by Heath Anderson
f your children have been
crawling around in your backyard looking for fun things to drag into the
house and play with -- bring them to the Memphis Botanic Garden and
let them learn about all the creepy crawlies that local backyards have to
offer. "Tennessee's Treasures," part of a program designed to
help young children keep in tune with nature, will take place at the Botanic
Garden on Saturday, March 1st, from 10 a.m. until noon. The program is most
suitable for ages 6 and up, and parents can come for free. Pre-registration
is desired so that supplies don't run short. For non-member children to
attend, it costs $6; for member children, it's $4. To sign up, call 685-1566,
ext. 110.
Books! Books! and more Books! On Sunday, March 2nd, at 2 p.m., the new Germantown Branch Library at 1925 Exeter will host a Children's Open House and anyone interested is invited to attend. Those wanting to contribute to this new branch are encouraged to come and participate in the festivities; four publishers will be present to sell books to the public, who can then donate them to the library's new collection. There will be a puppet show and face-painting for the kids, as well as refreshments for everyone. For parents who have been trying to encourage their kids to read more, a 15-minute seminar held in conjunction with the Open House will help explain how to go about that difficult task. The Germantown Children's Open House is open to the public at no charge and registration is not necessary for attendance. For more information, call 725-8895.
On Saturday, March 1st, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Children's Museum of Memphis will let your little kids make their own red-and-white-striped Dr. Seuss hats with recycled materials. Also, at 1 p.m., kids can listen to Dr. Seuss stories in honor of his birthday. The activity is free with admission to the museum, so fry up some green eggs and ham for breakfast and come on down.
DURING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, YOU'RE going to be
hearing as much about Hale-Bopp as you did last year about the Macarena.
No, Hale-Bopp is not a dance -- though it sounds like a good name for one.
Hale-Bopp is a comet, named after the two amateur astronomers who discovered
it, and word has it that this one will be among the brightest in this century,
easily visible to the naked eye and outshining last spring's Comet Hyakutake.
Scientists are optimistic about the chances of a spectacular display this
time because Hale-Bopp is 40 kilometers in diameter -- 10 times larger
than the average comet.
To celebrate the coming of this extraterrestrial visitor, the Memphis Pink Palace Museum's Sharpe Planetarium will present Comet Hale-Bopp Is Here! beginning this Friday, February 28th, and continuing through May 18th. Using the planetarium's state-of-the-art equipment, the program will feature computer graphics, slides, photographs, video, and special effects to simulate how Hale-Bopp will appear in the sky during March and April, its peak months. During the program, museum astronomers will explain what a comet is, how Hale-Bopp was discovered, and how you can find the object among the stars. To help you get your bearings, the program gives a thorough overview of the spring constellations. Also covered: what equipment you'll need if you want to get a close-up view of the comet.
You won't have to have binoculars or other assistance to see Hale-Bopp (though you'll need some magnification to get a detailed look at the tail). The comet will be visible every night, starting in March, for several hours near the northwest horizon. You'll get the best view if you go outside of the city, away from artificial sources of light and in an open space where there are no trees or buildings obstructing your view. Can't find Hale-Bopp? Call the Pink Palace's Comet Hotline at 320-6364 for daily updates on its position.
Admission to the planetarium show is $3.50 for adults, $2.50 for children. For showtimes and other information, call 320-6320. To purchase tickets or make reservations, call 320-6362.
-- Debbie Gilbert