Free blood pressure screening is available in the Library's Community Room the first Tuesday of every month from 12 - 1:30 p.m.

The next blood pressure screening at the Library will be on Tuesday, September 7th.

Courtesy of the Nursing and Home Care Association and the Darien Health Department, screenings are open to the public.

Effective August 27

There was only one meeting last week, so our schedule once again is mostly a "Summer Festival" of previously aired programs.

• Board of Finance 8/25 AGENDA (runs 1:16) Airs 9 am, 4 pm, 8 pm NEW
  
• Board of Selectmen 8/16 AGENDA (runs 1:00) Airs 6:31 am, 5:17 pm, 10:42 pm RERUN
  
• Town Dept's Performance Rev. 1/27 (runs 4:13) Airs 1 am, 10:17 am RERUN
  
• Aging in Place - Rx Medications (runs 1:25) Airs 7:30 am, 2:30 pm, 9:16 pm RERUN
  
• LWV - CT Budget 6/2 (runs 1:18) Airs 5:13 am, 6:30 pm, 11:42 pm RERUN
  
  
  

Here's the same schedule by time  ...

Darien Community Calendar runs between all programs. Live coverage (usually weeknight evenings) will pre-exempt the schedule above.

Copies of TV79 coverage are available for $25 per DVD.

Email us at channel79@darienct.gov.

If you would like to be removed from our mailing list, just e-mail us.

Our next Monday at Seven meeting will be on Monday, September 13 from 7 - 9 a.m.

Please note that the Library will be closed on Monday, September 6, in observance of Labor Day.

Our goal with Monday at Seven has been (and continues to be) to provide a resource and meeting center for Job Seekers and Networkers by opening our doors every Monday from 7 to 9 a.m. Happily, we're helping many in the community achieve their goals, too.

Darien Health Department announces “Safe Disposal = Sound Returns,” an unwanted/expired drug collection day on October 9th. Co-Hosted by Darien Health Department and Liberation Programs, Inc.

Safe Disposal = Sound Returns

Medication Collection Day in Darien

Co-hosted by Darien Health Department and Liberation Programs, Inc.

Darien residents – no need to leave your car! Safe Disposal = Sound Return
will have more than 30 volunteers and medical professionals on hand to
collect and safely dispose of any unwanted or expired prescription,
over-the counter or pet medications and vitamins. Medications should be
left in original containers.

Saturday, October 9, 2010
10:00 am until 2:00 pm
Ox Ridge Elementary School
395 Mansfield Avenue, Darien, CT

Parking vouchers may be purchased at the following local establishments:

• Station Variety, 873 Post Road
• Leary's Liquor Cabinet, 186 Heights Road
• Darien Produce, 27 Tokeneke Road
• Wild Birds Unlimited, 356 Heights Road
• Darien RR Station, Westbound (5 a.m.-9 a.m.)
• Noroton RR Station, Westbound (5 a.m.-9 a.m.)

AUDITION NOTICE – Weekend One-Acts at Darien Library

Auditions will be held at Darien Library for Weekend One-Acts on Tuesday, August 17, from 6 – 9 p.m. (Callbacks (if necessary) will be on Wednesday, August 18, from 6 – 9 p.m.)

Weekend One-Acts will include performances of “The Golden Fleece” by A.R. Gurney, Jr., and “Waiting for Philip Glass” by Wendy Wasserstein (inspired by Shakespeare’s Sonnet 94).

The performances of Weekend One-Acts take place in the Community Room at Darien Library on Friday, October 15 at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, October 17 at 2 p.m. Performances are Actors’ Equity approved .

Please contact and confirm audition appearance at darientheater@darienlibrary.org to give approximate time of arrival.

THE GOLDEN FLEECE

By A.R. Gurney, Jr.

Betty and Bill tell the audience they are going to show them the golden fleece. To prove it is authentic, Jason and Medea are to deliver it. A hitch develops. Jason is taking off with another doll and Medea is doing a slow burn. Everyone remembers the impending tragedy, but no one envisioned it taking place here and now with hilarity.

