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)