round at Triangle Swim School

Call for Entries: N.C. Museum of Art Contest

J.K. Rowling Fans, Check This Out...

Check Out Boy Scouts of America’s Centennial Celebration Shirt and Other Products

Triangle TRACKS Now Offers Event Posting Tool for Members

I've added an EVENT POSTING tool to Triangle TRACKS that enables members to publicize their own events or public events local parents might be interested in. To start things off, I've posted a Cub Scouts recruiting event.

If you know of events such as children's clothing sales, party venue specials, club meetings and/or orientations, education opportunities or other events local parents would be interested in, you can post it quickly and easily here yourself!

But in order to post an event, you have to join Triangle TRACKS. It's easy--and free. Just go to the Triangle TRACKS home page and click on "Sign up."

Marbles Kids Museum Presents the 5th Annual Kick-off to Kindergarten

From the Marbles Museum publicity office:
On Sunday, August 17, from 4pm - 6pm, Marbles Kids Museum will present the 5th Annual Kickoff to Kindergarten. The event celebrates this special time of excitement and wonderment for kindergartners of Wake County! Kickoff to Kindergarten is designed to help kids and their families transition into school and make this a very memorable milestone.

Participating rising and current kindergarteners can go through their first lunch line, board a real school bus, get their very own library card, create make-n-take crafts, experience the museum, and enjoy entertainment from the kids band Big Bang Boom. With the help of its partners and contributors, Marbles Kids Museum will give away 750 book bags full of school supplies to the first 750 kindergarteners in attendance. There will also be a special visit from Super WHY!, star of the PBS show of the same title, who engages and empowers children to develop literacy skills through adventure and interactivity.

Parents will have the opportunity to get their last-minute questions answered by kindergarten teachers and school and health officials. Marbles Kids Museum and its partners have publicized this event to economically disadvantaged families in order to welcome them into the school system and help offset the expense of school supplies.

Sponsors of this event include: Target, K&W Cafeteria, Project Enlightenment (part of WCPSS), UNC-TV, Discount School Supply, WakeMed Health & Hospitals, Stone's Education Superstore, Therapeutic Connections, and Costco Wholesale.

Partners include: Wake County Public Library and Wake County Ready to Learn Center Program.

This event is free and open to residents of Wake County with rising or current kindergartners. Learn more here.

Morehead Planetarium Presents ALL of Your Favorite Shows Through Aug. 24!

What could be more fun than heading to Chapel Hill, catching a favorite Morehead Planetarium show like "Solar System Adventure" or "Magic Tree House Space Mission," then having an ice cream on Franklin Street, and heading back for another favorite Morehead Planetarium show? You can do that this month, since every Morehead program (except holiday programs) is on the schedule through Aug. 24. Learn more here.

Pre-Sale Ticket Information for Walking With the Dinosaurs Live and Disney on Ice World of Fantasy

Thanks to Social Butterflies editor Cary Heise for this pre-sale ticket information!

Walking With the Dinosaurs: The Live Experience
RBC Center
Oct. 22-26
PRE-SALE TICKETS being sold Aug. 6-10, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
PASSWORD: "ALIVE"
Click here for Ticketmaster.
Click here for show details.

Disney on Ice Presents World of Fantasy
RBC Center
Dec. 10-14
PRE-SALE TICKETS available through Aug. 17.
Click here for details.

Farewell to Hope

It is with great sadness that I must report that the inspiration for the charity Hope's Hope, six-year-old Hope Johnston of Apex, lost her battle with Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (INAD) July 30 at 12:52 p.m. A good friend of mine, Maria Strauss, helped found Hope's Hope. I stopped by to deliver a cheese-and-cracker tray to the Johnston family July 31 at Maria's request, and was able to meet Hope's father. I was very touched by how well he is handling this, and I am so saddened at what this family is going through.

If you would like to help this wonderful family out during their time of need, you can log on to www.carecalendar.com, then type in 6096 for the login and 5792 for the code. This will bring up a calendar with updates on foods and other items the family may need during this difficult time.

