"Look but don't touch" may be the motto of museums in which ropes and guards protect displays. These six, however, welcome interaction and invite young and old to reach out for hands-on fun and learning.

We all dream of our moment in the spotlight. Whether ît's an Oscar-winning turn in a film or a triumphant Broadway debut, fantasies of fame and fortune entertain everyone from time to time. Luckily, it doesn't require years of acting classes or singing lessons to get onstage in New York. Here are 10 Off-Broadway shows that invite audience members to join the fun, encouraging them to leap from their seats and sing, dance or act out a scene or two.

The clock is ticking, the countdown has begun. The New Year is just a breath away. But hold the moment: There’s so much to experience right now. To help you manage your precious time, here’s a list of itinerary essentials – from moving plays to thrilling concerts to one-of-a-kind museums, restaurants and stores – that you can check off while it’s still 2008.

"I'm too young for this," I thought. It wasn't the first time that those words had crossed my mind in the past few months. I thought it when I was diagnosed with advanced thyroid cancer. I thought it when the company I was working for began facing financial problems and my paychecks were bouncing. I thought it when I learned I would be dependent on a prescription drug every day for the rest of my life. And I thought it again when I got the bill. In spite of having insurance, I had been billed in full for my surgery and two nights in the hospital. The total was $20,759.89. I was 23 years old.