Special Events

Philadelphia

*FREE* Annual National Woman's Heart Day Health Fair Heart health screenings, fitness, beauty & cooking demos, giveaways, seminars on nutrition & health related issues & more. 484-362-2683. Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St.; 484-362-2683. www.sistertosister.org. 2/21 8 am-3 pm.

Black History Month Awards Banquet Tribute to leaders in science, technology & community service. Organized by the National Society of Black Engineers. Grand Hall, 3141 Chestnut St.; www.drexelnsbe.org. $20; $10 students. 2/15 6-9 pm.

*FREE* SAR's Annual Commemoration of George Washington's Birthday Presented by the Sons of the American Revolution. Win Carroll, 610-517-1056. Omni Hotel at Independence Park, 401 Chestnut St.; 215-925-0000. www.sar.org/passar. 2/16 10:30 am.

The Search for Cupid's Missing Arrow These adventures are like 'Amazing Race,' 'DaVinci Code' & 'National Treasure' all rolled into one. Registration required. Ravenchase Adventures, Philadelphia; 609-838-1500, 888-702-9039 x4. www.ravenchase.com. $30. 2/16 1 pm.

Pennsylvania suburbs

Bluebird Workshop: Make a Nestbox After a discussion on the ecology of bluebirds & other cavity nesters, participants will make bluebird house. Registration required. Doylestown Township Activity Center, 425 Wells Rd., Doylestown; 215-348-9915. $20. 2/16 1-2:30 pm.

*FREE* In Search of the Bald Eagle Learn about the Bald Eagle's decline & comeback, then check out the resident birds. Green Lane Nature Center, 1492 Gravel Pike, Green Lane; Registration required. 2/16 10 am.

Mid-Winter Scottish & Irish Music Festival & Fair Features music, dance, culture & heritage of Scotland & Ireland. Valley Forge Convention Center, 1160 First Ave., King of Prussia; 610-825-7268. www.eohebrides.com. $18-$20 advance; $20-$24 day of show. 2/15 7:30-midnight pm. 2/16 9:30 am-midnight pm. 2/17 10 am-7:30 pm.

Super Pet Expo Pet-related exhibitors, unique entertainment, educational activities & more. Valley Forge Convention Center, 1160 First Ave., King of Prussia; 610-354-8212. www.superpetexpo.com. $12; $6 children 4-12; free for children 3 & under. 2/15 4-9 pm. 2/16 10 am-8 pm. 2/17 10 am-5 pm.

Taste Some History Tours of the winery, wine-tasting & European music. Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Rd., Washington Crossing; 215-493-6500; www.crossingvineyards.com. $5 tasting; free for winery tour. 2/16-2/17 1-4 pm.

Valentine's Day at the Zoo Interpretive programs & treats for the animals. Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown; 610-277-3825. www.elmwoodparkzoo.org. 2/16 11 am-2 pm.

W.S. Hancock Society: Creating an Accurate Civil War Impression Seminars, information, displays on Civil War. Held at Christ Church, Swedesburg, PA. Reservations: 610-630-0912 or e-mail: wshancock.msn.com. www.wshancocksociety.org. $10. 2/16 9 am-5 pm.

New Jersey

Hail to the Chief Gerald Ford's waffle recipe, Jimmy Carter's fried apples & Ronald Reagan's healthy honey bran muffins. Kitchen Kapers East Gate Square, 1341 Nixon Dr., Moorestown; Reservations required: 856-778-7705. www.kitchenkapers.com. $30. 2/18 11:30 am-1 pm. 1:30-3 pm.

*FREE* Healthy Heart Day Series of events to promote healthy living. Health screenings, lectures, guest appearances & more. Katz Jewish Community Center, 1301 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill; 856-424-4444. www.katzjcc.org. 2/17 8 am-noon.

A Sweetheart Dessert Tea Party Presented by the Herb Society of America. Registration required: 856-346-0426 or 856-881-2585. Franklin Township Library & Community Center, 1584 Coles Mill Rd., Franklinville; www.herbsociety.org. $15. 2/17 1:30 pm.

