Family Calendar, Oct. 10-16

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 This column includes events that are of interest to families. Material must be received at least two weeks before the event.

Address suggested material to Family  Calendar, P.O. Box 81689, Lincoln, NE 68501 or e-mail to eandersen@journalstar.com.

* Friday, Oct. 10

Spooktacular storytime, 10:30 a.m., SouthPointe Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 2910 Pine Lake Road. New theme/activity each week. 421-7979.

Behlen Observatory public night, 7:30-10 p.m., Behlen Observatory, Mead. For directions visit http://astro.unl.edu/observatory. Free.

* Saturday

Last Saturday before zoo closes, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; animal food drive, Lincoln Children’s Zoo.

Child Advocacy Center 10th birthday party, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Roca Berry Farm, Roca. Birthday cake, the String Beans and activities. Regular admission.

 VegFest, 2-6 p.m., Historic Havelock Park, 63rd Street and Ballard Avenue. Family activities, crafts, fall food contest, celebrity chef demonstrations, gardening booths, workshops and live music. Free.

* Sunday

Science Day/Bat Campus by Doane College, noon-4 p.m., Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Regular admission.

Pokemon TCG League, 1-5 p.m., Gauntlet Games, 3233 S. 13th St. Contact Noah, 217-2711.

Harvest of Traditions, 1-5:30 p.m., Arbor Farm, 525 W. Waverly Road, Raymond. Family activities, farm animals, dancing and music, game and food. Free.

Student recital, hosted by Lincoln Music Teachers Association, 2 p.m., Grace Community Evangelical Church, 6843 South St. Free.

Annual Schoolhouse Fiddling Bee, 2:30 p.m.; registration, 1:30 p.m., Old Avoca Schoolhouse, Auditorium, Avoca. www.greenblattandseay.com.

*  Monday

Science Day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Senior Monday, free admission for ages 60 and over, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Lincoln Children’s Zoo.

Lincoln City Libraries storytimes, Toddlers: 10:30 a.m. Anderson Branch. Elementary ages: 4 p.m. Arnold Heights.

Spooktacular storytime, 10:30 a.m., SouthPointe Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

* Tuesday

MOMS (Meeting Other Mothers) Group, 9:30-11 a.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 22nd and Washington streets. $3/first child, $1/each additional child. Kristin, 464-1481.

Lincoln City Libraries storytimes, Toddler: 10:30 a.m. Walt, 10:35 a.m. Gere. Preschool: 10:30 a.m. Anderson, Gere, Walt; 7 p.m. Eiseley.

Family night at the library: crafts, 6:30-7 p.m.; storytime for preschoolers and families, Walt Branch. Topic: Fancy Nancy—It’s Dress Up Night! Free.

* Wednesday

Last day of 2008 season, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Lincoln Children’s Zoo.

Mothers Group, 10-11:30 a.m., Northeast Family Center, 6220 Logan Ave.  471-3700. Child care provided.

Lincoln City Libraries storytimes, Preschool: 10:30 a.m. Eiseley, South and Walt branches; 2 p.m. South branch, 7 p.m. Anderson. Toddlers: 10:30 a.m. Walt; 10:35 a.m. Eiseley.

Firefighters visit library storytime, 10:30 a.m., Eiseley Branch.

Grandparent Group, 1 p.m., Northeast Family Center, 6220 Logan Ave. 471-3700.

* Thursday

Parent and child playgroup, for children ages 9 months-5 years, 9:30-11 a.m., Northeast Family Center, 6220 Logan Ave. 471-3700.

Lincoln City Libraries Storytimes, Toddlers: 10:05 a.m., Gere; 10:35 a.m., Eiseley, Gere branches. Preschool: 10:15 a.m., Bennett Martin; 10:30 a.m. Bethany, Eiseley, Gere; 7 p.m., Arnold Heights.

Family night at the library: crafts, 6:30-7 p.m.; storytime for preschoolers and families, Gere Branch. Topic: Spooky Stories. Free.

* Shows

“Arthur’s Halloween,” today through Oct. 19, Lincoln Community Playhouse. For times/tickets call 489-7529.

“Saint George and the Dragon,” The Paul Mesner Puppets, today through Oct. 19, Paul Mesner Puppet Studio, 1006 E. Linwood Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. (816) 235-6222 or www.paulmesnerpuppets.org.

“Confetti 2008,” Omaha Theater Ballet, Oct. 17-26, 8 p.m. Fridays; 4:30, 8 p.m. Saturdays; 4:30 p.m. Sundays, The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St., Omaha. (402) 345-5401.

“Disney Live! Winnie the Pooh,” 1:30 p.m. Oct. 26, Pershing Center, 226 Centennial Mall South. 475-1212.

The Big Adventure traveling exhibit, through Jan. 4, Strategic Air & Space Museum. Activities include a climbing wall, crawling tunnels and a balance beam. $7/adults, $3/ages 5-12 and under 5 free.

