Community Corner
November 2014 Events for Van Vleck House & Gardens
Events include yoga, tai chi and meditation, garden explorations and tours. This month's events run from November 1 till November 25.

Saturday November 1
- Garden Exploration Saturdays – Trees and Leaves
- Fee: $5 per child ages 4 & up; $10 per family (2 or more children)
- Looking for something to do on a Saturday morning? Come to Van Vleck and visit our Education Center anytime between 10 am to 1:00 pm. An environmental educator will discuss various topics relating to nature in and around the gardens. A simple craft will be offered, as well as supplies for a self-guided scavenger hunt on the property. Everything you need to enjoy quality time with your family is here for you. Activities are designed for children ages 4 and up; however, all are welcome. All children must be supervised by an adult. Rain or shine. No Registration required.
Monday November 3
- Yoga at Van Vleck
- Fee: Single class: $24 ($20 Friends); 8-class pass: $170 ($135 Friends)
- Instruction by Jennifer Hondru-Celestin emphasizes harmony and connection, with insight into body, breath and mind. Classes in the living room of Van Vleck House are open to students at all levels. Bring your own mat. Full series runs through December 22. 9:30 - 10:45 am, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair. To register, call 973-744-4752 or e-mail education@vanvleck.org.
Tuesday November 4
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- Tai Chi in Van Vleck Gardens
- Fee: Single class: $24 ($20 Friends); session pass (includes all 4 classes in one session): $85 ($70 Friends)
- Description: Join Miriam Moran Shankman for Tai Chi in the beautiful gardens of Van Vleck. Tai Chi is a centuries-old internal Chinese martial art practiced in a meditative, slow, gentle and graceful sequence of movements that has been shown to enhance health, relaxation and self-cultivation. Tai Chi may be adapted to suit nearly anyone, regardless of physical condition. Session runs through November 25. 9:30 - 10:30 am, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair.To register, call 973-744-4752 or e-mail education@vanvleck.org.
Wednesday November 5
- Garden Discoveries: Leaves All Around Us (ages 3 to 5, accompanied by parent/caregiver)
- Fee: $10 ($7 Friends)
- Garden Discoveries classes inspire children about the natural world around them. Since each child learns in a different way, every class examines one topic through stories, outdoor exploration, and hands-on activities and specimens. 1 - 2 pm, Van Vleck House & Gardens, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 973-744-4752 or e-mail education@vanvleck.org.
Monday November 10
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- Yoga at Van Vleck
- Fee: Single class: $24 ($20 Friends); 8-class pass: $170 ($135 Friends)
- Instruction by Jennifer Hondru-Celestin emphasizes harmony and connection, with insight into body, breath and mind. Classes in the living room of Van Vleck House are open to students at all levels. Bring your own mat. Full series runs through December 22. 9:30 - 10:45 am, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair. To register, call 973-744-4752 or e-mail education@vanvleck.org.
Tuesday November 11
- Tai Chi in Van Vleck Gardens
- Fee: Single class: $24 ($20 Friends); session pass (includes all 4 classes in one session): $85 ($70 Friends)
- Description: Join Miriam Moran Shankman for Tai Chi in the beautiful gardens of Van Vleck. Tai Chi is a centuries-old internal Chinese martial art practiced in a meditative, slow, gentle and graceful sequence of movements that has been shown to enhance health, relaxation and self-cultivation. Tai Chi may be adapted to suit nearly anyone, regardless of physical condition. Session runs through November 25. 9:30 - 10:30 am, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair.To register, call 973-744-4752 or e-mail education@vanvleck.org.
Friday November 14
Autumn Garden Tour
- Fee: Single Tour $7 ($5 Friends) Series Rate: all four tours $20 ($15 Friends). Series ends December 12
- Join Laura Roberts, Garden Manager of Van Vleck for a stroll through the gardens as the beautiful autumn season unfolds. Tours will focus on plants of interest each month, including fabulous blooms and foliage as well as seeds, fruits and bark which will catch your eye in the fall garden. Rain or shine – please dress for the weather with sturdy footwear. 1-2 pm Van Vleck House & Gardens, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair. Pre-registration required. To register, call 973-744-4752 or e-mail education@vanvleck.org.
Owl Prowl Hike
- Fee: $5 per person hike only. Hike and Presentation $15 ($10 Friends)
- Take a walk through the gardens looking for owls. Van Vleck has been a nesting site for owls in the past. Perhaps this year, they will return? We will learn how to identify signs of owl activity and learn some basic knowledge about our nocturnal neighbors. Fair weather only. Hike 4:30-5:15PM Pre-Registration Required – space is limited!
