Sometimes it’s easiest to just go to the mall, pick up a present, wrap it, put it under the tree and be done with it. But then again there are holiday gifts that can last much longer, be much more deeply appreciated …and all they take is the investment of time. Just two blocks west of Oakland Avenue at 1500 E. Park Pl. is the breathtaking new Urban Ecology Center building. If you haven’t had a chance to visit yet, there’s no time like the holiday season to go. Special events coming up in December are well worth the time _ even during the holidays, when time is precious _ to take the family, the special friend, or just yourself over to the Urban Ecology Center to give the gift of a wonderful memory. Candlelight Walk in Riverside Park (Donations appreciated) Explore Riverside Park by candlelight with a guided walk accompanied by poetry and readings of the season. Afterwards, return to the Center for hot cider and music with Harvey Taylor and Don Pardee. Walks leave every half hour-starting at 7 p.m. Music begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, December 18, 7 -9 p.m. Walks leave every half-hour. Urban Stargazers For adults and accompanied children “Making Your Own Telescope Mirror” Presenter Jon Bales has made several telescope mirrors by grinding blank glass disks with abrasives, polishing them and then figuring the curved surface into a parabola for reflecting starlight into the eyepiece. It’s not as hard as it sounds, and the results can be very satisfying. Thursday, December 9, 7 p.m.
A Family Memory The Best Home-Made Gift
