Savor the Last Days of Summer

There are more than two weeks left of summer. This is still plenty of time to squeeze in more last minute activities in between your back-to-school shopping preparation. Try to savor every day you possibly can.

If you are drawing a blank on things to do, then read the simple mini guide below. It details upcoming local events, classes, restaurants, and additional things to check out.

Inside Scarsdale:

For the Family

• Sign your kids up for art camp at Young at Art. This program is reserved for children ages 1 to 10. They will paint, bead, create collages, and more. Fees range from $30 to $50. Dates and time vary. Call 914-723-9229 to register and for further information. Or email Donna at Donna@YoungatArtWorkshop.com.

• If your child loves the FOX television show Glee, then consider enrolling them into The Bendheim Performing Arts Center's Theatre Camp Based on Glee. Children will sing and dance to the songs featured on Glee. Camp runs from Aug. 23 to Aug. 27. At the conclusion of camp, the students will put on a performance. Parents are welcomed to attend. Register online at http://www.thebendheim.org/bendheim/thebendheim.htm

• Have a picnic in one of the many parks here in Scarsdale. Pack a nutritious lunch and stretch out on a blanket or sit at available picnic tables. A number of the parks feature beautiful wide open landscape, and playground sets for the children.

• If you and your family like sports and ice cream, take them down to Last Licks.

• Check out the exhibits at the Weinberg Nature Center. Its live animal exhibit features over 15 different species of animals, including Red-Eared Sliders, Royal Ball Pythons, and Chinchillas. And, the Woodland Indian artifacts exhibit has various types of arrowheads, dugout canoe gougers, and ceramics.

• Or take a hike along the Weinberg Nature Center's diverse trail network. The trails vary in lengths and difficulty levels. Contact the center for more information and advice as to which trails are best suited for you.

• Take a Knitting and Crocheting Class at Sticks & Strings. It is $90 for six sessions/six weeks. You can even enroll your kids (third grade and up) into a knitting class. For ten sessions, it is $120. Call 914-723-5478 for information and registration. Also visit the site www.sticksandstringsknitting.com for more info.

• Take a free trial class at Central Park Dance. This offer is restricted to new students only. The dance studio offers more than 150 classes a week. You can choose from Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Zumba, and Afro-Latin. Visit the site, or call the studio at 914-723-2940 for a full listing of all the classes offered.

For the Adults

• Relax at the Nirvana Spa. Indulge in its Summer Delight package. You will receive an oxygen facial, natural glow tanning application with body explanation, and free glycolic acid treatment.

• Have Saturday or Sunday brunch at Casa Maya Mexican Grill between 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sunday brunch at Spiga Ristorante between 11:30a.m. - 3 p.m.

• Visit Zachys' Enomatic Tasting Center to taste wines in perfect condition. There are usually 16 bottle positions available. And, every Friday in August, you can pick from vintage selections. 

Outside Scarsdale:

• Head north on Route 22 to the Katonah Museum of Art for an evening of Movies & Mojitos on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 7:30 p.m. The rain date is schedule for Aug. 18. Guests are invited to bring a picnic dinner and blanket to watch the movie "Boxers + Ballerinas" in the Sculpture Garden. Also, enjoy Cuban hors d'oeuvres and Mojitos. Price is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

• See multiple Grammy nominees Bobby Sanabria & Quinteto Okobio perform on Aug. 26 at 6 pm at the Lyndhurst estate on the Hudson River. The free Sunset Jazz concert is presented by Lyndhurst and Jazz Forum Arts. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs.

• Try to hit the jackpot at Empire City casino at Yonkers Raceway. It has 5,300 slot machines. You can also dine at one of the casino's eateries. The Empire Terrace Restaurant overlooks the racetrack, the Lillian Russell Café sits at the center of the casino, and the International Food Court has a variety of food.

• Take a kayak tour with Hudson River Recreation. Guided tours are approximately two to three hours in duration. All the necessary gear and instruction are provided. Choose from the Croton Point Half Day 3 Hour tour at $89 per person, the Croton Point Park Kayoga Tour 3 Hour tour at $79 per person, and the Croton Point Park Sunset 2 Hour tour at $69 per person. Call the reservation line at 914-682-5135 for more information, or refer to the site's calendar.

• You can also rent hourly from Hudson River Recreation right off the Saw Mill Parkway at Tarrytown Lakes every Saturday and Sunday from 12-4 p.m.