Unwind from the Daily Grind!

Since the beginning of society, the origin and nature of the honeybee has awakened the curiosity of humankind. For five million years, bees, best known for their sweet gift of nature, has been an animal of special sanctity, symbolizing many things to a diverse cultural cross section of people world-wide.  Today, more than ever, bees play a crucial role in our ecosystem. Over one- third of the fruits and vegetables we eat depend on bees for pollination. Because of their important role as pollinators,  the tracing of their  sudden-die off (Colony Collapse Disorder) in recent years is a critical environmental issue. On February 25 and 26 the Greenwich Audubon is offering two important programs on Bees and how it relates to our environment and future.

Fairfield History Museum

Fairfield Museum and History Center www.fairfieldhistory.org will be open everyday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and noon to 4 p.m. on weekends during the Presidents Week vacation and there is still space available for kids of all ages to come and explore theatre with activities. An array of exciting programs, including a family time gallery tour, sketching of costumes and set designs; making mixed media masks, improvisation and so much more are open to various ages. Details are below. And pick up a Scavenger Hunt for a family-friendly activity.

And there are two ongoing exhibitions on view in the Museum’s galleries. Bravo! A Century of Theatre in Fairfield County continues through April 1st . Visitors will discover Connecticut’s theatrical history, a legacy that dates from the 19th century to the present.

And an innovative exhibition, showcasing innovative computer models, writing, poetry and photography of a group of 8th grade students from The Unquowa School in Fairfield, who partnered with 5th grade students from New Beginnings Family Academy in Bridgeport on sustainable plans for empty lots and abandoned buildings on upper Main Street in Bridgeport along with the students should be a must-see for visitors. Through their collaboration, the students looked to the future and became problem-solvers and urban planners to develop proposals for revitalization in Bridgeport.

Fabulous Displays at the Museum

Here are the February vacation programs and there is still time to make reservations through our web site www.fairfieldhistory.org

Special Family Time Gallery Tour!
Monday, February 20 2pm
Free for members, free with admission
Get a whole new perspective on theatre with this family-friendly tour featuring a Scavenger Hunt and Reader’s Theatre!

Sketching Theatre
Tuesday, February 21
with artist and illustrator Deborah Bassino 10am – 12pm Workshop for ages 8 – 13 $25; Members, $20
Learn sketching techniques inspired by the rich and glorious costumes and set designs in the theatre exhibition.

Mad Masks
Wednesday, February 22, 10am – 12pm Workshop for ages 6 – 10, $15; Members, $10. Create a mixed media mask inspired by the costumes and creatures in the Bravo! theatre exhibition, like Egyptian gods, feathered headdresses, donkeys and lions!

Theatre Explorers
Wednesday, February 22, 1pm – 3pm, Workshop for ages 6 – 10, $15; Members, $10. Dive in to our costume trunk and explore fun theatre games, playwriting, improv and more in the Bravo! theatre exhibition.

*Consider a Wednesday all-day option: $35; Members, $30, includes both workshops and a staff-supervised lunch break. Please bring a peanut-free lunch.

American Girl Afternoon
Thursday, February 23, 1pm – 4pm, Workshop for ages 8 – 12, Materials Fee; $30; Members, $25. Explore the history and adventures of the historical American Girl dolls, including the new pair from New Orleans, Marie-Grace Gardner and Cécile Rey, who lived in 1853. Learn about the fascinating culture of New Orleans and the French traditions that were adapted in America. We’ll make mardi gras masks, inspired by a fancy masquerade ball in the storybooks. Find out about the delicious foods popular in New Orleans and create a delicious snack!

Winter Back in Time
Friday, February 24, 9am – 12pm, Grades 3 – 6, Materials Fee; $30; $25 Members. Discover how boys and girls spent the dark days of winter in colonial times. Participants will get the chance to try on period costume and write their own stories with a feather pen and ink. We’ll also prepare a recipe inspired from times past.

Rapunzel
Presented by Purple Rock Productions, Friday, February 24, 2:30pm, $7 adults, $5 children. Free for children 3 and under.
n this wild and wacky adaptation of the classic tale, an old washerwoman tells the story of Rapunzel, who is very clever in this version. She has learned a few tricks from the witch, especially how to “sing” things to grow. She is able to “sing” a boat into existence in order that she and the Prince can get away on the ocean. The washer woman tells the story using a variety of household objects, as well as puppets. The audience is encouraged to participate in creating the story. Contact http://www.purplerock.org/html/shows/Rapunzel.html for more information.

