10 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT 06854. Phone: 203-852-0700.

The Maritime Aquarium's "FINtastic RefurbFISHment" opens on Sat., Feb. 18, some of the smallest additions actually will have the coolest stories. Take, for example, the sea vases – little things that look merely like a knot of plain translucent tubes.Don't dismiss them, though. You and those sea vases have a lot more in common than you would imagine. In fact, sea vases are recognized as being possibly the closest invertebrate relative of humans. Scientists have sequenced their full genome, and they share 80 percent of their genes with us! That gets researchers very excited to have a simple "model animal" to use to test for medical breakthroughs. Most recently, scientists announced some exciting results in combating Alzheimer's disease through their work conducted on sea vases. So what is a sea vase (Ciona intestinalis)? It's a type of tunicate, a subphylum of animals that mostly attach to the sea floor and filter food out of the water. Various species of tunicates are commonly referred to as "sea squirts," because, when disturbed, they will contract so that water squirts out of their siphon openings. They're found from the Arctic down to southern New England. In the Aquarium, they'll be displayed in the Winter tank of the new "Seasons of the Sound" gallery; just past the big shark tank. The Maritime Aquarium's "FINtastic RefurbFISHment" will feature 21 new exhibits, 27 new species and more than 300 new animals. Get details at www.maritimeaquarium.org. For area information visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

370 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT Phone: 203-259-1598.

Promise of Freedom 150th Anniversary Emancipation Proclamation September 23 - February 24, 2013. The only exhibition in New England to display a Lincoln-signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, an original 13th Amendment copy, as well as other fascinasting documents, paintings and artifacts that narrate this decisive moment in the quest for human freedom.  Public Programs: For a complete listing of Lectures, Community Events, Family Activities and Workshops visit the website. Tours:  Guided tour of this special exhibition occur on Fridays at 2:30 p.m. beginning October 5. Group Tours:  Available for groups of 10 or more. Please contact the Education Department at 203-259-1598. Hours & Admission: Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekends: noon to 4 p.m.  Explore highlights of the Emancipation Proclamation exhibit as you tour the Museum with docents and staff. The tour lasts approximately a ½ hour and departs promptly from the front desk. All guided tours are free with Museum admission, and do not require tickets or reservations unless otherwise noted. This event is accessible to people with disabilities.

370 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. Phone: 203-259-1598.

Promise of Freedom:  The Emancipation Proclamation exhibit at the Fairfield Museum will run September 23, 2012 through February 24, 2013.  The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to view rare historical documents, including a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln, a copy of the 13th Amendment, rare slavery artifacts, prints and political cartoons that illuminate the public opinion of Lincoln in the 1860's.   Programs including guided tours and hands-on activities are available for groups.  A Commemorative Gala will be held on September 22nd from 6:30 to 9:30PM.  Call the museum for further information.

370 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. Phone: 203-259-1598.

September 23 – February 24, 2013. Exhibit and programs commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and its significance over time, featuring Abraham Lincoln’s signed copy, rare slavery artifacts, prints, political cartoons and more.

1 Museum Dr., Greenwich, CT Phone: 203.869.0376.

Extreme Habitats: Living Desert Dry focuses on the desert biome as an ecosystem and examines plant and animal adaptations related to survival in the desert. The exhibition features a life-size diorama of the Sonoran Desert of the Southwest, complete with spiny cacti, coyote, gila monster, roadrunner and more.

1035 Newfield Ave, Stamford, CT 06905. Phone: 203-487-0971.

Sundays, November 11 – March 3 Take your game to the next level! Participants will learn to play basketball by improving their skills in shooting, dribbling, passing, and more and the important values of teamwork and good sportsmanship. Every session ends in a scrimmage to enhance their skills and knowledge of the game. Member $228 / Community $276. For more information about grade levels and times contact Mo Concepcion at 203.487.0971 or mconcepcion@stamfordjcc.org.

735 Nod Hill Road, Wilton, CT Phone: 203-834-1896.

Every Saturday from Dec. 1 thru March 30, 2013.  1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Fee Information: FREE Contact Name: Weir Farm National Historic Site Contact Email: e-mail us Contact Phone Number: 203-834-1896 x 0.  A guided walk through the fields of Weir Farm National Historic Site that examines the history of stone walls. We encourage you to bring your friends and family and appreciate your carpooling when possible due to limited parking available. If you are planning to bring a group that will arrive in 3 or more vehicles, please contact the park at 203-834-1896 x11 to make arrangements. Please note that our parking lot cannot accommodate RVs or buses

1 Museum Dr., Greenwich, CT Phone: 203.869.0376.

Let It Snow! Children's Book Art is a family-friendly exhibition featuring children's book illustrations depicting winter themes. This exhibition, on view in the Bruce Museum's Bantle Lecture Gallery,  will include 30 to 40 illustrations of winter scenes, including vivid winter landscapes, animals in winter, and winter sports and games (sledding, skiing, catching snowflakes, and snowball fights). Displayed works feature the range of media available to illustrators, including pen and ink, colored pencil, oil, watercolor, gouache, papercut, collage, and digital media. Visitors are encouraged to read from the many books represented in the exhibition in a designated reading corner.

1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT 06830. Phone: 203-869-0376.

Come visit the Bruce Museum and enjoy the delightful exhibit, Let it Snow! Children's Book Art featuring original illustrations of winter from children's books.  Sledding, ice-skating and snowball fights are among the playful subjects to be seen in more than 30 illustrations, including favorites like Ezra Jack Keats "The Snowy Day", Andrea Kwasniewski's Little Red Riding Hood and other familiar books.  The exhibit run through February 24, 2013.

1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT 06830. Phone: 203-869-0376.

Bruce Museum offers an exhibit: Extreme Habitats: Living Desert Dry for those who want an escape from winter.  Explore how plants and animals survive in the desert.  The exhibition features a life-size diorama of the Sonoran Desert of the Southwest complete with spiny cacti, coyotes, gila monsters, roadrunners and more.