Churches
First Congregational Church of Darien Dale Roseberger good bye

First Congregational Church of Darien Says Goodbye to Pastor Dale Rosenberger, Sunday at 9 AM

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Senior Minister, Rev. Dale Rosenberger is retiring, after 41 years as a minister and nine years of service to First Congregational Church of Darien and to the lower Fairfield County community. The church will be saying goodbye in a special celebration on Sunday morning, both in person (for those already signed up — there are no more spaces available) and live online. — an announcement from the First Congregational Church of Darien (FCCD)
This Sunday’s Event

The church will hold a special Farewell Celebration at 9 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 20, outdoors on the lawn at the church, 14 Brookside Road. The service will include a Ritual of Farewell, with gifts and recognition, and Vows of Release from the ministry, as well as a formal Declaration of Parting.

Cruises 2020
Sheffield Island Lighthouse aerial

Norwalk Seaport Association Has Safe, Relaxing Cruises You Can Take This Autumn

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For a safe, interesting outing as the warm weather wanes, you can try the Norwalk Seaport Association’s sunset cruise on Wednesdays through Sundays, with two daily cruises on Saturdays and Sundays. Here’s what it’s like:

(This description is from the Norwalk Seaport Association, with information on making arrangements at bottom.)

A cruise with the Seaport Association from the Norwalk Harbor into Long Island Sound is blissful on an autumn day. This cruise is just long enough, about two hours, to feel refreshed and recharged when you are back on land. There are 25 islands that stretch about six miles from Norwalk to Westport located about a mile off the coast. Geologically, the islands are considered to be terminal moraines that consist of materials left by the last glacier.

Churches
St. Luke's Church St. Luke's Parish

Saint Luke’s Church Resumes Full Schedule of Worship Services This Sunday, Sept 20

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Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church is resuming a full lineup of worship services beginning Sunday, Sept. 20. Rev. Ryan Fleenor, the new pastor, said care has been taken to keep the services safe for parishioners. — an announcement from St. Luke’s Church

“Throughout the summer we had wonderful outdoor services,” Fleenor said, “and we also researched, prayed and prepared diligently to safely resume indoor worship once summer’s over, in addition to enriching our online programs.
Worship Services and Formats
“Sept.

Consumer and Finances
Energy Assistance Program

Applications Accepted Soon for CT Energy Assistance Program

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The Darien Human Services Department will begin accepting applications for the 2020-2021 Connecticut Energy Assistance Program on Monday, Sept. 14 for households who heat with oil and on Tuesday, Oc 13 for households who heat with electricity, gas, or propane. — an announcement from the Darien Human Services Department

Residents must meet the following income restrictions:

Maximum Household Income

Proof of income is required, including:

· Social Security benefits

· Pensions or annuities

· Dividend and interest income

· Employment income

· Child support and/or alimony payments

· Unemployment, workman’s comp. or disability payments

Proof of liquid assets is also required:

· Checking and/or Savings accounts

· Stocks, Bonds, CDs and IRAs

Individuals, couples, and families may have liquid assets up to $15,000 for home owners and $12,000 for renters and still be eligible. Applications must be filed by 3/18/21 for households with oil or gas heat and 5/6/21 for households with electric heat.

Arts & Entertainment
Karen Siegel_Botanical Drawing

‘Paint Along to Live Music’ 90-Minute Class Sept 10 at Rowayton Arts Center

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The Rowayton Arts Center (RAC) is offering a Zoom “Paint Along to Live Music” experience from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020. — an announcement from Rowayton Arts Center
RAC Instructor Karen Siegel will lead participants through a watercolor landscape, while world renowned musician Mary Ann McSweeney plays live music in the background. Students are welcome to follow along or choose an image of their own
The fee for the class is $60.  All you need to participate is a basic set of watercolors, #6 round brush, jar of water and paper towels. For more info and to register online, visit rowaytonarts.org/workshops or call (203) 866-2744 (x2).

