Family Picks: The secret life of pumpkins and Scare-olina Skies | Raleigh News & Observer

As October progresses and the weather cools, we all have to balance inside and outside time: It’s still warm enough for playgrounds and such, but mornings and evenings can get chilly. Accordingly, there are neat indoor and outdoor events this weekend.

• On Tuesday, the Durham Museum of Life and Science opened phase one of its sustainable demonstration garden. This plot promises an up-close look at how plants interact in a garden setting – plus, the plants in it will change seasonally. If you or your kids like the idea of sustainable gardening or eating in season but haven’t seen either up close, this sounds like the ticket. The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday (closed Monday). Admission runs from $8 to $14, with kids 2 and under getting in free. Call 919-220-5429 for info.

• Durham Comics Fest wraps up this weekend. The main event, featuring workshops with comic authors and artists, is 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at Southwest Regional Library, though there are also interesting happenings Friday and Sunday. For a full schedule, see

.

• Learn about pumpkins Saturday at the Stagville State Historic site in Durham. There will be fall food and jack-o’-lantern painting and carving, but the “Secret History of Pumpkins” program will also teach about the orange gourd’s role in the abolition movement. This event is free for adults, $6 for kids, and runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 919-620-0120 to reserve a spot or visit

to read more.

• Scare-olina Skies’ milder, elementary-school version of the dark legends behind certain constellations runs this weekend at the Morehead Planetarium. The hourlong shows, appropriate for ages 5 and up, are Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (The version for adults and teens takes place Saturday and Thursday at 8 p.m.) Adults pay $7.68, and kids, students, and senior citizens pay $6.51. Visit

to learn more.

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