I will hug my 6-year-old daughter a little tighter, and longer, than usual tonight.

The Triangle TRACKS August Newsletter is Now Available

The August Triangle TRACKS newsletter went out to subscribers yesterday. This issue promos an upcoming Wiggles concert and offers information on new children's exhibits at local museums. August is filled with outdoor movie showings in the area, so the newsletter includes information on when and where those are taking place as well. The Triangle TRACKS monthly newsletter is free and electronic. No paper to worry about! If you haven't subscribed, send an email to epshugg@triangletracks.com and we'll add you to the list.

Our $40 Day at the N.C. State Farmers Market

The N.C. State Farmers Market in Raleigh was one of the first places my husband and I visited when we arrived--childless--in North Carolina 12 years ago. Not much has changed--and that's a good thing. Earthy aromas flow through stand after stand of vibrant produce--from fleshy red tomatoes, to plump juicy blueberries. Sunflowers tower over colorful bouquets of daisies, dahlias and peonies; and farmers offer samples of fresh peaches, ripe cantaloupe and other fruity pleasures as you walk through the marketplace.

I visited the farmers market with two of my three children today while my younger son attended a NetWorks basketball camp at the Town of Apex's Community Center. We brought home peaches, tomatoes, blueberries, blackberries, cilantro and sunflowers. We also enjoyed a cold coke and chicken fillet sandwich from the Market Grille--and ice cream for dessert. All in all, we spent $40--not bad for a morning filled with loads of fun, a delicious lunch and farm fresh treats. Here are some photos of our day at the N.C. State Farmers Market.

Triangle TRACKS Gets All Dressed Up With Art From Laura Kelly Designs & Licensing

After debuting a new look in June, Triangle TRACKS is accessorizing with Laura Kelly's playful art.

Check out the full story at this link.

The July Triangle TRACKS Newsletter is Now Available

The July Triangle TRACKS newsletter is now available to subscribers. It's packed with summer fun for the entire family. If you aren't already a subscriber to our FREE monthly newsletter, email us now to get on the list.

Triangle TRACKS has a new look!

That's right! We've changed platforms and now our pages load up faster and look better. Triangle TRACKS is easier to navigate now and offers features such as a social network visitors can join to interact with other parents. Our forums are alive and kicking, and our members are posting a wonderful variety of tips and information on children-related resources and activities for visitors to read.

It's easy--and free, of course--to join. Just click on "Sign Up" and we'll walk you through it.

Let us know what you think of our new look, and if you run into any problems with our links or other features here, please let us know that, too.

A Fun Place to Eat in Carrboro

Although I haven't tried the Southern Rail Restaurant in Carrboro yet, I plan to when my kids track out during July. I spent the day in Carrboro yesterday for a story assignment, and came across the restaurant while taking a walking tour of the town (in 100 degree weather, mind you). The manager let me walk through and snap a few photos.

According to the Sept. 27, 2007 edition of the Carrboro Commons, owner Mike Benson bought two train cars for $175,000 in an auction, then began the process of converting them into a restaurant. He added a heated and air conditioned glass patio between the cars that accommodates a bar, and also created a space for outdoor seating, patio tables and an outdoor beer garden behind the restaurant. A few plasma screen televisions completed the ensemble.

How, you ask, could a restaurant with a bar and beer garden be appropriate for kids? Simple: it's restaurant made out of train cars! Enough said. Expect to pay a more than you would at Panera Bread or TGI Fridays, but this seems like the perfect place for a special celebration. Learn more HERE. If you go, let us know what you think of it.

Meet the Author of the Magic Tree House Series, Mary Pope Osborne

You read that correctly! Mary Pope Osborne, author of the wildly popular children's "Magic Tree House" series, will be at a Morehead Planetarium and Science Center fundraising event THIS Saturday, June 7. If I'd known sooner, I surely would have included this in my June newsletter.

