The LICM can always be counted upon to come up with programming that will both uniquely entertain and educate. The museum's plans to keep Long Island's families occupied during the school break, continue in that tradition. The young museum audiences will find an unusual opportunity to explore the workings of the human heart, at "The Heart Of It All," presented in connection with Black History Month. Medical students from Stony Brook University, members of the Student National Medical Association-the oldest and largest minority medical student group-lead three workshops discussing how the human heart functions. Visitors will be able to take a walking tour inside a room-sized "heart", explore the organ under a microscope, as well as observe the medical students dissect a human heart. (That will be done on camera, with children watching on a nearby screen.) The program, is in part, a tribute to Daniel Hale Williams, the African-American doctor, who performed the first open-heart surgery, in 1893, on a stabbing victim in Chicago. It runs through Feb. 28. Registration is required.Another special event, is the Chinese Calligraphy workshop, in which participants learn about the art of Chinese writing. It is offered, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Feb. 16, 18 and 20. Children will use authentic sumi ink and calligraphy brushes to make a scroll, with a New Year's theme, to take home. These activities are all free with museum admission. The Long Island Children's Museum is located at 11 Davis Ave., Garden City. For information, contact (516) 224-5844 or www.licm.org.
Cradle Of Aviation
The Cradle of Aviation Museum brings former Air Force mechanic Earl Heron to Long Island to discuss his new book, "One Desert Jet Turner-A Perspective On Youth, Fighter Aircraft and Cold War." His book captures his experiences as a "jet turner," one of the maintenance crew that keeps military aircraft flying, based on his six years in the military, beginning in the spring of 1980. Heron will be at the museum, Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 16-17, noon-4 p.m. He will participate in a reading and discussion of his book, followed by a book signing. The Cradle of Aviation is located at Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden City. For further information, contact (516) 572-4111.
Old Westbuy Gardens'
"Week Of Discovery"
Old Westbury Gardens has chosen to open its doors Presidents' Week for a second week of special winter events. There is full schedule of activities for all ages, including invigorating walks to observe the rarely seen winter landscape, tours of Westbury House and its "secrets," gardening workshops, a scavenger hunt, and more. Old Westbury Gardens is open Monday, Feb. 16, through Sunday, Feb. 22, at 71 Old Westbury Rd., Westbury. For a complete schedule of events, contact (516) 333-0048 or www.oldwestburygardens.org.
Tackapausha Museum And Preserve
A variety of nature-themed craft activities will be held throughout the week, from noon-3 p.m. The schedule includes creating "nature's jewelry" from beans and seeds, t-shirt printing, making nature picture frames, recycling bottle caps into "lucky ladybug necklaces." Live animal shows also will be presented daily, at 11 a.m. Cast members include Bill the boa, Pat the python, Rosie the tarantula, Kermit the tree frog, Rhonda the box turtle, Annie the chinchilla, Glassie the glass lizard, and the Amazing Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Family!Visit Tackapausha Museum and Preserve at Washington Ave, Seaford. There is a $2 craft fee per child, in addition to museum admission. For futher information, call (516) 571-7443.
Sands Point Preserve
Famous monsters of the silver screen demonstrate the power of energy at the Sands Point Preserve's new exhibit, "The Atoms Family." The gothic horror characters will capture the imagination through hands on, interactive displays and simulations that include:
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"The Phantom Of The Opera asks What's The Matter?" to introduce atoms as building blocks of the universe.
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The Wolfman explains the "Howls And Whys Of Energy."
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Dracula, The Prince Of Darkness discusses light.
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Frankstein demonstrates the "Nuts And Bolts Of Energy."
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"Ask Your Mummy" offers energy-saving tips.The exhibit opens Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Preserve on Middleneck Rd, Sands Point. Hours through early April are 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. For further information, contact (516) 571-7901.
