Such Great Heights

FRI 11/11
It’s been said that Jimmy Carter is the only person ever to have used the U.S. presidency as a stepping stone to greatness. Although he earned mixed reviews as leader of the free world, his ex-presidential years — spent working on behalf of human rights, the environment and peace — have revealed his strength at fighting international injustices through diplomacy. Given today’s divided landscape — populated by a grandstanding Christian right and a gutless Democratic Party — it’s hard to imagine someone like Carter, with his deep Southern Baptist beliefs and his liberal populist touch, ever emerging again. The Georgia peanut farmer turned Nobel Peace Prize winner comes to Unity Temple on the Plaza (707 West 47th Street) at noon Friday to sign copies of Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis. A prolific author since serving as the 39th president, Carter discusses civil liberties, homosexuality and the separation of church and state in his latest book. Admission is free with the purchase of the book at Rainy Day Books (2706 West 53rd Street in Fairway); call 913-384-3126. — David Hudnall

On the Road

Home is where the art is.

FRI 11/11
For kids who are traveling, familiar items such as pillows and journals often remedy homesickness. Rumor has it that photographer (and Pitch contributor) Christopher Sebela never leaves the house without his camera — we wonder whether it’s a stand-in security blanket, one that helped inspire his joint photo exhibit with Harold Sipe. Finding Home, which opens from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Taxidermy Gallery (1229 Union Avenue in the West Bottoms), examines the ups and downs of life on the road. A sample of Sebela’s work shows four boys from behind as they stare into an undulating ocean from a pier — the churning tide’s hypnotic effect on the group is noticeable. (We find it hard to believe this is Sebela’s first show.) In a Sipes shot, we glimpse a roadside general store that possesses an Edward Hopper-like loneliness but also advertises that rarest of commodities: hope. Call 816-421-6889. — Ray T. Barker

Kiss the Cook

Forget Betty Crocker — we want Jennifer Maloney.

THU 11/10
It’s been a few months since we’ve lunched at Café Sebastienne, but we consider chef Jennifer Maloney’s pumpkin ravioli a perfect fall choice. In fact, we enjoy most of her creations; who better to finally teach us how to cook? Maloney offers instruction one night a month, teaming up with general manager Pam Tibbs, who discusses complementary wines. November’s installment, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Kemper East (200 East 44th Street), covers Italian cuisine. (Next up, on December 8, is a class on holiday entertaining.) The cost is $50 a person; call Angela Dennis at 816-457-6103 to reserve a spot. — Annie Fischer