Quoted directly from the Morehead Planetarium website:

Osborne will join the audience for two special "Magic Tree House®: Space Mission" PREMIUM shows in the planetarium. She will speak briefly before each show, and she will sign books after each show for the children in the audience.

Also from the site:

There will be one premium show at 9 a.m. and another premium show at 11 a.m. Doors will open 15 minutes before show time. MPSC expects capacity attendence; please allow plenty of time to park, pick up your ticket, visit the restroom and attend to any other pre-show needs.

Each ticket to a "Magic Tree House® Space Mission" premium show costs $20. The same price applies to every guest who enters the theater, regardless of age. If a child is age 10 or younger, he or she must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver, and both must have tickets.

Get all of the details HERE.

Under the Stars at Jordan Lake

Morehead Planetarium astronomers will be at Jordan Lake's Ebenezer Beach Saturday night with their awesome telescopes, ready to answer all of your astronomy questions. This is the perfect opportunity to spend the day swimming, and the night star gazing. The kids will love it! Learn more here.

Free Movies at Beaver Creek Stadium 12 in Apex

An Apex mom posted this at Triangle TRACKS under the Party TRACKS forum. I thought it was blog-worthy as well!

Beaver Creek Stadium 12
1441 Beaver Creek Commons Drive
Apex ,NC 27502
919-362-7342

06/17/2008-06/19/2008
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G)
Surf’s Up (PG)

06/24/2008-06/26/2008
Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything - Veggie Tales (G)
Firehouse Dog (PG)

07/01/2008-07/03/2008
Rugrats The Movie (G)
Seeker: The Dark Is Rising (PG)

07/08/2008-07/10/2008
Everyone’s Hero (G)
Bee Movie (PG)

07/15/2008-07/17/2008
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (G)
Water Horse: Legend Of The Deep (PG)

07/22/2008-07/24/2008
Charlotte’s Web (G)
Bratz (PG)

07/29/2008-07/31/2008
Wallace And Gromit (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)

08/05/2008-08/07/2008
Peter Pan (PG)
Shark Tale (PG)

Check Out Museum TRACKS for a Discount to the Museum of Life and Science!

You can save $2 off per person for up to 5 people on admission to the Museum of Life and Science by clicking on the coupon link on our Museum TRACKS page. Also, be sure to check out the museum's website before you plan your trip!

The June Triangle TRACKS Newsletter is Now Available

I emailed the June newsletter to subscribers yesterday. If you aren't on the list and would like to start receiveing this free newsletter, please email me at epshugg@triangletracks.com. The latest issue offers brief articles on children’s events and activities taking place throughout the region during June, including the onset of train rides at New Hope Valley Railway in New Hill, charitable birthday party traditions, the North Carolina Symphony’s Summer Concert Series and June movie releases.

Let me know if you have story ideas for my July newsletter. I'll be gathering topics for that over the next few weeks and will publish it June 27.

Help Bring Baby Polar Bears to the N.C. Zoo!

Hi everyone,

I received this email from a friend. Please read and consider signing the online petition.

The Zoo Needs You! The Zoo Society has promised to give the N.C. Zoo funding to spruce up its Polar Bear exhibit, bring in some healthy young Polar Bears and provide them with everything they need to start a family! We want baby Polar Bears at the N.C. Zoo.

Because the State of North Carolina owns the Zoo – and should be a partner in these changes—we have made our pledge contingent upon a matching investment from the State of North Carolina. Your N.C. Zoo Society will give $4 million toward the Polar Bear expansion if the State will match our gift with $6 million to build a Children’s Nature Zoo (a wonderful addition for kids and their families!) and plan improvements for the African Pavilion. Please show your support for this partnership by clicking here to sign our petition. If you want, you or some youngsters you know, can also add some words to the petition explaining why you want to see baby Polar Bears at the Zoo.

