Talking Transportation 2024
Exhausted Driver Tired Driver

Drowsy Driving Adds up — to 100,000 Accidents a Year and 1,500 Fatalities

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In my college days I did some strange stuff — like driving all night from Chicago to NYC, hitting 75 mph on Interstate 80, just me and the trucks. I was so tired and did everything I knew to stay awake — open the windows, crank up the radio and keep on rolling. Pretty dangerous, but what did I know? Now, being older and wiser, I realize that as many as 100,000 auto accidents each year are tied to drowsy driving, Those crashes are tied to 1,500+ deaths and 71,000 injuries. Nodding off behind the wheel is a serious issue.

Healthy Living
Swimmer kid in pool Special Olympics Connecticut 2024

Special Olympics Connecticut’s Summer Games Kick Off on Friday, May 31, Run All Weekend

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you’re invited to cheer on the athletes at Special Olympics Connecticut’s 2024 Summer Games the weekend after Memorial Day — Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2, with an opening ceremony on Friday, May 31. — an announcement from Special Olympics Connecticut

Summer Games will offer athletes of all abilities from across the state the opportunity to compete in sports with their peers and demonstrate their speed and skills after training with their coaches and teammates for a season. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is scheduled to be in Darien on Friday, May 31. It comes in from New Canaan on Mansfield Avenue and leaves via the Post Road, headed to Norwalk. It eventually ends up at the opening ceremony in New Haven, Here’s the schedule for when the runners are supposed to be at particular spots in town:

The Summer Games Opening Ceremony will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Friday, May 31, at Southern Connecticut State University’s Jess Dow Field, 125 Wintergreen Ave., New Haven.

Consumer and Finances
Seniors and their children

How to Plan for Getting Long-Term Care: A Presentation Thursday Evening at Darien Library

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Lou and Jessica Pelletier, advisors at Pelletier Senior Planning will host an educational workshop on long-term care planning. addressing the growing need for care among seniors and baby boomers. The two will give an hour-long presentation Thursday evening, May 23, at Darien Library. It’s never too early to plan for the future. — an announcement from Darien Library

This session is vital for understanding available options as the demand for care rises.

Charity Events and Opportunities
Wide TeenTalk logo a Kids in Crisis program

Community Fund of Darien Aims to Raise $30K for Mental Health Program at Middlesex Middle School

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The Community Fund of Darien has announced partnership with the Darien Public Schools and Darien’s Health Department to fund a TeenTalk mental health counselor at Middlesex Middle School. The Community Fund hopes to raise $30,000 for a grant to the school district in response to Darien’s Youth Survey results, which indicated the need for mental health support for the town’s youth, the organization said in a news release. — This article is based on an announcement from The Community Fund of Darien. The Community Fund  seeks to raise the money from individual donations by May 31. The mental health counselor is  expected to be in place at the start of the the 2024-2025  school year in September.

Healthy Living

Tips for Families When Talking With Older Drivers About Safe Driving

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May is Older Americans Month—the perfect opportunity for families with older drivers to talk about safe driving and help ensure loved ones can stay active and mobile as they age. — an announcement from AAA Northeast
The United States population is increasingly getting older: between 2013 and 2023, the number of adults aged 65 and older increased by 34 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Meanwhile, in 2022, there were more than 51 million licensed drivers aged 65 and up—an increase of 20 million since 2000, according to the latest statistics from the Federal Highway Administration. In Connecticut, there were 590,000 licensed drivers age 65+, including 124,000 drivers age 80+. While AAA research shows that older drivers are less likely to engage in risky driving behaviors such as speeding or driving while impaired, seniors — particularly those over 80 years old — are more frail and more vulnerable to serious or fatal injuries in crashes.

Teens

Before Friday’s DHS Jr Prom, Thriving Youth Darien and Police Publicize Law and Risks of Underage Drinking

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With Darien’s Junior Prom on Friday and graduation right around the corner, Thriving Youth Darien and the Darien Police Department are reminding teens and their parents to do so responsibly and legally. — an announcement from Thriving Youth Darien
Connecticut’s Social Host Law holds parents and property owners liable for underage drinking and/or cannabis use that occurs in their homes. A person convicted of violating this law may be fined up to $2,000 and receive up to one year in jail. According to Thriving Youth Darien’s 2023 Youth Survey, 69% of high-school aged youth believed it would be sort of or very easy to access alcohol, and 53% report getting alcohol from an adult or parent with their permission. ‘Sticker Shock Campaign’ for Safety
To address these concerning findings, Youth representatives from Thriving Youth Darien, The Community Fund of Darien’s Youth Asset Team, and The Depot’s Students Against Destructive Decisions group and Volunteer Club are conducting a “sticker-shock campaign.”

Healthy Living

Know Your Enemy: Expert on Ticks to Discuss the Risks, Prevention and More, 11 AM, Tuesday at Darien Library

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Tick-borne diseases are a major public health concern for Connecticut residents.  Goudarz Molaei, PhD., will discuss tick concerns in detail from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 14, at Darien Library. — an announcement from Darien Library and Darien Health Department

Dr. Goudarz is a scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), and conducts research and directs the Tick and Tick-borne Disease Surveillance Program (aka Tick Testing Laboratory). He will discuss native and invasive tick biology, infection status, the risk associated with tick bites, and what actions you can take to prevent illness for you and your family, including pets! Get educated and stay safe! About the Presenter
Dr. Goudarz Molaei is a Research Scientist and Director of Passive Tick Surveillance and Testing Program at the CAES.

