Special Events cover from Sept. 4 through Sept. 18.

Children's/family

Borders Storytime, every Fri., 10 a.m., Borders Books and Music, 1212 South Washington St., North Attleboro. Children have a story read to them and some days there are crafts. 508-699-7766 or www.borderstores.com.

Fiske Public Library Storytime, Fiske Public Library, 110 Randall Road, Wrentham. Toddler storytime, for ages 2 1/2 to 3 1/2. Preschool Storytime, for ages 3 1/2 to kindergarten. Join the group for stories, songs, poems and parachute play. Call 508-384-5440 x21 to register or stop by the children's dept.

Saturday Kids' Craft Workshops, every Sat., 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., The Fuller Craft Museum, 455 Oak St., Brockton. Parents may explore the museum while their children make art. $8/each child, $15/2 children. 508-588-6000 or www.fullercraft.org. Plainville Public Library, 56 East Main St., Plainville. 508-695-1784 or www.plainville.library.org. Storytime/craft programs, Tues., 1 p.m., Thurs. 10:15 a.m., Ages 3 to 5; Mother Goose on The Loose, every Tues., 10:15 a.m., Ages 0 to 2.

Woonsocket Harris Public Library, 303 Clinton St., Woonsocket, R.I. Hours as of Sept. 8: Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 401-769-9044 or www.woonsocketlibrary.org. 401-767-4122.

The Children's Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Avenue, North Easton. 508-230-3789 or www.childrensmuseumineaston.org. Museum is located in the Old Fire Station in North Easton Village. Admission is $6 per person; members and children under 1 are free. DROP-IN DAYS:

Providence Children's Museum, 100 South Street, Providence, 401-273-KIDS or www.childrenmuseum.org; Tues.-Sun. and Mon. school holidays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., selected Fridays until 8 p.m. Metlife Family Friday, free every Fri., 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Brooks Pharmacy Free Sundays, First Sun. of every month is free.

The Zoomzone, The Providence Children's Museum, 100 South St., Providence, 401-273-KIDS or www.childrenmuseum.org; Kids build different things to demonstrate a principal of science, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., $6.50/general, Free/members.

5w!ts, opens 10 a.m. everyday, 186 Brookline Ave., Boston. An interactive Egyptian adventure with 45-minute tours. Weekday prices: $16/adults, $14/children 12 and under; Weekend prices: $20/adults. $16/children 12 and under. 617-375-WITS or www.5-wits.com.

Buttonwood Park Zoo, 425 Hawthorn St., New Bedford. $6/adults, $4.50/seniors and teens, $3/children 3-12. 508-991-6178 or www.bpzoo.org. Toe Jam Puppet Band every Mon. 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., $5 above zoo admission;

Capron Park Zoo, 201 County St., Attleboro, 508-222-6202, www.capronparkzoo.com. April to October, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (final ticket, 4 p.m.), Attleboro residents $2.75/adult, $2.75/child (age 3-12), $2.75/senior; ron-residents, $5.50/adult, $3.75/child (age 3-12), $3.75/senior; under 3 free.

Davis Animal Farm, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 145 Redstone Hill Rd., Sterling. $14.95, children under 2 are free. 978-422-MOOO or www.davisfarmland.com.

The Ecotarium, 222 Harrington Way, Worcester. Tues. through Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun., 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. $10/adults, $8/kids 3 to 18, students, seniors, Free/children under 3. 508-929-2700 or www.ecotarium.org. Franklin Park Zoo, weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends and holidays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston. Special zoo locations are the Tropical Forest, Kalahari Kingdom and the Tiger Tales exhibit. All seen daily. 617-541-LION or www.zoonewengland.com. $11/adults, $9.50/seniors, $6/children 2-12; Children under 2, free.

Roger Williams Park Zoo, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. Featuring zoo animals, special exhibits, and presentations. $12/adults, $8/seniors, $6/children 3-12, Free/children under 3, members. 401-785-3510 or www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org. Toddler Time every Fri. through Feb., 10 a.m. to noon.

Winslow Farms Animal Sanctuary, 37 Eddy St., Norton. 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closed Tuesdays. Petting farm for abused and abandoned animals. 508-285-6451 or www.winslowfarm.com.

Enrichment classes, Sept. 9 through Oct. 9, Second Stage Studio, 1 Angell Rd., Cumberland, R.I. WHO'S A VILLAIN, Tues. from 4-6 p.m., $35/week; EARTH SOUNDS, Nov. 4 through Jan. 28, 2009; Tues. from 4-6 p.m., $35/week; THE SECRET WORLD OF FAIRIES, Feb. 3 through April 14; Tues. from 4-6 p.m., $35/week. 401-334-4800 or www.secondstagestudio.com.