Please pass this e-mail on to your friends and family. The more names we add to our petition, the more likely we will see Polar Bear cubs swimming at the N.C. Zoo.

Swept Away by the Carolina Ballet's Performance of "Sleeping Beauty"

I'm ashamed to admit that I have lived here longer than the Carolina Ballet has existed, and I just experienced it for the first time Friday night. I will not wait that long to go again.

When I heard the Carolina Ballet would be performing one of the most acclaimed ballets of all times, "Sleeping Beauty," I resolved to attend with my princess-loving, 6-year-old daughter, Katie. The Carolina Ballet's performance of "Sleeping Beauty" was a truly mesmerizing experience for us. It swept us both away.

Here's a little history of the "Sleeping Beauty" ballet: In 1812, Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm transformed the folktale into the fairytale, "Little Briar Rose," when they published the first volume of "Grimm's Fairy Tales." Marius Petipa orginally choreographed "Sleeping Beauty," and in 1890 the premiere performance took place in St. Petersburg, Russia, set against Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's enthralling composition. Maria Mariusovna Petipa, daughter of Marius, originated the role of ballet's Lilac Fairy. For those of you who are interested, I found a thorough timeline of the fairytale's evolution throughout the centuries HERE.

In 1959, Disney's animation of "Sleeping Beauty" delighted the hearts of little girls everywhere, and continues to dominate as one of the most loved princess movies of all time. (During a 2004 trip to Disneyworld, my husband and I took our children to a princess breakfast and Katie donned the gown of Aurora, her favorite princess. See the below photo for proof!)

Perhaps that is why, three years later at the age of 6, Katie sat enthralled and intrigued by Artistic Director Robert Weiss' presentation of intensely emotional adagios, agile allégros and gravity-defying aplombs. Lilyan Vigo, who portrayed Princess Aurora, amazed us with her enduring stability and balance.

The resplendent and ornately detailed costumes dazzled us. The evil Carabosse and her dragon jolted us into momentary fear, the Lilac Fairy enchanted us, and the celebration of Prince Désiré and Princess Aurora's marriage elevated our emotions to an exultant, eye-moistening state of mind that lingered long after we returned home.

It was a late night for my 6-year-old, but one we will both always remember. And we even have the pink souvenir jewelry box, ticket stubs and program to remind us of our unforgettable night out at the ballet.

May 12-18 is Children's Book Week!

I am actually grateful to have received an Amazon spam email today, for it alerted me that this week is Children's Book Week. Every week, you can check out the Book TRACKS page for the latest New York Times children's book bestseller's list, but I thought I'd go ahead and post this week's list right here to save you the trip.

1. READ ALL ABOUT IT!, by Laura Bush and Jenna Bush
2. GALLOP!, written and illustrated by Rufus Butler Seder
3. DIRT ON MY SHIRT, by Jeff Foxworthy
4. ALPHABET, by Matthew Van Fleet
5. KNUFFLE BUNNY TOO, written and illustrated by Mo Willems

Also, for those of you who live in Carrboro or enjoy visiting it, a local children's author has just released "A Weekend in the Paris of the Piedmont." This book is about Lizzy, a young girl who spends a weekend with her, mom, Betsy, rediscovering their hometown of Carrboro, known as the Paris of the Piedmont. The book costs $7.99. For more information, contact Mermaid Press at (919) 929-5023 or email irmatejada@earthlink.net.

Celebrate Children's Book Week by spending a little extra one-on-one time reading to your children--even if they are 10 years old and don't exactly relish the idea of curling up next to Mom and listening to "Love You Forever" for the 100th time.

Happy Mother's Day From TRACKS!

Hello Triangle Moms!

I'd like to wish you all a very HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY Sunday. Click HERE for Triangle CitySearch's list of great places for a Mother's Day brunch or spa treatment.

Here are a few other ideas for how you can spend Mother's Day in the Triangle this weekend:

MOTHER’S DAY BALL

May 10; 7-10 p.m. Presented by the Town of Cary and held at the Cary Senior Center, this event is open to ages 4 and up. Enjoy music, entertainment, refreshments and a family photo. Photography begins at 6 p.m. Learn more HERE.

