Healthy Living

Exercise, outdoor activities and everything related to keeping healthy

Town, School Officials' Update on Recent Spread of COVID-19 in Darien and Tips for Stopping It

By DARIENITE.COM | November 5, 2020

Dear Members of the Darien Community:

We hope this finds your family in good health as you face the challenges of living life during a pandemic. As COVID-19 cases increase across the state and in the town, the Town of Darien and the Darien Public Schools wish to share some reminders and practices designed to keep our community safe, to keep schools open, and to support our local businesses. — an announcement issued Thursday by Town of Darien and Darien Public Schools officials

It will take a conscious town-wide effort to keep our community healthy, and in turn allow our schools and businesses to remain open. Achieving these goals requires a collective commitment to adhere to public health and safety recommendations. These recommendations can help guide safe decision-making regarding participation in gatherings, sporting or recreational activities, and travel.

Flu Shots Influenza Vaccine nurse needle

Darien Health Department Announces Additional Flu Shot Day — Nov 5 — Appointment Needed

Forty More Darien High School Students Quarantined, as Is Holmes Principal [UPDATE 2]

Travelers Coming to CT Can Get Tested Instead of Quarantining: — If They Do It the Right Way

Health Department Inspection Ratings Restaurants 11-17-17

Two Darien Restaurants Get Worst Grade, 'C,' in Latest Health Inspection Reports

Community Organizations

Abilis Launches ‘Sibshops’ for 10- to 14-Year-Old Siblings of Those with Disabilities

By DARIENITE.COM | September 30, 2020

Abilis is launching “Sibshops” for children ages 10-to-14 who are brothers and sisters of someone who has a disability. Sibshops are high-spirited and fun workshops and events that combine recreation, discussion and information for siblings who endure the good (and sometimes not-so good) parts of having a sibling with a disability. — an announcement from Abilis

Sibshops provide a safe space for siblings to share their thoughts and feelings while also meeting others in similar circumstances and provides a place to enjoy themselves through different recreation activities and through playing games while also learning about the services their brother(s) or sister(s) receive. Sibshops will hold monthly meetings or events, beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 30, and running through Dec.

Coronavirus 2020

Superintendent to Parents: Schools Being Made Safer for Reopening on Tuesday

By DARIENITE.COM | September 25, 2020

Schools should be ready to welcome students full-time (as previously planned) on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with more spacing created for lunch and other safety measures prepared for them, Superintendent Alan Addley wrote in an email to parents Friday afternoon. “In preparing for all students to return, schools have increased physical spacing practices for lunch,” Addley said. “While the plans vary for each school, students are distanced further apart and/or alternative mitigating strategies are in place. Principals have shared these details with you along with practices for remote learners and other information related to the full reopening.”

Education

Middlesex Middle School wikipedia 5-25-16

COVID-19 Case of Someone at Middle School Results in 12 Being Told to Self Isolate

By DARIENITE.COM | September 25, 2020

Someone — either a student, teacher or other staff member — at Middlesex Middle School recently tested positive for COVID-19, according to an email from schools Superintendent Alan Addley. School nurses have told that person and 11 others who are considered to have been in close contact with him or her (apparently at the school and possibly also in a school bus, since family members are mentioned separately) to quarantine for 14 days, Addley said in the Wednesday evening email. Family members “have also been instructed to self-quarantine and get tested,” Addley wrote in the email, sent out as a letter through the email account of Alicia Casucci, director of nursing for the schools (but stating that it was from Addley). The individual who tested positive was last at Middlesex Middle School on Thursday, Sept. 17.

Business

Worst Health Inspection Rating — ‘C’ — for Two Darien Establishments in Latest Reports

By David Gurliacci | September 25, 2020

A restaurant and a retirement home in Darien received “C” ratings, the worst grade in town Health Department’s A/B/C ratings system, in the inspection reports released Thursday by the Darien Health Department. Meanwhile, a retirement home that previously received a “C” rating has now received an “A” and a perfect 100 score in its latest inspection. The department released health inspection reports for 11 food-serving establishments on Thursday for inspections that took place from Sept. 4 to 9. In addition to the two “C” rating, five inspections resulted in an “A,” another four establishments each received a “B.”

AAA Northeast 2020

AAA Says More Infant Car Seats in CT Face Rear, But More Would Be Better

By DARIENITE.COM | September 21, 2020

More parents and guardians are following Connecticut’s Child Passenger Safety (CPS) seat law for infants since the state strengthened the original mandate in 2017, says AAA Northeast. — an announcement from AAA Northeast

Currently, infants must ride rear facing until they turn 2 years old and weigh at least 30 pounds, an upgrade from the earlier requirement of 1 year and 20 pounds. To highlight National CPS Week (Sept. 20 – 26), AAA Northeast analyzed data from the UConn Crash Data Repository and found more children under age two have been riding rear facing in recent years. In fact, the percentage of children under 2 who are riding rear facing increased from 45% in 2015 — before the law was upgraded — to 61% last year.

Coronavirus 2020

Metro-North train passenger mask on 2020

Metro-North Reminder: Masks Are Mandatory, With State Fines in Both CT and NY

By DARIENITE.COM | September 19, 2020

Following the executive order issued in New York state on Monday establishing fines for individuals who are not wearing face covering on all Metro-North property, the State of Connecticut issued a similar order on Tuesday, Sept. 15. — an announcement from Metro-North

And although many of our customers are protecting themselves and others by wearing masks, now those who are not may receive a fine of $100 while traveling in Connecticut. The new Connecticut State Executive order means if you aren’t wearing a mask, or if your face covering doesn’t properly cover both your nose and your mouth, you may be barred from entering or from remaining on Metro-North property, including being removed from trains and stations by MTA or Connecticut Police. You can also be subject to a $100 fine.

