Free children's movies are showing Tuesday and Wednesday mornings this summer at the Phoenix Theatre in Northgate shopping center.

The series starts June 5 and runs through August 1; titles include "Charlotte's Web," "Flushed Away," "Over the Hedge," "Curious George" and a couple of "Rugrats" features.

Showtime is 10 a.m.

Speaking of pictures shows, Northgate is hosting a Spider-Man appearance on Saturday, May 5, the day after U.S. opening of "Spider-Man 3." Get as close as you ever will to the superhero between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the movie theater, or between 1 and 5 that afternoon at Ultimate Comics.

Mall attractions

Still on the subject of shopping-center draws, Northgate is hosting a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the new, improved Interstate 85 on Monday, April 23, at 11 a.m. in the parking lot by Gregson Street. In case of rain, it will be moved to the movie theater lobby.

On the far side of town, Southpoint is hosting "Bodies ... The Exhibition" -- real, formerly live, human specimens preserved in silicone rubber. (According to exhibitor Premier Exhibitions Inc., the displays use donated and/or unidentified people obtained through a laboratory in China.)

You say 'tomato' ...

Pomodoro Italian Kitchen, nee Sal's Pizza, is open for business after moving from Loehmann's Plaza to the former Shoney's at I-85 and Hillandale Road.

"Pomodoro" means "tomato" in Italian, said co-owner Josephine Finazzo, and the restaurant's new logo is a pomodoro -- with a heart inset.

"We're putting the love back in," she said.

Waiting game

Reopening for Joe & Jo's could be imminent -- then again, it might not.

Malachy Noone, who bought the landmark pub at Five Points when former owner JoAnne Worthington left town last fall, said he's just waiting on the city to sign off on its inspections.

"Could be any day, or a couple of weeks," he said. "We're just waiting."

Noone has previously said the establishment will be getting an Irish theme with a literary twist, including an in-house library.

Final cut

After 39 years at 201 Rigsbee Ave., Littie Thompson has closed her Durham Tailor Shop due to health concerns. Thompson, 86, had altered and mended clothing in downtown Durham since 1938. She was honored by a ceremony at the Preservation Durham office March 29.

Have business news about Durham? E-mail Jim Wise at jim.wise@newsobserver.com.