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HISTORY EXHIBIT / MINNESOTA'S GREATEST GENERATION
Oct. 16: The Minnesota History Center has organized a day of activities to help families imagine life during the 1930s through 1950s, in conjunction with the exhibit "Minnesota's Greatest Generation: the Depression, the War, the Boom." Children can play games from the 1930s, construct paper gliders and meet actors dressed as people from the era, including World War II pilot Virginia Mae Hope. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; $10 adults, $8 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17, free for children age 5-younger and MHS members; 651-259-3000 or www.mnhs.org.
EXHIBIT / HUNGRY PLANET
Oct. 17: The University of Minnesota Bell Museum of Natural History takes a closer look at dining around the globe with the exhibit "Hungry Planet: What the World Eats," which combines photos with displays that explore how 10 cultures, many with ties to Minnesota, get their food from field to fork. Visitors can snack on global treats, "shop" for global produce and learn about the rise of fast-food culture. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis; $3 to $5, free for children younger than 3; 612-624-7083 or www.bellmuseum.org.
PUPPET SHOW / COYOTE STORIES
Oct.
CHILDISH FILMS / HALLOWEEN TOONS FOR TOTS
Oct. 17: Celebrate Halloween with a vintage twist. Kids can make black-and-white Halloween decorations and watch black-and-white Disney Halloween cartoons dating from the 1920s as part of Childish Films, a free series held the third Saturday of each month. Films are selected by Deb Girdwood and Isabelle Harder, children's film curators for the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival. 10:30 a.m.; Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; free; 612-630-6174 or supporthclib.org.
MUSIC / FREE FAMILY SYMPHONY
Oct. 18: Landmark Center hosts the St. Paul Civic Symphony in a free, family-friendly program of Italian music. Soloists from the Minnesota Orchestra, Sarah Kwak on violin and William Schrickel on bass, will play Bottesini's "Gran Duo Concertante." The symphony also will perform Respighi's "Pines of Rome." 1 p.m.; Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth St., St. Paul; free; 651-292-3225 or landmarkcenter.org.
THEATER / I LIKE ME
Through Oct. 25: Stages Theatre is serving up a season of page to stage plays based on well-known children's books. In this production, Louanne the pig trots on stage with her message of self-esteem in an adaptation of Nancy Carlson's picture book "I Like Me." Carlson, who lives in Bloomington, will be on hand after the 1 p.m. performance on Oct. 17 to greet fans and sign her book. Stages Theatre, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins; $5 to $15; 952-979-1111 or stagestheatre.org.
AMUSEMENT RIDES / CAFESJIAN'S CAROUSEL
Through Oct. 31: Mount one of the 68 horses on the antique Cafesjian's Carousel. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and Oct. 15-16 (note: carousel does not operate if temperature is below 45 degrees); Como Park, Midway Parkway and Kaufman Drive, St. Paul; $1.50; ourfaircarousel.org.
FILM / FREE FAMILY FLICKS
Ongoing: The Theatres at Mall of America shows free family flicks every Saturday at 10 a.m. Arrive early to get a seat. See theatresmoa.com to find out what's showing.
NATURE / BIRDING
Ongoing: See songbirds up close and watch experts band birds as part of an ongoing effort to help scientists learn more about bird migrations and habits. All ages welcome. Carpenter Nature Center has been capturing, banding and releasing birds for 26 years. 9 a.m. to noon every fourth Friday of the month (except December, when program is on Dec. 18), Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings; free; please call ahead to let them know you're coming; 651-437-4359 or CarpenterNatureCenter.org.