Live Owl Presentation
- Fee: $10 ($7.00 Friends) presentation only. Hike and Presentation $15 ($10 Friends)
- Meet 2 live owls from Flat Rock Brook Nature Center. Discover which owls live right here in NJ. Learn about the special features and characteristics these amazing creatures have that help them survive. Open to families and individuals. Appropriate for children ages 5 and older. Rain or shine. Live Owl Presentation 5:15-6:15PM To Register: emaileducation@vanvleck.org or call 973-744-4752
Saturday November 15
- Garden Exploration Saturdays – Owls of the Night
- Fee: $5 per child ages 4 & up; $10 per family (2 or more children)
- Looking for something to do on a Saturday morning? Come to Van Vleck and visit our Education Center anytime between 10 am to 1:00 pm. An environmental educator will discuss various topics relating to nature in and around the gardens. A simple craft will be offered, as well as supplies for a self-guided scavenger hunt on the property. Everything you need to enjoy quality time with your family is here for you. Activities are designed for children ages 4 and up; however, all are welcome. All children must be supervised by an adult. Rain or shine. No Registration required.
Monday November 17
- Yoga at Van Vleck
- Fee: Single class: $24 ($20 Friends); 8-class pass: $170 ($135 Friends)
- Instruction by Jennifer Hondru-Celestin emphasizes harmony and connection, with insight into body, breath and mind. Classes in the living room of Van Vleck House are open to students at all levels. Bring your own mat. Full series runs through December 22. 9:30 - 10:45 am, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair. To register, call 973-744-4752 or e-mail education@vanvleck.org.
Tuesday November 18
- Tai Chi in Van Vleck Gardens
- Fee: Single class: $24 ($20 Friends); session pass (includes all 4 classes in one session): $85 ($70 Friends)
- Description: Join Miriam Moran Shankman for Tai Chi in the beautiful gardens of Van Vleck. Tai Chi is a centuries-old internal Chinese martial art practiced in a meditative, slow, gentle and graceful sequence of movements that has been shown to enhance health, relaxation and self-cultivation. Tai Chi may be adapted to suit nearly anyone, regardless of physical condition. Session runs through November 25. 9:30 - 10:30 am, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair.To register, call 973-744-4752 or e-mail education@vanvleck.org.
Wednesday November 19
- Garden Discoveries: Night Creatures (ages 3 to 5, accompanied by parent/caregiver)
- Fee: $10 ($7 Friends)
- Garden Discoveries classes inspire children about the natural world around them. Since each child learns in a different way, every class examines one topic through stories, outdoor exploration, and hands-on activities and specimens. 1 - 2 p.m., Van Vleck House & Gardens, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 973-744-4752 or e-mail education@vanvleck.org.
Thursday November 20
Deck the Halls Luncheon at Montclair Golf Club
- Fee: $ 95 for Friends $115 for Non-Friends
- Enjoy an elegant lunch buffet at the beautiful Montclair Golf Club. 12:00 – 3:00 p.m., Montclair Golf Club, 25 Prospect Ave., West Orange. Reservations required: 973-744-4752 or info@vanvleck.org.
Deck the Halls Holiday Open House at Van Vleck House
- Fee: $5
- Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to tour the first floor interior of Van Vleck House, a Mediterranean-style villa surrounded by 5 acres of public gardens. Pick up decorating tips from the festively adorned mantels, sconces and trees. 4 – 6 p.m., Van Vleck House & Gardens, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair. www.vanvleck.org
Friday November 21
- Deck the Halls Holiday Open House at Van Vleck House
- Fee: $5
- Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to tour the first floor interior of Van Vleck House, a Mediterranean-style villa surrounded by 5 acres of public gardens. Pick up decorating tips from the festively adorned mantels, sconces and trees. 10AM – 2 PM, Van Vleck House & Gardens, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair. www.vanvleck.org
Saturday November 22
- Deck the Halls Cocktail Dinner Party at Van Vleck House
- Fee: Ticket prices start at $135; see www.vanvleck.org.
- Don your festive attire and prepare to be wowed by the Van Vleck House, sparkling with holiday lights and decorations. Join the bidding for silent auction prizes and enjoy light supper nibbles. 7 – 11 PM, Van Vleck House & Gardens, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair. Reservations required: 973-744-4752 or info@vanvleck.org.
Monday November 24
- Monday Morning Yoga
- Fee: Single class: $24 ($20 Friends); 8-class pass: $170 ($135 Friends)
- Instruction by Jennifer Hondru-Celestin emphasizes harmony and connection, with insight into body, breath and mind. Classes in the living room of Van Vleck House are open to students at all levels. Bring your own mat. Full series runs through December 22. 9:30 - 10:45 am, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair. To register, call 973-744-4752 or e-mail education@vanvleck.org.
Tuesday November 25
- Tai Chi in Van Vleck Gardens
- Fee: Single class: $24 ($20 Friends); session pass (includes all 4 classes in one session): $85 ($70 Friends)
- Description: Join Miriam Moran Shankman for Tai Chi in the beautiful gardens of Van Vleck. Tai Chi is a centuries-old internal Chinese martial art practiced in a meditative, slow, gentle and graceful sequence of movements that has been shown to enhance health, relaxation and self-cultivation. Tai Chi may be adapted to suit nearly anyone, regardless of physical condition. Session runs through November 25. 9:30 - 10:30 am, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair.To register, call 973-744-4752 or e-mail education@vanvleck.org.
image via shutterstockÂ
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