Delaware

Ghost Tours Hunt for the paranormal as you visit areas not seen on the regular daily museum tour. Reservations required. Rockwood Museum, 610 Shipley Rd., Wilmington; 302-761-4340. www.rockwood.org. $15. 2/16 7 & 9 pm. Valentine's Day Tea Tea includes tour of the museum. Reservations required: 302-761-1722. Rockwood Museum, 610 Shipley Rd., Wilmington; 302-761-4340. www.rockwood.org. $20. 2/16.

Kids' Stuff

Children's performances

Philadelphia Orchestra: Sound All Around in the Suburbs Introduction to musical ideas & themes with stories by Charlotte Blake Alston & Misty Tolle Pereira. Post-concert activity. Baldwin School, 701 W. Montgomery Ave., Bryn Mawr; 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org/suburbansaa. $15-$18. 2/16 10 & 11:15 am.

Children's events

Animal Eats! Children's program about what various animals dine on. Brandywine Zoo, 1001 N. Park Dr., Wilmington; 302-571-7747. www.brandywinezoo.org. $8. 2/19-2/21 9:30-10:15 am.

Animals in Winter Children's program focusing on hibernation, migration & how animals deal with the winter. Tyler Arboretum, 515 Painter Rd., Media; Registration required: 610-566-9134 x212. www.tylerarboretum.org. $8. 2/15 1-2:30 pm.

Dancing With Disney Toddler dance workshop. Registration required: 610-358-3632. Darlington Arts Center, 977 Shavertown Rd., Boothwyn; www.darlingtonarts.org. $12. 2/15 5-5:45 pm.

Kids' Winter Plant Explorers Children's class on how various plants handle winter. Tyler Arboretum, 515 Painter Rd., Media; Registration required: 610-566-9134 x212. www.tylerarboretum.org. $10. 2/18 10-11 am.

Nature Explorers Club: The Mitten & More! Puppet show & craft for children ages 4-6. Brandywine Creek State Park, Rtes 92 & 100, Wilmington; Pre-registration recommended: 302-655-5740. www.destateparks.com/bcsp/bcsp.asp. $5. 2/21 1:30-2:15 pm.

Nature Tots Nature songs, stories, crafts & outdoor activities for young children. Adult participation required. The Schuylkill Center, 8480 Hagy's Mill Rd.; Pre-registration required: 215-482-7300 x 110. www.schuylkillcenter.org. $7. 2/21 1:30-3 pm.

Shorts for Teens Animated & short films geared towards teenagers. Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228. www.thecolonialtheatre.com. $4. 2/16 2 pm.

Terrific Toddlers: Button Up Your Overcoat! Toddlers will learn about winter's "overcoat." Reg. req. Brandywine Creek State Park, Rtes 92 & 100, Wilmington; Pre-registration recommended: 302-655-5740. www.destateparks.com/bcsp/bcsp.asp. $5. 2/21 9:30-10:15 am.

Children's museums & attractions

Garden State Discovery Museum 2040 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill; 856-424-1233. www.discoverymuseum.com. Hands-on children's museum featuring an activity wonderland for infants through age 10. Africa: The Roots of It's Rhythm - Music, movement & stilt-walking performance by the Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble. 2/16 1 pm. The Many Colors of Islam - 45 drawings by Indonesian children describing what Islam means to them. Closes 3/12. $9.95; $8.95 seniors; free for children under 1. Sun.-Fri. 9:30 am-5:30 pm; Sat. 9:30 am-8:30 pm.

Insectarium 8046 Frankford Ave.; 215-335-9500. www.insectarium.com. Ongoing: Arachnid Alley, Cockroach Kitchen, Working Beehive, more. $7; free for children under 2. Mon.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm.

Kix & Giggles Children's Playground 9356 Old Bustleton Ave.; 215-677-4140. www.kixandgiggles.com. Attractions include a wrap-around gym, a rock wall, soft-play section for babies & toddlers, an outside seating area & more. Mondays 10 am-3 pm are reserved for children with special needs & their families. See website for more details. $6.95. Tue.-Thu. 10 am-8 pm; Fri.-Sat. 10 am-9 pm; Sun. 10 am-8 pm.

The Please Touch Museum 210 N. 21st St.; 215-963-0667. www.pleasetouchmuseum.org. Arts & crafts, stories, theater, interactive exhibits, hands-on activities & more. Louie Miranda - Popular family entertainer who performs fun, kid-oriented Latin jazz. 2/16-2/18 11 am, 1 & 3 pm. Junior Jazz Festival - Programming introducing kids to the world of jazz. Kid-friendly concerts, dress-up opportunities & more. Closes 2/29. Scat Cat's Junior Jazz Jamboree - Interactive show about an alley cat learning the history of jazz. Closes 2/29. $10.95; free for children under 1. Daily 9 am-4:30 pm.

