I've just been tipped off about some wonderful and rare opportunities to enjoy this weekend, while also learning a thing or two.

And it all starts today.

In conjunction with NASA's 50th Anniversary and the NASA Future Forums event in Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry will host a space-themed celebration all this weekend.

At 11 a.m. today, the Museum will be the location for the Chicago Public Library's "One Book, One Chicago" panel discussion on "The Right Stuff," by author Tom Wolfe, which chronicles the personal and professional lives of the first astronauts.

Of course this is the same book that was transformed into the successful 1983 Warner Bros. film with an all-star cast that included Ed Harris, Barbara Hershey, Sam Shepherd, Dennis Quaid, Veronica Cartwright and Jeff Goldblum.

I recall this being one of the first movies my parents ever rented when we received our first VCR as a family Christmas gift in 1985. I remember sitting around the Christmas tree with my siblings, parents Chester and Peggy, and Auntie Lottie and Uncle Swede watching this film and how particularly shocked all the adults were to see President Lyndon B. Johnson portrayed as having such a bad temper and using foul language!

For more information about this free book event through the library, call (312) 747-8191.

And both today and Sunday afternoon, museum guests will be able to meet astronaut Commander Ken Ham, who will talk with them about the recent STS-124 mission to the International Space Station. He will be joined by his NASA instructor wife, Michelle Ham, who is from Hobart. Michelle said her own ambitions and interest in space developed from her early student field trips to the Museum of Science and Industry while growing up in the region.

Space-focused demonstrations, exhibits and activities will also happen throughout the weekend.

For more information and times, visit msichicago.org

Here's today's lineup of events:

* 10:15 a.m. -- The Hams and other NASA officials will make a presentation on the main floor to MSI of the Compass that travelled to space.

* 11 a.m. -- Library panel discussion on "The Right Stuff" in the auditorium.

* 1:30 p.m. -- The Hams will make a slide/powerpoint presentation and sign autographs for guests on the main floor.

Sunday

* 11:30 a.m. -- The Hams will make a slide/powerpoint presentation and sign autographs for guests on the main floor.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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