Special events

Aces Up Poker Tour - Texas Hold em, every Fri., 7 p.m., Corrine's, 1593 Newport Ave., Pawtucket. $10 includes hot and cold buffet. More info: acesuppokertour.com, 401-725-4260 or corinnesbanquets.com.

King Richard's Faire, through Oct. 19, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Rte. 58, Carver. All the vendors, shows, knights, ladies and jesters will be there for your enjoyment along with special events. Renaissance Idol will take place on Sept. 6 and 20, The Cleavage Contest will also take place on Sept. 13; The Prince and Princess Contest takes place on Sept. 27 for the most authentically dressed duo under the age of 12. $25/adults, $14 for children aged 5-12, children under 5 are free. 508-866-5391 or myspace.com/kingrichardsfaire or kingrichardsfaire.net.

Cirque du Soleil's Kooza, begins Sept. 5, Tues.-Wed. at 8 p.m., Thurs. and Sat. at 4 and 8 p.m., Sun. at 1 and 5 p.m., Bayside Expo Center, 200 Mount Vernon St., Boston. 800-678-5440 or www.cirquedusoleil.com.

9th Annual Dragon Boat Race, Sept. 6, Festival Pier/School Street Pier, Pawtucket River, Pawtucket. Teams will pilot a course and catch flags while racing other boats. Businesses and organizations are welcome to create teams for the event. 401-724-2200 or dragonboatri.com.

Cirelli Foods Tailgate Party, Sept. 6, 1-6 p.m., Commerce Blvd., Middleboro. All are invited to enjoy the tailgate fare with several Patriots cheerleaders. The event will overlap with Cirelli Foods' Classic Car Cruise Night from 4-8 p.m. There will also be live music and a Beatles tribute band playing. 508-947-8211 or cirelli.com.

Franklin School for the Performing Arts, Sept. 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., FSPA, 38 Main St., Franklin. The community is invited to meet the faculty, tour the facility and view class demonstrations and enjoy performances. 508-528-8668 or fspaonline.com.

Mansfield Fly-In, Sept. 6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Mansfield Municipal Airport, 265 Fruit St., Mansfield. There will be aircraft on display, food for sale, aircraft judging, a kid's area and more.

King Lanes Back to School Toga Party, Sept. 9, 9 p.m., King Lanes, 10 Scotia St., Boston. The bowling alley wants to kick the school year off right. 21+. 617-266-2695 or info@backbaykings.com.

Matt Light Foundation Celebrity Shootout and Auction, Sept. 9, 11 a.m. registration and lunch, 1 p.m. shotgun start, 3 p.m. BBQ, awards, live music and auction, Addieville East Farm, 200 Pheasant Dr., Mapleville, R.I. Live auction will feature a fly rod cabinet that Matt Light helped build. Event is not for children. Teams of four for clay shooting can register for $4000 ($1000 per person). $400/guests for dinner only. 614-593-3167 or info@mattlight72.com.

Newport International Boat Show, Sept. 11-14, 10 a.m., America's Cup Avenue, Newport, R.I. More than 850 exhibitor with over 700 boats across 15 acres from the Newport Yachting Center to the Newport Harbor Hotel. $27/VIP Pass, $18, children under 12 are free. 401-846-1115 or 800-582-7846 or newportboatshow.com.

The Big E, Sept. 12 through Sept. 28, Big E Exposition Fairgrounds, West Springfield. Performances by Fergie, Sugarland, LeAnn Rimes and others. Agricultural displays and demonstrations. Circus and circus museum. 413-205-5115 or thebige.com.

An African Garden Fundraiser, Sept. 13, 5-10 p.m., Westport River Winery, Hixbridge Rd., Westport. Cash bar for beer, wine and soft drinks. Local art vendors, raffle and silent auction. Live music by Rebecca Correia, Jack Jennings and Royal Hartigan. $15-$25, ticket price includes food. 508-264-4841 or sanctuarysmith@charter.net.

Fall Out of Summer Festival, Sept. 14, noon-10 p.m., Rolfe Sq., Cranston, R.I. Live music, theatre, art activities and contests, food and artisan vendors, a summer camp art show, and a film screening at dusk. Event aimed at revitalizing Rolfe Square community, raising funds for The Artists' Exchange. 401-490-9475 or artists-exchange.org.

