Places to Go, Things to Do

Challenger Center, World's Fair and more

The Challenger Learning Center had its grand opening last month and the first kids have had a "Mission to Mars" experience. Over 130 groups already have booked similar mission activities.

The learning center is now open for business to both school groups and the general public. Kid and adult groups can experience a simulated space mission, from both a mission control room and a spacecraft cockpit.

For reservations, you should call (636) 300-9651. For details on the center, visit the website at: www.clcstlouis.org.

The grand opening was Monday, Nov. 17, at 205 Brotherton Lane in Ferguson.

Two St. Louis natives--one an astronaut and the other a 4-star general--were featured speakers at the opening ceremony.

Dr. Sandy Magnus, the astronaut, is from Belleville, Ill. She said, "It was my dream as a child to go into space and explore, explore, explore." One of her space missions involved operating the construction boom used to build the international space station.

Air Force General Ralph (Ed) Eberhart was a graduate of McClure High School. The Challenger center is built on the campus of the new Ferguson-McClure High School.

Of his experience growing up in St. Louis, Eberhart said, "I'm proud of my roots." He said the Challenger center will help a new generation learn about space. "I have great confidence in the youth of America," he said.

Another featured guests at the grand opening was Mrs. Cheryl McNair, widow of astronaut Ronald McNair. He was one of the Challenger crew members who died when the spacecraft exploded on takeoff.

The Challenger Learning Centers are a memorial to those crew members. The St. Louis center is the 49th to be built across the country.

Challenger Learning Center opens for business

Kids on a simulated space mission

 

General Ed Eberhart

 

Astronaut Sandy Magnus

 

Opening of the center

 

1904 World's Fair Celebration

The St. Louis History Museum will end the year with a 1904 World's Fair Centennial Celebration event. The December 31 party is set up as a full-family event with lots of things for kids and adults.

The event will be from 7 until 11:30 p.m. as part of the kickoff of Celebrate 2004. The museum activities are free.

After that, there'll be time to adjourn to Art Hill for a fabulous fireworks display.

The museum events include flamenco dancing, magic shows and African drumming and dancing. Also, there will be face painting, balloon sculptors, caricaturists and more.

For further information, you can call (314) 746-4599 or visit the museum's website at www.mohistory.org.

Two Lewis and Clark activities

The Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery will be the subject of a couple neat events in December.

At the Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in Kirkwood, there will be a "Christmas at Camp Wood" program on December 6. You'll be able to learn about the Lewis and Clark camp, crew and keelboat.

Kids will make models of a fort and a pirogue (that's a small boat). Also, you'll see demonstrations of flintlock rifle firing and enjoy stories and songs.

Reservations can be made at (314) 301-1500.

At the Missouri History Museum, the Family Matinee Series will have two programs involving Lewis and Clark and the Mississippi River.

One program is "Footsteps West: Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery." The other is "Riverroads: Steamboats on the Mississippi."

They will be held Tuesday, Dec. 30, starting at 2:30 p.m. To purchase tickets in advance, call (314) 361-9017. Admission is $4 for one show or $6 for two.

 

Skating with Santa at County Parks

Special Skating with Santa programs are scheduled in December at three St. Louis County Parks.

One of the events will be December 14 at the Kennedy Recreation Complex in South County. The event is 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. In addition to Santa, there will be candy canes, cookies and music.

On December 20, Skating with Santa events will be at the North County Recreation Complex and the Greensfelder Recreation Complex in West County. The NCRC event is from noon to 2 p.m. while Greensfelder skating will be from 4 to 6 p.m.

No registration is needed and regular admission will be charged.

For information about County Park activities, visit www.stlouisco.com/parks.

 

Make holiday bird-feeding items at home

Kids can make natural holiday decorations and help birds at the same time. You don't even have to leave home.

The Missouri Department of Conservation suggests making edible garlands, wreaths or ornaments out of things birds can eat. Then, by decorating a tree in your yard, you'll make December special for birds.

An edible garland can be made by stringing raisins, peanuts in the shell, cranberries or small pieces of fruit. A wreath can be made with cranberries and small pieces of fruit strung on a circular wire.

For ornaments, start with a pine cone. Spread it with peanut butter and roll it in birdseed. They also can go on the outside tree.

One reminder, don't use bread, cereal or cheese puffs. They might make birds full, but have little food value. Also, be sure to put out water for the birds.