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

'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.

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.

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.)