Editor’s Pick

Green Activists Get Their Say
Con Edison presents The 20th Annual Bronx Parks Speak Up Bronx Parks: A 20/20 Vision,” Feb. 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lehman College’s Music Building, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W. Events include workshops on addressing park group dilemmas, engaging youth,  and working together on a master plan. Lunch will be served, courtesy of Con Ed. To request a table, email speakuptabling@hotmail.com. For more information, email bxspeakup@hotail.com. In case of bad weather, call (718) 601-1460 or visit www.bronxspeakup.org.

Onstage
Bronx Arts Ensemble presents “Hansel and Gretel,” featuring singing and dancing, Feb. 23 at 1 and 2:30 p.m., at the NY Botanical Garden ($6; free with All-Garden pass); and “The Three Little Pigs in the Kung Fu Wolf Caper,” a spoof, March 2 at 2 p.m. in Lehman College’s Lovinger Theatre, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W. ($6); both for kids; and Valerie Capers Jazz Quintet, including wine and cheese party, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m., at the Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture, 4450 Fieldston Rd. ($20; $15/seniors/students).For more information, call (718) 601-7399.

Lehman College, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd. W., presents Krasnoyarsk National Dance Company of Siberia, featuring folk ($25 to $45), Feb. 23 at 6 p.m.; and Forever Freestyle 8, featuring Latin ‘80s dance music sensation ($55 to $100), March 1 at 8 p.m. For more information, call (718) 960-8833.

The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., presents “Resistance,” a play, Feb. 22; and Chang-er Flies to the Moon, Chinese theatre performance, March 1; both at 2:30 p.m. For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org.

Events
BronxWorks has scheduled a Health, Housing and Access to Benefits Fair, Feb. 20 at 3 p.m., at the Bronx Museum of Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse. Experts from BronxWorks, Montefiore Medical Center, and other institutions will answer questions on a range of public benefits, including the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), applying for food stamps, and immigration services. There will be refreshments, gift giveaways, raffle prizes, and Montefiore staffers will offer free health screenings. Private consultations and assistance will be available. For more information, call (718) 508-3169.

Presidents Week at NYBG
The entire family is invited to enjoy the winter school break during Presidents Week at the NY Botanical Garden’s Culinary Kids Food Festival, through Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the Dining Pavilion behind the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Events include cooking demonstrations (daily at 1 p.m. featuring kid-friendly recipes and samples), hands-on activities, music, and tastings. Additional activities feature “Even Puppets Love to Eat,” Feb. 21 to 23 from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.; and the Bronx Arts Ensemble presents animated actors in “Hansel and Gretel,” Feb. 23 at 1 and 2:30 p.m. in the Ross Hall, performing songs, dance, and juggling. For more information and fees, call (718) 817-8658.  

Community Board Athletic Leadership League (CBALL) presents free Rematch Game (Bronx Celebrity/Community team vs. NYPD Ballers/NYPD Finest team), at Forest Community Center Gym, 955 Tinton Ave. (corner of East 163rd Street), Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. Female game is at 1:30 p.m.; male game is at 3:15 p.m. Events include live performances, DJ, celebrities, elected officials, and giveaways. For more information and to RSVP, email cballleague@gmail.com.

The public is invited to ride the March 5 free Bronx Culture Trolley, which transports visitors on the first Wednesday of every month (except January and September), to free Bronx hot spots. Trolley night starts with a 5 p.m. reception at the Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse (at 149th St.). From there, the trolley departs at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Riders can get on and off at any scheduled stop and spend as much time as they wish at any or all of the featured venues. For more information and a detailed schedule, call (718) 931-9500 ext. 33 or log on to www.bronxarts.org.

Wave Hill, a Bronx oasis at 675 W. 252nd St. in Riverdale, offers Family Arts Project: Papermaking Suites, to make handmade paper from natural fibers, Feb. 22 and 23; and Stylish Seed Pots, to make fancy decorated pots with soil and seed from plain ones, March 1 and 2; both at the WH House from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grounds admission is free Saturdays until noon all year, and free all day Tuesdays in February and March. Glyndor Gallery tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m.; garden walks are held Tuesdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., from the Perkins Visitor Center. For more information and a schedule of events, call (718) 549-3200.

Exhibits
The NY Botanical Garden presents Close: A Journey in Scotland, through March 16, featuring creations of 21 notable contemporary designers and artists working in the Scottish landscape. For more information, call (718) 817-8700 or visit nybg.org.

The Bronx County Historical Society’s Museum of Bronx History at the Valentine-Varian House, 3266 Bainbridge Ave., presents History Woven Into Cloth, selections from the Society’s textile collection, through April 6. For more information, call (718) 881-8900.

Library Events
The Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Rd., presents programs for adults including: Microsoft Word 2010 for Beginners: (in-person advance registration required), Feb. 20 at 2 p.m.; A Centennial Celebration: Julia De Burgos in film music and poetry, Feb. 23 at 1:30 p.m.; Heritage Arts & Poetry: (advance in-person registration required), Feb. 28 at 4 p.m.; and “Cinemability”: presented by ReelAbilities Film Festival, March 6 at 11 a.m. Children can enjoy Preschool Story Time at 11 a.m.: Feb. 20, 27 and March 6; Toddler Play Time at noon: Feb. 20, 27 and March 6; Animal Mask Making: Feb. 20 at 4 p.m.; and Cat Book Making: March 6 at 4 p.m. For more information, call (718) 579-4244/46/57 or visit www.nypl.org.

The Mosholu Library, 285 E. 205th St., offers for seniors and adults: Knitting Circle: Thursdays at 3 p.m.; Wii Program: Tuesdays at 3 p.m.; Adult Beaded Jewelry: Feb. 20 at 11 a.m.; and Film: “Captain Phillips,” based on a true story, Feb. 24 at 4:30 p.m. Children can enjoy Toddler Story Time at 10:30 a.m.: Feb. 20 and 27; and Reading Aloud: (ages 3 to 12), Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. For more information, call (718) 882-8239.

The Jerome Park Library, 118 Eames Place (near Kingsbridge Road), offers: Pajama Party: including arts & crafts, read aloud, and snacks, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m.; CR Movie Program: Feb. 28 at 3 p.m.; and Chess: March 4 at 4 p.m.; all for ages 5 to 12. For adults: Exploring Cultures: featuring Valentine’s Day and Malcolm X, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m.; and Computer Basics at noon: Feb. 25, 27, March 4 and 6. For more information, call (718) 549-5200.

NOTE: Items for consideration may be mailed to our office or sent to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org, and should be received by Feb. 24 for the next publication date of March 6.