Reversing the Tide - Lecture, Sept. 14, 2 p.m., First Parish Church, 842 Tremont St., Duxbury. Biologist Roger Payne with his actress wife, Lisa Harrow, will present a lecture on ocean pollution and other topics to benefit ocean life and human health. $10. 781-934-3283 or sustainableduxbury.org.

Pagan Pride Day, Sept. 14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Ted Williams Camp, 28 Precinct St., Lakeville. In this celebration of Pagan pride there will be live entertainment, a food drive, children's area, readings, vendors and more. There will also be a public harvest ritual. Free. 774-454-7533 or semappd.com.

Sports Card and Memorabilia Show, Sept. 21, 8:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m., Mansfield Holiday Inn, Forbes Blvd. and Rte. 140, Mansfield. Gene Conley, the only man to win a World Series and NBA Championship titles will be signing autographs. $8 for the first autograph and $6 each additional. $1 and children under 8 get in for free. 508-369-2471 or cardboardpromotions.com.

College Night at the MFA, Sept. 25, 6 p.m.-midnight, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, 100 Huntington Ave., Boston. Featuring two music acts and a DJ dance party, a coffee house, a screening of the film "Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation and a scavenger hunt. Students will also have access to view the art on display at the museum. Free for college students. 617-267-9300 or mfa.org.

11th Annual Old Colony Railroad Club Show and Sale, Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Taunton Holiday Inn, Myles Standish Blvd., Taunton. Dealers from New England will be available as well as food and drink for sale. 508-285-3963.

Taste or RI, Sept. 27 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sept. 28 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Newport Yachting Center, corner of Commercial Wharf and America's Cup Ave., Newport, R.I. Along with the food there will be three stages of live entertainment, a marketplace of specialty items and children's activities. $8/adv., $10/dos., free for children under 12. 401-846-1600 or newportfestivals.com.

2008 Year of Gymnastics Superstars, Oct. 26, 3 p.m., TD Banknorth Garden. Featuring Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson and the men and women of team USA. Special musical guest Jordan Pruitt; Disney's KSM will perform hits from Girlz Rock 2. $35, $47, $65, $125. 508-931-2000 or ticketmaster.com.

Seaside Holiday: Narragansett- Not Just For Summer, Dec. 13, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Registration for the house tour, boutique, and cafe will be held at the historic Narragansett Towers on 35 Ocean Road in Narragansett, R.I. Self-guided tours of several beautful coastal homes decorated for the holidays in Narragansett's south end. $30/adv., $35/dos. or a donation of three non-perishable food items. 401-331-9302 or jlri.org.

Craft Fairs/Festivals

Pawtucket Arts Festival Gala, Sept. 5, 6-10:30 p.m., Slater Mill Historic Site, 67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket. This is the official kick off for the 10th Annual Pawtucket Arts Festival. Buckwheat Zydeco will perform and there will be food samples from many Pawtucket restaurants. $10/adv., $15/dos. 401-621-6123 or arttixri.com.

5th Annual Bird Carvers' Show and Sale, Sept. 6, 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Green Briar Nature Center, 6 Discovery Hill Rd., East Sandwich. Featured carvers, decoy and carving appraisals and antique decoy displays. Special "Carving a Shore Bird" demonstration fro m11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sat. $5. 508-888-6870 or thorntonburgess.org.

Craft Fair and Yard Sale, Sept. 6, 8 a.m.-???, Hathaway Park, Water St., Assonet. Hot dogs and lemonade and items for sale. Rain or shine. 508-644-5374.

Italian Festivla of the Healing Saints Cosmas and Damian, Sept. 6, 7, East Cambridge. Festivities include parades, candlelight processions, food and rides. 800-862-5678 or cambridge-usa.org or cosmas-and-damian.com.

Saint Mark's Parish Annual Fair, Sept. 6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Mark's Parish, 105 Stanley St., North Attleboro. Features DJ Nate Adams, food, game booths, moon walk, train ride, arts and crafts, children's room, book room and raffles. 508-699-7566 or stmarks-attleborofalls.org.

39th Annual Bourne Scallop Festival, Sept. 19-21, Buzzards Bay Park, 70 Main St., Bourne. There will be arts, crafts, specialty food, entertainment, rides and games and plenty of scallops. 508-759-6000 or bournescallopfest.com.

32nd Annual Corn Festival, Sept. 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Lane, Norwell. Popular farmers market celebrating the heritage of maize. Includes hayrides, crafts and children's activities. $5/adults, $3/children. 781-659-2559 or ssnsc.org.

