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.

* Today, Sept. 5

Storytime Spectacular, 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

Pojagi Family Day, 10 a.m.-noon, International Quilt Study Center and Museum, 33rd and Holdrege streets. Activities for children ages 3-18.

Punt, Pass & Kick contest, 10 a.m.,  Arbor State Park, football field, Wymore. For youth in age divisions: 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15. Registration on-site.

Jr. Blackshirts, for ages 2-12, during the Husker football game; also, Sept. 13, 27, Oct. 4, 25 and Nov. 8 games, Campus Recreation Center, east of Memorial Stadium. For children while parents attend game. $20/child/game. Preregistration required, 472-3467.

Camp Fontanelle corn maze grand opening, 1-7 p.m., 9677 County Road 3, Nickerson. $6/ages 12 and over, $4/ages 3-11; ages 2 and under free. For information/reservations, call (402) 478-4296 or visit www.campfontanelle.com.

* Sunday

Grandparents Day, 1-5 p.m., Lincoln Children’s Museum. Free admission for grandparents, free family photo, bingo with prizes, facepainting, chair massages, cookies and giveaways.

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

Root beer and ice cream social, 3-5 p.m.; entertainment by the String Beans, 3:45-4:30 p.m, Antelope Park, Log Cabin Shelter. Hosted by The Arc of Lincoln/Lancaster County, Autism Family Network and Down Syndrome Association for Families of Nebraska. Free. For information, call 421-8866.

*  Monday

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

Storytime Spectacular, 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, Preschool: 10:15 a.m., Bennett Martin; 10:30 a.m., Anderson, Gere and Walt branches; 7 p.m., Eiseley. Toddlers: 10:30 a.m., Walt; 10:35 a.m., Gere.

* Wednesday

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. Toddlers: 10:30 a.m., Walt; 10:35 a.m., Eiseley.

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

Lincoln Public Schools Board meeting, 7 p.m., Lincoln Public Schools District Offices board room, 5901 O St. 436-1601.

* 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, Preschool: 10:15 a.m., Bennett Martin; 10:30 a.m., Eiseley, Gere; 7 p.m., Arnold Heights, Bethany. Toddlers: 10:35 a.m.,  Eiseley and Gere.

Pajamarama, 7 p.m., SouthPointe Barnes & Noble Booksellers. Children in grades K-4 may come dressed in favorite pajamas (regular clothing welcome) and enjoy Golden Sower stories and a snack. Free.

* Shows

“The Little Engine That Could,” 7 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. Saturdays/Sundays, through Sept. 14, The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St. Recommended for ages 4-9. Tickets: (402) 345-4849.

“A Disneyland Adventure,” Disney on Ice, Sept. 18-21, Qwest Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St., Omaha. For times/tickets: (402) 422-1212 or www.tickemaster.com.

Planetarium Astronomy Fulldome Digital 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), Ralph Mueller Planetarium. 472-2641.

Hyde Observatory shows: “The Big Bang” and “Fall Constellations.” Sunset-11 p.m. Saturday, Hyde Memorial Observatory. Shows end Saturday. Free. Suitable for all ages.

* Register now

Super Sitters, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 13, Oct. 18 or Nov. 15, Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center. $15/person. To register/information call 219-7000 or visit www.saintelizabethonline.com.

Mommy and Me: Fall Fling, eight- week session, 10-11:30 a.m. Mondays, beginning Sept. 15, Pioneers Park Nature Center, Prairie Building Goldenrod Classroom. For ages 2½-3½ and adult. $55. Register by Monday, 441-7895.

Southwood Lutheran MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group, meets 9-11 a.m. first and third Wednesday of each month, beginning Sept. 17. For mothers of children ages birth to 5 years. Register at southwoodmops@yahoo.com.

Family Hayrack rides, Sept. 18-Nov. 1, Pioneers Park Nature Center. $6/person. Space fills quickly. Pre-registration required, 441-7895.

Toddler Playtime, eight-week session mornings:Thursdays beginning Sept. 18 or Fridays beginning Sept. 19, Lincoln Children’s Museum. $40/for session and regular admission/membership. Registration required, 477-0128.

