Above: Shepherd Myers' Retrofitted E-Bike

THIS WEEK

Electric Bike Talk 

Thursday,

July 28, 5:30-6:15

An informal talk by Shepherd Myers

with question and answer session

E-bikes are growing in popularity and are more than just a trend. As people are challenged by rising fuel prices or want to get back into bicycling but struggle with hills, e-bikes may be an ideal solution. Yet, purchasing an electric bike can be an overwhelming, confusing, and costly experience. Join Shepherd Myers as he shares his knowledge of what to look for in an e-bike. 

Shepherd will discuss the pros and cons of retrofitting your own bike, buying directly through the internet, or purchasing from a bike shop. He will compare e-bikes, e-scooters, gas-powered scooters, and motorcycles, considering the range and power of each option. Myers will also give out printed information detailing sources and references

Myers will bring his own retrofitted e-bike to show the group. (There will be no test riding at this event.) If you are interested in retrofitting, you may want to bring in a picture of your existing bike to discuss with Myers following the talk. Myers will help assess if it is convertible or not. 

An avid, as well as competitive, cyclist for 29 years, Myers worked as a bicycle mechanic in his youth. He has since worked in scientific outreach for a variety of not-for-profit institutions.

To attend, join us in the garden just south of SML’s Wardell Community Room and the Children’s Library (near the parking lot). Registration encouraged. Walk-ins welcome.

REGISTER HERE

SALISBURY BATS!

Bat Program for families, teenagers, and adults sponsored by SML and Salisbury Association Land Trust

Date: Thursday, August 4th, 7:00- 8:30pm

Rain Date: Saturday August 6th, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.. (if it rains on the rain date, the talk will be held inside at the Wardell Room, without a bat count.)

Join us in the Buttons Garden at SML to hear CT DEEP wildlife biologist Devaughn Fraser, a specialist in bats, discuss the flying mammals that roost in the attics of SML and the Academy Building —and live throughout this region. Fraser will begin her talk at SML a little after 7:00 p.m , providing instructions and clickers so that residents may observe and help count the bats leaving the Academy Building at sundown. 

At approximately 7:45 the group will take the short walk to the Academy Building at Academy Street & RT 44, where Fraser will position groups of bat counters at the corners of the building and at the opposite corner in the Post Office parking lot. Each group will watch two sides of the building within its view, and counters will be instructed what to look for and how to conduct count.  At the end of the count period, approximately 8:30, results will be recorded.

Children will be sent home with a bat mask to color and popsicle sticks to mount it on.

Both SML and the Academy Building will be open if restrooms are needed. Please feel free to bring your lawn chairs, bug spray, and flash lights.

REGISTRATION SUGGESTED Walk-ins welcome

Image above; Flying short-eared bat, engraving, 1802. Wellcome Collection, London

The Hotchkiss School

2022 Summer Concert Series:

KATHERINE M. ELFERS HALL, ESTHER EASTMAN MUSIC CENTER

Summer Portals at the Hotchkiss School offers a free concert series to the Portals community and the public. World-renowned artists — like pianists Oxana Yablonskaya and Leonel Morales — and student performers share the stage in Hotchkiss’s state-of-the-art music facilities, the Katherine M. Elfers Hall in the Esther Eastman Music Center, where audiences can enjoy incredible acoustics and clear views of Lake Wononscopomuc and the Berkshire-Taconic mountains. Concert-goers can picnic on the Hotchkiss grounds.

TUESDAY, JULY 26 - 7:30 P.M.

Michel Bourdoncle

Brahms, Liszt, Debussy, Severac, and Prokofiev

THURSDAY, JULY 28 - 7:30 P.M.

Leonel Morales and Leo De Maria

Mozart, Prokofiev, and Brahms

SATURDAY, JULY 30 - 7:30 P.M.

Grand Finale Concert

Young and guest artists share the stage for an exciting final performance

YOUNG ARTIST CONCERTS:

Friday, July 29 - 7:30 p.m.

ALL CONCERTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Picnic grounds open two hours prior to concerts.

Excursion to the Cornwall Library and the Rose Algrant Art Show, West Cornwall

Friday, August 5, 3:00 - 4:15 pm

Meet SML staff at the Cornwall Library, 30 Pine Street, Cornwall, to see an exhibition by artist Greg Goldberg and to chat with the Cornwall Library Director, Margaret Haske about the Library’s architecture, history, and programs. At 3:30 we’ll head to the Rose Algrant Art Show, held at Cornwall Consolidated School, Route 128 and Cream Hill Road, West Cornwall. By way of an introduction to a show that is as varied as its participants (Cornwall artists over the age of 18 are invited to present their work), we’ll stop by several booths, including those of Susan Fox, Tim Prentice, and Sally Van Doren.

The photograph above is Pentimento Paintings by Greg Goldberg. The paintings create a dynamic balance of brushstrokes and color. The title refers to the visual evidence of the underpainting being intrinsic to the making of the work. The show will hang until September 4.

ONE-ON-ONE BASIC TECH HELP at SML

With High School Interns

Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thursdays, 4 to 7 p.m. through this week

If you are an inexperienced or a bewildered smartphone or computer user, please try working with our High School Interns on a one-on-one basis during the month of July. The students will offer sessions of 15-30 minutes (or more, depending on other sign-ups) during the two time slots offered each week this month. A sign-up sheet will be at the circulation desk. Walk-ins are likely to be immediately accommodated. Making no claim to be tech experts, our interns offer a first step in addressing common problems you may be having with your device.

If you need further information, you may also write [email protected]

Meditation Kathy Voldstad

Sundays, 9:00 AM, Zoom

Open to everyone - no experience required. The group will sit for a period and there will be an opportunity to reflect on the practice.

Join here Password "peace"

Therapeutic Breath and Movement with Suzanne Mazzarelli

Thursdays, 10:30 AM, Zoom

Through August 11

A sampler of gentle somatic movement, Yoga, Qi Gong, and more! No experience is necessary. This class is easily adaptable for people of all ages and ability levels. Suzanne is a certified Yoga Therapist who believes strongly in the body’s innate ability to heal, and the power of mind-body practices to support wellness at any age.

Join here

Therapeutic Breath and Movement with Suzanne Mazzarelli

Thursdays, 10:30 AM, Zoom

Through August 11

A sampler of gentle somatic movement, Yoga, Qi Gong, and more! No experience is necessary. This class is easily adaptable for people of all ages and ability levels. Suzanne is a certified Yoga Therapist who believes strongly in the body’s innate ability to heal, and the power of mind-body practices to support wellness at any age.

Join here