The Week in Preview: February 8
Tuesday
Tick talk
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 400,000 people may contract Lyme disease each year. That’s more than 10 times the number of those who will contract AIDS and West Nile Virus combined. Step inside the world of chronic Lyme disease patients at a free screening of the award-winning documentary “Under Our Skin” at 6:30 p.m. at the Brookline Public Library at 16 Main St. in Brookline. “Under Our Skin” deals with the science and politics behind Lyme disease and delves into the lives of those who struggle with debilitating health problems due to a late diagnosis or from the disease’s resistance to traditional treatments.
A question and answer session with David Hunter, a longtime Lyme activist from Connecticut (where an outbreak of the disease in the town of Lyme earned it its name) will follow the film. For more information, call 673-3330.
Tuesday
Junk or gems?
If the United States was a house, New England would be the attic – all the interesting old stuff collects up here, and we never throw any of it away. Learn how to tell if your bookshelves are packed with true literary treasures or just a bunch of good books at “Is There Value in Your Old and Rare Books?”, a free presentation by Kenneth Gloss at 7 p.m. at the Amherst Town Library at 14 Main St. in Amherst.
Gloss is the proprietor of Boston’s Brattle Book Shop, the oldest continuously operated antiquarian bookstore in the U.S., and frequently appears on “Antiques Roadshow” as a book appraiser. He will share anecdotes about his experiences as a collector and appraiser as well as examples of rare books and ephemera.
Attendees are welcome to bring any books they are curious about for a free verbal appraisal after the presentation. Preregistration is encouraged by calling 673-2288, e-mailing library@amherst.lib.nh.us, or visiting www.amherst.lib.nh.us.
Friday–Sunday
Blooms in winter
The word “orchid” conjures up images of a lush tropical forest, an environment in which the Granite State is somewhat lacking. Discover a little piece of paradise at the New Hampshire Orchid Society’s 19th annual orchid show, “Rapture of Orchids,” this weekend at the Radisson Hotel at 11 Tara Blvd. in Nashua.
Browse the offerings of plant vendors, take in an orchid-related lecture, or simply lose yourself amongst the beautiful displays. In the event you prefer not to lose yourself, free guided tours will also be offered.
The show will be open Friday from 1–5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for seniors age 65 and older, $8 for students with a valid student ID, and free for children 12 and younger. For more information, including a schedule of workshops and speakers, visit www.nhorchids.org/show2010/show2010.htm.
Sunday
A royal gesture
If you’re looking for an appropriate way to celebrate Valentine’s Day (which is today, in case you’ve forgotten), consider going out for Chinese food.
This year, Valentine’s Day coincides with the Chinese New Year, ushering in the Year of the Tiger. The traditional Chinese calendar is lunisolar, so dates are calculated according to both the phase of the moon and the position of the sun. The Year of the Tiger therefore begins Feb. 14, 2010, and ends Feb. 2, 2011. In Chinese culture, tigers are viewed as the kings of their domain, a perception supported by the pattern of stripes on the tiger’s forehead. If you squint at these stripes and exercise your imagination somewhat, the stripes form the shape of the Chinese character “wang,” which translates to “king.”
Likewise, people born in the Year of the Tiger (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986 and 1998) are thought to possess a kingly and generous character, spending lavish amounts of money in order to properly entertain their guests.
The Week in Preview is a unique variety of orchid, lovingly cultivated by Teresa Santoski, that blossoms every Monday. Know of an event worthy of filling this space? Call 594-6467 or e-mail tsantoski@nashuatelegraph.com. Information should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event. Follow TWiP, Daily TWiP, Tete-a-tete, and Teresa’s general ramblings at twitter.com/TeresaInPreview.