Planetarium Astronomy shows: “The Enchanted Reef,” 2 p.m., and “Black Holes,” 3 p.m., Saturdays. Secret of the Cardboard Rocket,” 2 p.m., and  “Black Holes,” 3 p.m. Sundays.  Admission: $8/adults, $5.50/ages 5-18, $2.50/ages 4 and under, (includes admission to UNL State Museum), Mueller Planetarium.

Hyde Observatory shows: “Recent NASA Missions” and “Fall Constellations.” Sunset-10 p.m. Saturday, Hyde Memorial Observatory. Free. Suitable for all ages.

* Pumpkin patches

Bloom Where You Are Planted, 911 S. 108th St., Avoca. (402) 267-4104.

The Punkin Patch, 28614 O St. (six miles east of Eagle. (402) 994-4305.

Roca Berry Farm, Roca. 421-2255.

Sunwest Farm Pumpkin Farm, 4851 N. 84th St. 464-4633.

Vala’s Pumpkin Patch, Gretna. (402) 332-4200.

Arbor Day Tree Farm Tree Adventure, 2700 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City. (402) 873-8717.

* Register now

Read to a Dog, with Healing Heart Therapy dogs, 2-4 p.m., Gere Branch or 5-7 p.m., Walt Branch, Sundays Oct. 19-Nov. 23; 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays Oct. 16-Nov. 30, South Branch. Preregistration required.

Family hayrack rides, through Nov. 1, Pioneers Park Nature Center. $6/person. Space fills quickly. Preregistration required. For dates/times and registration call, 441-7895.

Halloween Camps, 5:30 to 1 p.m. the following day: Oct. 17-18, 18-19 and 24-25 for ages 7-12; Oct. 25-26 for ages 10-14, Camp Kitaki. Haunted house, ghost stories, haunted hike, hayrack ride, dance/costume contest, pumpkin carving and prizes/treats. $39/child. To register call (402) 434-9222 or www.ymcalincoln.org/kitaki.

Super Sitters class, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 18. $15/person. For location/registration call 219-7000 or www.SaintElizabethOnline.com.

Wildlife Badge for Junior Girl Scouts, 9 a.m.-noon Oct., 18, Pioneers Park Nature Center, Prairie Building. Activities 3-5 and 7-9 will be completed. $7/Scout, leaders free. Register by Wednesday at 441-7895.

Meet the Real DW (Arthur’s sister), 11 a.m.-noon, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Oct. 18, Lincoln Community Playhouse. Program and lunch with Kim Brown, $5. Space limited. Registration required at 489-7529.

Story Fun after school program, six- week program 3-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays Oct. 21-Dec. 16, LifePointe, 7501 S. 17th St. For grades 3-5. $60/person/six-week session. 481-6300.

Edutainment after school program, six-week program 3-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays Oct. 22-Dec. 17, LifePointe, 7501 S. 27th St. For grades K-2. $60/person/six-week session. 481-6300.

Spooktacular: Hidden in the Night, 6:45-8 p.m. Oct. 23-25, Pioneers Park Nature Center. $6/person; ages 3 and under free. Preregister/prepay at 441-7895.

“Art: It’s in the Eye of the Beholder” camp, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 27-31, Lincoln Children’s Museum. Drawing/painting activities for grades K-5. $150/members, $165/nonmembers. Register at 477-4000.

Zoo Camp, for grades 2-5, Oct. 27-31, Lincoln Children’s Zoo. $210/members, $245/nonmembers. To register call, 475-6741 ext. 129.

“Saving Memories” children’s workshops, 9-11:30 a.m. Oct. 28-30, Museum of Nebraska History, 15th and P streets. Make hide paintings, mini-quilts or autograph albums. Class size limited to 12 students. $7/per class. Registration required at 471-4757 or jkeetle@nebraskahistory.org.

* Workshops/classes

SECURE car seat fitting station, individualized instruction on installation/use of child’s car seat by appointment. $20/car seat. Call 219-7000 or www.SaintElizabethOnline.com.

Breast-feeding support groups for pregnant and breast-feeding women: Telephone support, LaLeche League, 441-9509; Breast-feeding Cafe (LaLeche League), 10:30 a.m. Fridays, Eiseley Branch Library; Group for Moms, 1:30 Wednesdays, BryanLGH College of Health Sciences, Room 200, 5035 Everett St., 481-3328; Mom Talk, 7 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m. Wednesdays/Fridays, Milkworks, 5930 S. 58th St., Suite W, 423-6402.

* Coming up

All Hallows Eve, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 17-18, Stuhr Museum. Treat Trail, Haunted Field and Spider Cave. Appropriate for all ages. Regular admission.

