Now that Mars has receded slightly into the night sky following its closest
brush with Earth in 60,000 years, you may find that you and your family miss
its comforting nearness. The Houston Space Center has stepped in to fill the
red void with its new exhibit, "Mars, The Race to the Red Planet." The exhibit
is named for the neck-and-neck contest between NASA's twin Mars rovers, Spirit
and Opportunity, and the European Space Agency's lander Mars Express, all currently
hurtling toward our nearest planetary neighbor.The show will teach you and the
kiddos about those unmanned capsules, plus the polar ice caps and volcanoes
of the planet's landscape and the myths and legends that have dogged the fiery
red dot in the sky throughout history. You'll also see the largest Mars rock
on Earth and find out how it got here. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays;
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through March 31. 1601 NASA Road 1.
For information, call 281-244-2100 or visit
www.spacecenter.org.
$17.95; $13.95 for kids.
--Lisa Simon
Turkey Trot
THU 11/27
Before you gather the kids round the family table to gobble up the bird, work
up an appetite at the Thanksgiving Day Parade. After hoisting the little pilgrims
up on your shoulders all morning to look at the elaborate floats and gigantic
balloons, that feast (and the subsequent nap) will be well deserved. 9 a.m.
Thursday, November 27. Downtown. For information and a map, call 713-543-7000
or visit www.khou.com/wamuparade.
Free. -- Keith Plocek
Cratchit Early
FRI 11/28
Thanks to marketing, the holiday spirit comes around earlier every year. Even
if this makes you feel like a Scrooge, you should still take Tiny Tim to see
A Christmas Carol, or three holiday spirits just might visit you personally.
7:30 p.m. Friday, November 28, through December 28. Alley Theatre, 615 Texas.
For tickets and a full schedule, call 713-228-8421 or visit www.alleytheatre.org.
$37 to $54. -- Keith Plocek