*FREE* Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse Intersection of 33rd & Oxford Sts. in E. Fairmount Park; 215-765-4325. www.smithplayhouse.org. Three-story "play mansion" for children 0-5 yrs. old & huge outdoor play park (closed from Nov.-Mar.) for children 0-10 featuring the Giant Wooden Slide, the giant net climber, the Apollo spinner climber, the Biggo Duo swing & much more. Tue.-Sun. 10 am-4 pm. Children must be accompanied by adult.

Literary Calendar

Book signings & readings

Borders Books & Music 515 Rte. 73 South, Marlton; 856-985-5080. www.bordersstores.com. Ronald Cutler: The Secret Scroll. 2/17 1 pm. Bob Ingle & Sandy McClure: The Soprano State. 2/21 7 pm.

Borders Books & Music 4010 Dearborn Circle, Mt. Laurel; 856-866-9090. www.borders.com. Jon Blackwell: Notorious New Jersey. 2/21 7 pm.

Clifton House 473 Bethlehem Pike, Ft. Washington; 215-646-6265. www.amblerhistory.com. Mary Hennessey: His Hour Upon the Stage. 2/19 8 pm.

Free Library of Philadelphia - Central Branch 1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5322. www.library.phila.gov. Marie Dallam: Daddy Grace. 2/19 7 pm. E.A. Kennedy: Life, Liberty & the Mummers/Patricia Anne Masters: The Philadelphia Mummers. 2/20 7 pm. Richard T. Ford: The Race Card/Michael J. Klarman: Unfinished Business. 2/21 7 pm.

National Constitution Center 525 Arch St.; 215-409-6600. www.constitutioncenter.org. Patrick Murphy: Taking the Hill: From Philly to Baghdad to the United States Congress. $15; $6 students K-12 & teachers. 2/18 6:30 pm.

Robin's Bookstore 108 S. 13th St.; 215-735-9600. www.robinsbookstore.com. Elizabeth K. Gordon: Walk With Us. 2/16 6 pm. Jack Getze: Big Numbers. 2/20 6 pm.

The Tudor Bookshop 651 Wyoming Ave., Kingston; 570-288-9697. www.tudorbookshopandcafe.invitations.com. Anne Easter Smith: Daughter of York. 2/21 7 pm.

University of Pennsylvania - Penn Bookstore 3601 Walnut St.; 215-898-7595. upenn.bkstore.com. Patrick Murphy: Taking the Hill: From Philly to Baghdad to the United States Congress. 2/19 7 pm.

Poetry & lectures

Barnes & Noble - Marlton 200 W. Rte. 70, Marlton; 856-596-7058. www.barnesandnoble.com. Poetry in the Round - 2/18 7:30 pm.

Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve 1635 River Rd., New Hope; 215-862-2924. www.bhwp.org. Winter Lecture: Likable Lichens - Dorothy Smullen speaks. Registration suggested. $10; $8 students. 2/17 2-3 pm.

*FREE* Bucks County Community College-Library Auditorium 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown; 215-968-8088. www.bucks.edu. Standing on My Sisters' Shoulders - Black History Month program featuring a documentary about women in Mississippi during the Civil Rights era. 2/20 11 am. BCCC - Lower Bucks Campus 1304 Veterans Hwy., Bristol; 267-685-4800. www.bucks.edu. 2/20 noon & 6:30 pm. 2/21 12:15 pm.

Burlington County Library 5 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton; 609-267-9660. www.bcls.lib.nj.us. The History of Slavery Through Quilts - Presentation & display of code quilts & how they aided slaves in their journey for freedom. 2/21 7 pm.

Collingswood Public Library 771 Haddon Ave., Collingswood; 856-858-0649. www.collingswood.com/library_microsite.htm. Coffee & Shakespeare: Macbeth - Collingswood Shakespeare Company hosts this discussion series. 2/18 7 pm.