North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival, Sept. 20-21, Forsters Farm, 60 Chestnut Hill Rd., Orange. Over 50 artists, music, hayrides, children's activities and evening entertainment. $5/adults. 978-544-7564 or garlicandarts.org.

Riversing, Sept. 21, banks of the Charles River, Boston. Unveiling of new lighting fixture on Western Avenue Bridge and Weeks Footbridge. 800-862-5678 or cambridge-usa.org or charlesriverconservancy.org.

St. Theresa's Women's Guild Craft Fair, Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Theresa's Church Hall, 18 Baltic St., Attleboro. There will be a bake table, penny social and refreshments along with the crafters and vendors selling their wares. 508-761-7441 or bettyenright@comcast.net or 508-761-5646 or acaouette@comcast.net.

Workingwaterfront Festival, Sept. 27, 28, New Bedford. Live maritime and ethnic music, fishermen's contests, seafood, vessel tours, readings, cooking demonstrations, kids activities and more. workingwaterfrontfestival.org.

FirstWorks Providence Festival, Oct. 2 through Nov. 9, Providence. A number of events will be hosted through the city: dance ensembles, vocal pyrotechnics, object theatre, family activities, digital arts, hip hop theatre and special projects from Rhode Island artists. 401-421-4278 or first-works.org.

Fall Gardeing Festival, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tranquil Lake Nursery, 45 River St., Rehoboth. Learn new techniques that will help you hone your gardening skills and improve the look and care of your garden. Free. 508-252-4002 or tranquil-lake.com.

Lakeville Arts and Music Festival, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Rte. 18 and 105, Lakeville. Artisans and craftsmen will have work available for sale. lakevillefestival@hotmail.com.

Autum Arts Festival, Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Veteran's Park, downtown North Attleboro. Rain or shine. naarts@comcast.net.

AutumnFest 2008, Oct. 11, 12, 13, WWII Memorial Park, Social St., Woonsocket, R.I. Event includes arts and crafts, area merchants, food, fireworks, live entertainment and children's activities. autumnfest.org.

CraftBoston Holiday 2008, Nov. 14-16, The Westin, Boston Waterfront, 425 Summer St., Boston. Featuring 110 contemporary craft artists. 617-266-1810 or craftboston.org.

Artists Market 2008, Nov. 15 through Dec. 31, DeCordova Art Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln. The Store at DeCordova will offer a vast selection of pottery, glass, home goods, wearable art and ornaments for your holiday shopping needs. The Store will be open extended hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sun. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 781-259-8355 or decordova.org.

CraftBoston Spring 2009, March 27-29, The World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston. Featuring 175 contemporary craft artists. 617-266-1810 or craftboston.org.

Outdoor/gardens

Borderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Ave., Easton/Sharon line. 508-238-6566 or www.mass.gov/dcr/events.htm.

The Ecotarium, 222 Harrington Way, Worcester. Open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues. through Sat. and 12 to 5 p.m. on Sun. $10/adults, $8/children 3-18. $5/Planetarium admission. $2.50/Explorer Express Train. $9/Tree Canopy Walkway (Seasonal only) 508-929-2700 or www.ecotarium.org. Preschool Mornings, every Wed., 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Garden in the Woods - New England Flower Society, Open through Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; 180 Hemenway Rd., Framingham. One of New England's famous private gardens. $8/adults, $4/kids3-18; $6/seniors and students. 508-877-7630 or newenglandwild.org.

Big Bugs Exhibit, through Oct. 31, New England Wild Flower Society, Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Rd., Framingham. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Oct. 31. Sculpture exhibition features 1,500 kinds of native plants, 200 rare and endangered species on 45 acres of land. Guided walks at 10 a.m. on weekdays, 2 p.m. on weekends. $8/adults, $4/youths 3-18; $6/seniors, $6/students. 508-877-6553 or newenglandwild.org. PRAYING MANTIS WEEKEND, Sept. 6-7; DADDY LONGLEGS WEEKEND, Sept. 13-14; MONARCH MIGRATION WEEKEND, Sept. 20-21; GRASSHOPPER WEEKEND, Sept. 27-28; ASSASSIN BUG WEEKEND, Oct. 4-5; STUDENT ART SHOW, Oct. 5; SPIDER WEEKEND, Oct. 18-19; BYE BYE BUGS WEEKEND, Oct. 25-26.

Blackstone Valley Explorer - Thundermist Tour, through Oct. 26, 45 minute tours depart hourly at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. from Woonsocket Landing, Market Square, near Museum of Work and Culture, Woonsocket, R.I. The 49-passenger riverboat will tour the Woonsocket river. Advanced registration suggested. $10/adults, $8/children and seniors. 401-724-2200 or rivertourblackstone.com.

