Firetruck Parade (Sat noon)

Posted on August 9, 2013 by daddyweekly

Every industry has its trade show, and so do the firefighters. But unlike other industries, where booths filled with sales people and presentations by subject matter experts dominate, the firefighters know how to put up a decent parade.

In fact, the fire truck parade is on the same level as the annual holiday parades, well attended, and very interesting. Here is a video from last year:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqP0SoOpDeQ]

The parade starts promptly at noon, and will probably not last for too long, so it pays to be there before 12. The parade route is down Fayetteville from the Capitol, and then hops over to Salisbury, passes the Convention Center (another good viewing area) and ends in a static display in front of the Performing Arts Center, where all the trucks can be viewed from up close.

Engineers Day at Museum of Life and Science (Sat 10-4)

Posted on August 9, 2013 by daddyweekly

Saturday is Engineers Day at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. Some of the programs are geared towards kids 10+, but the many engineering-related exhibits are suitable for all ages. Plus, if interests for engineering should wane, there is always plenty more to explore at this marvelous museum, like the butterfly house or the cool outdoors playground.

First Friday

Posted on August 2, 2013 by daddyweekly

It’s time again to feature First Friday, the evening where all art galleries and many museums are open late. One option is to drop them off at Marbles for their First Friday Kid Camp. You drop the kids off at 5:30 with a packed dinner, and pick them up at 8:30, having enjoyed some grown-up time exploring the art scene, having dinner or even a movie at the IMAX.

The other option is bring to the kids along for some art appreciation. Interesting openings this Friday are Paul Dagys‘ show (photography) at TRIG Modern; CANstruction, a fundraising event at 8 locations, and “The Life Aquatic With Less Anderson & More Puppy-Guppy” at Designbox.

One special treat this Friday is a free concert at the Red Hat Amphitheater, sponsored by Red Hat, and if I understand correctly, also Red Hat’s summer party. Goodbye Titan, MONA and Silversun Pickups are the bands on stage.

Robot Extravaganza at the library

Posted on August 2, 2013 by daddyweekly

Wake Robotics is a non-profit that aims to bring robotics to Wake county kids. They have many camps and semester long programs, among them FLL and First Robotics teams.

They are hosting an outreach event this Saturday at Eva Perry library in Cary from 1p-2p. This is for kids from Kindergarten through 5th grade, and registration is required at 919-387-2100.

Photo by Nate Swart, used under the CC BY-NC-ND license.

0 to 60 Art Exhibit: Final Days

Posted on July 26, 2013 by daddyweekly

The NC Museum of Art has an interesting exhibit revolving around time, but its time is nearly up: “0 to 60” will end on August-11. Not every piece in the show is specifically geared towards children (although all of it should be ‘suitable’). but some are either funny or interesting even for younger kids.

A site-specific installation by Lisa Hoke, for example, is made from plastic and paper cups, and might inspire someone for a future craft project. Some large video installation will be fun to look at, as the slow, meditative images are very different from the concrete, fast-paced videos children typically get to see.

If your kids are old enough to stay up late and you like short-notice plans, “Cars” by Pixar is playing in the outdoor movie theater tonight (Friday, 7/26).

While we’re talking about the Art Museum: The museum park is always worth a visit and has a few new items, including an installation related to 0 to 60, and is always a welcome way to let one parent take the kids outside, while the other parent can have a quick look at the other exhibits currently on display: Two interesting shows have opened recently, both with themes that are more on the grown-up level.

Briefly Noted

Posted on July 26, 2013 by daddyweekly

Long-time readers will remember the “Briefly Noted” articles I sometimes add to the newsletter; this week, there was no clear front-runner for an article, so I take the liberty to just include one larger Briefly Noted, with a wider variety of topics.

First off, the City of Raleigh Museum hosts a Family Day from 1p-3p on Saturday. (A rather short 2-hour-day then, come to think of it.)

Kids music band Sandbox is playing the concert in the park at Fletcher, and they celebrate the release of their new CD on Sunday from 6p-8p.

Kids Exchange (consignment sale) is also taking place this weekend at the fairgrounds.

You may not know, but our Muslim friends are currently celebrating Ramadan, the annual months of fasting. During Ramadan, eating is only permitted before sunrise and after sunset, which brings along lavish dinners once the sun goes down. The Divan Center in Cary is hosting such a dinner every night at 8p this weekend, with Turkish delicacies like Döner or Baklava, and children’s activities like face painting.

Pogo restaurant at Marbles open

Posted on July 19, 2013 by daddyweekly

There are many good reasons to go to Marbles, and there is now one more: Pogo, Marbles’ new restaurant. opened yesterday and is located between Marbles and the IMAX, the place previously occupied by a sandwich chain restaurant.

Pogo’s tagline is “fresh from NC farms”, as it focuses on locally grown food. Ample choices for kids, as you would expect at Marbles, but look at that: French Wine! Micro Drafts! Since Pogo also caters to the IMAX audience, parents don’t need to stick with soda or bottled water. But on the food side as well, choice like shellfish ceviche or the thai chicken salad should satisfy all palates. Kids selections are broad, as you would expect at Marbles, from PB&J to hot dog and beyond.

Sun Power at Crowder District Park; Water Works at Blue Jay Park

Posted on July 19, 2013 by daddyweekly

Sign up today for these two family program today since pre-registration is required.

Many parks have free or cheap activity program, and I just picked two examples: Crowder Park is looking up to the sun, and forward to harnessing solar power on Sunday from 2p-3p. $5 for the entire family.

On the opposite side of Raleigh, Blue Jay Point is focusing on water and all the nice little creatures that live in it. This is on Saturday from 10-11.

Photo is by Rhys Asplundh

Tucker Lake

Posted on July 12, 2013 by daddyweekly

The City Pools are too small but the beach is too far? How about going half-way, and have a little beach and a lot more water at Tucker Lake. Yes, the place you all know from driving to the beach and have always said, “I wonder what that is like?”

After finally checking out Tucker Lake over the long weekend for the first time, I can now “speak authoritatively” about it: While it is probably not the poshest destination in the area, it is definitely not trashy or dirty, but by and large a safe, clean, family-friendly destination. The place is well-kept and operated, and on a comparable level for amenities and cleanliness as an average beach on the coast.

There is a small concessions are for chips, hot dogs, and ice cream, but ideally you bring a picnic or something to grill; there are countless grills and picnic tables scattered throughout a shaded 4 acre area, and there is probably about 1/2 mile of sandy lake shore. The water depth is very gradual and suited for all levels of experience, if you observe your limits. There are several life guards, but the area is quite large; I would compare it again to a ocean beach with lifeguards; they are there, they watch, but you still need to keep a very close watch on your kids, especially around the numerous slides, rope swings, and other play elements. There is also an impressive water slide which we didn’t try this time.

Since last year, Tucker Lake features also a wakeboard park with a large cable system. (You get pulled by a cable like a ski lift, not by a boat. Don’t sneer at it until you try it – it is how I learned to wakeboard back in the day.) This is of course more for older kids and adults, but I think it brings some welcome funds to the place that should lift up the entire operation. At any rate, if you’ve been to Tucker Lake years ago, you should give it another try; it came under new management in 2012, and seems to be doing well.

Location: Roughly at I95&I64, address: 3025 Allens Crossroads Rd Benson NC, 27504
Hours: Daily 9-6 during the summer, weekends in the fall and closed in winter.
What to bring: Coal and stuff to grill, umbrellas, lawn chairs, small coolers, water toy. But no pets, glass or alcohol.

Wipeout at Logan’s (Sat 11-4)