Healthy Living
Outdoor Exercise Classes 2024

Free Classes in Yoga, Zumba, Bollyfitness, Shadow Boxing Start This Week in Two Stamford Parks

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Free outdoor fitness classes, open to all will be offered weekly on weeknights, starting at 6:30 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 9 a.m. in two downtown Stamford parks. The first class, Bollyfitness, will be offered this Tuesday evening, May 14. — an announcement from the Stamford Downtown Special Services District

Classes are open to all and will include Bollyfitness, Yoga, Zumba and Power Workout. A schedule page for the classes states: “No prior registration is needed.  All classes are on a first come, first served basis and subject to weather conditions.

Parents & Kids

Report says the ‘Happiest and Healthiest State for Children’ Is Connecticut

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A company that provides educators and therapists online through school districts, says a state-by-state statistical comparison of various aspects of how children fare in each one shows “Connecticut families have the happiest and healthiest children in the nation.” The study was released by the company, VocoVison, for National Childrens Mental Health Awareness Day, today, May 9. Here’s the news release:

New research finds that Connecticut has the happiest and healthiest children in the nation, while Mississippi has the least. The Happy Child Index from VocoVision ranks all 50 states on ten factors that impact children’s mental and physical health. Connecticut, the overall happiest and healthiest state for children, has the fifth highest rate of children living in neighborhoods with a library.

Pickleball
Pickleball players on the court

How To Warm-Up To Reduce Your Risk Of Pickleball Injury

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When it comes to playing pickleball, there’s good and not-so-good news. The good news is that pickleball, a hybrid of ping pong, badminton, and tennis, and the fastest-growing sport in America, has activated millions of Americans, including people older than 50, who are typically one of the country’s more sedentary age groups. — This blog post by Matthew Fedro on the Stamford Health website was originally published on July 25, 2023. It is republished here by permission. 

The Sports and Fitness Industry Association noted that participation in the sport doubled in 2022. The not-so-good news?

Parents & Kids
Dr. Christopher Bogart

‘Belonging and Identity Development in Children’ Presentation Tuesday Night, May 7 by Psychologist Christopher Bogart

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Dr. Christopher Bogart from the Sasco River Center discuss child development and identity formation and how adults can nurture a sense of belonging across various aspects of identity. The program co-sponsored by the Darien PTO and Darien Library, will take place in the Conference Room of the library from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, May 7. You can register here. — an announcement from Darien Library and the Darien PTO

Dr. Christopher Bogart is a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked in both the private and public sectors for the past thirty years, Dr. Bogart works with children, adolescents and adults, conducting comprehensive psychoeducational and AD/HD evaluations as well as therapy services. Chris provides program consultations to local schools, as well as supervision to doctoral and post-doctoral students in psychology.

Consumer and Finances
Scam Image from the FTC website Scam

If Someone You Care About Got Caught in a Scam, Here’s How to Help

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Sharing a scam experience with someone you know takes courage. If someone trusts you enough to share their scam story, especially if the scammer is still in touch with them, here’s some advice to help guide you. — — This article by Jennifer Leach of the FTC Division of Consumer and Business Education, appeareed in the FTC website on April 29. Lead with empathy. Respond with kindness and concern instead of criticizing or expressing disappointment. Scams can happen to anyone.

Environment

Household Hazardous Waste Dropoff in Greenwich on Saturday, May 4, and in Darien on June 1

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Household Hazardous Waste Day is this Saturday, May 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Island Beach Parking lot on Arch Street. Residents of Darien and other nearby towns are invited. You can also wait for Darien’s Household Hazardous Waste Day on June 1 (or see this year’s schedule of HHWDs below, which allows you to procrastinate longer). No commercial loads accepted. For information call the Greenwich Department of Health at 203-622-7838 or Greenwich Departmentt of Public Works at 203-618-3001.

Darien Library
James Bonheur and Leo Otake

Thinking About a Strategy to Manage Your Weight? Two Stamford Hospital Doctors to Discuss It at Darien Library

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Darien Library on Wednesday evening, May 8, will host two doctors from Stamford Health who will discuss options people can consider about weight loss. — an announcement from Darien Library

Dr. James Bonheur and Dr. Leo Otake from Stamford Health will discuss A-to-Z considerations for people seeking weight loss, including medical options before and after substantial weight loss. If You’re Going … The presentation runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, in the Conference Room at Darien Library. You can register here.

Darien Library
The power of trees event poster 2024

Presentation on ‘The Power of Trees’ Thursday Evening, May 9 at Darien Library

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Juliet Cain and Meaghan Hetherington of the Darien Nature Center will talk about the “Power of Trees,” on Thursday evening, May 9, at Darien Library, discussing how much trees contribute to our lives, including how they help the environment and provide mental health benefits. — an announcement from Darien Library

Do you know how much trees contribute to your daily life? Any elementary student can tell you that through a chemical reaction known as photosynthesis trees produce and release oxygen, an essential element for all living things. However, trees do much more than produce oxygen and beautify our landscapes. They also remove tons of climate-warming carbon dioxide and other harmful gases from the air we breathe, they cool the earth’s air and surface temperatures, and they provide food and habitats for thousands of animal species and other wildlife.