Jason Koski/University Photography

Fuertes Observatory

Two concerts in Barnes

In conjunction with an interdisciplinary conference, Music: Cognition, Technology, Society, May 11-13, two concerts will be held in Barnes Hall Auditorium, free and open to the public, with no registration required. On May 11, 8:30 p.m., the Argento Ensemble will perform works by Sean Friar, Bryan Christian, Christopher Chandler, Eric Lindsay, Amit Gilutz, Juraj Kojs and Tod Machover, preceded by a lecture by Machover at 7:15 p.m. An electroacoustic concert, with works by Nicholas Cline, Nathan Davis, Peter Van Zandt Lane, Nicola Monopoli, Stelios Manousakis and Chris Stark, will be held May 12 at 8 p.m.

Night sky observations

Each clear Friday night through Aug. 10, the Cornell Astronomical Society will hold stargazing tours for the public of the night sky from the Fuertes Observatory, 9 p.m. to midnight. Check online for forecast and observation possibilities.

Parking is typically available across the street in the Appel lot.

Migration Celebration

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology marks the return of migratory songbirds to the region with a Migration Celebration, May 12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free.

The family-friendly educational event includes guided bird walks, interactive exhibits, live birds, games, hands-on activities for children, and learning about bird migration and conservation. Participants can make a mobile featuring a migratory bird found in the Ithaca area.

Information: 800-843-BIRD, http://www.birds.cornell.edu/birdday.

Mother's Day wildflower breakfast

Breakfast and a self-guided walk highlight Mother's Day at the Arnot Forest, May 13, 9 a.m.-noon, with a guided wildflower walk at 11 a.m.

Pre-registration is encouraged. Register online with a credit card at http://www.ArnotConservation.info, e-mail kls20@cornell.edu or phone 607-255-5508.

Cost: $10 per person; $2 per child under 12.

The Arnot Forest is one mile north of N.Y. Route 224 between Cayuta and Van Etten, N.Y., at 611 County Route 13 in Van Etten.

A sustainable future

A Regional Symposium of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), "Toward a Sustainable Future," will be held May 16 at 1 p.m., G10 Biotechnology Building. The symposium brings together distinguished Cornell faculty members to address elements of sustainability from the perspective of the physical sciences and engineering, the environment, economics, business development, international implications and the social sciences.

President David Skorton, NAE President Charles Vest, and Professor Frank DiSalvo, director of Cornell's Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, will kick off the symposium. Two sessions will follow, with a public reception in the Biotech atrium at 5:45 p.m.

More information: http://www.acsf.cornell.edu/2012NAE. There is no registration fee, but participants are asked to complete the registration form and return it to Peggy Stevens, msw56@cornell.edu.

Making yogurt

The Department of Food Science will hold a Basic Cultured Dairy Products Workshop, May 15-17, at B82 Morrison Hall.

This two-day applied course covers the basics in cultured product production, focusing mainly on yogurt, but also touching on other cultured products. Culture selection, general culture problems, basic milk chemistry and a hands-on yogurt-making component are featured. For more information, email Janene Lucia jgg3@cornell.edu or Rob Ralyea rdr10@cornell.edu.

Child safety seat check

Trained child passenger safety technicians will be on hand May 19, 9 a.m.-noon, at the Cornell Grounds Shop, 307 Palm Road, to provide instruction in the proper installation, use and maintenance of child safety seats. Sponsored by the Cornell University Police.

For more information: 607-255-7404 or 607-255-7305.

Garden fair and plant sale

Master Gardener volunteers from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County will hold the Ithaca Spring Garden Fair and Plant Sale, May 19, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the New York State Armory, 1765 Hanshaw Road. The fair and plant sale features a wide variety of vendors who offer specialty plants and gardening advice on topics ranging from growing rock garden plants to selecting native species for the garden. Plants for sale include organically grown and heirloom vegetable transplants, annuals, herbs, hanging baskets, small flowering shrubs, hardy roses, fruit crops, evergreens and specialty perennials.

Free soil pH testing is available, and educational exhibits and information will be offered.

Bring baskets, wagons and other containers for transporting plants. Information: call 607-272-2292 or http://ccetompkins.org/garden/spring-plant-sale.