May 2006

National Geographic: The Art of Exploration

11/12/05 - 05/31/06

The Art of Exploration. November 12, 2005 through May 31, 2006. For more than a century, the National Geographic Society's illustrators have taken readers to places beyond the reach of a camera's lens on journeys of the imagination to destinations that can be seen only through the artist's eye. Vivid and compelling, their images have allowed us to witness the birth of our planet and look forward to the colonization of space - helping us to understand our history and the mysteries of the natural world. Renowned artists N.C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, Charles Knight, Jean-Leon Huens, Tom Lovell, Robert McCall, Pierre Mion, Thornton Oakley, James Gurney and many others are represented in this exciting exhibition celebrating more than one hundred years of National Geographic art. Admission: $12.50 for adults, $7.00 for students with valid school ID, Ages 18 and under admitted free with an adult (up to five children per adult). Presented by Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Glendale Road, Stockbridge MA 01262. For more information, call 413-298-4100, email inforequest@nrm.org or visit www.nrm.org.

In the Dark

01/21/06 - 05/21/06

Explore different environments of darkness and the unique life forms that inhabit them through a combination of hands-on and whole-body interactives, walk-through dioramas, and specimens. Wander through a nocturnal forest past glowing mushrooms, and discover the amazing underground worlds beneath basement floors and backyards. Fragile cave ecosystems provide a labyrinth of adventure, and take the plunge to explore the unique life deep in the world's oceans. Finally, discover how darkness has intrigued and influenced humans for thousands of years, and how we can help preserve fragile worlds without light. Admission: $8 Adults, $6.50 Seniors 65+, $5 Children ages 3-18, Free to children under 3. Presented by The Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, Pittsfield MA 01201. For more information, call 413-443-7171, email info@berkshiremuseum.org or visit www.berkshiremuseum.org.

Sudden Skies

04/14/06 - 06/15/06

Solo exhibition of new pastel artwork by Pieter Lefferts. Reception April 30, 2006 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The event will be held at 48 Main Street, Millerton NY 12546. For more information, call 860-364-7415, email pieterlefferts@sbcglobal.net or visit www.pieterlefferts.com.

Spring Ethnobotany Walk

05/06/06

12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Spring Ethnobotany Walk. Add a spring to your step and join Beth Kelly for an enthnobotany walk along IAIS trails. Learn about Native uses of indigenous trees and plants. Presented by Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Road, Washington CT 06793. For more information, call 860-868-0518, email iais@charter.net or visit www.birdstone.org.

Naugatuck River Duck Race, Fun & Festivities Day

05/07/06

12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

15,000 adorable yellow rubber ducks will be released en masse into the river for an exciting race. Ticket holders of the first group of ducks that cross the finish line will win terrific prizes ranging from gift certificates to the grand prize of a trip for four to Disney World including hotel, airfare and park passes! Presented by Naugatuck Chamber, Whittemore Bridge, Naugatuck CT 06770. For more information, call 203-757-0701, email cligi@waterburychamber.com or visit www.waterburychamber.com.

Paddle Days Festival

05/12/06 - 05/14/06

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The events feature instructional seminars, entertainment, food, demos of dozens of boats and more. Enjoy a live DJ from I-95 radio. Browse unique handmade products and gear from the on-site vendors. 12 years and under are free; 70 and over are free; Admission is $10. Presented by Trading Post, LLC, 314 Kent Road, New Milford CT 06776. For more information, call 860-354-3276, email info@tp-kayaks.com or visit www.tp-kayaks.com.

Habitat for Humanity Bird House Auction

05/12/06 - 05/28/06

First Annual Birdhouse Auction to benefit Habitat for Humanity and Noble Horizons. One-of-a-kind birdhouses created by local and celebrity artists to be displayed at locations throughout the northwest CT towns and then auctioned at a reception/cocktail party to be held alongside the pond and nature trail at Noble Horizons on May 28th at 5:30 p.m. Admission to the event is $25 per person. Presented by Habitat for Humanity & Noble Horizons, Cobble Court, Salisbury CT 06068. For more information, call 860-435-0079 or email erinselby@snet.net.

Southern Berkshire County River Clean Up

05/13/06, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Spend the morning collecting trash and debris in and along the Housatonic River and adjacent tributaries in the Sheffield/Great Barrington area. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided. For more information, call 413-394-9796 or visit www.hvatoday.org.

