Meteorologists are hyping Jonas’s arrival this weekend, so check for cancelations or postponements before heading out this weekend. However, there’s plenty more “Beyond,” so don’t be afraid to make plans… the libraries are a great resource this time of year! Especially when it comes to butterflies.
Saturday, Jan. 23
Nature Explorer Program: Animal Tracking Classes
Learn to recognize animal footprints and other signs of their passage through the woods during two upcoming Animal Tracking Classes sponsored by the Branford Land Trust’s Nature Explorer Program. They will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Jan. 23 and Feb. 27 at Lake Saltonstall Preserve. The classes will be led by Tom Cleveland and Chris Woerner. Snow is hoped for, but it will be fun even without it!
Expect moderate terrain, some sloping trails and inclines, rocky underfooting. Parents should be prepared to carry younger children if they get tired. Please wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome.
Meet at the Regional Water Authority parking lot on the north side of Hosley Avenue, down Hosley Avenue 0.3 miles from Brushy Plain Road. Bad weather dates: Jan. 24 and Feb. 28.
For questions, contact Tom at 203 – 981-9040 or [email protected], or visit www.branfordlandtrust.org.
The Chili Bowl
The Chili Bowl will take place at the Church of Christ Congregational, 192 Thimble Islands Road, Stony Creek, at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Chili, cornbread, beverages, and dessert will be included for $10 as well as a judged chili contest. Proceeds will benefit the church.
For more information or to make a reservation, call Kate, 203 – 488-7827 or 203 – 453-1865.
Through Feb. 28
Paintings by Robert Dietz at Friends & Company
An exhibit of paintings by Robert H. Dietz will be on display at Friends & Company, 11 Boston Post Road, Madison, through the end February. After a 35-year hiatus and careers in the electronics industry, and as a home builder and home inspector, Dietz returned to his roots as an artist after working in pastels 35 years ago. Now he has dusted off his pastel set and is working from his own photographs of shoreline locations.
Sunday, Jan. 24
Branford Musical Art Society
Musical Art Society of Branford announces scholarship auditions and a showcase of high school talent at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 24, at the Blackstone Library Auditorium. The concert includes several students auditioning for the annual Musical Art Society scholarship award, which goes to a high school senior planning to study music at the college level next year. There will also be performances by select music groups from BHS. This event is free and open to the public. More information: Martha Medford at 203 – 481-6952.
Wednesday, Jan. 27
Butterflies and Their Garden
The Branford Land Trust Winter/Spring Lecture Series kicks off with “Butterflies and Their Garden,” featuring naturalist, artist and writer John Himmelman. (See top photo).The event is free and open to the public, and will be held at the Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St. Highlighted by a collection of local photographs, Himmelman’s presentation addresses many of the questions asked about the lives and preferences of this fascinating group of insects. He’ll discuss butterfly families and species, life cycles, finding butterflies, and creating butterfly habitats. John’s books will be available for purchase. For more, visit www.branfordlandtrust.org.
Friday, Jan. 29
Explore the Eagle
Bill O’Brien Photo
From Jan. 29 and through March 13, the Connecticut River Museum in partnership with Project Oceanology, will offer its annual EagleWatch and Winter Wildlife boat tours every Friday at 1 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. Each tour on the boat, EnviroLab III is one-and-a-half hours long and you can stand out on the deck looking for wildlife or relax in the heated cabin with complementary coffee and watch the river through the windows. Naturalists will narrate the trip and help everyone see eagles and other wildlife.
Throughout the season, the Connecticut River Museum offers a variety of public programs.
For more information or to make reservations, please visit www.ctrivermuseum.org or call 860 – 767-8269. The Connecticut River Museum is located on the Essex waterfront at 67 Main Street and is open Tuesday – Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 2
3D Printing Intro: Design & Create 3D Printed Files
5:30 pm — 7:30 pm
Learn how to design and create your own 3D files for printing. Join instructor Jim Davis from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Blackstone Memorial Library, 785 Main St., for an introduction to 3D file creation. Jim will walk you through the free 3D modeling software 123Design, from the makers of AutoCAD. Once you learn this software, you’ll be able to design and 3D print your very own creations. For all ages.
Space is limited – register at http://www.blackstone.lioninc.org/summer-maker-camps-for-teens-new-grant-program/#more-22418.
