City Calendar, March 14–27

Whether you want to dig into paleontology, go on a scavenger hunt in bookstores, or hunt for cooking ideas at the local farmers markets, New York has you covered with these upcoming events. You can even cover yourself in fashion glory with a new handcrafted accessory.

Do you have a fossil collection? Bring it to the American Museum of Natural History from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, which is Identification Day. Scientists from various departments at the Museum will be available to help you attempt to identify what you’ve got. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet Museum scientists who will be displaying specimens of predatory species, including saltwater crocodiles, birds of prey, an elephant seal skull, and giant invasive cane toads. To celebrate the T. Rex: The Ultimate Predator exhibit, which opened March 11, displays will also include T. Rex teeth and claws and a full-size replica of a T. Rex skull. And the Museum is offering a free souvenir cast of a T. Rex tooth to anyone who brings a fossil or artifact to the event. 

Last week’s blog post featured information about New York’s wonderful independent bookstores. This week, we’re suggesting that you visit many of them—to get some new books, sure, but also to participate in a scavenger hunt that will continue for the next six weeks. In anticipation of Indie Bookstore Day, each of the 10 participating shops has created a set of tasks that must be completed by April 28. You can see full details of the challenge here, track your progress online, and keep up with the competition via social media. Prize winners will be announced on April 30. 

Spring is on the way, and that means New York City’s Greenmarkets will be moving into the most delicious seasons of the year. Have you ever walked past farm stands and seen produce that you’d love to try if you just knew how to prepare it? Cook Space Brooklyn offers a Market-to-Table class on Saturday, March 16 to help you learn to prepare memorable meals from the ingredients you have. Each student will select produce available at the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket, and Chef Tom Coughlan will show how to create a menu from those ingredients. The idea is to “learn how to cook with creativity and spontaneity” and “step out of your comfort zones and learn to build flavors in a truly intuitive manner.” Can’t make it to this class? There’s another scheduled for June 1—or check the full calendar of classes for more culinary activities. 

And if you’re thinking it’s still a bit chilly to go shopping outdoors, you can always spend two hours hand-crafting something cozy to wear. Yes, just two hours—in which time you’ll complete a knitted infinity scarf made without knitting needles. That’s the idea behind the arm-knitting workshop offered by Brooklyn Craft Company, and as the name suggests, your arms serve as your knitting “needles” for this project. If you’re feeling crafty, check out the class calendar for more opportunities to tap your creative side.