The mild January weather is perfect for dissipating winter doldrums. Get out and explore some of our great local trails with or without organized groups such as the Branford Land Trust. Or go to an art show in Stony Creek. And for those who are looking to become politically motivated, the League of Women Voters is holding its Legislative Breakfast next Saturday.
Friday, Jan. 21
National Geographic Bee
CT Experiential Learning Center Middle School will hold its 2017 National Geographic Bee on Friday, Jan. 21, at 1 p.m. at the Blackstone Library, 758 Main St.The winner of CELC’s Bee will advance to the next level of competition, a written examination to determine state competitors. All winners are eligible to win the national championship and its first prize, a $50,000 college scholarship, at the national competition in May held in Washington, D.C. The event is free and open to the public.
Saturday, Jan. 28
Winter Animal Tracking Classes
Branford Land Trust Photo
Two Animal Tracking classes sponsored by the Branford Land Trust’s Nature Explorer Program will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, and Saturday, Feb. 25. These classes will be led by naturalists Tom Cleveland and Chris Woerner, who will help participants learn to recognize animal footprints and other signs of their passage through the woods.
The free event takes place at the Lake Saltonstall Preserve. 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. Expect moderate terrain, some sloping trails and inclines, rocky under footing. Parents should be prepared to carry younger children if they get tired. Wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes, and bring water. Walking sticks welcome.
Visit www.branfordlandtrust.org for details, and watch the land trust’s Face book page for possible schedule changes. For questions, call Tom Cleveland at 203 – 981-9040.
Through Tuesday, Jan. 31
Selected Works of Hawes and Hovercamp
Selected works of Barbara Hawes (paintings and collages) and Ellen Hoverkamp (photography) will be on display at Willoughby Wallace Library, 146 Thimble Island Road, through Tuesday, Jan. 31. (See top photo.)
Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 203 – 804-9992.
Saturday, Feb. 4
LWV Legislative Breakfast
The League of Women Voters of the East Shore will hold its annual Legislative Breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 9:30 a.m. at Evergreen Woods, North Branford. (Snow date: Feb. 11.)
This is an opportunity for League members and citizens to hear from area legislators what the important issues facing the 2017 General Assembly session. There will be a presentation of each legislator’s thoughts on these vital concerns followed by a question and answer period with the audience.
To RSVP (required) or for more information, email [email protected] or call 203 – 457-9888. For more information about the League of Women Voters, please visit http://www.lwvct.org/Eastshore.html
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of public policy issues, and influences public policy thorough education and advocacy. Membership is open to men and women of all ages.
28th Annual Eagle Watches on the Connecticut River (ongoing)
Audubon Shop owner Jerry Connolly will again lead the popular land-based excursions to view Bald Eagles along the Connecticut River, beginning Saturday, Feb. 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Additional trips are planned for Feb. 11, 18, 25, and March 4.
Bald Eagles make their way down the Connecticut River from Canada every winter in search of ice-free fishing. Participants will observe these majestic birds from a variety of locations along the river. Ticket prices are $25, which includes a soup & sandwich luncheon at Otter Cove Restaurant in Old Saybrook following the field trip.
Reservations must be made in advance by calling 203 – 245-9056. Carpool from the shop at 907 Boston Post Road in Madison at 7:45 a.m. or meet at first stop (Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam) at 8:30 a.m.
Winter Wildlife, Bald Eagles
If you prefer to view Bald Eagles from the river, Connecticut River Expeditions of Haddam will offer cruises to view winter wildlife and nesting Bald Eagles from Feb. 4 through March 19.
Departures on Fridays are at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; on Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., leaving from the Connecticut River Museum dock in Essex.
RiverQuest has a heated cabin, but participates are urged to dress in warm layers since the best views will be from the open decks. Bring cameras and binoculars, which will also be available on board. Cost is $40 per person.
For more information visit www.ctriverquest.com or www.ctrivermuseum.org
Sunday, Feb. 5
The Origins of Modern Terror in Belle Epoque Paris
The Branford Forum will host Yale University Professor of History John Merriman on Sunday, Feb. 5, at 2 p.m., at the Blackstone Library auditorium, 758 Main St.
Prof. Merriman will examine the experience of ordinary people during the Belle Epoque (late 1800s Western Europe). The political upheavals and transitions of the period will be viewed neither in terms of historical inevitability as a procession of great men but rather through the lens of the complex interrelations between demographic change, political revolution, and cultural development.
In 2000, Prof. Merriman was the recipient of the Yale University Byrnes-Sewall Teaching Prize.
A Q&A and discussion will follow his talk. For more information, email [email protected] or call (203) 772-5494
Wednesday, Feb. 8
In the Eye of an Eagle: Connecticut’s Bald Eagles
Raptor researcher Larry Fischer will present In the Eye of an Eagle – Connecticut’s Bald Eagles at the Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., on Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 7 to 8 p.m. The talk is sponsored by the Menunkatuck Audubon Society.
He will recount the eagles’ remarkable comeback with photos and anecdotes, starting from the earliest winter residents to Connecticut’s first nest, to the present population of nesting eagles. Fischer scales some of Connecticut’s tallest trees to come face to face with eaglets in their Connecticut aeries.
This program will be followed by an Eagle Watch field trip at the Shepaug Dam on Saturday, Feb. 11.
Fischer is a Federally Licensed master raptor bander and has been banding birds since 1980. As a Master Bander, he serves as a volunteer cooperator with the US Geological Survey, US Department of the Interior. He also holds a Connecticut DEEP bird banding permit.
Sunday, Feb. 12
Rave On! Concert
Rave On!, a concert featuring the music of Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, and other legends of early rock-n-roll, will take place at the Blackstone Library, 759 Main St., on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m. This is the music that paved the way for rock-n-roll and influenced The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and countless other artists.###
