Things To Do In Mount Vernon

Presenting the internationally renowned, research-based music and movement program Music Together, Over the Moon invites parents and infant-to-kindergarten-aged children to sing, dance, listen, and explore musical instruments in a variety of fun-filled classes. During weekly 45-minute Music Together sessions, adult caregivers accompany budding music muses, delving into the power of music and creativity through a variety of experiential, non-performance-based exercises. The mixed-age classes focus on natural family-filled learning as younger children watch and imitate older kids and learn a 25-song course catalog. Pint-sized sound-seekers sing, practice rhythmic rhymes, and play instruments free from classroom formalities and engage in family-building creativity.

In a converted brick electrical plant where machines once hummed and pumped power to the railroad, streams of craft brews flow into glass jugs branded with the Growlers Beer Bistro logo. The New York Times-praised gastropub has earned a spot among the 31 best bars in the county, according to Westchester Magazine, and boasts an ever-changing draft list that has featured Brooklyn Brewery reserves, Two Brothers? Midwestern suds, and Smuttynose ales. Bartenders funnel the liquid gold into pints as well as half-gallon growlers for at-home enjoyment.

Growlers? seasonal cuisine menu is designed to harmonize with the current selection of brews and features upscale pub fare, such as the Devils on Horseback?bacon-wrapped prunes stuffed with blue cheese and featured as Westchester Magazine's Dish of the Week. The hearty fare also includes a burger of beef, pork, and veal topped with a relish of bacon, onions, and pickles.

The building's industrial past shines through with accents of exposed brick and ceiling beams, complemented by decorative additions that include a polished concrete floor, a long communal table, and reclaimed barn wood that frame an illuminated wall. Along with their Tuesday?Friday "Hoppy Hour", the pub hosts regular events throughout the week, from Tuesday trivia nights to Friday ladies nights. Saturdays feature live music, while the kitchen cranks out its signature brunch dishes on Sundays. Brewery events are held every Thursday of every month while a Wednesday open-mic night rouses laughter-friendly crowds.

Actor Jamie Hector has made a career playing bad guys: drug lord Marlo Stanfield on The Wire, criminal Benjamin “Knox” Washington in Heroes, and villain Lincoln DeNeuf in Max Payne. The real-life Jamie, however, has a much different agenda. As one of the three founders of Moving Mountains, he draws New York’s inner-city youth off the streets and into the theater in order to steer them away from negative influences, such as bullying, gangs, violence, and substance abuse. He and his team of industry mentors cultivate an ensemble of young performers, musicians, and writers who create original plays and short films that delve deep into their age group’s social issues while spreading strong positive messages. In Moving Mountains’ film studio, mentors train budding directors, photographers, and technicians to create and promote short films and promotional artwork with the aid of industry-standard equipment. The mentors and their most senior students also tackle social problems at the source by traveling to city schools to educate audiences on topics including bullying, sexting, and how to make good choices in education and personal relationships.

The Range

• State-of-the-art indoor range facility for professionals
• Moving targets and real life scenarios

The Rental

• Glock 17 pistols that shoot blanks

At a Glance

Though Israeli Tactical School's modern indoor range facility for professionals often welcomes police officers, the instructors here are particularly skilled at working with the general public. Owner and instructor Tomer saw combat as a former Israeli special forces member, and also served in the Shin-Biet (Israeli Secret Service) in embassies around the world. At Israeli Tactical School's tactical training classes, students are provided with the most up-to-date training for skill levels from beginners to law enforcement special units, combining elements of hand-to-hand combat and shooting scenarios, including firing while on the move. To enhance their students' training, the instructors set up several attack scenarios during each class.

The Range

After about a quarter of a century running its firearms store, the staff at RT Smoke N Gun Shop constructed an adjacent range, where indoor shooting lanes set targets via electronic runners.

The Rentals

RT Smoke N Gun Shop supplies rental rifles.

At a Glance

RT Smoke N Gun Shop's staff members happily share everything they know about firearms?which could make for some long conversations, considering the family behind the store has been in the security and firearms industry for more than 40 years. Beyond weapon sales, the team leads classes, including the NRA Basic Pistol Safety course and a New York State hunter safety course that satisfies state requirements.

On a warm summer evening, candles on the patio tables in Maggie Spillanes rooftop garden illuminate guests toasting with mojitos and margaritas or steadily sipping Guinness and Maggie?s red ale?2 of the bar?s 16 beers on tap. Beside the drinks lay plates of American and Irish pub-food favorites, including eight types of sliders, corned beef, and lamb stew.

Downstairs, courtesy of the MLB package, 17 flat-screen televisions beam high-definition images of baseball players. Additional entertainment comes in the form of trivia and karaoke, as well as a DJ spinning contemporary tracks mixed with the occasional hyena cackle.