EVENTS WEDNESDAY 2/27 Around Town America’s Coin Banks ...

Around Town

America's Coin Banks encourages saving w/exhibit of over 70 unusual & antique coin banks; Museum of American Financial History, 28 B'way (Exchange Pl.), 212-908-4695; 10-4, $2 [repeats Thurs.-Sat. & Tues., through 3/6].

Christmas in July Cody Camps of Freedom offers two free weeks of summer camp to kids age 8-15 who lost a parent in the Sept. 11 attacks, incl. transportation, meals, etc.; 800-399-4436 or www.codycamps.com for more info.

Family

Extreme Choices 3-D Laser show exposes kids to dangers of smoking; Liberty Science Center in NJ, 201-200-1000 for info; $3-$3.50 [repeats daily, through 6/02].

"Jerry & Brian Pinkney" Exhibit of illustrations by father & son; Children's Museum of Manhattan, Tisch Bldg., 212 W. 83rd St. (B'way), 212-721-1224; call for times & prices [through 4/19].

Film/Video

"The Artistry of Leontyne Price" series celebrates 75th birthday of renowned soprano; Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6600; 2, $6, $4 st./s.c. [repeats Thurs. at 2].

Curve Doc. about plus-size models explores body image & self-esteem among women & feat. interviews w/magazine editors & fashion designers; New York Film Academy, 100 E. 17th St. (betw. Park Ave. S. & Irving Pl.), www.curve-film.com; 7 & 8:30, $10.

"Good & Evil: Popular Cinematic Images of Jesus" Series screens commercial flicks which delve into American religious ideas, incl. The King of Kings; Location One, 26 Greene St. (betw. Canal & Grand Sts.), 212-334-3347; 8, $5 [repeats Thurs.].

Half-Past Autumn: The Life & Works of Gordon Parks In the spirit of Black History Month, museum celebrates accomplishments of photographer, artist, composer, writer & director; Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6600; 12:15, $6, $4 st./s.c. [repeats Thurs.].

"Jazz on Film" Rufus Reid hosts screening of Charles Mingus on Film, which incl. live footage & interviews; Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center, 165 W. 65th St. (B'way), 212-721-6500; 8, $15.

New Icelandic Film Festival continues w/Villiljós (Dramarama) about the city of Reykjavik?English subtitles; Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave. (37th St.), 212-879-9779; 6:30, $8.

Ram Dass (Fierce Grace) Mickey Lemle's doc. about ex-Harvard faculty member's life during the 60s & 70s, debuts at Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (Varick St.), 212-727-8110; 1, 2:50, 4:40, 6:30, 8:20, 10:10, $9 [through 3/12].

"Star Theater" Retro film series shows Soft Beds, Hard Battles (1973), comedy set in a French whorehouse ca. WWII w/Peter Sellers playing six different roles; Den of Cin, Two Boots, 44 Ave. A (betw. 3rd & 4th Sts.), 212-714-3575; 7, $5 incl. 1 drink.

Umberto D. New print from director that brought us The Bicycle Thief; Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (Varick St.), 212-727-8110; 1, 2:45, 4:30, 6:15, 8. 9:45, $9 [repeats Thurs].

Lectures

Patriot Games Phil "devil's advocate" Donahue heads panel discussion w/Arthur Schlesinger Jr. & others on state of civil liberties after 9/11; NY Society for Ethical Culture, 2 W. 64th St. (Central Park W.), 212-563-5904; 7.

Readings

Eloise Hilary Knight, illustrator of this famous children's series, appears today w/tons of other kids' title types for the "Child Magazine Awards Celebration" at Barnes & Noble, 240 E. 86th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-794-1962; 7.

Geoff Nicholson of London Bleeding reads from Bedlam Burning, which "starts at Cambridge, in the rooms of Dr. John Bentley, an eccentric don famous for his book-burning parties"; Rocky Sullivan's, 129 Lexington Ave. (betw. 28th & 29th Sts.), 212-725-3871; 8, free.

John Steinbeck Memorial reading, celebrating what would have been Steinbeck's 100th birthday, from the collection Novels 1942-1952; Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Noble, 1972 B'way (66th St.), 212-595-6859; 7, free.

Workshops

Health Issues Anonymous Twelve-step program for those living w/a health concern; St. Luke's-Roosevelt Center, 324 W. 108th St., #205 (betw. B'way & Riverside Dr.), 212-362-7214; 5:30-7.

Learn English for Free at NY Public Library branches; 212-221-7676 or www.nypl.org for locations & times [through 3/21].

THURSDAY 2/28

Family

Vertical Limit Adventure film w/Chris O'Donnell; Sony Wonder Technology Lab, 550 Madison Ave. (55th St.), RSVP 212-883-7858; 5:45, free.

Winter Preschool Play Toys, games, stories & songs for children six months to four years; the Regatta Community Room, 21 South End Ave. (W. Thames St.), 212-267-9700 x348; 10-12 p.m., free.

Film/Video

Fenced Out screens to benefit for Fierce! QueerYouthNetwork; Brecht Forum, 122 W. 27th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 646-336-6788 x108; 7:30, contrib.

"Meet the Makers" Filmmaker Warrington Hudlin pres. & discusses the hilarious House Party comedy from 1990; Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (5th Ave.), 212-621-0618; 6, free.

Lectures

Women Are Not Small Men Learn about the risks & breakthroughs in heart disease for women; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 8:15, $22.

Readings

Advanced Sex Tips for Girls Cynthia Heimel answers your question at Chelsea Barnes & Noble, 675 6th Ave. (21st St.), 212-727-1227; 7:30, free.

Chicken Soup for the Soul of America Authors appear to sign book that "pays tribute to the heroes of 9/11 & everyday" (plus be sure to pick their brains about the "Chicken Soup" story, a book which was originally self-published as no one else seemed interested); Borders Bookstore, 461 Park Ave. (57th St.), 212-980-6785; 12.

Workshops

World Famous DJs to Teach Their Craft Free to the Public That should be a short lesson; 600 B'way (Houston St.), 917-545-7823 or 347-351-4170 call for times [through 5/16].

Worse: Gotham Writers' Free Memoir-Writing Workshop If there was just a way we could get those two events in the same building, and then push it out to sea?; Barnes & Noble, E. 54th St. (3rd Ave.), 212-WRITERS; 6:30.

FRIDAY 3/1

Around Town

USA Indoor Track & Field Championships Watch Olympian pole-vaulters, runners & more compete; Armory Track & Field Center, 168th St. (Ft. Washington Ave.), 212-740-7033; 10-9, $20-$50 [repeats Sat. 11-6:30].

Family

The Ten Star All-Star Summer Basketball Camp Boys & girls ages 10-19 eligible to apply, camp is by invitation only, past celebs incl. Michael Jordon & Antawn Jamison; 704-568-6801 for free brochure [through 4/15].

Film/Video

"The First Decade: Video from the EAI Archives" Retrospective of 60 videos from the archives of Electronic Arts Intermix, continues w/"Cultural Essays" program of three shorts; Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-708-9400; 2, free w/adm. [continues Sat., through 3/17].

New York International Children's Film Festival Fifth year kicks off tonight w/Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Fifty-two new works screened in all, incl. alternate versions of Betty Boop in Snow White (1933) & Snow White and Rose Red (1953); DGA Theater, 110 W. 57th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-349-0330 or [www.gkids.com](http://www.gkids.com/) for sched.; 6, $6-$15.

"The Short Century: Films from Africa" In conjunction w/P.S.1's same-titled exhibit, movies by African filmmakers screen at MoMA. Today, Sambizanga (1972) about family's struggle w/incarceration; 11 W. 53rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-708-9400; 8, free w/adm. [continues Fri., through 5/3].

SATURDAY 3/2

Around Town

Help w/Income Tax Elderly, low-income individuals & families can get free tax preparation, bring social security card, last year's returns, W-2 forms & current forms; Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 240 E. 31st St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-689-1595, call for appt.; 12:30-4:30 [repeats Sun. 1-4, through 5/14].

FDNY/NYPD Hockey New York's bravest vs. New York's finest on ice; Madison Square Garden, 8 Penn Plaza (7th Ave.), 212-998-1079; 7, $15.

New York Film Academy hosts open house for students to meet w/instructors & learn about filmmaking; New York Film Academy, 100 E. 17th St. (betw. Park Ave. S. & Irving Pl.), 212-674-4300; 1-4, free.

Family

"Another World: A Children's Dialogue" Learn about the plants & birds that call the forest home during exhibition at Children's Museum of the Art, 118 Mercer St. (betw. Spring & Prince Sts.), 212-274-0986; 12-5, $4 contrib. [repeats Sun.].

BAMfamily pres. Tale of Teeka, puppet show about a mistreated boy & his goose; BAM, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), 718-636-4111; 2, $10.

"Cinékids" Children's film series that runs the first Sat. of every month screens animated videos; Guggenheim Museum, 1071 5th Ave. (89th St.), 212-360-4321, 212-423-3587; 12, $5 per child & adult, $6 each add. adult.

Dunkin Donuts-Jelly Belly Jamboree Learn everything you ever wanted to know about donuts & taste new ones made w/Jelly Belly's?yum!; Children's Museum of Manhattan, Tisch Bldg., 212 W. 83rd St. (B'way), 212-721-1234, RSVP 617-272-8433; 11-1, call for price.

Family Art Project Learn about land formations during "Shaping the Land" workshop at Wave Hill, 675 W. 252nd St. (Independence Ave.), Bronx, 718-549-3200, 1-4, free [repeats Sun.].

Mask-Making Workshop Hands-on fun for families w/adoptive kids ages 7-12; Spence-Chapin, 6 E. 94th St. (betw. 5th & Madison Aves.), 212-360-0259; 1-4, $20 per adult & child.

The Ransom of Red Chief Play taken from O. Henry short; Vital Theater Co., 432 W. 42nd St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-592-4508; 11 & 1, $10 [repeats Sun., through 3/17].

"Saturdays Alive!" This week, artists from Urban Glass teach kids how to sandblast (12:30, $6)?call for location?plus "Muppets Make Puppets" w/artists from Jim Henson Foundation (12:30, $6); Arts Connection, 120 W. 46th St. (betw. 6th Ave. & B'way), 212-302-7433.

"StarQuest: Explore the Mysteries of Our Starry Skies" exhibition opens today at Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. (betw. St. Marks Ave. & Prospect Pl.), 718-735-4400; 1-4, $4 [through 7/9].

Teddy Bear Circus Hand puppets come to life for trapeze & tightrope stunts; Puppet Playhouse at Mazur Theater, 555 E. 90th St. (betw. York & East End Aves.), 212-369-8890 x159; 10:30 & 12 p.m., $7 [repeats Sun.].

The Velveteen Rabbit Musical recommended for kids 3-10, creative workshop precedes performance; Hitchcock-Rockefeller Aud., YWCA, 610 Lexington Ave. (53rd St.) 212-866-5170; 1, $15 [repeats Sun., through 4/14].

Film/Video

"Cinema of Shadows: The Hollywood Film Noir" Thirty-one films screen in 16mm format. Today, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) based on Love Lies Bleeding by John Patrick; YWCA, 610 Lexington Ave. (53rd St.), 212-735-9717; 4:30, $7 [repeats Sun.].

Citizen Kane Orson Welles directs film that John Houseman claims to have helped develop, as part of "John Houseman: He Earned It" series at BAM, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), 718-832-3052; 5:30 & 9, $9, $6 s.c.

How the WEF Was Won Videos documenting the protests & protestors, followed by panel w/filmmakers & organizers; Changing America, 235 W. 23rd St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 718-624-8139; 7:45, $10 contrib.

Lavender Lake: Brooklyn's Gowanus Canal Allison Prete's doc. about NY's controversial waterway, screens as part of "Brooklyn Docs" at Brooklyn Museum of Art, 200 Eastern Pkwy. (Washington Ave.), 718-638-5000; 6, free.

Miau Analysis International Video Ensemble shows layered video works in real time w/video guru Cameron Hickey & Japanese sound artist Atsushi Nishijima; Galapagos, 70 N. 6th St. (betw. Wythe & Kent Aves.), Williamsburg, 718-782-5188; 10, $7.

"New York, New York: Films Selected by the NY Film Critics Circle" Six-week series showcasing films handpicked by prestigious critics, incl. Love Affair introduced by Andrew Sarris & Where the Heart Is introduced by New York Press film critic, Armond White; American Museum of the Moving Image, 35th Ave. (36th St.), Astoria, 718-784-0077; 2 & 4, $8.50, $5.50 st./s.c. [continues Sun., through 3/31].

SUNDAY 3/3

Around Town

Fast & Fabulous Cycling Club NY's lesbian & gay bike club; www.fastnfab.org or 212-567-7160 for meeting place; 9 a.m.

Homocyclosocial Potluck Dinner Get started cycling w/LGBTQ-supportive buddies, sponsored by Fast & Fabulous Cycling Club; Rutgers Presbyterian Church, 236 W. 73rd St. (betw. Amsterdam & West End Aves.), 718-293-0885; 6, $5 & potluck item.

Family

"Kids 'n Comedy" It's no "Showtime at the Apollo," but this may get your rising star there; Gotham Comedy Club, 34 W. 22nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-877-6115, reg. req.; 4, $30 incl. videotape.

Teen Slam Teens compete to participate in the national 2002 Youth Poetry Slam; Teachers & Writers, 5 Union Sq. W., 5th fl. (B'way), 212-691-6590 x21; 5, free.

Film/Video

"Downwind: Depleted Uranium Weapons in the Age of Virtual War" Fifty-minute doc. looks at the dangers of toxins from war technologies used in Hiroshima, Iraq & Kuwait; Ocularis at Galapagos, 70 N. 6th St. (betw. Wythe & Kent Aves.), Williamsburg, 718-388-8713; 7, $6-$10.

The Thief of Bagdad Douglas Fairbanks stars in silent Arabian Nights fantasy flick, w/organ accompaniment; the New-York Historical Society, 2 W. 77th St. (Central Park W.), 212-969-0968; 2, $7, $5 s.c./child. under 12.

Lectures

Nature's Pharmacy Learn about healing plants & fungi; NY Botanical Garden, 200th St. (Southern Blvd.), Bronx, 718-817-8747; 2, call for price.

Readings

KGB Fiction Night continues w/David Means (Assorted Fire Events) & Laura Catherine Brown (Quickening); 85 E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-505-3360; 7, free.

Anne Perry reads from her latest Thomas & Charlotte Pitt novel, Southampton Row, at Partners in Crime, 44 Greenwich Ave. (Charles St.), 212-462-3027; 6, free.

Unorganized Reading No time limit, no list, no bullshit except what gets spewed on stage; ABC No Rio, 156 Rivington St. (betw. Suffolk & Clinton Sts.), 718-638-2927; 3.

Workshops

The Art of Reading Poetry Poet Molly Peacock leads seminar at 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 2, $80.

MONDAY 3/4

Around Town

Friendly French Conversation Group Read & discuss literature weekly, no English allowed; Magic Carpet, 54 Carmine St. (Bedford St.), 914-803-0654; 7:30-9:30, free.

Rant Fresh Bread Productions' play exploring "the relationship between women's lives and women's dreams," benefits Safe Horizons Battered Women's Shelters; Galapagos Art & Performance Space, 70 N. 6th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 718-782-5188; 7, contrib.

Film/Video

Concorrenza Sleale tells the tale of two families, one Catholic & one Jewish, ca. Rome 1938 during Mussolini's fascist regime; Yeshiva University Museum at the Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St. (5th Ave.), 917-606-8220; 7, $7, $3.50 st./s.c.

"Mondo Mondays" Retro film series A Little Night Music starring Elizabeth Taylor who sings "Send in the Clowns"; Den of Cin, Two Boots, 44 Ave. A (betw. 3rd & 4th Sts.), 212-714-3575; 8, $5 incl. 1 drink.

"Movie Love: A Trib. to Pauline Kael" Series honoring The New Yorker's late film critic feat. her favorite films introduced by her favorite people. Today, Pennies from Heaven introduced by film critic Stephanie Zacharek at 6:50; BAM, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), 718-636-4100; 4:30, 6:50 & 9:10, $9 [through 3/11] .

Readings

"Beginning the American Spirit" Playwrights read the start of a new script, which must begin w/the phrase "Beginning the American Spirit" & the audience suggests possible endings; Blue Heron Arts Center, 123 E. 24th St. (betw. Park Ave. S. & Lexington Ave.), 347-512-4518; 8, $10 [through 3/25].

La Tour Dreams of Wolf Girl David Huddle appears to read his latest, about the love affairs between a 17th-century artist & his model and a modern-day art historian in Vermont & her husband; Barnes & Noble, 240 E. 86th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-794-1962; 7, free.

Lectures

Artist's Eye View Pedestrian artists Paul Kaiser & Shelley Eshkar teach others about developing art & the technology & theories behind it; Eyebeam, 540 W. 21st St. (betw. 110th & 11th Sts.), 718-222-3982 x25; 7-9, call for price.

Workshops

Passover Cooking Class begins today at 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 7, $75 [through 3/18].

TUESDAY 3/5

Film/Video

Dinner & a Movie Weekly screenings followed by family-style dinner & discussion in French. This week, the 1986 sexual farce, Tenue de Soirée (Menage)?English subtitles, BYOB!; Columbia University's La Maison Française, 116th St., 2nd fl. (B'way), 212-854-4482; 6:30, call for price.

Mina Tannenbaum Fictional biography about friendship; French Institute, Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th St. (betw. Madison & Park Aves.), 212-355-6160; 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 & 9, $8.

Rod Serling: The Twilight Zone & Beyond Retrospective continues at Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6600; call for sched., $6, $4 st./s.c. [repeats Thurs.-Sun., through 4/21].

Lectures

Divorce Law, Legal Process & Other Options Family practitioner/mediator gives overview incl. grounds for divorce, custody, child support, spousal support & division of property plus pros & cons of alternatives; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 6:30, $25.

Patch Adams: The Joy of Caring Director of the Gesundheit Institute & subject of Robin Williams film explains how/why "healing should be a loving human exchange, not a business transaction" (let's sign Dubya up); CUNY Grad Center, 365 5th Ave. (34th St.), 212-817-2005; 6-8, call for price.