Book Fest events, 11 a.m. program with activities about Nebraska’s backyard birds; noon, Mike Mennard performance; 1 p.m., appearances by Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt; 2:15 p.m., read and role-play with author N.L. Sharp and 3:30 p.m., storybook bingo, Oct. 18, Lincoln Children’s Museum. Free.

Sexuality discussion for parents, noon-1 p.m. Oct. 23, YWCA, 1432 N St. Sponsored by Planned Parenthood of Nebraska.

Halloween Hurrah! trick-or-treat at the museum, 6-8 p.m. Oct. 23-24, Lincoln Children’s Museum. Regular admission and $3/trick-or-treat bag.

Howling Homestead event, 6 p.m. Oct. 25, Homestead National Monument of America. Activities, storytelling and refreshments. Please do not wear costumes. Free.

The Great Pumpkin Party, 1-6 p.m. Oct. 26, Tree Adventure, Arbor Day Farm. Wear your costume and enjoy fun activities.

 Boo at the Zoo, 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 26-30, Lincoln Children's Zoo.

* Family viewing

Current G or PG movies. All movies currently in the theater and running through next Thursday unless otherwise noted. Movies are rated up to ****

OPEN TODAY

CITY OF EMBER. Teenagers try to save the human race in this well-done sci-fi drama aimed at the tween crowd. PG. (Grand, Edgewood) ***½

THE EXPRESS.This bio-pic about Ernie Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy, sticks too close to the sports movie formula to be great, but is still worth seeing. PG. (Grand, SouthPointe) **½

GLASS. This intimate documentary by the director of “Shine” looks at the daily life and work of Philip Glass, one of the most important and controversial composers of the last 50 years and a fascinating man. Unrated. (Ross) ****

IN THEATERS

BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA. A pampered Chihuahua goes on a comic “Incredible Journey” to Mexico in this family film from Disney that features talking versions of bug-eyed little dogs. PG. (Grand, East Park, SouthPointe) HH½

FIREPROOF. Kirk Cameron plays a firefighter who is having marital troubles in this church-produced picture. PG. (Grand).

IGOR. The animated film is a credible knockoff of “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” but the joke- and heart-starved script lets down a solid voice cast that includes John Cusack and Steve Buscemi. PG. (Edgewood) *½

VIDEO RELEASES

The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything: A Veggie Tales Movie (G), available Tuesday.

Animalia: Welcome to the Kingdom (NR), available now.

Dog Gone (PG), available now.

Dora the Explorer Dora Saves the Snow Princess (NR), available now.

Soccer Mom (PG), available now.

* Places to go

In Lincoln:

Ager Play Center, 1300 S. 27th St.; 441-6788.

Lincoln Children’s Zoo, 1222 S. 27th St.; 475-6741; www.lincolnzoo.org.

Hyde Memorial Observatory, Holmes Park, 70th Street and South Shore Boulevard, south side of Holmes Lake.

Lincoln Children’s Museum, 1420 P St.; 477-0128; www.lincolnchildrensmuseum.org.

Morrill Hall, University of Nebraska State Museum and Ralph Mueller Planetarium, 14th and U streets; 472-2642.

Museum of Nebraska History, 15th and P streets; 471-4754; www.nebraskahistory.org.

National Museum of Roller Skating, 4730 South St.; 483-7551.

Pioneers Park Nature Center, 3201 S. Coddington Ave.; 441-7895.

Elsewhere:

Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, Schramm Park State Recreation Area, 21502 W. Highway 31, Gretna; (402) 332-3901.

Arbor Day Farm’s Tree Adventure Pavilion and Lied Greenhouse, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City. (402) 474-5655 or www.arborday.org.

Audubon Spring Creek Prairie, southwest of Lincoln, follow Southwest 98th Street south out of Denton for three miles. (402) 797-2301.

Durham Western Heritage Museum, 801 S. 10th St., Omaha; (402) 444-5071; www.dwhm.org.

Edgerton Explorit Center, Nebraska’s Hands-on Science Center, 208 16th St., Aurora. Two miles north of I-80 at the Aurora exit. (877) 694-4032.

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, located 25 miles east of Lincoln, off I-80 at exit 426; (402) 944-2523.

Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History, Lied Super Screen Theater and McDonald Planetarium, 1330 N. Burlington Ave., Hastings; (402) 461-2399 or (800) 508-4629

Henry Doorly Zoo and Lozier IMAX Theater, 3701 S. 10th St., Omaha; (402) 733-8401.

Homestead National Monument of America, four miles west of Beatrice on Nebraska 4; (402) 223-3514.

G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari, Interstate 80 exit 426, between Lincoln and Omaha; operated by the Henry Doorly Zoo. (402) 944-WILD, or (402) 733-8401.

Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St., Omaha; (402) 342-6164.

Strategic Air and Space Museum, 28210 W. Park Highway, Ashland (I-80 Exit 426). (800) 358-5029 or www.strategicairandspace.com.

Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, 3133 W. Highway 34, Grand Island. (308) 385-5316.