Fort Dobbs State Historic Site is in need of your help! Fort Dobbs has the opportunity to receive funding for the reconstruction of the 1756 fort. Please let our elected officials know how important this history of the fort is and ask them to support the reconstruction of the fort. Fort Dobbs is an important part of our North Carolina Heritage; it is the only French and Indian War site in the state. Friends of Fort Dobbs, the support group, needs you to show your support by emailing, calling, or snail-mailing the Gov. Easley and to let him know how you feel about Fort Dobbs. Find the governor’s email here.

Prairie Ridge, the field station of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, has received a $69,760 grant from the State Energy Office of the N.C. Department of Administration to help in the development of sun- and wind-powered projects that will eliminate the use of fossil fuel-based energy at the site. The SEO funding will help purchase and install solar photovoltaic panels that will provide power to the existing outdoor classroom and a planned residential center. The grant also will fund the construction of a wind generator, which potentially will power an environmental monitoring station and communications system.

The Greensboro Children's Museum continues its Friday night half-price Fun for Families programs with Jumpin' Beans on Feb. 16, Mardi Gras Night on Feb. 23, Bingo Night on March 9, Jumpin' Beans on March 16 and 23, and a celebration of National Hot Dog Day on March 30.

Pianist Sandra Carlock will perform an all-MacDowell Concert (celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire) at the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Friday, Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. $10, $8 for members and students.

The North Carolina Collection Gallery in Wilson Library, UNC-CH, will open Carolina Faces: The Photography of Don Sturkey this Thursday, Feb. 15. The free exhibition will remain open through May 31, 2007. Call 919-962-1172 or email.

The Asheville Art Museum will have screenings of Cage/Cunningham on Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4, at 2 p.m.

The McColl Center for Visual Art, Charlotte, is offering a four-week series, Screen Printing Smorgasbord, on Saturdays, March 3-24, from 11 a.m. to 4 pm. Resident teaching artist Janet Lasher will present a variety of styles. Visit their website for prices and space limitations.

Blacksmithing demonstrations will be given from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 3 and from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 4 in the Historical Park at the High Point Museum. Free, drop-in.