Books & Authors
John Carreyrou

Two-Time Pulitzer Winner to Talk at DCA Feb 12 About His Book on Theranos, ‘Bad Blood’

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Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning author John Carreyrou will talk about his book, “Bad Blood” on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at the Darien Community Association. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association

Rigorously reported and fearlessly written, Bad Blood is the true and riveting story of Elizabeth Holmes and her Silicon Valley startup, Theranos. Widely viewed as the next Steve Jobs and promising to revolutionize the medical industry with a breakthrough blood-testing device, Holmes and her company instead became the biggest corporate fraud since Enron. John Carreyrou, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, was a reporter at The Wall Street Journal for 20 years, where he first exposed Theranos in a series of articles.

Darien Community Association

Three Bridge Classes Begin in January at the Darien Community Association

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The Darien Community Association (DCA) is offering three bridge classes starting in January. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association

Prepayment for the Bridge 3 and Bridge 7 classes is required by noon on Friday, Jan. 3; and for Beginning Bridge classes, by noon on Jan. 17. For each of the three classes, minimum/maximum enrollment applies.

Darien Community Association
Nancy Joyce speaker

Next DCA Women’s Luncheon on ‘Darien Wellness Opportunities’ Tuesday, Jan 7

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The Darien Community Association Women’s Luncheons will feature “Darien Wellness Opportunities – Discover exciting and innovative places to go in our own town!” for their luncheon on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 12:15 p.m. at the DCA. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association

This luncheon will have three presenters. Nancy Joyce joins us from Inner Light Wellness in Darien to share her insights and thoughts on being a young wellness entrepreneur in town. She will discuss how the practice of yoga, combined with infrared light technology (infrared saunas) can help you set yourself up for a relaxing and healthy year ahead.

Darien Community Association
James Millward DCA Lecture China

DCA 2020 Academic Lecture Series on China’s Global Reach Under Xi Jinping Begins in January

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The opening lecture of this year’s Darien Community Association 2020 Academic Lecture Series on Global Issues, “China’s Global Reach,” begins Thursday, Jan. 9 at 10 a.m.

— an announcement from the Darien Community Association

James Millward, professor of intersocietal history at the Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University will speak on “Concentration Camps, Sinicizing Religion and China’s New Assimilationism.”

Professor Millward’s specialties include the Qing Empire; the silk road; Eurasian lutes and music in history, and historical and contemporary Xinjiang. He also follows and comments on current issues regarding the Uyghurs and PRC ethnicity policy and is an affiliated professor in the Master Oficial en Estudios de Asia Oriental at the University of Granada, Spain. Millward has served on the boards of the Association for Asian Studies (China and Inner Asia Council) and the Central Eurasian Studies Society, where he was president in 2010. Millward is the series editor for the “Silk Roads” book series published by Chicago University Press.

Darien Community Association

Christmas Tea with Carolyn’s Absolutely Fabulous Events at DCA on Dec 12

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Enjoy tea sandwiches, assorted scones with jam and clotted cream, and a selection of traditional British Christmas treats — in the festive atmosphere of the Darien Community Association mansion, beautifully decorated for the season. UPDATE: “This event is sold out. Please call our office at 203-655-9050 extension 10 to be put on the waitlist,” the DCA says on its website. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association

Caterer Carolyn Eddie and her fabulous supporting cast return to the DCA on Thursday, Dec. 12 for the holidays!

Darien Community Association

Holiday Greens Wreath Workshop Dec 5 at the Darien Community Association

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Join the the DCA’s Greenhouse Group as they lead you in this hands-on workshop to make a festive wreath of your very own at 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 5. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association

Bring your gloves, pruners and imagination and we’ll provide the rest, including fresh greens, ribbons and a variety of embellishments. If You’re Going … This workshop is $35, or $25 for DCA members.

Books & Authors
How a Book is Published and Marketed DCA luncheon Barrett Bookstore

How Publishers Choose and Market Books: Talk at DCA Women’s Luncheon Dec 3

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The Darien Community Association Women’s Luncheons will feature “How a Book is Published and Marketed,” for their luncheon on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at at the DCA. Plus Barrett Bookstore, which is presenting the event, will be available to give helpful guidance for book groups and ideas for Christmas gifts. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association

Barrett Bookstore will be bringing us Mackenzie Bronk, a sales rep from Hachette Book Group (HBG), to talk about the book industry. Hachette is considered one of the big-six publishing companies, along with Macmillan, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Scholastic, and Simon & Schuster.

Darien Community Association
DCA Gingerbread Decorating Girls Night Out

‘Girl’s Night Out’ Gingerbread Decorating Night Dec 10 at Darien Community Association

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Gather your friends, neighbors, or book group for a Girls’ Night Out Gingerbread House Decorating from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10. As one participant raved, “It’s like no other event of its kind—low key, lots of fun, and a really nice evening out with friends before the holiday rush begins.”

— an announcement from the Darien Community Association

The DCA and Palmer’s Catering will provide light bites, wine, gingerbread houses and all of the decorating supplies you’ll need. You supply the creativity! You’ll be supporting a great cause — the non-profit mission of the DCA — which includes college scholarships for Darien High School graduates.

