Real LI

Get a glimpse of how artists live — or at least how they work — when the Oysterponds Historical Society’s annual spring house tour next month opens the studio doors of nine North Fork painters and watercolorists.

The artists who will allow you to tramp through their studios as they display their works — much of it landscapes of North Fork vistas — are Kinga Crary, Dom DiLorenzo, Gerard E. Lehner, Sylvia Newman, Suzette Delia Reiss, Alanna Rose (whose painting is seen above), Marianne Weil, Laura Westlake and Marilyn Uhl-Utz. Most of the studios are connected to the artists’ homes in Orient and nearby East Marion.

The tour is from 1 to 4:30 p.m. June 6.

Tickets are $22 ($20 for historical society members), and are available by sending a check to OHS, P.O. Box 70, Orient, N.Y., 11957. Or you can buy them on June 6 at Orient Congregational Church on Main Road. For details, call 631-323-2480 or click here.

— STEVE PARKS

Set atop a 120-foot bluff, the picturesque village of Sea Cliff is widely known for its painted ladies — Victorians and Queen Annes, that is — as well as craftsman-style homes. Enthusiasts of such architecture will have an opportunity to take a close-up look of nine homes during a tour hosted by the Sea Cliff Landmarks Association from noon to 4 p.m. May 17.

Included in the tour is Cliff Cottage, seen here, an Arts and Crafts bungalow that was built between 1908 and 1910 into the cliff overlooking the water. And if one were to say this scene is as pretty as a postcard, he or she would be right: The house was often depicted on vintage postcards of Sea Cliff when it was a resort area.

The fee is $25. Proceeds fund the association’s grant program and historic survey project. For more information, call 888-475-1049.

— LISA DOLL BRUNO

See how interior designers decorate holiday tables in the latest table fashion, including creative napkin folding, mingling china patterns in a table setting and creative centerpieces, at the "Holiday Mansion featuring Seats & Settings" interior design event at Mill Neck Manor, 40 Frost Mill Rd in Mill Neck, today through December 14. The exhibit is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $20, $18 seniors, $7 children. All proceeds go to benefit Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf. For more information, call 516-628-4333.

-M. BOZENA SYSKA

Find home decorations such as stained and painted glass, original art, handmade soaps, candles and floral arrangements at the Art & Craft Holiday Boutique in the 1845 Greek revival style farmhouse at Deepwells Farms on 25A in St. James from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday and Dec. 6 to 7. Admission is $5. Proceeds go to benefit the Deepwells Farm Historical Society. Then bring your camera and have your picture taken with Santa at the St. James General Store across the street from Deepwells. For more information, call 631-563-8551.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

See six private, historically and architecturally-significant homes at the annual East Hampton Holiday House Tour to benefit the East Hampton Historical Society from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. tomorrow. Tour participants receive a map of the locations with descriptions of each house for a self-guided tour. Price is $75. The tour premieres with an cocktail party from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at a home not featured on the tour. Admission to the party is $150. Reservations are required. For more information on the tour and party, and to buy tickets, call 631-324-6850 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Discover how small and inexpensive changes can add to your house’s curb appeal and value while you learn how to upgrade and install an energy-efficient, steel front door at Home Depot’s “Installing an Entry Door” workshop from 1 to 2 p.m. tomorrow and again Nov. 30. Free. To register call your local store or visit homedepotclinics.com.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

