Wrong Ways and Dead Ends

SUN 1/4 After months of leading bewildered yet satisfied customers through a series of confusing, corn-lined pathways, the Maize finally closes shop this Sunday. Built at Mecca Farms (7986 Lantana Rd., Lantana), the nine-acre maze comprises some 320,000 corn stalks, assuring that everyone from the littlest adventurer to the most experienced of explorers will have quite a time finding his way out. For your last shot at the maze, come early on Saturday or Sunday. That's if you want a good chance of getting out before dark, when the difficulty of navigating the cornstalks increases considerably. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8 for adults and children age 12 and older, $6 for children ages 5 to 11. Call 561-304-4711. -- Dan SweeneyNorton Art

SAT 1/3 It's not just the first Saturday of 2004 but also the first Saturday of January. And at the Norton Museum of Art (1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach), that means it's time for the latest installment of the museum's "First Saturday Family Studio." From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., kids ages 4 to 12 and their parents celebrate the Chinese New Year (which comes on January 22) by discussing the traditions of China featured in the museum's galleries and then creating colorful paper lanterns. Preregistration is required, and a $5 material fee applies. Call 561-832-5196, ext. 1133. -- Dan SweeneySaddle Up

The 4-H Club and Good Earth give horses a second chance

WED 1/7 Another Christmas has come and gone, and Santa still didn't come through with that pony the kids have been asking for practically since they came out of the womb. Well, perhaps a few riding lessons would be the next best thing. The Good Earth Farm (2141 "B" Rd., Loxahatchee) specializes in rehabilitating animals that have been rescued from abusive or otherwise negligent homes. With a lot of love on the part of the Good Earth staff, a horse can go from skittish to downright friendly. That makes the ponies and horses at the farm good steeds for riding lessons. The 4-H club presents such lessons at 3:30 p.m. each Wednesday for $35. Kids age 8 and older can bring their own horse or use one of the farm's. Call 561-792-2666. -- Dan Sweeney