Hiking through Time on the Westside Nature Preserve

05/14/06

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

A guided hike through the Westside Nature Preserve on the Westside Campus of Western Connecticut State University in Danbury. For more information, call 203-837-8794 or visit www.wcsu.edu/wnptoday.

Celebrating 50 Years of Art in Nature

05/17/05 - 05/17/06

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The first exhibition to bring together masterpieces from the remarkable collections of the Clark brothers, Sterling and Stephen, will premiere at the Clark in summer 2006 and subsequently travel to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sterling Clark's collection, which forms the foundation of the Clark, is distinguished by its French Impressionist masterpieces, which include an outstanding group of works by Renoir. It also encompasses American paintings, among them works by Homer, Sargent, and Cassatt, as well as works by such Academy artists as Bouguereau and Alma-Tadema. Stephen Clark's collection, parts of which were donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (of which he was a founding trustee and board chair), and the Yale University Art Gallery, also extended into the twentieth century. It included masterpieces by such artists as Van Gogh, Seurat, Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso. Admission is $10, free to children under 18 and students with valid ID. Presented by Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, 225 South Street, Williamstown MA 01267. For more information, call 413-458-2303, email info@clarkart.edu or visit www.clarkart.edu.

Birding Hike on the Old Mill Trail

05/20/06, 7 a.m.

An early morning stroll along the Old Mill Trail along the East Branch of the Housatonic River in the pristine Jerico Woods, locating and identifying our local birds. For more information, call 413-394-9796 or visit www.hvatoday.org

36th Annual White Water Race on the Housatonic

05/19/06

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

05/20/06

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Annual 20 Mile Whitewater Race for canoes and kayaks. The race is part of the 2006 Connecticut Whitewater State Championship New England Downriver Championship Series. The course runs from just below the Great Falls in Falls Village to just upstream of the Rte. 7 Bridge at the Housatonic Meadows Picnic Area. Recreational paddlers and professionals are welcome. The course is Quick Class II Rapids and faster water in the second five miles to the end. Spectators are welcome. Registration fees, payable at the starting point from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Sat. are $10 per paddlers for amateurs, $15 per paddler for professionals. Awards will be presented for amatuer paddlers and professional categories (Pro Men's and Mixed). Proceeds benefit the Falls Village Day Care Center's Building Expansion project. Sponsored by Northwest Lumber and Salisbury Bank and Trust Co. Sat. 10-2 p.m. & Sun. 9-4 p.m. Presented by Clarke Outdoors, 163 Route 7, West Cornwall CT 06796. For more information, call 860-364-5321 or visit www.clarkeoutdoors.com.

36th Annual Housatonic Downriver Race

05/20/06

11 a.m.

36th Annual Housatonic Downriver Race - CT's Oldest Canoe Race. 10 mile whitewater event for canoes and kayaks. The race appeals to all levels of paddlers. The proceeds will benefit the Salisbury Winter Sports Association. The event will be held opposite Hydro-Electric Plant, Falls Village CT 06031. For more information, email ting2000@aol.com or visit www.necanoe.org/RaceInfo-Housatonic.jpg.

Lover's Leap State Park Cleanup

05/20/06

8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Come to the park in New Milford.HVA will supply the work gloves and trash bags and snacks. Presented by Housatonic Valley Association, Lover's Leap Road, New Milford CT 06776. For more information, call 860-672-6678 or visit www.hvatoday.org.

White Oak Art Show

05/22/06 - 05/30/06

The Arboretum and Landscape Committee of the Housatonic Valley Regional High School is sponsoring an art show for the culmination of the “Tree Of Knowledge Program”. This year-long program is being sponsored by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism and the Region One Board of Education to promote academic and artistic activities related to the school’s beloved three hundred year old White Oak Tree which was felled by a windstorm two years ago. The focus will be creative works in any media which are related to our oak tree. Poems, anecdotes, photographs, sketches, paintings, woodworking, sculpture, pottery, or ANY creative works related to, or made from Oak Trees will be exhibited. Presented by Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Warren Turnpike, Falls Village CT 06031. For more information, call 860-824-5123, email jbrien@snet.net or visit www.hvrhs.org.

Promisek/Beatrix Farrand Garden

05/28/06

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Open Garden Days. Beatrix Farrand was a founding member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the designer of this garden. Suggested donation of $5. Presented by Promisek Incorporated, 694 Skyline Ridge Road, Bridgewater CT 06010. For more information, call 860-354-1788, email promisek@promisek.org or visit www.promisek.org.