David Culp, horticultural author and lecturer, will be the guest speaker at the Long Island Horticultural Society’s meeting at 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Burns Conference Center at Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay. And Patricia Speciner, garden writer and LIHS member, will discuss space and asthetics of the small garden in her talk “Trees and Shrubs for the Small Garden.” For more information, call 516-922-8600 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Finally some help for those who tend to kill their house plants at Hicks Nurseries’ free seminar “Easy Care Houseplants,” where you’ll learn how to develop a green thumb, from 2 to 3 p.m. tomorrow at Henry Hicks Learning Center at Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Tpke. in Westbury. For more information, call 516-334-0066 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Join author Patricia Klindienst for a book signing, discussion and slide show of her book “The Earth Knows My Name: Food Culture, and Sustainability in the Gardens of Ethnic Americans,” a compilation of personal narratives of people with descriptions of their gardens, at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Queens Botanical Gardens in Flushing. Free. For more information, call 718-886-3800 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Learn what's going on in the current real estate market and what foreclosed properties are available for purchase at The Real Estate Investment Education Club's dinner meeting and seminar at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Domenico's Restaurant at 3270-A Hempstead Tpke. in Levittown. Cost is $25, which includes dinner. To reserve a seat or for more information, call 516-298-4135 or click here Levittown.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Discover why the tendency among American gardeners to look to other countries -- such as Italy, Japan and England -- for inspiration is not the best way to create gardens that work with their U.S. surroundings, at Old Westbury Gardens' "Books in the Ballrooom: The Authentic Garden" a presentation by Claire Sawyers, director of the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College, who will discuss the principles that help make gardens true to a specific time, place and culture. 2 p.m. Sunday. Free with park admission. Special November admission to Old Westbury Gardens is $8, $5 for those over 62 and children 7-12. For more information, call 516-333-0048 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

You'll appreciate your modern kitchen after you tour the Blydenburgh-Weld House and see wood-burning stove cooking demonstrations along with Colonial "kitchen gadgets," at Blydenburgh Park on New Mill Road in Smithtown from 1 to 3 p.m. tomorrow. Free. For more information, call 631-360-0753.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Architect Paul Pellicani, principal and founder of Architect's Loft architecture and interior design firm in Glen Cove, presents "Create Your Dream Home... The Easy Way!" adult education course from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday [nov13] at Half Hollow Hills High School East, 50 Vanderbilt Pkwy. in Dix Hills. Cost is $10 for Dix Hills residents, $12 non-residents. For registration information, call 631-592-3125.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Discover how you can keep your house clean using green cleaning alternatives at Starflower Experiences' "Green Living Seminar" led by Stan Halpern, an environmental cleaning consultant to schools, businesses, hospital, and institutions, from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Dix Hills branch of the Half Hollow Hills Library, 55 Vanderbilt Pkwy. in Dix Hills. For more information, call 516-938-6152 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Discover unique Georgian decorative arts inside Westbury House as docent Gene Lanzaro leads an imformative tour focusing on these classic motifs in the "Gods, Goddesses, and Mythological Motifs in the Interior Design of Westbury House" house tour at 2 p.m. tomorrow. Free with park admission. Special November admission to Old Westbury Gardens is $8, $5 for those over 62 and children 7-12. For more information, click here or call 516-333-0048.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Retired biochemist and master gardener Guy D’Angelo, a speaker from LI-CAN (also known as the Long Island Climate Action Network) will discuss “How to be green” at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Sound Beach Fire Department, Sound Beach Boulevard, Sound Beach. Call 631-744-6952 for details. Free.

Learn how to fill you house with plants at Hicks Nurseries' free seminar "Making More Houseplants - Simple Propagating Techniques" from 2 to 3 p.m. tomorrow at Henry Hicks Learning Center at Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Tpke. in Westbury. For more information, call 516-334-0066 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Learn how to decrease your impact on the environment and cut your energy bill and find out what’s new in “alternative” energy sources from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Southold Library, 53705 Main Rd., Southold, 631-765-2077. Free.

The Nassau County Bar Association’s home-related seminars are getting to be really popular, almost to the point that if you don’t sign up when you see one, you might not get a seat. This one is expected to be the same way. “You and Your Home Contractor” will have county officials and legal professionals on hand to answer questions and help homeowners navigate the maze of necessary permits, certificates of occupancy, certificates of completion, licensing, contracts, etc.

The seminar will describe the things you need to know and think about if you’re doing a project, major or small. For example, “even if the contractor says he’ll take care of the paperwork and licenses for you, you’ll at least know what you need to have,” says Valerie Zurblis, director of marketing and public relations for the Nassau County Bar Association. “There are contractors out there who may not be doing you the best service when they agree to deal with these for you, so you need to be be well-informed. At the seminar, county representatives also will discuss what to do if you run into a problem or dispute. There are ways and places you can go to go to get help."