Darien History
Leslie Groves

Darien Was Home To the Man Who Ran the Manhattan Project, Building the First Atomic Bombs

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After Albert Einstein convinced President Franklin Roosevelt that an atomic bomb could and should be built during World War II, the government turned to Gen. Leslie Groves, a brash, brusque and brilliant army officer to get it done. He succeeded in organizing and administering the project that built the two deadliest weapons ever used by mankind, resulting in the atomic attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But the same personality and tactics that helped him burst through bureaucratic obstacles to get the job done during the war proved fatal to his own post-war career in the Army. After Dwight Eisenhower gave him the results of a devastating job evaluation, Groves was out the door in February 1948. That’s when he took a job heading up research for one of the earliest computer companies, Remington Rand, and bought a newly built house that still stands today at 9 Dellwood Road in Darien, a short commute to the site of his research division in Rowayton.

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Unsolicited seeds, apparently from China 2020

If You Were Mailed Any Seeds You Didn’t Ask For, Please Report That to CT Department of Agriculture

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Amid reports nationwide — including in Connecticut — of people getting seeds in the mail that they didn’t ask for, apparently sent from China, the state Department of Agriculture is asking anyone who gets them to report

It isn’t known how safe it is to plant them, because they could be invasive plant species, state officials said in a news release. Here’s the announcement:(followed by an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture):

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) and The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) have been notified that several Connecticut residents have received unsolicited packages containing seeds that appear to have originated from China. The types of seeds in the packages are unknown at this time and may be invasive plant species. The packages were sent by mail and may have Chinese writing on them. Unsolicited packages of seeds have been received by people in several other states across the United States over the last several days.

Coronavirus 2020
Weed Beach Darien Parks & Recreation Department

As More Flock to Beaches, Darien Closes Them to Out-of-Town People

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With the recent hot weather drawing more and more people to Darien’s two town beaches, concerns about crowding during the COVID-19 pandemic led First Selectman Jayme Stevenson to close Weed and Pear Tree Point Beaches to out-of-town visitors. The First Selectman’s Office released this announcement explaining the move:

IN LIGHT OF THE EXISTING PANDEMIC AND THE CURRENT STATE OF EMERGENCY, THE TOWN OF DARIEN WILL TEMPORARILY RESTRICT BEACHES TO RESIDENTS ONLY ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS

First Selectman, Jayme Stevenson, has today issued an executive order that limits access to Town beaches to Darien residents only, on Saturdays and Sundays. The current heat wave, which is expected to last for several more days, has been drawing, and will continue to draw, more people to our beaches. The health, safety and welfare of our citizens is, and will continue to be, a top priority. This is especially true during this global pandemic.

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Painting by instructor Anda Styler RAC art class online

Online ‘Paint Along’ Class Offered by Rowayton Arts Center on Thursday, July 9

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The Rowayton Arts Center (RAC) is offering another Zoom “Paint Along” experience from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Thursday, July 9, 2020. It’s a great way to get back into painting or try it for the first time! RAC Instructor Anda Styler will lead students through a painting inspired by her garden but participants are welcome to choose an image of their own. Anda’s painting style is all about light and value, so this is a great way to be introduced to her technique. The fee for the class is $30.

Animals
Darien Cops Website Coyote

Coyote Bites Woman in New Canaan Park: Walkers Warned To Be Wary in Waveny

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New Canaan Police are urging Waveny Park visitors to avoid trails and areas of tall grass Thursday after a coyote bit a woman taking a morning walk there with her dog. — an article from NewCanaanite.com. At about 6:30 a.m., a woman was bit in the backside by a coyote near the walled garden east of Waveny House, according to police. Officer Allyson Halm, head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section, said it’s unclear at this point whether the coyote is sick or was exhibiting “escorting” behavior while denning. “If it’s a den situation, I’m not sure where it is,” Halm said.

