Great Dates: August 2012

August 5

Big Bands On The Bay 7 p.m. and every Sunday in the summer. Guests are invited down to the Gazebo at Ocean View Beach Park for live Big Band music and dancing. Ocean View Park, Ocean View Avenue (N) 441-2345 or www.festevents.org

August 6

Bike Nights 4 p.m.-7 p.m. and continues every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday in the summer. Bring your bikes, helmets, family and friends out to the Garden to pedal through the petals on 12 miles of paved paths. Free with garden admission. Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Rd. (N) 441-5830 or www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org

August 7

Tunes for Tots 10:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m. and continues Tuesdays. Parents and kids shake, rattle and roll to your favorite tunes. Free with Garden Admission. Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Rd. (N) 441-5830 or www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org

ZooTales 11 a.m. and continues every Tuesday. Enjoy story time at the zoo and meet an animal or two. Activity included with Zoo admission: $7 adults, $5 children 2-11, $6 seniors 62 and over, free to zoo members. Virginia Zoo, 3500 Granby St. (N) 441-2374, ext. 229

Paint Days 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Every Tuesday and Thursday. Paint your own picture in the Kids Gallery. Peninsula Fine Arts Center, 101 Museum Dr. (NN) 596-8175 or www.pfac-va.org

Behind-the-Scenes Tour at the Virginia Living Museum 3 p.m. and continues Tuesdays and Saturdays. Enjoy a guided by a member of our knowledgeable curatorial staff. The Virginia Living Museum, J. Clyde Morris Blvd. (NN) 599-1900 or www.thevlm.org

August 8

Story and a Walk 10 a.m. Enjoy a story and a nature walk with a Park Ranger. Continues every second Wednesday of the month. Newport News Park, 13560 Jefferson Ave. (NN) 888-3333 or www.nnparks.com

Wacky Wednesday 10:30 a.m. -11:45 a.m. Join Daisy the Clown from A Mile of Smiles for storytelling, magic, games, zany antics and arts and crafts. She'll weave a telling of the classic tale of The Gingerbread Man as you've never heard it before. Free for Pfac Members, Non-members $3. Peninsula Fine Arts Center, 101 Museum Dr. (NN) 596-8175 or www.pfac-va.org

August 9

Just Mom and Me 11 a.m.-noon. Families with children ages 2 to 8 can escape to a world of educational entertainment together and enjoy a variety of enticing activities. Patrick Henry Mall Center Court. Jefferson Avenue, (NN) 249-4305

Parenting on the Same Page: For Parenting Partners 6:30-8:30 p.m. Raising children can be challenging, especially when the parent's discipline styles are different. Learn where your parenting philosophy and mind set come from and how to support a unified front when parenting your child. Free. Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, 601 Children's Lane, 6th floor conference room, Register at www.chkd.org/classes.

August 10

Lego Club 3:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m. All creations will be put on display in the library. Larchmont Branch Library, 6525 Hampton Blvd. (N) 441-5335

August 11

Eighth Annual Chesapeake Criterium Bicycle Race 8 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. with registration beginning at 7:15 a.m. For children ages two to nine years old. This is a great opportunity for families to experience top-level bike racing in Chesapeake. Spectators will have the opportunity to enjoy Virginia Age-graded State Championships. Must provide own bicycle and helmet to participate. City of Chesapeake Municipal Center, 306 Cedar Rd. (C) 547-7188 or veloist@aol.com

August 12

Sunday Funday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Anyone can find thier inner clown with the help of Daisy the Clown from A Mile of Smiles. She'll introduce youngsters to the life of a clown. With her costumes, props, and a little make-up participants can create their own clown personality. Free. for Pfac Members, Non-members $3. Peninsula Fine Arts Center, 101 Museum Dr. (NN) 596-8175 or www.pfac-va.org

August 13

Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman Series by Jacob Lawrence 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. This is a free exhibition highlighting the dramatic biographies of two American abolitionists who lived around the time of the Civil War. Hampton University Museum, 11 Frissell Ave. (H) 727-5308

August 14

Toddler Time 0:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Is your child too old for Babygarten but not quite ready for preschool storytime? Toddler Time is perfectly crafted for your two-to-three-year-old, and combines three elements toddlers love: stories, playing and singing. Larchmont Branch Library, 6525 Hampton Blvd. (N) 441-5335

August 15

Adolescents: What is a parent to do? 6:30-8:30 p.m. The early teen years are a time of rapid physical, intellectual and social/emotional change, and parents and children can feel overwhelmed. Learn how to help your teens through this dynamic phase. Register at www.chkd.org/classes. CHKD Health and Surgery Center at Oyster Point, 11783 Rock Landing Dr. (NN) 668-7500

August 16

Baby Care 101 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Learn about how to bathe and comfort your baby, belly button and diaper care, how to position your baby for sleep and general household and car seat safety tips. Lots of opportunities to ask questions about the first year of life. Free and register at www.chkd.org/classes. Pediatric Associates of Williamsburg, 119 Bulifants Blvd., 564-7337 ext. 5 then 3. or www.chkd.org/PAW.

Infant Massage 5:30-6:30 p.m. Parents will learn simple infant massage techniques designed for infants from birth to 6 months. Register at www.chkd.org/classes. Pediatric Associates of Williamsburg, 119 Bulifants Blvd., (W).564-7337 esxt. 5 then 3.

August 17

Beach Bash 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. Grab a cold drink, relax and put yourself on island time. Exhilarating sounds of steel drums and horns by musical group Caribbean Steel will have you feeling like you're in the tropics. Mount Trashmore Park, Edwin Drive, (VB) 385-2990 www.VBgov.com/specialevents.