30-minute, two-character, one-act comedy.

Directed by Marie Reynolds

Character descriptions:

JIM: MALE 30-45

Knows Jason-- sailed with him during the war.

BETTY: FEMALE 25-45

Bills’ wife putters in pottery with Medea.

Upwardly striving, they are anxious to impress us with their celebrity friendships and ready to capitalize on it. The actors can be any race, but must have good sense of comic timing.

Please bring headshot and resume for files. Audition sides will be provided.

Also seeking production assistance. To inquire, please contact ReynoldsML@aol.com.

Flexible evening and weekend rehearsal schedule starting August 23.

WAITING FOR PHILIP GLASS

By Wendy Wasserstein, inspired by SHAKESPEARE’ S SONNET 94

In “Waiting for Philip Glass,” a socialite throws a benefit at her posh East Hampton estate for composer Philip Glass. When the guest of honor is late arriving, the other guests are forced to mingle among themselves, and examine their own lives while poking fun at arrivistes of every stripe.

Lots of dry humor mixed, gossip, and a dash of pretentious drama, in a 12-15 minute one act play.

Directed by Donna Wyant.

Casting:  7 speaking parts, 2 non-speaking parts.

Character descriptions:

HOLDEN: FEMALE 35

Very attractive socialite and hostess of Philip Glass benefit.

SPENCER: FEMALE 30-40

Holden’s attractive, social-climbing friend.

HARRY: MALE 50-60’s

An excessively warm guest.

LAURA: FEMALE 40-50

Columnist and Harry’s date.

GERRY: MALE, 40-50’s

Life-of-the-party, commands attention.

RINA: FEMALE 20-30

Gerry’s attractive young new wife.

JOE: MALE 40-50

Holden's date for the night. Burly, outdoorsy type, over achiever in designer loafers with matching belt.

FEMALE: 50's Non-speaking, attractive guest.

MALE: 50-60 Non-speaking, attractive guest.

Flexible evening and weekend rehearsal schedule starting August 23.

Please bring headshot and resume for files.

Also seeking stage and production assistants: contact dmwyant@aol.com.

Photo courtesy of flickr user Edu-Tourist

The Darien Department of Public Works continues to paves roads in town. Minor traffic delays are to be expected. Here is the current schedule:

• Leroy Avenue from the vicinity of Partridge Lane to Middlesex Road through August 13.
• Nearwater Lane from the Post Road to private section, August 10 through August 12.
• Seagate Road, from Post Road to termini, August 11 through August 17.
• Salt Box Lane, from Post Road to terminus, August 13 through August 17.
• Salt Box Lane East, from Salt Box Lane to terminus, August 11 through August 17.
• Concord Road, August 13 through August 18.
• By Road, August 16 through August 18.
• Plymouth Lane, August 16 through August 18.
• Herman Avenue, August 16 through August 18.
• Partridge Lane, August 19 through August 20.
• Greenwood Avenue, August 19 through August 20.
• Hollow Tree Ridge Road, August 23 through August 24.

Schedule subject to change based on weather conditions. For more information, call the Department of Public Works at 203-656-7346.

Paul Epstein, ND, is a Naturopathic Physician,  mind-body therapist and Buddhist meditation teacher who integrates the teachings of the Buddha, mindful awareness and contemplative psychotherapy in his whole-person approach supporting people on their self healing journey and spiritual path. He is a 1984 graduate of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, where he did a residency in holistic medicine. Paul co-founded and co-directed the Israel Center for Mind-Body Medicine.  He is also a certified yoga instructor, and has studied Buddhist psychology, mindfulness meditation, clinical guided imagery, stress reduction and psychotherapy in a spiritual context and has successfully advocated the clinical application and integration of  mind-body-spirit therapies in health care for over 25 years. He graduated from the Academy for Guided Imagery, completed the three year training program for Community Dharma Meditation Leaders at the Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and has trained in the Internal Family System Model of Psychotherapy.   He currently writes and lectures extensively, leads workshops and mindful healing retreats and mind-body medicine training worldwide.  He is a core faculty member of the Graduate Institute Masters Program in Experiential Health and Healing. Paul maintains a private practice in Westport CT. where he is the guiding teacher of the Insight Meditation Community of Fairfield County, and teaches ongoing Mind-Body Health classes at the Westport Center for Senior Activities, and Mindfulness Meditation and Stress Reduction classes in Norwalk. 