Government & Politics
Weed Beach Darien Park and Recreation Park & Recreation 03-02-17

Changes in Rules Announced at Darien Parks

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The Darien Parks and Recreation Department has announced various changes related to more reopening of facilities now that the COVID-19 epidemic is spreading slower. Lifeguards will be on duty at both beaches starting July 1. Also, trash cans are being brought back to town parks on Friday. The department also announced that “all trash cans will be reinstated at all parks and beaches tomorrow, June 12, 2020.” In an email, Park & Rec Director Pam Gery said: “[W] had an unfortunate incident of two pictures of garbage left at Weed Beach that turned viral on social media today.

Consumer and Finances
Teenage driver

Not Just Some Theory: AAA Survey Shows Drivers in Crashes More Likely to Text, Phone, Run Lights

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American drivers continue to maintain a “Do-As-I-Say, Not-As-I-Do” attitude on the nation’s roadways. Worse, they fail to change their bad driving behavior even when their actions result in crashes, says AAA. — an announcement from AAA Northeast  
In the latest AAA Traffic Safety Culture Index, the AAA Foundation of Traffic Safety reports drivers, who’ve been in at least one crash in the past two years, are significantly more likely to speed or text even when they think the police may catch them. The Index also highlights the gap between drivers’ attitudes and their reported behaviors. The research found drivers perceive distracted, aggressive and impaired driving as dangerous.

Recreation
Weed Beach Darien Parks & Recreation Department

Darien Beaches Back to Closing at Traditional 10 PM Time, Tennis and Pickleball Courts Open

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Weed and Pear Tree Point Beaches are going back to their normal 10 p.m. closing times, and tennis and pickleball courts can be used by town residents, the Parks & Recreation Department announced Thursday. The announcement includes several other rules changes (all of which took effect on Thursday): The town now has a carry-in/carry-out policy regarding trash at parks (there are dumpsters you can use at the beaches). That includes taking your dog-poop bags with you, disgusting as that may be if you’re driving out. Here’s the Park & Rec announcement:
Beach Hours:
Beginning Thursday June 4, The Darien Parks & Recreation Department will be extending the closing hours of Weed Beach and Pear Tree Beach from 8 p.m. to our normal closing hours at 10 p.m.
Security guards will be on from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. with the park monitors working from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please remember to SPREAD OUT TO STOP THE SPREAD while enjoying your beaches. Tennis Courts: may play singles and or doubles while always following the safety guidelines from the USTA. 
Pickleball: may play singles only until further notice.

Government & Politics
George Floyd protest march Darien May 31 2020

Hundreds March in Darien to Protest Death of George Floyd

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A crowd of between several hundred and a thousand people took part in a march Sunday from downtown Darien to downtown Noroton honoring George Floyd, killed after he was arrested by Minneapolis police. Organized by the Rev. Dale Rosenberger, pastor of the First Congregational Church in Darien, along with clergy from St. Luke’s Parish, apparently including Rev. Susan Wyper and perhaps clergy or volunteers from other churches. The event lasted about an hour and included statements from clergy, as well as the 1.8-mile march west along the Post Road. Darien police blocked off street entrances to the Post Road, along with the Interstate 95 Exit 11 ramps.

Consumer and Finances
AccessHealthCT home page website

Lose Your Job? Furloughed? For Many, Time’s Running Out to Get COBRA Health Insurance

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People who have lost a job have a 60-day deadline to get health insurance through COBRA, a period that is soon coming to an end for many of the laid-off, says Access Health CT, the state’s agency set up to help residents get health insurance. Losing health insurance coverage either from a furlough or a layoff is considered a ‘Qualifying Life Event,’ triggering a Special Enrollment Period through the federal COBRA benefits law. Access Health CT recommends comparing options with COBRA coverage. Workers who lose health insurance as a result of job loss may not know they have options, but Access Health CT says it may offer a better, less expensive choice, and is the only place where people can qualify for financial help to lower their costs. Here’s an announcement from the state agency:

Losing insurance either from a furlough or a layoff is considered a ‘Qualifying Life Event,’ triggering a Special Enrollment Period for that individual and possibly their household.