Community Organizations
4th Annual Chili Challenge Darien Nature Center logo thumbnail 9-22-16

Here’s Who Makes the Best Chili in Darien, According to Darien Nature Center’s Contest

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Two Darien restaurants won the Darien Nature Center’s 4th Annual Chili Challenge on Saturday, the last weekend of summer. Here’s the announcement from the Darien Nature Center:

Under a tent at the Darien Nature Center on Saturday, Sept. 17, the honor of Darien’s Best Chili was announced as a tie between Jimmy’s Southside and Darien Diner. Best Fire House Chili went to Noroton Heights. Runner up went to Bodega and the Fan Favorite belonged to the Noroton Fire House.

Chili Challenge
Chili Challenge Darien Nature Center 9-10-16

Annual ‘Chili Challenge’ Competition at Darien Nature Center

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On Saturday, Sept. 17, Darien Nature Center will hold its fourth annual Chili Challenge, a festive event with local chefs rolling up their sleeves and competing for the title of “Best Chili.”

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— an announcement from the Darien Nature Center

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All three firehouses — Darien, Noroton and Noroton Heights — and 10 (community/neighborhood) restaurants and grocers — Abello’s Deli, Bodega Taco Bar, Darien Diner, Darien Social, Fjord Fish Market, Jimmy’s Southside Tavern, Michael Joseph’s Catering, Rory’s Restaurant, Ten Twenty Post, and Whole Foods — will create unique chili recipes and serve them to our guests and distinguished judges — Amanda Smith (of Amanda Smith Caterers), Megan Ruppenstein (of Four Forks), Rob Williamson (of Uncle’s Deli), and First Selectman Jayme Stevenson. REGISTER NOW

2016 features:

Dancing to live music courtesy of the Truck Stop Troubadours
A silent auction featuring many wonderful, valuable items and packages
Spirits, games and a mechanical bull to keep everyone entertained
Vegetarian and fish options
Additional culinary tastings from the Darien Cheese Shop and El Placerito Taco Truck

Please join us for the best party in Darien!!!

Community Organizations
Chili Challenge Darien Nature Center 9-10-16

Chili Challenge Coming to Darien Nature Center 7 PM, Saturday, Sept 17

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On Saturday, Sept. 17, Darien Nature Center will hold its fourth annual Chili Challenge, a festive event with local chefs rolling up their sleeves and competing for the title of “Best Chili.”

_______________

— an announcement from the Darien Nature Center

_______________

All three firehouses — Darien, Noroton and Noroton Heights — and 10 (community/neighborhood) restaurants and grocers — Abello’s Deli, Bodega Taco Bar, Darien Diner, Darien Social, Fjord Fish Market, Jimmy’s Southside Tavern, Michael Joseph’s Catering, Rory’s Restaurant, Ten Twenty Post, and Whole Foods — will create unique chili recipes and serve them to our guests and distinguished judges — Amanda Smith (of Amanda Smith Caterers), Megan Ruppenstein (of Four Forks), Rob Williamson (of Uncle’s Deli), and First Selectman Jayme Stevenson. REGISTER NOW

2016 features:

Dancing to live music courtesy of the Truck Stop Troubadours
A silent auction featuring many wonderful, valuable items and packages
Spirits, games and a mechanical bull to keep everyone entertained
Vegetarian and fish options
Additional culinary tastings from the Darien Cheese Shop and El Placerito Taco Truck

Please join us for the best party in Darien!!!  

Editor’s note: This article originally was published Sept. 11.

Public Safety
Darien Fire Department Engine 1 5-11-16

Darien Nature Center Damaged a Bit by Small Fire Caused by … Power Washing

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Workers hired to power wash the outside wall of Darien Nature Center on Monday, May 2, caused water to inadvertently make contact with an outside electrical outlet, which set off a small fire, police said. The workers saw smoke coming from a window at the nature center, located in Cherry Lawn Park at 120 Brookside Road, and a 911 call was made at 2:45 p.m. A dispatcher was told there was smoke in one of the classrooms.

When police arrived, they smelled and saw smoke coming from below a window on a wall at the west side of the building, just to the right of the building entrance. Darien Fire Department firefighters soon arrived and put it out. The fire was inside the wall, which firefighters tore out to make sure the flames were extinguished. No animals were harmed in the fighting of this fire.

Arts & Entertainment
Eileen Smith Elizabeth Higgins 2-18-16

Darien Artist Donates Painting for Tree Conservancy of Darien Auction

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Darien artist Elizabeth Higgins, known locally as Betsy Higgins, has donated artwork for a silent auction on behalf of the Tree Conservancy of Darien at a complimentary cocktail reception for its photo contest. The organization’s its fourth annual photo contest, ‘Celebration of Trees’, will be held March 4 at the Darien Nature Center from 6 to 8 p.m.

 

Higgins has donated her 48-inch wide by 24-inch high oil painting on canvas, “Spring Landscape” for bidding in the silent auction. Higgins was born in Toronto, Ontario and has an MFA degree in painting from the Parson’s School of Design in Manhattan. She has shown her artwork previously at the Prince Street Gallery in SoHo, New York, where she will again exhibit her work this spring. Palmers Market has generously sponsored the reception, which is open to all.