Experience Yoga at Bartlett Arboretum

Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens is providing the community a chance to stretch their bodies and their minds with a new Yoga series to be held in their recently opened Silver Educational Center at 151 Brookdale Road in Stamford, CT (just 1 1/2 miles north on High Ridge Road off Merritt Parkway Exit 35).  Taught by local practitioner and UConn Master Gardener, Janak (a long time practitioner and certified hatha yoga teacher), the class will be incorporating poses (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranyama) that are beneficial for gardeners and non-gardeners alike.

Yoga is a practice that brings the body and mind into union while rejuvenating the body, relaxing the nervous system, and quieting the mind. Pair these yoga classes with the Bartlett’s Meditation courses or Introduction to Watercolor techniques and you will discover a whole new balance in your life.

Yoga will be offered on Thursdays (4:00pm – 5:15pm) and Sundays (9:00am – 10:15pm) now through March 29^th.  Drop in admission is $18/class for Bartlett Arboretum members and $20/class for non members.  Advance reservations can be made by phone 203-322-6971 or online www.bartlettarboretum.org. Multiple class discounts will apply.

About the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens

The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens is a non profit 501 (c) (3) organization that inspires the surrounding community to explore, examine, understand and appreciate the natural history of the botanical world through its research, living plant collections, education and arts and cultural programs. The 91-acre property located at 151 Brookdale Road in Stamford is a living museum of champion majestic trees, rare plant collections, themed gardens, and natural landscapes traversed by hiking and walking trails. The historic site is the former residence, training school, and botanical research grounds of the renowned arborist, Dr. Francis Bartlett, dating back to 1913.

With a summer concert series featuring both classical and contemporary selections, and a regular schedule of exhibits by local artists and photographers, the Bartlett Arboretum plays an ever expanding role in the regional cultural community. For more information about the Bartlett Arboretum and the events at the new Silver Educational Center including children’s and adults’ nature programs please visit the website www.bartlettarboretum.org or call 203-322-6971.

Yet another scientific study was released this past fall expressing concern that there are fewer sharks around.

“There is mounting evidence of widespread, substantial and ongoing declines in the abundance of shark populations worldwide, coincident with marked rises in global shark catches in the last half-century,” said the lead scientist of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies in Australia.

We’re catching sharks faster than they can reproduce. Take the lemon shark, for example – a species now on display at The Maritime Aquarium as part of its $4 million “FINtastic RefurbFISHment.” The lemon shark population is listed as “near threatened.”

Lemon shark babies take 10 to 12 months to develop within the female before being born. And then it will take six to seven years before those pups reach sexual maturity to have their own babies. These are common numbers for many shark species. And that’s why – even if we totally stopped catching sharks today – it will take a long time for shark numbers to rebound.

Lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) are similar in size and shape to the sand tiger sharks that also inhabit The Maritime Aquarium’s “Ocean Beyond the Sound” exhibit. But the lemon shark’s snout is more blunt, its teeth aren’t as visible and its pectoral – or side – fins are bigger. (Lemon sharks also can rest on the bottom; something the sand tigers rarely do.)

Lemon sharks have a hint of yellow on their bellies (hence the name). They grow to 10 feet long and range in coastal waters from New Jersey down to Brazil.

Opening Feb. 18, The Maritime Aquarium’s “FINtastic RefurbFISHment” will feature 21 new exhibits, 27 new species and more than 300 new animals. Get details at www.maritimeaquarium.org.

If the winter doldrums have set in, a welcome cure is in sight…Valentine’s Day!  Whether you want to get out on the ski slopes or retreat to a fireside, the inns and resorts of Connecticut’s Fairfield County and Litchfield Hills are offering a host of special packages for Valentine’s Day.