AFTERNOON TEAS

The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary offers "Afternoon Tea" served Tuesday through Saturday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the hotel's elegant lounge. This is a wonderful way to spend Mother's Day a day or two before the real thing. The lounge also offers a live harpist performance, an outdoor terrace and various collections of commissioned artwork from nationally acclaimed and local artists. For reservations, call (919) 447-4200. Learn more HERE.

The Carolina Inn and Replacements, Ltd., the world's largest supplier of heirloom china, crystal and silver, offers an afternoon tea with unique charm daily Monday-Saturday, except holidays. Seatings begin at 3 p.m. Teas from Taylors of Harrogate, winner of England's "Best Cup of Tea" award, are served in vintage cups and saucers. Call (919) 919-2777 for reservations. Learn more HERE.

Introducing the Triangle TRACKS LinkZine!

I'd like to introduce you to the TRACKS Linkzine. I developed this concept as a way to provide TRACKS visitors with an online magazine experience. There are thousands of free child-specific articles on the Internet for you to read. All I had to do was pick a topic, and put them all one one page. The May topic is:

Overscheduled Kids: are we subjecting our children to too many extra activities?

Finding the appropriate balance of extra-curricular activities for our children takes effective communication and a fair amount of intuition. Sometimes our children let us know when they are overwhelmed; other times they hide those feelings for fear of disappointing us. Check out some of the articles posted on the LinkZine and let me know what you think about this important issue.

May Triangle TRACKS Calendar Loaded With Fun!

May is loaded with fun events and activities for Triangle kids. Check out the Triangle TRACKS May calendar by clicking here.

Highlights include:

IMAX “BUGS! 3D” OPENS!
IMAX Theater, Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh
Opens May 2. Shot on location in Borneo in an Oxford, England studio, this new IMAX movie explores the dramatic lives of bugs. Learn more here.

BATS: THE TRUE STORY
Museum of Life and Science in Durham
May 10: Rob Miles, TV personality and director for the Organization for Bat Conservation, discusses the benefits of bats, why we need to conserve them and what we can do to help them. Meet a local bat and hear its high-pitched sound. Learn more here. Be sure to check out the museum’s “Explore the Wild” and “Magic Wings Butterfly House” exhibits. Learn more about those exhibits here.

MOTHER’S DAY BALL
Cary Senior Center
May 10; 7-10 p.m. Presented by the Town of Cary and held at the Cary Senior Center, this event is open to ages 4 and up. Enjoy music, entertainment, refreshments and a family photo. Photography begins at 6 p.m. Learn more here.

NORTH CAROLINA ZOO PRESENTS BIRDS AND BLOOMS
May 10-11: Come out to Ashboro for a special Mother’s Day weekend celebration. Visit here for more information and an online admission discount.

Get a Scoop of Baskin Robbins Ice Cream for 31 Cents--and Honor Firefighters at the Same Time!

Take your kids out for a REALLY cheap scoop of ice cream tonight at Baskin Robbins--and get one for yourself, too! From 5-10 p.m. Baskin Robbins is honoring America's Firefighters by reducing the price of small ice cream scoops to 31 cents. Learn more here.

Triangle TRACKS Debut Newsletter Released

The May issue of my monthly Triangle TRACKS newsletter--also the debut issue--was sent out to subscribers today. This newsletter is free and includes brief articles about kids' activities and events taking place in the Triangle region each month.

Subscribe anytime by emailing info@triangletracks.com. Include "Subscribe" in the subject line or indicate that you wish to subscribe in the email text. I look forward to hearing from you!

Beth

Free Webkinz!

This just in from the WeLoveDurham.com blog ... (I really can't take credit for this news, but I will certainly pass it on!)

