The Maridon Museum will host another one-hour children's program at 11 a.m. Jan. 10.

The program will be a New Year's celebration called "Oshoogatsu." Program leader is Dixie Lipnichan.

There will be Japanese games for children to learn, including fukuwarai (funny face game), koma (tops), hanetsuki (Japanese badminton), hanafuda (flower cards) and a craft, daruma.

The program is designed for children ages 4 to 10.

Lipnichan's student, Mariah Collins, a junior at Allegheny- Clarion Valley High School, will assist.

For more information, call the museum at 724-282-0123.

EVANS CITY — "A Historic Hike with George Washington" will be presented Dec. 27 at Providence Plantation, 300 Textor Hill Road.The program features a walk in the woods with a George Washington reenactor to commemorate the 255th Anniversary of Washington passing through Butler County.The event starts at 10 a.m. with a slide show and presentation about Washington's travels through the county in 1753.After the presentation by Providence Plantation director Carl Robertson, participants will drive several miles to a trailhead parking area, a half mile north of the intersection of Upper Harmony Road and Highway 528 in Connoquenessing Township.The hike, which begins at 11 a.m., will be led by reenactors portraying Washington; his guide, Christopher Gist; and several Indians. The one-hour hike travels through woods and fields, closely following the original Venango Path, an Indian trail historians believe Washington and Gist used.Participants are to dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.For more information or to RSVP, call 724-538-8818 or visit the Web site, www.frontier-history.org.

PITTSBURGH — Carnegie Science Center is featuring trains and telescopes, lasers and slime this holiday season, along with a weekday discount.Through Dec. 24, everyone who visits Mondays through Fridays will receive general admission at the child rate of $10.Holiday features include "The Polar Express: The IMAX® Experience" in the Rangos Omnimax Theater, showing daily through Dec. 31.A Holiday Magic Laser Show for all ages is presented daily at 3 p.m. in the Buhl Digital Dome high-definition planetarium. The show costs $5 in addition to general admission.On display is the Miniature Railroad & Village, featuring iconic scenes of southwestern Pennsylvania in historic miniature railroads dating back to 1920. Updated every year, this giant railroad display features Pittsburgh-area landmarks, including a handcrafted replica of Isaly's.The traditional MessFest is again planned for Jan. 1 with the messiest, most disgusting science demonstrations and activities.Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; closed holidays. The center will be closed Dec. 28 because of the Pittsburgh Steelers game next door.Regular admission is $14 for adults and $10 for senior citizens age 62 and older and children 3 to 18. Parking is $3. Call 412-237-3400 or visit the Web site, www.carnegiesciencecenter.org.

PITTSBURGH — The Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave., will host a dance party called "Global Beats New Year's Bash" featuring New York City's Kokolo Afrobeat Orchestra at 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31. Doors will open at 10 p.m.The group plays a punk-infused blend of afro-beats, reggae, rock, swing and salsa.Tickets for this 21-and-over show are $60.50 each and include appetizers, open bar, champagne toast, tax and gratuity. Call 412-456-6666 or visit the Web site, www.pgharts.org.

PITTSBURGH — Playhouse Jr. opens its 60th Season with the world premiere of "The Gift of the Pirate Queen" running through Sunday.Based on the children's novel by Newbery Honor-winning author Patricia Reilly Giff, "The Gift of the Pirate Queen" is the story of a young girl with big responsibilities.Shows begin at 8 p.m. tonight, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave. in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh.Tickets are $7 and are available by calling 412-621-4445 or visiting the Web site, www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.