Champagne and Dinner Packages

The Doubletree by Hilton in Norwalk is offering a Champagne Dinner for two that includes overnight accommodations and a 3 course dinner for Two. This offer is availabile Feb. 10-12, 2012 and is $159.00 inclusive of all taxes and gratuties. Call 203 853 3477. www.norwalk.doubletree.com

Doubletree By Hilton

The Hilton Garden  Norwalk is offering a Valentine’s Day Package thru Feb 29th.  The package includes: Luxurious overnight accommodations for two, Chilled bottle of champagne, Gourmet chocolates, PLUS $50 gift certificate at the Great American Grill (May be redeemed for room service!) and a Full American breakfast. Rates for this package start at $169. Call: 203-523-4000.www.norwalk.stayhgi.com/e-events

Hilton Garden Inn Norwalk

On Valentine’s Day, the Sheraton Stamford is offering a complimentary Valentine’s Day dinner from pre-fixe menu, one bottle of sparkling wine, and a chocolate or fruit, plus a Full American breakfast for two and a 4pm late checkout (based upon availability). Rates start at $239, Call (203) 358-8400 for details. www.sheratonstamford.com

Sheraton Stamford Downtown

Danbury’s Ethan Allen Hotel  offers a Valentine’s Day Dinner at Fairfield’s Restaurant & Bar from 02/10 – 02/14. The cost is $95.00 (plus tax and gratuity) per couple. Call (800) 742-1776 ext. 185 to make reservations. www.ethanallenhotel.com

Ethan Allen Hotel

Interlaken Inn in Salisbury is offering a Valentine’s Day package on Feb. 11 that includes overnight accommodations and breakfast fro two, a red rose for her, a complete three-course dinner for two, and a glass of house wine or cocktail for each of you. This page is $259 plus tax for two. Call 1 (800) 222-2909 or www.interlakeninn.com.

Interlaken Inn

Rock Hall Luxe Lodging in Colebrook is offering a Valentine’s Day Package from 02/10-02/15 and features one Night’s Stay, Champagne, Chocolates, Mediterranean Breakfast with Mimosa. Available add-ons: Spa services couple’s massage, flowers, as well as Valentine’s Dinner at Sunset Meadow Vineyards on Saturday 2/11 (www.sunsetmeadowvineyards.com) and Valentine’s Chocolate Decadence & Wine at Haight-Brown Vineyards 2/12 & 2/14 (www.haightvineyards.com). The cost is $375 per couple per night. For details call 860-379-2230  or www.19rockhallroad.com.

Rock Hall Luxe Lodging

Mayflower Inn located in Washington Connecticut is also offering a Valentine’s Day Package on Feb. 14 that includes a romantic retreat to Mayflower Inn & Spa’s five-star, five-diamond accommodations. Relax with a bottle of champagne in room upon your arrival and enjoy an incredible fine dining experience with Mayflower Inn & Spa’s special Valentine’s Day Pre-Fixe Dinner. Rooms start at $750; the pre-fixe 3 course dinner is $85 per person. For details call 860-868-9466 or www.mayflowerinn.com.

Mayflower Inn and Spa

Torrington’s Quality Inn is offering a Wine and Stay Package that includes a bottle of wine, flowers and jacuzzi room on Feb. 14th for $144.99 plus tax. For details call 860-496-8808 or visit www.choicehotels.com

Quality Inn Torrington

Southbury’s Heritage Hotel is offering a Valentine’s Day Package from 02/10-02/14 and includes  overnight accommodations and a special Valentine’s Day Dinner  for two (including tips and gratuities) and  breakfast for two the next morning. Rates start at $229. For more information call 203-264-8200.www.heritagesouthbury.com

Heritage Hotel

Asian New Year At Beardsley Zoo Feb 4th

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, the state’s only zoo, invites families to celebrate Asian New Year on Saturday, February 4, 2012 from Noon to 3:00 p.m. The Dragon is one of the most revered years of the Chinese New Year calendar, and those born under the sign are regarded as innovative, passionate people who are colorful, confident and fearless. The Dragon is anything but a formidable foe in Chinese culture. Unlike the demon that gets slayed in Western literature, the Dragon is a symbol of good fortune and intense power in Eastern culture. In Chinese tradition, the Dragon is regarded as a divine beast.

At the Beardsley Zoo Year of the Dragon festivities will feature activities for the entire family including a special children’s parade around the Zoo grounds, story time, crafts, and many more fun activities. Don’t miss a visit to the colorful indoor Carousel. Here you will meet some of the Zoo’s  special lizard guests and be invited to partake in the festivities. A special “Zoo” highlight  is the return of Viktor, an Amur (Siberian) tiger whose pale, yellow-orange fur with his pale blackish stripes and distinctive face will delight young and old alike. Viktor was one of three cubs born in 2004 at Connecticut’s only Zoo. He was transferred to the Detroit Zoo in 2008, but is back in Connecticut to greet his fans.