August 18

The 2012 Honey BEE Festival 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Garden guests will enjoy children's activities, demonstrations, honey and bee vendors (including handmade jewelry and ceramics), refreshments, door prizes, live music, and a guest appearance by former Miss United States Come see the inside a real life bee hive. Included with admission. Norfolk Botanical Gardens, 6700 Azalea Garden Rd. (N) 441-5830 or www.norfolkbotanicalgardens.com

August 19

Summer Music 3 p.m.- 6 p.m. Travel back in time with your family and friends and enjoy an afternoon of outdoor music and dance demonstrations all in the most beautiful place in Hampton Roads. Summer means Flower Power. Rock out to 70's music from The Deloreans and disco dance demonstrations. Included with admission. Lawn chairs and blankets encouraged. Norfolk Botanical Gardens, 6700 Azalea Garden Rd. (N) 441-5830 or www.norfolkbotanicalgardens.com

August 20

Free Movie: Hunger Games 4:30 p.m.-6:45 p.m.,Teens ages 13-18 can watch a free screening of the movie Hunger Games for anyone ages 13 and over. Pearl Bailey Library, Wickham Ave. (NN) 247-8677

August 21

Babygarten 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Come join Babygarten, a fun, exciting, and rhythmic program for infants (ages birth to 24 months) and their caregivers. Babygarten builds vocabulary, develops phonological awareness and print motivation, encourages narrative skills and increases letter knowledge. It enriches a child's life from the very beginning and provides them with an excellent foundation for the future. Lafayette Branch Library, 1610 Cromwell Dr. (N) 441-2842

August 22

Wii Game Night 2 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. Play our games or bring your own "E" rated game! Refreshments will be served. Barron F. Black Branch Library, 6700 E. Tanners Creek Dr. (N) 441-5806

August 23

Breastfeeding Advice 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free class that covers proper positioning; latch on tips, management of engorgement and sore nipples, as well as returning to work and maternal medications. Register at www.chkd.org/classes. Pediatric Associates of Williamsburg, 119 Bulifants Blvd., (W) 564-7337 ext. 5 then 3.

Positive Discipline 6:30-8:30 p.m. Learn discipline techniques that work without yelling, arguing or spanking. Free. Register at www.chkd.org/classes. CHKD Health and Surgery Center at Princess Anne, 2021 Concert Dr. (VB) 668-7500

August 24

Anime and Manga Club 4 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. Teens ages 12-17 can enjoy Anime screenings and Manga discussions. Pearl Bailey Library, Wickham Avenue (NN) 247-8677.

August 25

Casey & Jon's Street Performance - 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Join us for an exciting hour of juggling, stilt walking, fire poi and fire eating. Jordan-Newby Branch Library, 961 Park Ave. (N) 441-2843

August 26

Groovin' By the Bay 6 p.m. Spend your Sunday evenings this summer listening to live music under the stars at Buckroe Beach. Free. Buckroe Beach, 100 1st Street South (H) 727-8311 or www.hampton.gov/parks/

August 27

Pawsitive Reading with Therapy Dogs 5:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m Practice your reading skills by sharing stories with therapy dogs. Bring your own book or choose one from our selection. Call to register. Grade K-5. Kempsville Area Library, 832 Kempsville Rd. (VB) 385-2627

August 28

How Children Manage Anger 6:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m. Learn how to help young children (up to age 6) manage their anger and learn self-control. Register at www.chkd.org/classes. Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, 601 Children's Lane, 6th floor conference room (N) 668-7500

August 29

Courtyard of the Portsmouth Art Center 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Visit this garden setting to relax and enjoy the seventh year for this outdoor exhibit. Portsmouth Art Center, 420 High St. (P) 393-8543

August 30

Back-to-School Fashion Show 4 p.m.- 5 p.m. Teens ages 12-18 can display their back-to-school fashions.Teens participating in the fashion show must also participate in the DIY T-Shirt program on Aug. 9 and must wear at least one self-designed or created garment or accessory in the fashion show. Registration is required and begins Aug. 1 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or call 369-3190. Grissom Library, 366 De Shazor Dr. (NN) 369-3190

August 31

Virginia Symphony 7 p.m. Enjoy a free outdoor concert by the symphony. Fort Monroe, Fentress Drive (H) 251-2754 or www.fmauthority.com

In Early September

Voyage of Discovery 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. The new exhibit celebrates OpSail 2012 where guests will embark on a voyage that will take them on a journey throughout the Garden. A replica of the USS Constitution will keep guests entertained as they enter a life-size section of the ship and dream of adventures on the high seas. Also enjoy the Butterfly House. Norfolk Botanical Garden, Azalea Garden Road (N) 441-5830 or www.norfolkbotanicalgarden

NASA's Orion Spacecraft 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. The 18,000-pound Orion test vehicle was used in the successful test of Orion's launch abort system, Pad Abort 1 in May 2010. A pad abort would provide escape capability to protect the crews in the event of an emergency during launch or initial ascent. Virginia Air and Space Center, Settlers Landing Road (H) 727-0900 or www.vasc.org

Cruise the Creek Times vary. Explore Owls Creek during a gentle 30-minute pontoon cruise focused on salt marsh ecology. $7 per person; $5 for members or combo tickets. Virginia Aquarium, 717 General Booth Blvd. (VB) 385-FISH or www.virginiaaquarium.com

Source: Tidewater Parent Magazine