Here & There - July/August 2008

Teens can experience MOSI’s Driving Simulator.

AAA Sponsors Exhibit at MOSI

AAA Auto Club South has sponsored a Driving Simulator at MOSI’s (Museum of Science and Industry) new “The Amazing You” exhibition in Tampa, FL. The Driving Simulator is a fun and educational interactive experience that allows visitors to simulate navigating the roads while under the influence of alcohol, fatigue or distraction. Special goggles throw you off balance and make even simple tasks difficult. Located in the adolescent area of the exhibit, this simulation is especially important for teens to better understand how factors such as fatigue and alcohol affect one’s abilities to perform even simple tasks.

Guests also can visit all of the first three stages of early human development: the Beginning of Life, the Childhood Stage and the mystique of Adolescence. Interactive stations include playing a giant game of Operation or trying your luck with the Healthy-wood Squares game.

For more information, visit your local AAA branch office, or log on at AAA.com/Fun.

Downtown Stuart hunt.

The Hunt Is On

Are you hunting for something unique to do this summer? Grab your summer treasure map and list of clues and get ready for the “Summer Treasures” hunt sponsored by Martin County, FL. The interactive hunt stretches from the Atlantic Coast to Lake Okeechobee to historic points of interest, beaches and area attractions. Contestants who identify the riddles, clues and find the hidden treasure chests win prizes and a chance to win the grand prize.

The “Summer Treasures” campaign promotes three separate treasure hunts. “X Marks The Spot,” the first interactive hunt, will run all summer long, and registered contestants will be armed with self-guided maps, riddles and clues. During the second treasure hunt in July, four treasure chests containing prizes and giveaways will be hidden every day throughout Martin County. The third high-tech hunt will take place on Saturday, July 26. This one-day Geocaching Quest will invite participants to use their GPS systems along with a themed treasure map to find waypoints in historic downtown Stuart.

For more information, call (561) 575-3288 or visit www.martincountyfla.com.

Escape to Orlando's Magic Kingdom this summer.

Orlando Escape-ades

Think an all-inclusive Orlando vacation is beyond your reach this summer? With a little magic, it’s totally possible. AAA Escapes offers four packages at your choice of three hotels through its “Discover the Magic” Escape:

• Stay at your choice of these Three-Diamond properties: The Radisson World Gate Resort, Regal Sun Resort or the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel for one to four nights.
• Enjoy a day at one Disney park or three days at three magical parks. Add a day at SeaWorld or Universal with the deluxe four-night package for good measure.
• All packages include continental breakfast daily and transportation to all Disney parks.
You choose the vacation that’s right for you.

For more information, visit your local AAA office or AAA.com/AAAEscapes

Pigs and Peaches

Looking for some great grillin’ and chillin’ this summer? On Aug. 8 and 9, the city of Kennesaw, GA, will host the 2008 Pigs and Peaches BBQ festival, with live entertainment, a BBQ competition, an extensive kid zone and a peach dessert contest with cash prizes. The festival kicks off Friday with a free blues concert featuring Bluestorm recording artist Roger “Hurricane” Wilson at 8 p.m. On Saturday, the events begin with a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned BBQ and a peach dessert competition. Judging begins at 11 a.m., and cash prizes will be offered in four categories: chicken, pork ribs, pork and beef brisket. Select competitors will be selling their smoke-cooked delicacies, so bring your appetite!

Live musical performers also will be featured, along with local food vendors, and a large kids zone with make-and-go crafts and giant inflatables from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

The festival will be held at Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Dr., in Kennesaw.

For more information, call (770) 422-9714 or visit www.kennesaw-ga.gov/pkrec.

Waterlilies will be just one of many plants on display at the "Live Garden" exhibit.

A Plant a Day

“Plants keep us well.” Well, according to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Children’s Garden they do. This healthy notion is the new theme of the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s refurbished “Live Garden” exhibit. Parents and children alike can enjoy three new sections of the garden: the “Laugh Garden” (a butterfly garden), the “Live Garden” (a garden about how plants clean air), and the “Learn Garden” (a Peter Rabbit garden and reading circle). These three learning patches aim to teach children how gardens and plants help keep their spirits, bodies and minds healthy and balanced.

The newly refurbished “Live Garden” at 1345 Piedmont Ave. in Atlanta, GA, has removed its fiberglass structures to provide more space for plantings. The pathway has been lengthened for more running room leading to a new fun slide, with recycled rubberized flooring for squishy landings. Children’s classes offer a fun mix of plant topics like natural dying and gourd crafts. The Garden also offers adult classes that encourage the artistic, like floral design. There is also a seating wall where parents and caregivers can relax while they keep an eye on their children, and sections of the wall are hollowed out so kids can drum on it. The garden also focuses on being green with earth-friendly building practices.

For more information, call (404) 876 5859 or visit www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/kids.

Children will be able to meet Curious George and his friends in Memphis this summer.

Let’s Get Curious!

This summer, children can satisfy some of their curiosity at the popular exhibit “Curious George: Let’s Get Curious!” This well-loved traveling exhibit can be enjoyed in the Van Fleet Gallery at the Children Museum of Memphis, TN, June 14-Sept. 28. The engaging exhibition showcases Curious George in his very own neighborhood with his friend The Man with the Yellow Hat and other familiar characters and places loved by the little monkey’s fans. The exhibit is meant to inspire young children’s natural curiosity as they explore beginning science, math and engineering through interactive, hands-on play areas.

The exhibit’s content is based on educational standards developed by Minnesota Children’s Museum and an expert advisory panel to the PBS Kids series, as well as the national science and math standards for young children.

For more information, call (901) 458-2678 or visit www.cmom.com.