Ghosts and Gravestones Tour, through October, 6, 7, 8, 9 p.m., Old Town Trolley Ticket Center, Atlantic Ave., Boston. Each half-hour tour leaves on the hour and tours some of Boston's gravest moments with costumed characters and hosted by the 17th Century Gravedigger. $23/children, $36/adults. 617-269-3626.

Map 'N' Compass, Sept. 6, 1-4 p.m., Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd., Smithfield, R.I. Bring the family and have some fun while learning the basics of using a compass.$12/adult members, $8/children members, $18/non-member adults, $12/non-member children. 401-949-5454 or asri.org.

Rhode Island Raptor Weekend, Sept. 13-14, Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope St., Bristol, R.I. On Sept. 13 master falconer Laurie Schumacher will be on hand at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Julie Collier and Jim Parks of Wingmasters, licensed raptor rehabilitators who provide a up-close, educational experience with a Golden Eagle and many owls native to the Northeast will be featured on Sept. 14.; Both days will feature Hunting with Hawks: The Sport of Falconry by Al Jordan. $12/adults, $6/children 4-12. 401-245-7500 or asri.org.

Lectures

Ms. Judith Gordoon, Sept. 8, 6 p.m., Attleboro Public Library, South Main St., Attleboro. Gordon, an expert on hospice care will lecture at the next meeting of the Attleboro-NAMI. businessmeeting will be held from 5:30-6 p.m. 508-838-0779.

Transformational Presidents, Sept. 8, 5-6:30 p.m., The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston. Martha Raddatz, ABC News Chief White House Correspondent; Joseph Nye, Harvard professor and author; Robert Kuttner, columnist, author and co-founder of "The American Prospect Magazine;" and Professor Cass Sunstein of Harvard Law School will discuss what leadership qualities define presidents who transform history and th kind of presidential leadership our country needs now. Free. Reservations recommended. 617-514-1643 or jfklibrary.org.

The Internet - Blogs - Youtube and Presidential Campaigns, Sept. 11, 5:30-7 p.m., The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston. Joe Trippi, campaign adviser to John Edwards (2008) and Howard Dean (2004); Garret Graff, who covers media and politics for "Washingtonian Magazine" and the first blogger to get a White House press pass and Matt Bai, political reporter for the New York Times will examine how the Internet has revolutionized politics. Tom Ashbrook, host of WBUR's On Point will moderate the discussion. Free. Reservations recommended. 617-514-1643 or jfklibrary.org.

The Making of a President 2008, Sept. 16, 5:30-7 p.m., The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston. Mark Halperin of Time Magazine and Jonathan Alter of Newsweek will put this year's presidential election in historical context and discuss the factors that will determine who will be elected our next president. Free. Reservations recommended. 617-514-1643 or jfklibrary.org.

Arts & crafts

Rhode Island Watercolor Society Classes, J.C. Potter Casino, Slater Park, Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket. Course registration and tuition payments are due at the Society before the first day of class. You may register by telephone with a major credit card, by mail, or in person at the Society's Gallery, located at the J.C. Potter Casino. PAINTING WITH LAVONNE, begins Sept. 8, Mondays from 9:30 a.m.-noon; THE WONDERS OF WATERCOLOR, begins Sept. 8, Mondays 1-3:30 p.m.; COLOR THEORY IN ACTION, begins Sept. 11, Thursdays from 1-3:30 p.m.; BEGINNING WATERCOLOR, begins Sept. 30, Tuesdays from 1:30-4 p.m.; INTERMEDIATE WATERCOLOR, begins Sept. 30, Tuesdays 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; BEGINNING WATERCOLOR, begins Oct. 16, Thursdays from 6:30-9 p.m. 401-726-1876 or riws.org.

Community Quilting, every Thurs., 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., New England Quilt Museum, 18 Shattuck St., Lowell. Work on community quilting projects and learn about quilting. 978-452-4207 x19.

Fiber Art Basketry, Tues. and Thurs. 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan St., Fall River. $100/4 to 5 week session or 2 baskets. 508-678-0039 or www.ncfta.org.

Teen and Adult Drawing Classes, Tues. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan St., Fall River. Learn how to see like an artist. $50/includes some materials. 508-678-0039 or www.ncfta.org.

Children's Drawing Classes, Sat. 10-noon, Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan St., Fall River. For ages 7- 12.508-678-0039 or www.ncfta.org.