The exhibition features photos, costumes, props, and more from Star Trek films and televisions shows. “Star Trek: The Exhibition” photo

The Saint Louis Science Center has launched its new state-of-the-art exhibition hall with an exhibit about the science fiction franchise that soared into space and landed firmly in popular culture: Star Trek.

Appearing for the first time in St. Louis, “Star Trek: The Exhibition” brings 45 years of authentic Star Trek artifacts to life. Featuring one-of-a-kind costumes, props, and filming models from every Star Trek television series and feature film, the exhibition will be on display through May 28 in the center’s new cutting-edge Boeing Exhibition Hall, inspiring Star Trek fans and novices alike with its collection.

Visitors will get a close-up look at the imagination, technology, artistry, and meticulous craftsmanship that have made Star Trek the most enduring science fiction franchise in history. Among the interactive experiences is the chance to step aboard the bridge from “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

In addition to the exhibit, the center is hosting a variety of activities, including a lecture series, public telescope viewings, and presentations of Star Trek movies and television episodes in the OMNIMAX Theater.

Boeing Exhibition Hall, which replaced the air-supported Exploradome, was designed to host traveling exhibits like Star Trek. The $10 million expansion includes a rooftop terrace that provides a remarkable setting for outdoor events.

The science center is located at 5050 Oakland Ave. on the southeastern edge of Forest Park. Hours are 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets for the exhibit are $17.50 for adults, $15.50 for seniors and college students and $13.50 for children 5–12. For details, call (800) 456-SLSC (7572) or (314) 289-4400, or click on www.slsc.org.

The new center offers exhibits (above) and access to see a variety of migratory birds, including white pelicans (below). Audubon Center at Riverlands photos

Located at the confluence of the greatest rivers in North America–the Mississippi, the Missouri, and the Illinois–and nestled in a nature preserve at one of the most significant migratory flyways in the world, the National Audubon Society couldn’t have selected a better spot for its new bird-watching center.

The Audubon Center at Riverlands opened last fall in West Alton, Mo., to engage and enlighten bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. Set in 3,700 acres of prairie marsh and wetland forest in the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, the center is surrounded by natural beauty and rich environmental and historical significance.

Built in partnership between the National Audubon Society and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the center features floor-to-ceiling windows that afford great views of the Mississippi River. In addition to interactive exhibits, benches and spotting scopes inside, the center has more benches, picnic tables and trails outside.

The site is significant for bird watching because about 60 percent of all North American waterfowl and songbirds–325 species–migrate along the Mississippi Flyway. Bald eagles descend on the area during the winter, and the center will host the Alton Eagle Festival on Jan. 7 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

The center is located at 301 Riverlands Way, situated not far from the Clark Bridge that crosses the Mississippi River into Alton, Ill. Hours are 8 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, and admission is free. For details, visit www.riverlands.audubon.org or call (636) 899-0090.

Ford Center will host concerts, basketball, hockey and more. Jerry Butts photo

When the Icemen launched in 2008, the people of Evansville, Ind., had never witnessed professional hockey before, and now, after three exciting seasons, fans are enjoying a fresh feast for their eyes as the team has taken to the ice in its fantastic new home: Ford Center.

Replacing the aging Roberts Stadium, the new $127 million arena opened in November to great fanfare in southern Indiana. With up to 11,000 seats depending on the event, the center can host concerts and major exhibits, and it is home to the University of Evansville men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Heating up the downtown center this winter are the Evansville Icemen, who play in the Central Hockey League. The team previously played in the modest Swonder Ice Arena, which had limited capacity, so moving to a larger, modern arena is exciting for the team and its fans.

“It’s thrilling to see the Icemen play at the sleek new Ford Center,” said Laura Libs of the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The center is an instant landmark, and it’s a cornerstone for the continuing revitalization of downtown Evansville.”

Ford Center is located at 1 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. For upcoming events, visit www.thefordcenter.com or call (812) 422-1515.

A mecca of marbles can be found in Bonner Springs, Kan., but the remarkable marble emporium only got rolling as an afterthought of its founders.

Partners Bruce Breslow and Lynda Sproules once had a woodworking business in the shop that is now Moon Marble Company. With scraps from their regular woodworking projects, they created toys and games. When they needed marbles for the game boards, they purchased a case of every variety they could find–85,000 marbles in all.

When word got out that they had marbles to spare, the Moon Marble Company was born. Then Breslow taught himself glass-working techniques, and now he demonstrates how marbles are made from molten glass in the shop. Contact the store for demonstration times.

In addition to an astounding array of marbles in every color, size, and design imaginable, the shop features jewelry, trinkets, glass sculptures, and toys from many eras.

For marble fans, the shop will host its annual Marble Crazy event on March 2–3 featuring marble displays, demonstrations and more.

Bonner Springs is just west of Kansas City. Located at 600 E. Front St., the store is open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more details, call (913) 441-1432 or visit www.moonmarble.com.