The Golden Gate Bridge will be closed this weekend to install a movable median barrier. Golden Gate bus service is in operation but check the website for service. To coincide with the scheduled installation of the movable median barrier, there is a special screening of "States of Grace" about the amazing recovery of Dr. Grace Dammann after a tragic head-on-head collision on the Golden Gate Bridge. The film will be playing January 8th at 7pm at the Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael with the filmmakers and the extraordinary Dr. Grace Dammann & Fu Schroeder in attendance. If you have not seen this film, book the babysitter and try to make sure you attend this tribute to the amazing resilience, devotion and overwhelming love of Grace, Fu & their very funny daughter Sabrina.

Also this weekend, one of my favorite childhood books, Around the World in 80 Days, comes to life on stage at the Marin Theatre Company in Mill Valley. Don't miss the antics of Mr. Phileas Fogg and his faithful servant Passepartout as they circumnavigate the globe in a mere 80 days! Little do they know that detective Fix of the Yard is on the case and in hot pursuit.

Also this weekend holiday ice skating season is wrapping up. Final skating days for the Marin on Ice and Embarcadero Ice Rink is January 11th. Union Square Holiday Ice Rink and The Little Ice Rink in Alameda close January 19th. Snoopy Ice Rink and Yerba Buena are open year round.

Friday, January 9

Open Studio with Artist Liz Harvey, 10am-4pm, leaf secrets, an interactive zipper plant, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito.

Sing & Dance with Miss Kitty, 10:30am, ages 0-8 years, San Rafael Library.

¡Caminando entre los más Altos! 1-2:30pm, easy one-mile walk will learn how these trees have survived for thousands of years, tour is in Spanish, RSVP required 388-2596. Muir Woods.

Kids Pajama Party with Mac Barnett, 6pm, diesel, a Bookstore, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur.

deYoungsters Family Art Party, 5:30pm, enjoy a fun-filled evening at the de Young exploring color and line: a modern treasure hunt in Celebrating the Spectrum: Highlights from the Anderson Collection, teen-oriented activities based on the lively works on view in Keith Haring: The Political Line, plus more surprises!

Saturday, January 10, REMINDER GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE IS CLOSED STARTING 12:01 AM

Mill Valley Family Fun Run and Health & Wellness Fair, 8-11am, Peruse local vendors and explore new ways you and your family can get healthier, happier and more involved in the community! The options are endless! The Fair is a great event to attend after you participate in this year's 3rd Annual Family Fun Run/Walk.

Junior Chef Class, 10am, ages 9–13, 52 Baking for Beginners, Williams-Sonoma, The Village at Corte Madera.

Kids Club, 10am-12pm, ages 3+, $2, Stitched Felt Bag, Michaels, San Rafael.

Family and Youth Winter Bird Count, 10am-12:30pm, look for as many numbers of various species as they can, and tally up the results, Pickleweed Community Center, San Rafael.

Around the World in 80 Days, 10:30am, ages 7+, On the very day that the bank of England is robbed, Mr. Phileas Fogg and his faithful servant Passepartout hurriedly leave London in the middle of the night to circumnavigate the globe in a mere 80 days! Little do they know that detective Fix of the Yard is on the case and in hot pursuit, Marin Theatre Company, Mill Valley.

Edwardo Mandril, Sewam American Indian Dance, 11am, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito.

Love2Dance, Razzle, Dazzle, Broadway, 4pm, cast will perform a variety of dance styles including jazz, hip hop, tap, musical theater, contemporary, acrobatics, ballet and lyrical to songs, Marin Civic Center, San Rafael.

Your Children's Education - How to Choose? 10-11am, With so many types of schools available, how do I choose a school that works for my family? Alternative Mothers Group, San Rafael.

Family VolunteerDay at Mountain Lake, 9-10:30am, plant native plants, remove weeds and other projects, snacks provided. RSVP nature@presidiotrust.gov or 461-4280.

Creative Family Fun: Luminous Lighthouses, 11am-4pm, Presidio Officers Club, San Francisco.

Girl Talk, 11am & 1pm, A collection of true stories about real teens struggling with tough issues surrounding self-esteem, Think House Theatre, San Francisco.

Mochi Pounding Ceremony, 12-1pm, Asian Art Museum.

The Disney Effect: Communicating with Autistic Children Through Animation, 11am, hear how these children can learn about life, language, and emotion from favorite Disney characters created during Walt’s time and beyond, Lucasfilm Premier Theater, San Francisco.

Sunday, January 11, REMINDER GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE IS CLOSED

Beginning Birding, 9:30-11:30am, ages 8+, RSVP 331-1540, Rodeo Lagoon, Sausalito.

Marine Science Sunday, 10am-5pm, Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito.

Around the World in 80 Days, 10:30am, ages 7+, 12:30pm & 3pm, On the very day that the bank of England is robbed, Mr. Phileas Fogg and his faithful servant Passepartout hurriedly leave London in the middle of the night to circumnavigate the globe in a mere 80 days! Little do they know that detective Fix of the Yard is on the case and in hot pursuit, Marin Theatre Company, Mill Valley.

Sunday Special: Clowning Around with Coventry & Kaluza, 11-11:45am, Witness extraordinary skills and thrills, including extreme acrobatics and high numbers hula-hooping!  Mill Valley Library.

Comedy Illusionist Timothy James and his original award-winning show, 11:30am-12:30pm, Kanbar Center for the Performing Arts, San Rafael.

Love2Dance Broadway Bound, 1pm & 3pm, showcasing our youngest dancers (ages 2-6) as well as our competitive dance team, the Love2Dance All-Stars when they perform to songs from popular Broadway musicals, Marin Civic Center, San Rafael.

Doctor Who Party, 3pm, an afternoon of Who-van geekery, diesel, a Bookstore, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur.

Wizard of Oz, 2pm & 7pm, see this amazing classic film on the big screen, Century Regency, San Rafael.

The Comedy Magician Robert Strong in a rare Family Show! 11am-12pm, Berkeley.

Creative Family Fun: Luminous Lighthouses, 11am-4pm, Presidio Officers Club, San Francisco.

Artist Studio with Ascha Drake, 1-3pm, join the artist in her studio, Creative Clay Creatures, Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco.

Girl Talk, 2pm, A collection of true stories about real teens struggling with tough issues surrounding self-esteem, Think House Theatre, San Francisco.

Preschool Super Fun Sundays: Hullaballo Hoedown with Mr. Lunch, 10-11:30am, art, story time and music, Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco.