Coming Attractions

Nantucket Restaurant Week returns this month for its third year, with most of the island’s many restaurants taking part. The kickoff gala was held Sept. 28 and deals are available through Oct. 5.

New this year, the Nantucket Junior Chef competition makes its debut Sunday, Oct. 5 at Cisco Brewery. Junior chefs from the Nantucket High School culinary arts program will be mentored by professional island chefs. Celebrity island chefs and food industry luminaries will choose the winner. All proceeds go to scholarships for Nantucket High School students who are continuing in studies or training in the culinary arts. For more information or tickets, call (508) 228-1515 or visit www.nantucketrestaurantweek.com

The Maria Mitchell Association has announced its off-season program and facilities schedule, featuring its ACKtive Learning Series, designed to provide residents and visitors with quality programming through the fall, winter and spring.

The ACKtive Learning Series will be offered from September 2008 to May 2009. MMA professionals will present lectures and workshops from all departments: history, education, natural science and astronomy. Several programs are offered in cooperation with The Trustees of Reservations. Participants can choose to attend the programs that interest them or purchase packages to enjoy several of the offerings at a reduced rate.

Offerings for fall include workshops for adults such as “Scallops and Scalloping,” “Behind-the-Scenes at Mitchell House,” “Astronomy and Celestial Navigation,” “Identifying Invasive Plants” and “Planets Beyond the Solar System.” To view and download a complete schedule, visit www.mmo.org

The programs also have offerings for families and children. Family programs will include hands-on adventures covering topics such as geocaching (a high-tech treasure hunt using GPS devices) and other outdoor topics.

The Nature Explorers Club will explore the natural world of Nantucket. Participants will do experiments, go exploring and learn about animals, weather, astronomy and all things nature. The club will meet the second Friday of every month.

New this year, the Natural Science Museum at the Hinchman House, the historic Mitchell House and the Vestal Street Observatory will remain open Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 11. Tours of the Vestal Street Observatory will be held at 11 a.m. The Natural Science Museum and Mitchell House are open 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Open nights at the Loines Observatory are held year-round and will be offered on the following special dates: 
• Monday, Sept. 22, 8-9:30 p.m. Autumnal Equinox Open Night: Mark the changing of the seasons by observing the moon, planets, nebulae, galaxies and more. Weather permitting. 59 Milk St. Extension. Free for MMA members, $10 adults, $6 children, non-members.
• Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 6 and 7, 8-9:30 p.m. Special Open Night: View stars, planets, nebulae, galaxies and more. In case of poor weather, a slide show will be offered. 59 Milk St. Extension. Free for MMA members, $10 adults, $6 children, non-members.

The Nantucket Historical Association has announced the next in its series of NHA Explorations trips: New Zealand in February 2009. Join the NHA on a journey through maritime, whaling, Maori and European history in New Zealand, including numerous cities and towns throughout the two islands that make up the nation of New Zealand Feb. 9-25, 2009. The leaders for the 17-day exploration are Bill and Peggy Tramposch, who lived there for 11 years. Bill was chief executive of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust before joining the Nantucket Historical Association as executive director. Travel includes 16 nights of accommodations with stays in Wellington, Picton, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Bay of Islands and Auckland. The package also includes daily breakfast, five lunches, seven dinners, transportation within New Zealand, sightseeing, and gratuities. For information about pricing or to make reservations, call Julie at (508) 228-1894, ext. 0.