Five Things You Need to Know Today: Tour the Bronx Botanical Garden, Learn Healthy Eating Habits and Meet County Executive Rob Astorino

1. In 2009, County Executive Rob Astorino was elected by 58 percent of Westchester County's residents due to his campaign promises to streamline county government and bring tax relief to homeowners and businesses. Today, hear Astorino discuss his progress — and the challenges that lie ahead for local government — with the Scarsdale Woman's Club's Community Affairs section.  Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting, which will be held at 2 p.m. at 37 Drake Road. Light refreshments will be provided, and attendees will get the chance to discuss community concerns with Astorino... or simply thank him for his public service. For more  information, contact Scarsdale Women's Club Chair Evelyn Kahlow at (914) 472-5102 or (914) 220-2387. 

2. Who says that being a bookworm is a sedentary activity? After all, it's a busy day at the Scarsdale Public Library, complete with a movie matinee at 1 p.m., Storytime for 3 1/2-5-year-olds at 4 p.m., Advanced Chess for Children at 6:30 p.m. and a Book Club for Grades 7-8 at 7 p.m. For additional details on today's scheduled programming, visit the library's website or call (914) 722-1300.

3. Trees may grow in Brooklyn, but pumpkins grow in the Bronx Botanical Garden — which is now haunted, now that the air's growing colder and bags of Halloween candy have started lining drugstore and supermarket shelves. Filled with hundreds of intricately carved pumpkins and heart-pounding surprises, the Haunted Pumpkin Garden is welcome to children of all ages, who are invited to wear a costume while partaking in a daily parade through the Adventure Garden. A tour of the Haunted Pumpkin Garden will occur today at 10 a.m. Admission is $20. The Bronx Bontanical Garden is located at 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx. Visit the garden's website for directions. 

4. You're not going to learn healthier eating habits by standing in front of your open refrigerator and trying to convince yourself to choose the carrots over the cheesecake. You can, however, participate in a three-part series sponsored by the Scarsdale Adult School aimed towards improving eating habits and reducing stress. The series kicks off on Thursday with "Sugar Detox," a class that teaches tips and tricks to overcome sugar cravings. Swing by Westchester Reform Temple on Oct. 6 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. to meet teacher Stephanie Filardi, founder of B-nspired Yoga and Wellness, and learn how to kick your cravings to the curb. Individual sessions cost $25, and you can save $15 savings by signing all three classes — which are staggered throughout October and titled “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction" and “Eating for Healthy Aging and the Role of Supplements” — at once. Visit the Scarsdale Adult School's website or call (914) 723-2325 for more information. 

5. If you're a senior age 55 or older and need help managing your chronic health conditions, a free workshop aimed towards providing support and relief for participants will be held at the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester today from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Additional follow-up workshops will occur on Sept. 19 and 26, as well as Oct. 3, 17 ,24 and 31. The YWCA is located on 515 North St, White Plains. Sign up by contacting Annette Alve at ala2@westchestergov.com or (914) 995-3108.