Drexel University - Picture Gallery 32nd & Chestnut St., 3rd Floor; 215-895-0480. www.drexel.edu/drexelcollection. Philadelphia Writers Conference Free Forums - Writing talks & workshops led by notable & diverse local authors. 2/17 2-3:30 pm.

First Unitarian Church 2125 Chestnut St.; 267-765-5210. www.r5productions.com. Learning From Victorian Bed & Breakfasts - Discussion by former owners of the award-winning Queen Victoria Inn in Cape May, NJ. Tour of church will follow lecture. Reservations: 215-538-1122. $15. 2/17 2 pm.

Gershman Hall 401 S. Broad St.; 215-446-3027. www.gershmany.org. First Person Series - Artists & writers of all levels can present new memoir or documentary-based works/works-in-progress. $10. 2/21 7 pm.

Giovanni's Room 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960. www.giovannisroom.com. Lamont B. Steptoe & Alex Smith - Poetry reading. 2/21 5:30 pm.

Glen Foerd on the Delaware 5001 Grant Ave.; 215-632-5330. www.glenfoerd.org. Evening Tour - Learn about the history of Glen Foerd, the community of Torresdale, & the city of Philadelphia. Reservations required. $8. 2/19 7 pm.

Historical Society of Montgomery County 1654 DeKalb St., Norristown; 610-272-0297. www.hsmcpa.org. Tales From the Tables of the Presidents - Former rep to the UN & past Presidential advisor shares his "tales from the tables" based on his years of attendance at official presidential dinners. Donations accepted. 2/16 1 pm. Historical Society of Pennsylvania 1300 Locust St.; 215-732-6200. www.hsp.org. Gunshot Wounds in Four Assassinated Presidents - Exploration of the tragic assassinations of Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley & Kennedy from a medical-legal perspective. 2/20 6 pm.

Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences 120 Long Beach Blvd., Beach Haven; 609-494-1241. www.lbifoundation.org. Big O: How an Organic Lifestyle Really Can Save the Planet - Author & TV host Paul Tukey speaks. $5. 2/16 1:30 pm.

Painted Bride Art Center 230 Vine St.; 215-925-9914. www.paintedbride.org. Rock The Pen - Poetry reading by local high school students. $5. 2/19 10:30 am-noon.

RC's Tonsorial Parlor 437 S. Fifth St., Camden; 856-963-9727. Black History in The Barber Shop - Exhibit of slavery artifacts & Jim Crow memorabilia; CAMcare on site to offer information about hypertension, diabetes & prostate cancer. 2/20 10 am-1 pm.

Robin's Bookstore 108 S. 13th St.; 215-735-9600. www.robinsbookstore.com. Black Ink: Celebrating Writing of the African Diaspora - Book & poetry readings & panel discussion on writing. 2/17 2 pm. Harrison Ridley on Nina Simone - Discussion of soulful singer Simone's career & life. 2/18 7 pm. The Life of the Poet Workshop - Leonard Gontarek instructs. $50 series of four workshops. 2/21 6 pm.

Rowan University 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro; 856-256-4000. www.rowan.edu. Daisy Fried: My Brother is Getting Arrested Again - Fried reads some of her poetry. 2/21 7:30 pm.

Samuel Paley Early Learning Center 2199 Strahle St.; 215-725-8930. www.felskids.org/loc_paley.html. African Storyteller: Mlenjeni - Open to all preschoolers & their families. 2/20 10:15 am.

UPenn - Kelly Writer's House 3805 Locust Walk; 215-573-9748. www.writing.upenn.edu/wh. Art Spiegelman - Spiegelman is the acclaimed author of 'Maus' & 'Maus II.' 2/18 6:30 pm. 2/19 10 am. Michael Martone - Discussion & reading w/experimental novelist. 2/21 6 pm.

Villanova University 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova; 610-519-6000. www.villanova.edu. Villanova Literary Festival: Eavan Boland - Irish poet & Stanford University professor Eavan Boland reads her work. 2/21 7:30 pm.

Widener University One University Place, Chester; 888-943-3637. www.widener.edu. Tuskegee Airmen - Lecture about this WWII-era squadron of African-American pilots. 2/20 7 pm.

Wood River Village 3200 Bensalem Blvd., Bensalem; 215-752-2370. Eating Fresh & Local: Connecting Consumers & Farmers - Slide program with Sandy Guzikowski. $3 donation suggested. 2/18 7:30 pm.