Healthy Living

YWCA online webinar family tensions in pandemic

YWCA Online Webinar Tuesday to Help Parents With Family Tensions During the Pandemic

By DARIENITE.COM | September 19, 2020

The YWCA Darien/Norwalk Parent Awareness is hosting an upcoming webinar entitled “The Way Things Used to Be: How parents can find meaning and hope as they navigate the grief and uncertainty the pandemic has created for their families and themselves.” Chelsea McGee, LCSW from Center of Hope and Julianne Green, LMSW, from The Den of Grieving Kids will have an open discussion about how to acknowledge, understand and normalize these feelings of lost events, and routines so parents can support and encourage children in this “new” normal. The Zoom meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept 22. The event is free and open to members and non-members. Registration is required here, on the YW website.

Business

‘C’ Rating for One Darien Restaurant in Latest Health Inspection Reports

By David Gurliacci | September 11, 2020

One restaurant in Darien received a “C” rating, the worst grade in town Health Department’s A/B/C ratings system, in the inspection reports released Thursday by the Darien Health Department. The department released health inspection reports for four food-serving establishments on Thursday for inspections that took place from Sept. 4 to 9. In addition to the “C” rating, two inspections resulted in an “A,” another received a “B.” Keep in mind that a food-serving establishment with a history of good ratings may occasionally get a poor inspection rating, occasionally the best do, and every restaurant normally gets a few things wrong.

Healthy Living

Darien Human Services Can Provide Support and Referrals for Those at Risk of Suicide

By DARIENITE.COM | September 9, 2020

To the Editor:

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and there has never been a more critical time to focus on depression and our mental health. Our lives have been disrupted by COVID-19, social distancing, and unprecedented economic challenges. Many of us may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression for the first time. Suicidal thoughts, like other mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Although common, they should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.

Business

Latest Health Inspection Reports for Darien Food Serving Establishments

By David Gurliacci | September 8, 2020

Here’s how Darien restaurants and other food-serving places fared in the latest inspection reports, released Thursday by the Darien Health Department. The department on Thursday released five reports of inspection visits from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2. Of those, three inspections resulted in a “B” rating and two more received an “A.”

Darien YMCA

Registration Ongoing for Darien YMCA Fall Fitness, Wellness Programs

By David Gurliacci | September 8, 2020

This year the Darien YMCA is offering two Fall sessions, and registration is ongoing for programs that help keep youth and adults keep active, stay healthy, and maintain higher spirits through the tough times brought on by the pandemic. The Y’s programs include ways to practice wellness, offerings for children and youths that help keep them fit, and classes tailored for people with special needs. Session dates for Fall Session 1: Aug. 31 to Oct. 12 and for Fall Session 2: Oct.

NAMI Basics Course 2020

Free Online Course for Families, Caregivers of Children, Young People With Mental Health Conditions

By DARIENITE.COM | September 3, 2020

A free online educational course for parents and family caregivers of children and young adults aged 21 or younger will soon be offered by the Southwest Connecticut Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. — an announcement from NAMI Southwest CT

The six-session course starts Oct. 8 and is open to those helping care for children and adults, ages 21 or younger who are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition or who have already been diagnosed. The NAMI Basics course will be held on Thursday mornings, from 9 to 11:45 a.m., beginning Thursday Oct. 8, 2020.

Environment

You Can Get Rid of Your Household Hazardous Waste Saturday, Sept 12 in New Canaan

By DARIENITE.COM | September 3, 2020

New Canaan has a household hazardous waste collection day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12 (two Saturdays away), and Darien residents are welcome there. The event takes place outside the New Canaan Wastewater Treatment Plant at 394 Main St. — Information here is from the public works web page of the New Canaan town government website. Darien residents are also welcome at household hazardous waste collection events in Westport on Oct.

Charity Events and Opportunities

Americares in Peru COVID-19 2020 Coronavirus 2020

Americares Helps Peru Fight COVID-19 Surge

By DARIENITE.COM | September 2, 2020

Patients receive medical care, including COVID-19 testing, at an Americares and VIDA Perú mobile clinic in Lima, Peru, on Aug. 29. Photo by Angela Ponce/Americares. Stamford-based Americares is providing “surge” medical support in Peruvian health facilities overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The health-focused relief and development organization is dispatching medical personnel, all of which are locally based and have experience working within the health system, to health centers in Lambayeque, Lima and Piura to meet the increase in demand for care and provide the struggling health system with some relief as the coronavirus pushes health center capacity to the brink.

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STAR Inc Expands Services for Younger Children With Developmental Delays

By DARIENITE.COM | September 2, 2020

STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way is launching an expanded, multi-lingual program for children experiencing, or at risk of, developmental delays. The enhanced program, generously supported in part by The Community Fund of Darien, New Canaan Community Foundation and other generous grants, expands services from birth through age 5, with additional service options for children up to age 8. — an announcement from Star, Inc., Lighting the Way

The goal of the program is to assist families throughout the preschool years and beyond by strengthening the continuity of therapy and teaching that will benefit families with basic short-term needs as well as those with greater challenges. Likewise, to be able to serve all income levels, STAR is an approved provider accepting Medicaid, most medical insurances and private pay. STAR offers developmental evaluations, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and special education.

Events Calendar

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