Bullying: What Can Parents Do, 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 18, BryanLGH East, Plaza Conference Center, 1600 S. 48th St. Free. Register at 481-8886.

Hayrack in the Park, Lincoln Safari Calling Card event, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Sept. 19, Pioneers Park Concession Stand. $6/person. Register by Sept. 17, 441-7895.

Photography day, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 20, Pioneers Park Nature Center, Prairie Building. Learn to take photographs of splashing water, hands-on photography lessons, adventure hike and picnic lunch in the woods. For ages 9-14. $30/person. Register by Sept. 17. For information/registration, call 441-7895.

Camp Kitaki Fall Roundup camp, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 to 3 p.m. Sept. 21, Camp YMCA Camp Kitaki. Horse rides, crafts, cookout, campfire, game and hoe- down, for ages 10-14. $99. Registration required, 434-9222 or www.ymcalincoln.org./kitaki.

Healthy weight for kids, 6-7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 2-Nov. 6, LifePointe, 7501 S. 27th St. $200/family. Class size limited; register by Sept. 25. Call 481-6300.

* Workshops/classes

Ballroom dancing classes, 6-7 p.m. Thursdays (grades 4-8); 7-8 p.m. (grades 9 through college) Thursdays, DelRay Ballroom, 820 R St. For information, call Tammy at (402) 770-1265.

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

Shining Star, 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 12, Lincoln Children’s Museum. For families with children whose health has been compromised by disease, surgery or treatments. Closed to general public. Free.

Twilight on the Tallgrass: Loren Eiseley and the Denton Hills, 5-10 p.m.; campfire program, 8 p.m. Sept. 13,  followed by late-night trail and stargazing, Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, 11700 S.W. 100th St., Denton. $5/adults; ages 12 and under free. Bring picnic; ice cream and lemonade available. (402) 797-2301.

“The Imperial Nutcracker” ballet auditions, Omaha Theater Ballet, 6 p.m. Sept. 13, Omaha Theater Ballet dance studio, 2665 Farnam St., Omaha. For ages 6 and over. For information, call (402) 342-8835.

Hispanic/Latino cultural celebration, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 14, Antelope Park. Family-oriented event features live music, dancers, cultural displays, ethnic foods and children’s entertainment. Hosted by El Centro De Las Americas. Free and open to everyone.

Sensory Safari, 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Sept. 17, Lincoln Children’s Zoo. For children and adults with visual disabilities. Preregistration required. Call Candace at (800) 826-4355. 

Garden Explorers: Taste Buds, 2-4 p.m. Sept. 20, Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St., Omaha. For ages 9-12. $10/members; $13/nonmembers. Register by Sept. 13, (402) 346-4002.

* 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

U2 (3D). The concert film —  shot, produced and screened exclusively with both 3-D and digital cinema technology — features the Irish rock band during its 2005-06 “Vertigo” tour. G. (Grand). ***

IN THEATERS

ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD. Director Werner Herzog takes his camera to Antarctica, where he creates a documentary that captures the natural beauty of the continent and the eccentric characters who live and work there. G. (Ross) ****

THE LONGSHOTS. Keke Palmer is a girl playing Pop Warner football in this crowd-pleasing, but cliched kid sports movie. PG. (Grand) **

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS. This computer-animated picture is a setup for a TV series coming this fall and takes the ‘Star Wars’ story in a new direction, following Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi as they try to rescue Jabba the Hut’s kidnapped son and quash a separatist rebellion. PG. (Edgewood) **

WALL-E. A robot left alone on Earth falls in love, then has to teach people how to return to the planet in this touching, entertaining film with little dialogue that is the best Pixar picture since “Finding Nemo.” PG. (State) ****

VIDEO RELEASES

Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour (G), available now.

Lost Stallions: The Journey Home (NR), available now.

Go Diego Go! Diego’s Halloween (NR), available now.

The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning (G), available now.

Ballet Shoes (NR), 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.

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.

University of Nebraska State Museum (Morrill Hall) and Mueller Planetarium, 14th and U streets; 472-2642; www.museum.unl.edu.

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, I-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