She says knowing what to expect going into a project can head off a lot of stresses and headaches. "An informed consumer is a good consumer," she says. "You know what to look for, what to ask the contractor before you hire them. What to do if you have a problem with a contractor. All these things help you avoid problems down the line.”

The event will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Nassau County Bar Association, which is at the corner of 15th and West streets. It is free, but you have to register here or by calling 516-747-4070.

"Navigating in a Volatile Real Estate Market" and "Real Estate Market Overview" will be the topics at The Real Estate Investment Education Club's dinner meeting and seminar at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Domenico's Restaurant at 3270-A Hempstead Tpke. in Levittown. Cost is $25, which includes dinner. To reserve a seat or for more information, call 516-298-4135.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Get your fill of apples, enjoy traditional music and dancing, see candle dipping demonstrations, a silver smith in action and children's games at the Huntington Historical Society's "2008 Apple Festival" from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Dr. Daniel W. Kissam House Museum, 434 Park Ave. in Huntington. Free. For more information, call 631-427-7045, extension 403.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Horticulturalist Karl McKoy will demonstrate how to prepare roses for the cold weather and how to propagate new rose plants from cuttings for next year's garden at Queens Botanical Garden's "Rose Winterization" lecture at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Fee is $15 for non-members, $10 for members. Then at 1:30 p.m., learn about herbs, spices, essential oils and foods, how to use them safely, grow them, purchase them and blend them for optimum use at the "Passionate Plants - Aphrodisiac Herbs and Spices" lecture. Fee is $15 for non-members, $10 for members. For more information, call 718-886-3800. Admission to the Garden at 43-50 Main St.
In Flushing is free. Parking is $5; $3 for members.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Young adults who are thinking of packing their bags and leaving Long Island due to the high costs of housing, little diversity in the housing market and the lack of "cool" downtowns can learn about other options when at the "Young Adult Housing Rally" 5:30 to 7 p.m. today at Farmingdale State College, Roosevelt Hall, Little Theater, Route 110 in Farmingdale. Sponsored by the Long Island Junior Chamber of Commerce and Long Island businesses to address Long Island's housing needs. Free. To register, call 631-425-2700.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Caroline Fanning of Restoration Farm, located on the grounds of Old Bethpage Village Restoration, will explain how Community Supported Agriculture works, the organic movement and the challenges of farming green, at Starflower Experiences' "Green Living Seminar," 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at the Melville branch of the Half Hollow Hills Library, 510 Sweet Hollow Rd. in Melville. For more information, call 516-938-6152 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Learn what preparations sellers and buyers must make to have a hassle-free closing at the "What Happens at a Real Estate Closing" seminar taught by Lita Smith-Mines, real estate attorney, lecturer and author, through the Smithtown Adult Continuing Education Program from 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at Smithtown High School East, 10 School St. in St. James. Cost is $15. To register, call 631-382-2090 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Bill Thomas, executive director of Chanticleer, a 37-acre estate garden in Pennsylvania, will lead an illustrated talk on Chanticleer "A Pleasure Garden in the Making," discussing its start in 1913 as private garden for a families suburban retreat to its eventual transformation to a public garden in 1993, at The Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons' monthly meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday in the main auditorium of the Bridgehampton Community House on Montauk Highway. Fee is $10 for non-members, free for members. For more information, call 631-537-2223.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

The "Fall Dahlia Show," sponsored by the Long Island Dahlia Society, happens from 1 to 5 p.m. tomorrow and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m Sunday in the Carriage House at Bayard Cutting Arboretum on Montauk Highway in East Islip. Then at 7 p.m. on Thursday, come to the Arboretum for the Society's Dahlias 101 class to learn how to properly dig and store dahlia tubers through the winter. For more information, call 631-754-1002 in the evening or 516-832-3652 during the day, or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

See home accessories, gifts and American crafts along with craft demonstrations, booths with exotic and natural foods and continuous entertainment at the "Craft As Art Festival" presented by American Concern for Art and Craftsmanship from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday at Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr. in Roslyn Harbor. Admission is $7; children under 12 are admitted free. For more information, call 973-746-0091 or click here

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Learn about real estate and purchase an affordable home at the "New York Foreclosure Showcase," Sunday at the Marriott Long Island Hotel & Conference Center in Uniondale, adjacent to the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Registration for auction begins at 9 a.m., exhibits are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., break-out sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the live auction from 2 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 per person at the door, children under 12 enter free. For more information, call 516-368-8599.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Learn how to create an individual square-foot stained-glass panel at the Southampton Historical Museums and Research Center's adult workshop "Introduction to Stained Glass," taught by stained-glass artist Hallie Monroe, from 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow and every Tuesday through Dec. 2 at the Rogers Mansion, 17 Meeting House Lane in Southampton. Fee: $325 for the series, plus $50 materials fee. For more information, call 631-283-2494 or click here.

-- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Home buyers and sellers can learn to ready their home for sale in a buyer's market at the "How To Be A Seller In A Buyer's Market" seminar taught by Lita Smith-Mines, real estate attorney, lecturer and author, through the Smithtown Adult Continuing Education Program from 7 to 9 p.m. todat at Smithtown High School East, 10 School St. in St. James. Cost is $15. To register, call 631-382-2090 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Find out who has grown the largest Long Island pumpkin at Hicks Nurseries' sixth annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off at noon Sunday at Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Tpke. in Westbury. For more information, call 516-334-0066 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Fall in love with orchids and learn how to take care of them at Hicks Nurseries' free seminar "Orchids for Beginners" from 2 to 3 p.m. tomorrow at Henry Hicks Learning Center at Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Tpke. in Westbury. For more information, call 516-334-0066 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Discover how little things – such as installing dimmer switches, caulking and sealing windows -- around the house can make it more energy efficient and save money at Home Depot's free clinic "Energy Efficiency in Your Home" 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. tomorrow and all Saturdays in October. To register, click here or call your neighborhood store. Each store will focus on a different project. And now through Nov. 5, visit The Home Depot store for the "Fall Décor Event" featuring ideas, tips and upgrades for your living room, kitchen and bathroom.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Visit 75 open houses on Long Island to find out how you can save energy in your home or commercial building, cut your electric and heating bills, shrink your carbon footprint, find green building professionals and solar contractors and get LIPA rebates and tax credits at RELI's Fifth Annual Solar Tour and Green Buildings Open House 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The self-guided open house tour is free but you must register online here to receive a visitor's pass and open house locations.

M. BOZENA SYSKA

Stroll through historic Cold Spring Harbor, home to whalers of years ago, as you learn its legends and enjoy the charm of this waterside village at The Whaling Museum Society's guided "Walking Tour of a Whaling Village" at 1 p.m. Sunday on Main Street in Cold Spring Harbor. Admission is $8, $3 for members. Reservations are required. For more information, call 631-367-3418 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Fall is the time to start preparing your garden for spring. Learn how at Hicks Nurseries' free seminar "How to Plant Spring Flower Bulbs" from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Henry Hicks Learning Center at Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Turnpike in Westbury. For more information ,call 516-334-0066 or click here.

-M. BOZENA SYSKA

See demonstrations of 19th century trades, barn dancing, civil war encampments, old-fashioned children's games, a pie-baking contest and Shinnecock dancers at Southampton Historical Museums and Research Center's Family Program "Harvest Day in the 19th Century" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow at the Rogers Mansion, 17 Meeting House Lane in Southampton. Free, but $5 suggested donation for adults. For more information, call 631-283-2494 or click here.
-M. BOZENA SYSKA

Learn how your home can be more environmentally friendly through field games, exhibits and demonstrations at Starflower Experiences' "Long Island Naturally" environmental fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow at the Manor Farm, 210 Manor Rd in Huntington. Rain date is Sunday. Free. For more information, call 516-938-6152 or click here.
- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Homeowners can address mortgage concerns with their lenders, seek new terms for their mortgage and meet with HUD-approved housing and credit counselors for help in avoiding foreclosure at the "Operation Protect Your Home" program 11 a.m to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Dowling College Brookhaven Campus, 1300 William Floyd Pkwy. in Shirley. The program is a collaboration between the New York State Senate, New York State Banking Department, nonprofit agencies and lenders. For more information, call 631-360-3708.
-M. BOZENA SYSKA

