Community
Whooping Cough in Darien
Written by Amanda G. on 05/17/2012
From Caleb Moore, MD
Medical Advisor, Darien Health Department
In reviewing collected data from the Darien Department of Health, we find that there have been 20 reported cases of pertussis (Whooping Cough) in town since 2008. Officially, that is 4 cases per 21,000 people. At first glance that may not seem to be a high number of cases; however, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), data from 2009 reports that the national incidence of pertussis is 1.1 per 21,000 people.
Read the full advisory and update your pertussis vaccine by speaking to your physician.
May 2012 Local Theater Shows
Written by Amanda G. on 05/15/2012
Marlene S. Gaylinn shares her reviews on local theatre in Connecticut and New York in the May 2012 edition of her newsletter, On CT & NY Theatre. Fairytales are hot this year from ABC's "Once Upon a Time" to two retellings of Snow White at the movie theater. Westport Country Playhouse joins the fray with the fairytale musical, "Into the Woods" which plays till May 26th. Similarly, if you enjoy musical television shows like "Glee," you should head over to Westchester Broadway Theatre to see "Hairspray" by June 3rd. For more information, make sure to check out the newsletter!
Amazing Experiences Up for Grabs at Gala Auction
Written by Darien Library News on 04/27/2012
It’s never too early to firm up your Super Bowl plans.
Darien Library is auctioning off the ultimate Super Bowl viewing experience at this year’s Light Up the Library at the Imagination Gala, which will be held at the Library Saturday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m.
The prize will give the winner the chance to host a Super Bowl party for up to 20 people, broadcasting the game on the Library’s 122” TV in the Conference Room. As part of the package, which was donated by Darien Library and Simply Creative Catering, guests will nosh on Super Bowl food, provided by the catering company.
Winning that prize is a win for the whole family, said Noelle Kraus, a member of the Library’s gala committee who coordinated auction items. “You can have a party and you don't have to cook or clean up,” she said.
The Super Bowl experience is only one of six prizes that will be up for grabs at the live auction. Like each of the other five items, it can only be bid on during the gala. In addition to the chance to see the game of the year on a 10-foot screen, the gala auction includes several other chances for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
The 12 metre Yacht Development Foundation donated a three-hour tour on the 12 meter America’s Cup Yacht, America II for 10 people — an experience valued at $10,000.
“The sailing experience is a new and exciting auction item this year. When do you get the opportunity to sail on an America's Cup Yacht with 9 friends?” Kraus said.
That’s not the only luxurious experience that will be available to gala goers. There’s also a couple’s getaway in Vero Beach, a summer week in Telluride and a chance to entertain 16 friends in a skybox suite at a New York Red Bulls soccer game.
Not to mention one of the most desirable birthday party experiences in town. The Library and Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza joined together to offer up a chance for one lucky child between the ages of 6 and 12 to host a slumber party for a dozen kids, with a $50 gift card for pizza. Kids will get the chance to explore the Library at night in this unique experience.
“This is the only time all year that you can win the opportunity to have a sleepover party at the Library,” said Tori Barnett, gala committee co-chair.
The Light Up the Library at the Imagination Gala is the fourth-annual gala, and will feature cocktails, hors D’oeuvres, entertainment, a silent art auction and a live auction. Funds raised at the annual event will be used for Library materials including books, movies, computers, magazines, books on CD, information resources and programs. Tickets are currently on sale for $130 each.
Library gala committee helps build community for new residents
Written by Darien Library News on 04/25/2012
DARIEN — More than 10 women teamed up earlier this year with a single goal in mind: to make this year’s Light Up the Library at the Imagination Gala the most spectacular event of the season. But the last several months have also provided a rare opportunity for a group of young women to become acquainted with a new town, shortly after moving in.
Noelle Kraus, who is in charge of the auction for the Library’s gala committee moved to Darien in January, only about a month before she signed up to assist in planning the gala, which will be held at the Library on Saturday, May 12. While looking to expand her social circle in the weeks after moving her family to Noroton Heights, a friend mentioned that Kraus should participate in the Library’s gala committee.
“My good girlfriend from college, Tasha Blair, knew Tori Barnett, who’s a co-chair for the committee, so she said, you know what, we should sign up for this,” Kraus said last Friday with a laugh.
“It’s been a great way to get involved and to meet some people,” said Kraus, who has a 3-and-a-half year-old and a 1-and-a-half year-old. “And it’s kind of nice to get a chance to talk to adults on a regular basis.”
Working on the auction committee has also provided Kraus with an opportunity to explore the town she and her family now call home.
“I’ve walked into stores for this, soliciting places that I haven’t even been to yet. So it’s been a great way for me to get to know the community. And there have been some places that after walking in, I realize how great they are and want to come back on my own to shop,” she said.
She’s not alone.
Tori Barnett, the gala committee co-chair, decided to get involved in planning the event earlier this year in an effort to find her roots in Darien, a short time after moving here herself.
“I have young children, so I spend a lot of time here at the Library, and I was new, so I wanted to find a place. I figured, this place is already like a home for me. Why not do something with the Library,” she said last month, while sitting at a conference table on the Library’s second floor.
“I wanted to get involved in something I believe in,” she continued. “There are definitely some great organizations in town, but many of them are more social in nature, you know? But this is an organization that most people feel is so important to town. We’re so blessed to have this particular library, which is so first rate and so first class.”
She said she hopes people have as much fun at the event as she and her new friends have had planning it.
“It’s a great event. And yes, it’s about the library, but it’s also about what all this has been about — getting people together and having a great time,” Barnett said.
The Light Up the Library at the Imagination Gala is the fourth-annual gala, and will feature cocktails, hors D’oeuvres, entertainment, a silent art auction and a live auction. Funds raised at the annual event will be used for Library materials including books, movies, computers, magazines, books on CD, information resources and programs.
Unwanted Drug Disposal Day
Written by Erin S on 04/25/2012
Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Town Dump
The Darien Health Department and the Darien Police Department in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.
So clean out your medicine cabinet and safely dispose of those unwanted drugs to help prevent their misuse or improper disposal on Saturday, April 28.
Crazy for Quilts: Scrapbooks in Silk and Satin
Written by Amanda G. on 04/13/2012
Sunday, April 29th to Sunday, July 29th on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 12 noon to 5:00pm
Come visit the Darien Historical Society to see elegant, silk, and crazy quilts from our collection. A suggested donation of $5 is asked of non-members.
Opening reception is on Sunday, April 29th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (suggested donation of $5 for non-members).
A Lecture & Coffee with noted quilt expert and author, Sue Reich is on Thursday, May 10th at 10:00 a.m. RSVP: $15/$20 (members/non-members).
Ladies' Luncheon and Gallery Talk is on Thursday, June 7th at 12 noon. Please RSVP: $25/$35 (members/non-members).
To RSVP and ask questions, please call 203-655-9233 or email us at ukremer@darienlibrary.org, or visit our website.
The Darien Historical Society is located at 45 Old Kings Highway North Darien, CT 06820.
Bookplates on sale around town this month
Written by Darien Library News on 04/12/2012
Nothing says I love you like a book. And members of the Darien Library Spring Gala Committee are making it easier for people across town to say "I love you" to friends and family members this month.
Committee members will be selling bookplates — tags that are adhered to the inside of new books before they're shelved at the Library, featuring two names: yours and the person you bought it for — all over town in the coming weeks. The bookplates will be on sale for $20 each, and will help buy new books for the Library's collection, while also preserving a fond memory.
You can find gala committee members at the the following locations:
Friday, April 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Friday, May 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Friday, April 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Friday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, April 14 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 28 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 5 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The bookplate sale is part of a fundraising effort for the fourth-annual Spring Gala. This year, "Light Up the Library at the Imagination Gala" will be held Saturday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $130, and can be purchased online here.
Protect yourself against breast cancer and identity theft!
Written by Amanda G. on 04/12/2012
Darien Rowayton Bank will be holding a community service on May 12th to shred documents and again the Wellness Bus will be on site that day from 9 – 12. Visit the Stamford Hospital’s Mobile Bus at the Darien Rowayton Bank on Saturday, May 12th from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm to perform digital mammograms. Insurance accepted, but no-cost mammograms will be covered by The Breast Cancer Alliance and The Susan G. Komen Grant for uninsured and low income women.
Protect yourself from identity theft by bringing your confidential documents to have them shredded on site while you watch. This is a free community service.
Please see the flyers about the Free Shredding Day and Breast Screening Day.
The Darien Rowayton Bank is located at 1001 Post Road in Darien, CT 06820.
April 2012 Local Theater Shows
Written by Amanda G. on 04/05/2012
Marlene S. Gaylinn shares her reviews on local theatre in Connecticut and New York in the April 2012 edition of her newsletter, On CT & NY Theatre. Catch up on "Young Frankenstein" which will be playing on April 13th and 14th in Waterbury, CT. Then later this month catch "Legally Blonde" in Elmsford, NY. To close out April, Yale Repertory Theatre will e showing "A Long Winter's Tale." For more information, make sure to check out the newsletter!
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
Written by Amanda G. on 03/29/2012
The Darien Arts Center at the Cabaret Theatre presents, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change."
April 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st at 8:00 p.m.
April 15th at 4:00 p.m.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $22 for students. For more information, view the flyer.
Darien Library, 1441 Post Road, Darien, Connecticut, 06820-5419 · 203-655-1234Directions and Contact Information. Twitter: darienlibrary. AIM & Y!M: deweydarien.