NCMC Events From Around the State… December 19, 2011

1). Greensboro Children’s Museum presents New Years Rockin’ Eve “Eve Party” with Big Bang Boom on Friday, December 30th, 11:45am. Let's romp and stomp with some creative noise makers in creation station, parade down GCM's Main Street and rock out with Big Bang Boom! We will countdown to "Noon" Year's Eve Eve! Don't miss this last chance to party in 2011 at the Museum!

2). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher Give yourself and your little elves a holiday break at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher. “Holiday Elf Camp” offers children ages 5-12 years old the opportunity to become Santa’s little helpers and learn, too. Campers will make gifts, wrap them, meet other elves and create memories at the Aquarium. Each day features a different animal theme. Children may be registered for one, two or three days of camp. The program fee of $50 per day includes Aquarium admission, pizza lunch, snacks, crafts, holiday gift-wrap and instruction. Camp dates are Dec. 21, 22, and 23.

3). N.C. Museum of History presents “History Corner: Scots-Irish” on Wednesday, January 4th from 10-11am, ages 6-9 with adult, $1 per person. Who are the Scots-Irish? Find out where they settled and the traditions they introduced to North Carolina. This hands-on program is presented with Cameron Village Regional Library.

4). HandsOn! Come into Hands On!- A Child’s Gallery, the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, on Thursday, December 22nd and Friday, December 23rd from 10:00 am -5:00 pm and make your own Christmas ornament. Materials will be available in our Party Room to create delightful Christmas ornaments for you to take home or decorate the Hands On! Christmas tree. This drop-in activity is suited to a variety of ages and is free with $5.00 admission and free for members. Girl scouts will be helpful elves and assist children with their creations.

5). Museum of the Albemarle The Museum of the Albemarle will be open on Christmas Eve from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. During your visit to the museum you may enjoy the Victorian-style decorations in the lobby and visit our galleries. There will be a matinee viewing of the holiday movie “Mr. Christmas” at 1:00 pm and 2:30. “Mr. Christmas” is a period film set in 1941 just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

6). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA In the middle of May, 2011, the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, began work on hull repairs to the Starboard Bow. On Friday, November 29, 2011, the State of North Carolina and Battleship accepted completion of the bow repair project. Taylor Brothers Marine Construction, a NC based company, completed the project within the contract time frame and under budget. As completion of one project comes to closure, a new project is being undertaken by Taylor Brothers to repair the main and forward mast.

7). Reynolda House Reynolda House Museum of American Art opened “Domestic Bliss: Art at Home in Britain and America, 1780–1840,” a small, focused exhibition on Dec. 17, 2011. The exhibition will be on view in the West Bedroom Gallery of the historic house through May 20, 2012. Admission to this exhibition, as well as “Modern Masters from the Smithsonian American Art Museum,” on view through Dec. 31, is included in the price of admission to Reynolda House.

8). Natural Science Center of Greensboro On December 21, 2011 at 1pm, the Natural Science Center of Greensboro (NSC) will unveil its newest exhibit for its oldest new resident, Bone-Crusher, a 92 year old alligator snapping turtle. Alligator snappers are the largest freshwater turtles in North America growing up to 250 lbs. with unsubstantiated reports of specimens exceeding 400 lbs. With a spiked shell (averaging two feet long), beaklike jaws, and a thick, scaled tail, this species is often referred to as the "dinosaur of the turtle world." Though exact life expectancy is unknown, it is believed that their lifespan rivals that of giant land tortoises and can exceed 150 years.

9). Guilford College Art Gallery presents “Esse Quam Videri: Self Portraits by Bahraini Muslims”, from January 9-February 29, 2012. Opening reception: Wednesday, January 11, 5-7 pm; comments by Todd Drake, artist/collaborator, 5:30 pm. An exhibition featuring 24 portraits collaboratively created by Muslims living in Bahrain and artist Todd Drake, and resulting from a Fulbright-Hayes Grant and support from the U.S. State Department.

10). Museum of the Albemarle will hold “Pre-Schooler Time” on Thursday, January 12, 2012 and Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 10:00 am. Participants must be between the ages of 3 to 5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-Schoolers will discover how people in the Albemarle Region have enjoyed music by viewing various instruments from the Museum’s collection, read a book, and participate in a hands-on activity. This is a free family program.