See the latest remodeling, landscaping and decorating products and services at the Long Island Fall Home Show at Suffolk County Community College Sports & Exhibition Complex, 1001 Crooked Hill Rd. in Brentwood from 4 to 10 p.m. tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $9 for adults, children 16 years old and under admitted for free. For more information, click here.
-M. BOZENA SYSKA

Get a great bargain on plants, tools, garden books and other garden accessories at Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons's "end-of-summer" yard sale 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow, rain or shine, on the grounds of the Brigehampton Community House on Montauk Highway. Admission is free; proceeds from the sale go to benefit the Alliance's Horticultural Library. And hear horticulturalist Richard L. Bitner, author of "Conifers for Gardens: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (2007, Timber Press)," explain which conifers from the array of possibilities that includes firs, false cypresses, junipers, spruces, pines, yews, arborvitaes, hemlocks, plum-yews, dawn redwoods and Japanese umbrella-pines, are best for your landscape at the Allliance's monthly meeting at 2 pm. Sunday in the main auditorium of the Bridgehampton Community House. Admission to the meeting is $10 for non-members, free for members. For more information on both events, call 631-537-2223.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Taste a wide variety of wines, along with gourmet hors d'oeuvres, while you learn about Huntington's history and growth as a community at Huntington Historical Society's 18th annual "Evening of Wine Under the Stars" from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the historic Dr. Daniel Kissam House at 434 Park Ave. in Huntington. Then take home a souvenir wine glass etched with the Society's logo and date of the event. Proceeds to benefit the Society's maintenance of historic houses, collections and educational programs. Tickets are $50, or $60 at the door. For tickets or more information, call 631-427-7045, ext 401, or visit huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Now that you have a garden full of tomatoes Mary Spellman, a Long Island chef, will teach you how to prepare and process them for canning at Southampton Historical Museums and Research Center's Summer Canning Series "Tomatoes & Salsa" from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Rogers Mansion, 17 Meeting House Lane in Southampton. Fee is $70, which includes local produce and canning jars. Space is limited, reservations are encouraged. For more information, call 631-283-2494 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Learn how CFL light bulbs, energy audits and other energy-efficient upgrades can save you money, reduce your carbon footprint and increase your home's value from Marilyn Urso, a certified EcoBroker, at Starflower Experiences' "Green Living Seminar" 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at the Melville branch of the Half Hollow Hills Library, 510 Sweet Hollow Rd. in Melville. For more information, call 516-938-6152.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Choice Home Mortgage of Patchogue's free seminar will explain how a reverse mortgages can help people 62 or older get needed funds at 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Radisson Hotel at 1730 North Ocean Ave. in Holtsville. Free lunch included. For reservations, call 631-758-9200, ext. 229.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Discover where the local dahlia flower shows and exhibitions are held in September and October and learn about the National Dahlia Show at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania at Mid Island Dahlia Society's meeting at 8 tonight. Come early, at 7 p.m., for a Dahlia 101 class where a consistent award winner will explain how your dahlias can win a prize at these shows. The meeting is held at the Church of the Advent, 555 Advent St. in Westbury. Free. For more information, call 631-266-3354 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Find country, primitive and 19th century furniture, prints, fine china, American art pottery and other antiques for your home at The Good of the Village Association's "Annual Antique Show and Sale" 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow at the Clifton Park Ball Field on Sea Cliff Avenue in Sea Cliff. Admission is $5, children under 12 admitted for free. For more information, call 516-868-2751 or click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Bring your tomatoes to Hicks Nurseries' 11th Annual Tomato Contest 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. tomorrow at 100 Jericho Tpke. in Westbury. Prizes will be awarded at 11 a.m. for the heaviest, largest circumference, most unusual in appearance and tiniest red tomatoes. Children may bring in tomatoes they've grown themselves. Tomatoes must be ripe; frozen or previously frozen tomatoes will not be accepted. For more information, call 516-334-0066 or visit click here.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA

Tour the circa-1720 William Miller House on North Country Road in Miller Place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow. The house was restored by the Miller Place-Mount Sinai Historical Society in the early 1980s, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Suggested donation: $3. For more information, call 631-476-5742 or go to mpmshistoricalsociety.org.

- M. BOZENA SYSKA