Darien Community Association
Sotheby's rings

Learn About Gems (and Auctions) Nov 5, When a Sotheby’s Expert Speaks at DCA Women’s Luncheon

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A Darien Community Association Women’s Luncheon on Nov. 5 will feature  a representative from Sotheby’s auction house talking about colored gems— rubies, emeralds and sapphires — their qualities and origins, and how to determine which are the finest. The presentation will be given by Alexander Eblen, a Sotheby’s senior specialist and vice president. Audience participation will be encouraged. Founded in 1744, Sotheby’s is the oldest and largest internationally recognized firm of fine art auctioneers in the world.

Arts & Entertainment
Growth by Jean Arp and Slave by Michelangelo

DCA Lecture Series ‘The Art of Looking’ Begins Oct 3 with Wall Street Journal Art Critic

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Darien Community Association’s annual Art Lecture Series this year is The Art of Looking presented by Lance Esplund, art critic for The Wall Street Journal. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association

On four Thursdays in October, Esplund will present the lecture series based on his book, “The Art of Looking: How to Read Modern and Contemporary Art.” The Oct. 3, 10, 17 and 24 lectures begin promptly at 11 a.m., with luncheons to follow. Drawing on his experience beginning as an artist, becoming an award winning teacher in the classroom and now as acute observer in national media of art exhibitions in the United States, Esplund will be sharing his insights of interpretation to allow integration of the viewer’s understanding of both modern and contemporary art with what has preceded it — the ballast of art history.

Classes

Two Bridge Classes This Fall at Darien Community Association

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The Darien Community Association (DCA) is offering two bridge classes starting this fall. — an announcement from Darien Community Association

For any of the classes, registration is available online at dariendca.org or by contacting the DCA directly at info@dariendca.org or 203-655-9050 extension 10. Classes are held at the DCA at 274 Middlesex Road in Darien. Beginning Bridge Classes
This is the perfect class for anyone who wants to learn bridge. Absolutely no prior experience required.

Darien Community Association

‘History and Health Benefits of Tea’ Presentation at DCA Women’s Luncheon, Oct 1

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The Darien Community Association (DCA) Women’s Luncheons start their season featuring “The History and Health Benefits of Tea” presented by Bigelow Tea, a family-owned business for 75 years and three generations, for their luncheon on Tuesday, October 1 at 12:15pm at the DCA. Tea is the second most popularly consumed beverage worldwide behind water. It has a long and storied history tied to each culture, society and time period that it touched. Tea continues to be enjoyed today and is not only tasty but also a positive addition to a balanced diet. Join Bigelow Tea, a local family company operating for the past 75 years, for a discussion of the history of this amazing plant as we travel through the most important milestones in tea history.

Darien Community Association
Eagle Scout Project Maximus Racanelli

Eagle Scout Project Creates ‘Insect Hotel’ at DCA Bird Sanctuary

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A Darien Troop 53 Scout, Maximus Racanelli, completed his Eagle Scout service project in August at the Darien Community Association Bird Sanctuary. Racanelli led his team to construct two insect hotels which provide a home for various insects such as bees, beetles, fireflies, ladybugs, dragonflies, and butterflies. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association

These various bugs help to pollinate the flowers, plants, and trees in the sanctuary. Insect hotels are natural structures that are helpful to the environment because not only do they provide homes for insects, but they provide food for species higher up the food chain including birds and small rodents, creating a stable base in the ecosystem. Each insect hotel was assembled using seven wooden pallets to create the frame and filling in each layer with various materials such as bamboo filled with hollow plant stems, straw, pieces of terra cotta pots, and seed pods for different insect species to live in.

Classes
Mah jongg tiles Darien Community Association DCA

Boot Camps and Classes for Mah Jongg at the DCA

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You can now register for either a beginner class (in July) and one for advanced players of American Mah Jongg (in June) at the Darien Community Association:

— an announcement from the Darien Community Association
Advanced Class in June: Guided Play Mah Jongg — Four Weeks

You’ve learned to play American Mah Jongg, and you’re hooked. This four week session will offer lots of playing time and the chance to meet other players, with instructor Donna Holt on hand to oversee play. She will be available to help with all aspects of the game, from choosing your hand, to guiding the group through any rules or etiquette questions that arise. Come meet others mad for Mah Jongg and build your confidence. Please bring your 2019 card to each class.

Darien Community Association
DCA Greenhouse Group 2019

55th Annual — or Should We Say Perennial? — DCA Plant Sale Coming Friday, May 10

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Beautiful plants at great prices, all for a good cause, will be offered on Friday, May 10 at the Darien Community Association from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Enjoy free coffee and tea with home baked scones and muffins while you shop, learn and socialize. There is no fee for entry to the plant sale or the workshops offered with it. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association

The DCA Plant Sale, run by the DCA Greenhouse Group, offers over 1,500 naturally-grown hardy perennials from their greenhouse: sun-loving, shade-loving, native, deer-resistant, and highly-prized new plants are available. They are also offering colorful annuals and some newly-introduced succulents. Tomatoes and other favorites you just can’t live without will also be for sale.