Our goal with Monday at Seven has been (and continues to be) to provide a resource and meeting center for Job Seekers and Networkers by opening our doors every Monday from 7 to 9 a.m. Happily, we're helping many in the community achieve their goals, too.

When asked to name my favorite day-trips in Connecticut, I knew my task would be an easy--and pleasant--one. Here are a few that came rapidly to mind, with online links to sites that will provide visitor information, including hours of operation, prices, and directions.

Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill

A natural for kids going through their dinosaur phase, and for parents who have never outgrown theirs, Dinosaur State Park is fun for the whole family. Walking among authentic dinosaur tracks made millions of years ago in our own backyard is only half the fun. The other half is making plaster casts of these ancient footprints using materials available on-site or nearby. Our 4th grader's show-and-tell souvenir is still intact (in the attic) a decade or more later.

Essex

Looking for an old-fashioned New England town to show your visiting in-laws? They don't get much more typical (or charming) than this compact village, just off Exit 69 of I-95. Water views of the Connecticut River, a grassy park with a gazebo, an inn with a restaurant that attracts visitors from all over the state on holidays (our favorite over the years has been Mother's Day), and boutique shopping are among the lures of this visitor magnet.

Gillette Castle, East Haddam

Nineteenth-century actor William Gillette gained fame and fortune during the Gilded Age through his memorable and melodramatic portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. He used a considerable part of that fortune to build the house now known as Gillette's Castle. When we first visited this spot, it was partially closed for renovations. These have now been completed, and the Castle and its grounds overlooking the Connecticut River (a few miles upstream from Essex) are now open to all comers, making a repeat visit a new addition to our family's to-do list. Tours of the grand mansion are available.

Lake Compounce Amusement Park

Connecticut's version of Coney Island, located smack in the middle of the state, off I-84 between Waterbury and Hartford, is smaller and homier, which has made it a godsend for parents wanting a good spot for an outing. More than once have I boarded a bus as a chaperone for a day of sun, water rides, and lots of noise. The nation's oldest, continuously operating amusement park, Lake Compounce is a cheaper and nearer alternative to Six Flags.

Mystic Seaport

One of the most celebrated towns in Connecticut--and not just because it was the setting for the Julia Roberts' breakthrough film Mystic Pizza. Besides the Aquarium and the historic ships, Mystic also offers less pricey alternatives to visitors, including a charming village with shops, superb seafood eateries, ice-cream parlors, and, yes, a pizzeria with a famous name. My favorite moment in Mystic was not the windy day we spent inspecting the tall ships, but an early evening in which we watched--from the second floor of a harbor restaurant--the drawbridge open and close for returning boats as the sun was setting and we were enjoying a New England fish dinner.

If none of these is quite your cup of tea, no worries. Connecticut is rich in history and full of places of interest to singles, families, and seniors, too. Before you embark on your next day-trip, check out our catalog. We have a wonderful selection of local travel guides to help you plan your getaway. Here are my top picks:

Once you've whet your appetite browsing through our travel guides, go online and check out these web sites for the latest information on events, prices, and special offers:

AAA Southern New England

ConnecticutBeautiful.com

Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism

The New York Times Travel Guide to Connecticut

Visit Connecticut

Bonus link: The Connecticut Supreme Court, State Capitol and the Museum of Connecticut History have planned two days of programming this summer for families interested in a day-trip with their kids. Click here for details!

 Bon Voyage!

See you @ the Library (when you get back)!