July Events

Digging Fun for Dinosaur Fans
Find fossils at the Museum of Life and Science

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham is offering those who dig dinosaurs a chance to really dig dinosaur with a special day, July 12, featuring a variety of events related to dinosaurs and fossils.

Using basic geometric shapes, visitors can learn how to draw dinosaurs during sessions led by renowned paleoartists Bob Walters and Tess Kissinger. Their work is on display in museums nationwide, and they have provided illustrations for books, articles, television and films. Walters, a professional dinosaur life restoration artist, has worked with the museum on its upcoming Dinosaur Trail, scheduled to open summer 2009. Sneak peeks of the trail will be offered all day.

The event also includes dinosaur story times and expert demonstrations on dinosaur bio-mechanics, which help explain how the creatures moved and answer the age-old question: Could they run fast enough to catch a human for lunch?

Exhibitors with the N.C. Fossil Club will be on hand to display their collections and talk about their experiences. Then museum visitors can start their own collections or add to them at a fossil dig site where experts will help with hands-on identification. Some of the ancient left-behinds that diggers might take home include shark, dolphin, crocodile or whale teeth; fish vertebrae; shells; and bones.

Dinosaur Day takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and all events are free with admission except for the drawing workshop, which requires advanced registration and a $10 fee. To pre-register for the workshop, call 919-220-5429, ext. 313. For more information about Dinosaur Day, visit www.lifeandscience.org. The museum is located at 433 Murray Ave., Durham.

— Aleta Payne

Ride by the Light of the Moon
Bike ride benefits Habitat for Humanity

See Durham by moonlight, get some exercise and help a worthy cause all by taking part in Habitat for Humanity’s Bull Moon Ride on July 19.

The 17-mile group bike ride is open to adults and children 10 and older accompanied by an adult. Participants will set out from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park at 8:30 p.m. and take in such city landmarks as Duke Chapel and the downtown’s city center before returning to the ballpark by way of the American Tobacco Trail.

Habitat piloted the event last fall with its night Halloween Ride, preceding a series of longer day rides called the Habitat Halloween 100. Pleased with the turnout, even though dampened by rain, the organization decided to expand and has partnered with the Durham Bulls for the July ride.

“It’s a unique event for the Durham community,” says Roxanne Hall Little, special events manager for Habitat for Humanity of Durham. “We want the experience to capture people.” Similar events in other cities have drawn thousands of riders, she says, and the hope is to grow the event for the future.

Riders will have a police escort while maintaining an average rolling speed of 12 miles per hour. Helmets, tail- and headlights are required, and reflective clothing is strongly encouraged.

Pre-registration is $10 for children and $20 for adults. Registration the night of the ride is $15 and $25 respectively. Additional donations are welcome and will help support Habitat’s mission of building affordable housing for Durham residents.

The organization recently completed its 200th home in Durham and builds, on average, 25 homes per year, the majority for families with children. “It really is building homes and hope for families and children,” Little says.

Those interested in a longer ride can save the date for the Habitat Halloween 100, which will be Nov. 1 this year. For more information, visit www.durhamhabitat.org or call 919-682-0516.

— Aleta Payne