New Rochelle Public Library events
Library seeks public input for five-year strategic plan process
The New Rochelle Public Library has begun to develop a five-year strategic plan that will allow the library to best meet the needs of its ever-changing community. To gain maximum input from community members, the library is conducting a brief survey to hear suggestions and comments from residents. The 13-question survey can be completed from the library’s website at www.nrpl.org, or by visiting the library to complete the form on an electronic kiosk or on a paper copy.
In addition to the survey, which will be widely distributed through electronic and print means, the library is also looking for people who are frequent and infrequent users of the library and are willing to spend 60 to 90 minutes thinking about ways the library can improve its services, collections, policies and facility. These individuals will be invited to attend a small discussion and focus groups that will be facilitated by Library Development Solutions of Princeton, New Jersey. Those interested in participating in those groups should call the library’s community relations office at
914-813-3706 to learn about dates and times. The library will also be hosting two town meetings to which the entire community is invited to discuss the library.
Library presents cultural celebration of Three Kings Day
A festive celebration of Three Kings Day at the New Rochelle Public Library will include a free, live performance and refreshments on Monday, Jan. 6, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Families are invited to enjoy a performance by one of the most popular children’s entertainers in the region, Louie Miranda.
The El Louie Show!, which will be held in the library’s Ossie Davis Theater, is guaranteed to have all ages of audience members dancing and singing along to the guitar-strumming, energetic musician, who weaves into the performance the seasonal traditions of Central and South America. Following the hour-long performance, samples of locally-baked Rosca de Reyes will be served to all.
The Three Kings Day event is a BID Family Day, presented by the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District in partnership with the library, the City School District and the Department of Parks and Recreation. Programs are on a first-come, first-served basis to the capacity of library facilities.
Free family African dance
workshops at library
A series of seven free African dance workshops for children ages 7 and up and their parents and grandparents, will be held at the New Rochelle Public Library on Saturday mornings, from 11 a.m. to noon, beginning Jan. 11 and continuing through Feb. 22. The popular workshops are led by Anthony Wooden of the Bokandeye African-American Dance Theater, who provides instruction of native African dances while also exploring their meanings and the occasions on which they’re performed. The workshops help participants gain an understanding of African village life and the role of the extended family. Bokandeye is celebrating its 20th year in 2014.
Following the series of workshops, the students will be joined by members of the Bokandeye Troupe for a culminating performance in the Ossie Davis Theater on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.
Enrollment is limited. Interested participants are asked to register at the first class. The African Dance The workshops are made possible with funds from the Friends of the Library.
Pelham Arts Center Events
Winter classes
Registration began Monday, Dec. 9 for Pelham Art Center’s Winter 2014 semester, scheduled for Jan. 6 to March 22. Registration for classes and workshops is ongoing throughout the term. Families, adults and children can choose from a variety of classes and workshops running morning, afternoon, evening and on weekends. Pelham Art Center Members receive 10 percent off classes. Need-based scholarships and payment plans are available. The winter catalog can be found on the art center’s website, pelhamartcenter.org/education, or call 914-738-2525 x111 to request one by mail or email. Students may register online, in person, by mail, email, phone or fax. Pelham Art Center administrative hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
While your kids are having fun, they are also improving social and motor skills, personal expression, visual communication and application for digital skills. Statistics show that children involved in the arts improve academically. PAC instructors are great teachers, as well as professional artists in their associated mediums–so inspiring children, youth and adults alike comes naturally. Learn about some of examples of classes:
New youth classes include:
Art Around the World, flash animation, comics, digital photography, rainbow loom, making “reality TV” and Performing Poets
Popular youth classes include:
Music recording, ceramics (pottery/wheel throwing) & sculpture, cartooning, mixed media, game design, industrial design, digital fashion design, creative writing and much, much more.
New continuing courses for adults include:
Collage, millinery workshop, iMovie, writers circle, Explore and Enhance Your Creativity Workshop, pointed pen calligraphy corkshop
Popular continuing courses for adults include:
Ceramics in the a.m. or p.m., collage, memoir writing, digital photography and Simply Watercolor, just to name a few.
For more information, or to register for our summer workshops and classes, stop by the office, or call 914-738-2525 x111. You can visit our website www.pelhamartcenter.org. Need-based scholarships are available to all students who qualify.
Westchester Italian Cultural Center events
Exhibit: Presepio Napoletano
Nativity scenes are very popular in Italy and are generally found in every household during the holiday season. The nativity originated in Italy in the 13th century when St. Francis of Assisi asked Giovanni Vellita from the Village of Greccio to create a manger scene. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the nativity was turned into an art form in Naples and included representation of daily life in Naples at that time. Today, many artisans are dedicated to the craft of creating handmade figures for presepi. Presepio Napoletano represents our rich cultural and spiritual traditions. It portrays a bustling village located at the base of Mount Vesuvius. The landscape is handcrafted in wood, cork and paper mache. The figures are made of terra cotta, hemp and wire, many of which stand more than a foot tall.
Exhibit on view: Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, through Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014.
Exhibit Hours: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to noon. Hours subject to change.
For more information or to schedule a guided tour or group visit please call 914-771-8700.
Suggested donation: adults $10, children 18 years of age and under $5.
Westchester Italian Cultural Center
One Generoso Pope Place
Tuckahoe, NY 10707
914-771-8700
Wiccny.org
Shop for fresh produce all winter long
Westchester residents will be able to buy farm-fresh local produce, cheeses and other dairy products, meats, baked goods and wine directly from farmers and producers at the indoor farmers market to be held on the last Sunday of each month from November through March, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.
Dates are Sundays, Dec. 29, 2013, and Jan. 26, Feb. 23 and March 30, 2014. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This year’s market will consist of a variety of vendors who are farmers and food producers, all from the tri-state area. And, to tempt shoppers and to help them make selections, vendors will offer samples of their foods.
To add to the fun, each month will feature live entertainment provided by local musicians from the Hudson Valley and surrounding area.
Admission is free. Parking at the County Center lot is $5.
The farmers market is sponsored by Westchester County Parks and Friends of Westchester County Parks, Inc.
The Westchester County Center is located at 198 Central Park Ave. in White Plains.
For a list of vendors, go to countycenter.biz.
Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Friday at 12 p.m. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.
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