The Museum of Life & Science in Durham is giving away a free Webkinz to any customer who purchases $10 or more in the lobby gift shop April 25-27. While you're at the museum, be sure to check out the Magic Wings Butterfly House and "Explore the Wild" exhibit. I'll have more on the museum's lemur exhibit in my May newsletter, which will be available April 25. Sign up for it by sending an email to info@triangletracks.com.

Welcome to the Triangle T.R.A.C.K.S. Blog!

So glad you stopped by to check it out! As Triangle T.R.A.C.K.S. grows, I'm hopeful this blog will become a useful tool for posting details about the links and activities promoted at www.triangletracks.com. If you visit the "Party T.R.A.C.K.S." page, for example, and decide to book a birthday bash for your child through one of the many resources listed there, let me know what you think of the company's service. There's no better advertising than word of mouth, and parents visiting this site want to know how to find the best services and products for their children. Your comments will educate us all!

I'd also love to hear what you think of Triangle T.R.A.C.K.S. Is this site useful? Will you bookmark it for quick reference to Triangle resources and activities for kids? Would you be interested in subscribing to my monthly Triangle T.R.A.C.K.S. newsletter, which offers brief updates on what's going on in the area for that particular month? (The May issue will be available April 25.)

Please register and post your comments here. Also, feel free to pass the Triangle T.R.A.C.K.S. website (www.triangletracks.com) on to all of your friends. And of course, thanks for stopping by!

Lemurs, Tigers and Dinosaurs? Oh My!

The North Carolina Zoo is just a little over an hour away down U.S. 64 in Ashboro, but you need only go as far away as Pittsboro to see a Bengal tiger, or Durham to see a Ringtailed lemur.

Pittsboro's Carnivore Preservation Trust is home to binturongs, caracals, jaguars, kinkajous, spotted leopards, ocelots, servals, snow leopards and tigers. The Museum of Life and Science in Durham accommodates lemurs, bears, wolves and other wild animals. And the Duke Lemur Center houses more than 300 lemurs representing 25 species. In Apex, Dinosaurs Rock! This innovative park offers exciting dinosaur exhibits and activities, as well as fossil and gem digs.

If you're looking for animals that are a little less exotic, check out the cute and cuddly farm animals at Hill Ridge Farms in Youngsville.

Book a birthday party or other special event at most of these exciting destinations, or just take your kids out to one of them for an exotic day of animal fun. The Duke Lemur Center and Carnivore Preservation Trust book tours by reservation only, so be sure to call them first before you head out there. Click on their links to learn more.

Broadway Series South Presents Special Farewell Performance of ‘Riverdance’ in Raleigh April 29-May 4

The Irish sensation that jigged its way around the world has embarked on a farewell tour of the United States. Broadway Series South brings this special presentation of “Riverdance” to Raleigh’s Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts April 29-May 4.

Riverdance launched in 1994 as a filler act for the Eurovision Songfest, which Ireland happened to host that year. Talented dancers Michael Flatley and Jean Butler gained renowned fame due to Riverdance’s worldwide popularity. The phenomenon has sparked an interest in Irish dancing across the world.

Don’t miss this special farewell performance of Irish music, song and dance. Order tickets here.

The Carolina Ballet Performs ‘Sleeping Beauty’

I don't know about you, but the thought of taking my little princess to the Carolina Ballet's performance of "Sleeping Beauty" May 15-18 conjures thoughts of twirling through my backyard woods and singing with the birds, in true princess fashion.

Raleigh's internationally renowned Carolina Ballet brings this classic fairytale to life at the Progress Energy Center for Performing Arts. It will feature original choreography by Marius Petipa set to Tchaikovskly’s greatest scores, and is sure to delight girls—young and old—across the region.

Boutique shopping will be available during all shows and there will be a costume contest at the Saturday 11 a.m. show. Have your photo taken with Miss North Carolina during the Sunday Matinee. Learn more about the Carolina Ballet at www.carolinaballet.com, and order tickets to “Sleeping Beauty” here.