This Thursday's Science Cafe at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will focus on Darwin's Vertebrate Paleontolgy. Learn how Darwin's fossil finds played a key role in his theories.

 

Monday is Groundhog Day! Come to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences to witness Sir Walter Wally's prognosticating abilities and when we can expect Spring. Along with the shadow ceremony, there will be educational stations, games and activities.

 

You can also head over to White Deer Park Monday morning to witness Snerd the Groundhog's prediction and enjoy crafts, games, music, educational booths and live animals.

 

Also in conjunction with Groundhog Day, Historic Yates Mill County Park is hosting Wizened Woodchucks and Weather Predictors on Monday so you can learn about and construct some home weather equipment.

 

 

Join the North Carolina Museum of History to kickoff Black History Month with Saturday's African American Cultural Celebration. This year's theme is Let Freedom Sing! More than 75 musicians, storytellers, dancers, historians, playwrights, authors, artists, reenactors, chefs, teachers, scholars, and more will be on hand to help tell the rich and varied stories of our state and the continued quest of defining and working for freedom.

 

Entries for both the adult and youth Mill as Muse Art and Photography Contests are due by Sunday. Bring your kids out to Historic Yates Mill County Park Sunday afternoon for a Mill as Muse Creative Art Session. They will have the opportunity to craft a work of art to take home or to enter into the "Mill as Muse" kids art contest.

 

All Wake County Libraries invite you to make Valentines for Veterans through Monday. Craft materials are provided and all cards will be delivered to local veterans.

 

The Holly Springs Cultural Center will be showing The Lego Movie Saturday morning and Kung Fu Panda Monday morning.

 

The Halle Cultural Arts Center will be showing the movie Tinker Bell for the kids Tuesday morning and Gone Girl Wednesday evening for the grown ups.

 

Starting Wednesday, February 4th and running through Saturday, February 7th, you are invited to the Holly Springs Community Arts Festival. This year, the community celebration will center around Winter Blues, featuring Scott Ainsley, renowned Delta Blues artist. Through the Community Arts Festival, participants are invited to: try a new art through classes; view local artists' work created within the Winter Blues theme and attend the Festival Gala Fundraiser.

 

 

Prairie Ridge Ecostation for Wildlife Learning continues to hold a Nature Storytime every Thursday morning and Citizen Science Opportunities every Saturday.

 

Join a Park Ranger at Umstead State Park Saturday to join a Park Ranger for a 2-mile round-trip hike to an old mill site along Crabtree Creek and learn about the importance of Mills to the history of the park.

 

What does a Park Ranger do? How can kids help? Join the Rangers ar Eno River State Park Saturday for the Junior Rangers program to find out! Also at Eno River on Saturday morning, you are invited to join them on a hike up the steepest trail in the park to Cox Mountain.

 

Raven Rock State Park will hold a Basics of Nature Photography program Saturday morning. Dress warm and bring your camera. On Tuesday, they will hold a Volunteer Bike Trail Workday.

 

Are your kids nature lovers. Many of the Wake County Parks hold monthly nature programs for kids. This week Crowder Park invites kids 3-5 to join them for Nature Watchers, kids 6-9 to join them for Nature Friends and all ages to join them for Nature Families. Every month features a fun new seasonal theme.

 

Sunday's Winter Hike at West Point on the Eno Park will be along the Bobbitt's Hole and Cole Mill Trail.

 

 

Carolina Piedmont Dog Agility will sponsor Dog agility competitions Friday through Sunday.

 

Over 80 exhibitors will be buying, selling and trading vintage to new sportscards, memorabilia, NASCAR at this weekend's Sportscard and Sports Memorabilia 3-Day Show.