for the ARTS record
The Gam Sandwich The Nantucket Historical Association is hosting a shoot-the-breeze lunch series with notable Nantucketers who can actually teach you something while you're eating your sandwich and cookie. For the first installment of this series, the NHA welcomes island historian Bob Mooney, who will discuss the relationship between Nantucket and the California Gold Rush in his lecture, "Go West, Young (whale) Man."

"We're looking forward to this being an opportunity for enrichment for our staff as well," said Sarah Bishop, Interpretation Coordinator for the NHA.

"The Gam Sandwich" lectures are part of the NHA's Brown-Bag Luncheon Series, meant to perpetuate appreciation and respect for Nantucket's place in national and world history. "It's a really nice opportunity for islanders to hear about the island from other islanders," Bishop said. "This will be a nice way to foster island camaraderie amongst people who may not otherwise get to know each other." When: Thursday, Nov. 16, noon Where: Nantucket Whaling Museum

(Discovery Room), 13 Broad Street Cost: Free; bring a lunch. For more information, call 228-1894, ext. 0.

Learn to shop online safely Last year, I bought my brother a T-shirt stocking stuffer from a small Web site owned and operated by some artistic types who didn't use PayPal. A month or so later, I got a call at home in Florida from my credit card company, asking if I'd been paying for cabs in Tokyo.

While not nearly the end of the world (wideweb), internet theft is real. And while I don't think it's worth swearing off all Web commerce (especially when one lives on an island), it is worth a quick tutorial on shopping safely online, especially before the holiday season. Atheneum reference librarian Lincoln Thurber is hosting a one-hour, hands-on class on sound Internet shopping. The class is meant for beginners and also for those wanting to check their online buying habits. When: Thursday, Nov. 16, noon Where: Nantucket Atheneum (Great Hall),

1 India Street, noon to 1 p.m. Cost: Free, but registration is required. For more information, call 228-1110. Habitat for Candy: Gingerbread Houses It is in your own children's interests that I recommend you take them to build Gingerbread Houses at the NHA's historic 1800 House this holiday season. Imagine the spicywarm smell of fresh gingerbread commingled with the perfumes of peppermint candies, gumdrops, M&Ms and thick, white frosting. Don't think you have an architectural bone in your sweet tooth? Don't worry - the Gingerbread House Class will be taught by artist Nina Taylor and her son, Cullen. You can bring a most beloved and cherished child, or a relative, spouse, loved one, Arts Editor. Whatever. It may be the first time your children ever beg you to go to class. Register now, because I may cajole someone into taking me - and that's one less spot already. (Children 4 years old and up are welcome.) When: Saturday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m. to noon Where: 1800 House, 4 Mill Street Cost: $50 (members); $65 (nonmembers);

cost covers materials

For more information, contact Betsey Braun or

Mary Emery Lacoursiere

at 228-1894, ext. 128.

German Paper Stars It is entirely conceivable that you could create an organic, simple, elegant Christmas tree using a few strings of Christmas lights and several dozen little German paper stars, which Nancy Tyrer of the Nantucket Atheneum will help you create using only four strips of white paper (per star), folded appropriately and then dipped in paraffin wax for resistance from the elements. The end result is a 3D, 16-pointed star once used by the Germans to decorate evergreen and shrubbery outside. You can of course follow the tradition, or even use the stars as decorative package ties. When: Saturday, Nov. 18, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Where: Nantucket Atheneum (Gallery),

1 India Street

Cost: Free Sign up at the Reference Desk or

in the Great Hall.

For more information, call 228-1110.

Festival Winners Film Series: "The Syrian Bride" + Winner FIPRESCI Prize, Grand Prix des Amériques, People's Choice Award, Prize

of the Ecumenical Jury - Montreal World Film Festival 2004 + Audience Award Winner - Locarno International Film Festival 2004 + Audience Award Winner, Best Screenplay - Flanders International Film Festival 2004 The Atheneum brings other nations to Nantucket with the Festival Winners Film Series - a monthly screening of foreign films that have been awarded prizes at film festivals all over the world. With movies from Norway, Japan, the Middle East and Canada, the series will continue through May and take all of the legwork out of making oneself a more multi-cultural and hip film viewer.

This month's film is the "The Syrian Bride." It's the story of a woman living in Israeli-occupied Golan Heights whose marriage to a Syrian celebrity on the other side of the Syrian border is arranged by her family in the Druze village of Majdal Shams. To consummate her marriage, she must say goodbye to her family interminably, because Syria does not recognize the occupied land. If she crosses the border, she may never be able to return. "Shot on location in the Israelioccupied Golan Heights, 'The Syrian Bride' is a powerful film about physical, mental and emotional borders and the courage it takes to cross them," according to the Atheneum. When: Saturday, Nov. 18, 7-9:30 p.m. Where: Nantucket Atheneum (Great Hall),

1 India Street Cost: Free For more information, call 228-1110.

"Run Don't Walk" - Parts I, II and III Island writer David Murphy has bottled the social fireworks of 1970s Manhattan - specifically the East Village - in his three-part series, "Run Don't Walk." (Parts II and II are out new this month, while Murphy released the first book this summer.) The books focus on a kidnapping caper foisted on several disparate New Yorkers during a garbage workers' strike. The rotating cast of peacock-noticeable characters (including "Two-Ton" Carmen and Capo di Capo, "dwarf of all dwarfs") tumble over each other like towels in a dryer while "dancing away in the City of their Dreams. Where else? New York City." The books cost TK and are available at local bookstores.

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