Sunday, November 30, 2008

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

Sunday, November 23, 2008

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.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

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.

Monday, November 17, 2008

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!

Friday, November 14, 2008

'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

Thursday, November 13, 2008

“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

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

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.

Monday, November 10, 2008

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!

Friday, November 7, 2008

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.