The snow date for this event  is February 11.

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo celebrates its 90th birthday in 2012 and is closer than you think! Connecticut’s only zoo features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Visitors won’t want to miss our Amur (Siberian) tigers, Brazilian ocelots, Red wolves, and Golden Lion tamarins. Other highlights include our South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, the prairie dog exhibit with “pop-up” viewing areas, the New England Farmyard with goats, cows, pigs, sheep, and other barnyard critters, plus the hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer, and more. Visitors can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on our colorful carousel. For more information, visit http://www.beardsleyzoo.org

Flycycle at Stepping Stones!

Norwalk’s Stepping Stones Museum for Children has a new and very energetic exhibit for kids running through April 29, 2012.  The exhibit titled , Run! Jump! Fly! Adventures in Action inspires young people to get physically active.   Action-packed, interactive activities  build strength, coordination, balance and endurance and feature the exciting theme of action-adventures popular in children’s books and movies.

The exhibit aims primarily at children ages 5-12, while children 2-5 will also be able to join in the fun of many of the activities. Additionally, Run! Jump! Fly! includes exhibit activities accessible to visitors with varying physical abilities and developmental needs.

Kung Fu Forest

Run! Jump! Fly! Adventures in Action features four adventure scenes, an action star training center and a toddler area. Each adventure scene provides an imaginative setting in which kids can try out a high-appeal physical activity that highlights a specific physical challenge.

In the Surfing and Snowboarding (Balance) adventure visitors don Hawaiian shirts or down-style vests, choose one of four balance boards – two basic and two advanced – and see how long they can stay on for the ride. A motion sensor triggers a two-minute video sequence that takes the riders through pine trees and past lakes as they snowboard down a mountain. Then the video takes the riders off the edge of a cliff and sailing into the clouds before landing as surfers in the ocean.  The activity challenges and builds the riders’ balance.

In the Kung Fu Forest (Coordination) area  kids enter a clearing in a bamboo forest and begin the kung fu session with a bow to show the three principles of kung fu: strength, peace and respect. Three lantern posts display instructional images of kung fu animal stances – and “ready” positions inspired by the rooster, the snake and the tiger. After visitors try the animal stances, they can push a button to trigger a sequence of light box images that guide the participant from still poses into a flow of action. The panels also illustrate the cultural origins of kung fu and other martial arts.

A trailhead marker introduces four different trails in the  Climbing Canyon area that encourages strength and includes: The Toddler Trail, Beginners’ Bend, Rugged Ridge and the Extreme Expanse. Visitors of varying skill and ability levels successfully traverse the trails to safely explore a cave holding a hidden treasure. Hand and footholds guide the visitors across the horizontal walls. The climbing canyon shows visitors how lifting and holding up their own body weight is a valid strength-building activity.

Snow Surfing!

If you have ever dreamed of flying then the endurance orientated Flycycle area is for you. Here, visitors merge their imagination with physical activity when they strap on a bike helmet and climb on one of the Museum’s flycycles. These stationary bikes with wings or propellers each face a cloud-shaped panel. For every few rotation of the wheels, a star lights up in the sky. The flycycles vary in form: one is a tandem bike with a recumbent seat in front, an upright in back and two pairs of wings above; another is a hand-pedaled chariot with an overhead propeller.

A highlight of the exhibit is the action star training center that provides visitors with challenges of balance, strength, coordination and cardiovascular and muscular endurance through simple activities that kids can do at home. At the Yoga Station, visitors try out the tree pose and the cat stretch as they learn the origins of yoga. At the Strength Center, a kid-friendly interpretation of gym equipment, visitors experiment with upper- and lower-body strength. They can try out monkey bars, leg presses, self-weighted rowers, and adaptive chin-ups. In the Dance Club, visitors choose dance moves and music to get their heart pumping, going freestyle or following the dancer on the screen.

This exhibit was created by the Minnesota Children’s Museum and is an ideal way to spend a cold winter afternoon!

Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Stepping Stones Museum for Children is an award winning, private, non-profit 501 (c) (3) children’s museum committed to broadening and enriching the lives of children.

For more information about the museum, to book a field trip or schedule a class, workshop or facility rental call 203-899-0606 or visit www.steppingstonesmuseum.org.