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Professor Pennypickle loves trains! Read about the Polar Express...

One of the Professor's beloved books is Chris Van Allsburg's "The Polar Express", about a child's magical journey on a wonderfully fantastic train that only travels to one special place...

The story focuses on a little boy who has been told by his friends that there is no Santa Claus. Unwilling to believe this, he lies awake in his bed on Christmas Eve, waiting for the sound of Santa's sleigh. Instead, he hears the hissing steam and squeaking metal of the Polar Express as it stops outside his window, ready to take him and other children to the North Pole.

Although the Professor cannot provide a real train trip of course, he hopes to give your children an exciting evening of fun and science adventures at Pennypickle's Polar Express on Dec. 18th or 19th. They will love to discover what each "station" offers... and there will be lots of treats and surprises.

And YOUR treat is that you don't have to stay with your child (they will be well taken care of by the Professor's assistants), so you can do your Christmas shopping at Pennypickles without those prying little eyes seeing all the goodies you've purchased!

Snow in a test tube? What is THAT all about?
This snow is really scientific...

"Super snow" is often used as a special effect in movies, television and photography. Made of polymers, it looks like a fine white powder and when activated by common tap water will expand up to 100 times its original volume.

If you have enough of the super snow (one year the Professor had 100 pounds of it at the Workshop!), you can use it for indoor skiing, snowboarding and sledding - it is slippery like real snow.

Super snow is not harmful to the environment and it can be allowed to dry and reused.

Best of all, you can buy some super snow at Pennypickles gift shop or right here!


What are some things to know about real snow?

Snowflakes start as ice crystals that are the size of a speck of dust. When the crystals fall they join up with other crystals to form a snowflake. The size of the snowflake depends on how many crystals hook together. All natural snowflakes are six-sided and consist of ice crystals which are flat plates.

It can get actually get cold enough that it doesn't snow. Because snow is frozen water, if there are not enough water droplets in the air it can't snow.

Snow can be hard to predict, because a temperature change of just a few degrees may bring rain instead.

   


 

 

 
 

Events at Pennypickles   |   December  2009


It's the Professor and Beaker's favorite month... is it yours? They are excited to have you share their special winter traditions.

This is a truly magical month at the Professor's house -- you'll have to visit! Be sure to reserve your tickets early if you are planning to attend Pennypickle's Polar Express or New Year's Eve at Noon.

Don't forget that Pennypickles is the perfect place to shop for unique presents and stocking stuffers... and who wouldn't love the gift of fun - a gift certificate to enjoy even more science-based adventures at the award-winning Pennypickle's Workshop! You can purchase gift certificates and admission passes on-line here.

The Workshop will be closed on the evening of December 4th so that the Professor and Beaker can enjoy the annual Electric Light Parade. The Workshop will also be closed on Christmas Day, December 25, and New Year's Day, January 1.


Pennypickle's Winter Wonderland
Friday, December 11, 6-8:30 p.m.
(The Workshop will be closed the rest of the day in preparation for this event.)

Snow at the Professor's house!!
Have fun and make memories surrounded by holiday music, snowflakes, and twinkling lights. Try the Hot Chocolate bar, eat s’mores, discover the Professor’s Snow Science Lab, let the kids shop for mom and dad in Beaker’s Secret Store, start your Christmas shopping at Pennypickles, and play in the snow!!!

Entrance to Pennypickle’s Winter Wonderland is free.
Tickets for activities are $1 each; most activities (including playing in the snow) will cost 1 to 2 tickets each; food items will be available for 1-5 tickets each).

Sorry, tickets for Winter Wonderland are not available on-line.


Pennypickle's Polar Express
Friday, December 18 or Saturday, December 19, 6-8:30 p.m.
Moms and Dads -- Enjoy some "alone time" during this busy season while your P.J.-and-robe-clad child boards Professor Pennypickle's Polar Express! You can shop or dine in Old Town Temecula as your little ones explore the science of winter at each of the station stops within Pennypickle's Workshop.

Space will be limited to 50 passengers each evening. Please make your reservations early, as no tickets will be sold at the door. Children must be between the ages of 5-10 years old - adults will not be allowed to stay.

Boarding Passes for Pennypickle's Polar Express are $15 per child and will be reserved for pick up at the door.

Use this button for FRIDAY, Dec. 18
Use this button for SATURDAY, Dec. 19
Pennypickle's Polar Express will "leave the station" promptly at 6 pm, so be sure to check in at 5:45... you don't want to miss the train!

New Year's Eve at Noon
Thursday, December 31, 11-12:30 p.m.
Celebrate the New Year Pennypickle-style... at noon instead of midnight! You won't want to miss the Professor's VERY special party for those too young to stay up late.

Be sure to purchase your tickets early as space is limited.

Tickets for New Year's Eve at Noon are $5 per person and will be held for you at the door.

Pennypickle's special events are fundraisers to help support programs and events at Pennypickle's Workshop,
and will be hosted by the Friends of the Temecula Children’s Museum, a 501 c3 non-profit organization.

Please call Pennypickles gift shop at 951-308-6376 if you have questions about any events, or if you would like to purchase tickets by phone.

Your generous support will insure more fun happenings in the Professor's house and be sure to shop at Pennypickles for fun and unusual toys and gifts! Proceeds from the gift shop also help to benefit events and programs for Pennypickle's Workshop, the Temecula Children's Museum.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Friends of the Temecula Children's Museum... you can do it here... 

 

   

Copyright 2004| Friends of the Temecula Children's Museum | All rights reserved
Pennypickles© and Pennypickle's Workshop© are located at 42081 Main Street, Temecula, California 92590
951-308-6376 | phineas@pennypickles.org