Friday, Feb. 5
‘Local Color: Connecticut Stories’ Quilt Exhibit
The juried, traveling exhibition of fiber art created by members of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) in the Connecticut Region will be on view Feb. 5 to 21, at Guilford Art Center. The opening reception is Friday, Feb. 5, 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
The exhibit celebrates the concept of narrative as construed by Connecticut artists. Its theme can be broadly interpreted from personal stories to Connecticut history, from text messages to literary references and beyond. A wide variety of styles and interpretations feature historical points of interest, personal journey stories, along with natural and architectural works associated with Connecticut. Participating artists include Debbie Bento, Christina Blais, Diane Cadrain, Kelly Caldwell, Alice Chittenden, Carol Eaton, Ann Marie Gontarz, Rita Daley Hannafin, Yvette Howard, Angelina Kendra, Paula Klingerman, Aurelle Locke, Karen Loprete, Barbara McKie, Clara Nartey, Margaret Phillips, Judy Ross, Phyllis Small, Catherine Whall Smith, Kate Themel, Anna Tufankjian, and Diana Wright.
For more information contact the Guilford Art Center at 203 – 453-5947 or www.guilfordartcenter.org.
The Martian
The Martian will be shown in the Willougby Wallace Memorial Library Theater, 146 Thimble Islands Road, Stony Creek, at 7 p.m. The movie stars Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain and runs for 144 minutes.
Friday, Feb. 5, to Sunday, Feb. 7
BACA Short Beach Winter Art Show
The Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance (BACA) will celebrate the historic spirit of the arts in Short Beach through the sponsorship of the Short Beach Winter Art Show. The show will take place at the Orchard House Adult Center, 421 Shore Drive, featuring the work of the village artists from the Short Beach neighborhood as well as members of the Orchard House community. This will be a multimedia exhibit with paintings, photographs, paper sculpture, and glass objects. The exhibit is being co-chaired by Short Beach residents Ann Coffey and Gaile Ramey.
An artists’ reception will be held on Friday evening, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The artist entry application deadline is Jan. 25 for residents of Short Beach only. For information, or Entry Forms, email Richard Blacher, [email protected].
Beginning Feb. 6
Learning Labs for Young Adults
The Blackstone Library is offering its spring series of free Learning Labs, which are maker camps for young adults, ages 12 and up. For the second series of Learning Labs, there are three different sessions. The first session begins Feb. 6.
The goal of each session is for teens to learn new skills and get exposure to new technologies, meet other makers, gain confidence in themselves and their abilities, and, most importantly, to have fun. Teens who participate in the Learning Labs and who wish to help teach will be given the opportunity to sign up to be volunteer Learning Labs Leaders in the future.
For more information and to register for all three sessions by calling Youth Services, 203 – 488-1441, extension 323 or visit www.blackstonelibrary.org
Saturday, Feb. 6
TaborFest Celebration
The annual TaborFest Celebration will take place at Tabor Lutheran Church, 45 Tabor Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event includes the TCCP Fun Fair, white elephant tag sale, raffle baskets, bake sale, and food. Snow date is Sunday, Feb. 7.
For more information, call 203 – 488-2541.
Sunday, Feb. 7
People, Places, and Things
A reception for an exhibit of paintings by Ellen Ryerson will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Road, Stony Creek. The exhibit will run through March 2.
Tuesday, Feb. 9
Hoola Hoops to High Fashion
A presentation from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Blackstone Library, 785 Main St., by Joe Waxman, a volunteer at the Connecticut Historical Society, will bring you back in time to the G.Fox & Co. Department Store in Hartford. The store will be explored from floor to floor and explore departments ranging from accessories on the “street” floor, to designer dresses on 6, and ending at Toyland on 11. You’ll also learn about Beatrice Fox Auerbach, the remarkable woman who made every visit to Fox’s so enjoyable and set the standard for customer service.
Feb. 15 – March 27
Seeking artists, crafters
The Branford Art Center will hold an art show Feb. 13 through March 27 featuring artists and artisan crafters from Branford and the region. The opening will be on Feb. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. To participate in the show, contact the Branford Art Center for an information and registration form by emailing [email protected]. A completed form and non-refundable payment should be sent to Branford Art Center, 1229 Main St., Branford, CT 06405; Attention, Yvonne Gordon.
Saturday, Feb. 27
Branford Preschool Fair
The Branford Preschool Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to noon in the Parish Hall at Trinity Church, 1109 Main St. The fair is an opportunity to learn about preschools and early care centers in the area and activities for children. For more information, call Jennifer Kelly at 203 – 415-4237 or email [email protected].
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