Holidays
Sept 11 2023 Encino

AAA: Drivers Traveling for Labor Day Weekend Should Avoid Thursday, Friday Afternoons and Evenings

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When it comes to traffic, car travelers should avoid the most congested afternoon and early evening hours of Thursday and Friday, according to the AAA, citing INRIX, a provider of transportation data and advice. — an announcement from AAA Northeast

Drivers should hit the road in the morning unless they’re leaving on Saturday, when the best time to travel by car is in the afternoon. Travelers returning on Sunday and on Labor Day should leave as early as possible to avoid heavy traffic in the afternoon. “The most severe traffic jams over holiday weekends almost always come as commuters mix with travelers,” said Lauren Fabrizi, spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “Road trippers can pave the way for smooth drives by strategically planning their departures around the best times to hit the road.”

Gas Prices
Travelers taking road trips should expect to pay less for gas compared to last year.

Religion
Father Gustavo Falla and David D’Andrea

Lourdes Retreat on Sept 7 at St Mary of Stamford Church to Feature Bishop Caggiano

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Greenwich native David D’Andrea and Father Gustavo Falla, Pastor at St. Mary of Stamford Parish, have been busy planning the upcoming Lourdes Retreat on Saturday, Sept. 7, expected to draw hundreds of people who believe in miracles. The event starts at 1 p.m. and will last about one hour. The retreat will be celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano.

Back to School 2024
square back to school

How to Avoid Some Trouble When Shopping Online for College Essentials

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It’s back-to-school season, which means parents and students are probably looking to save on college essentials online. And while the latest deals may save you some time and money, scammers may be looking to test you. — an article on the Consumer Advice section of the Federal Trade Commission website

Back-to-school shopping can add up and if you’re moving too quickly, it’s easy to miss details. For example, the return and refund policies, in case what you get isn’t what you were expecting. Or delivery times and fees, so there are no unwelcome surprises.

Public Safety

Police: How Elderly Women Can Foil an Increasingly Common Trick by Thieves Who Approach Them

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The Darien Police Department is alerting the community about an ongoing scam that has been reported several times over the past few months. The scam involves a suspect who usually approaches elderly females in the parking lot of a grocery store or after having exited a bank. — an announcement from Darien police

The suspect tells the female one of the tires on her vehicle is flat, and, in some cases, the suspect has flattened the tire with a device. While the suspect distracts the female, a second suspect reaches into the vehicle and steals their personal belongings. In many incidents, the victim’s credit cards are used immediately in nearby stores. The Darien Police Department urges residents to be alert and follow the safety tips listed below to avoid falling victim to the scam:

• Be Cautious: Be wary of strangers, even if they appear friendly.

Darienites
Smiling Ali Truwit

Swimmer Ali Truwit Wins Hearts and Cheers in Darien. Next Stop: Paris Paralympics

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About 500 Darienites cheered, shouted, clapped, whistled and held flags, signs or phones at a downtown demonstration of support Friday morning for town resident Ali Truwit as she prepares to leave for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. Truwit said she’s grateful for the support shown at the parade:

“I’m so incredibly grateful and so excited to represent my country and represent this town,” Truwit said at a brief news conference on the sidewalk, surrounded by 500 smiling faces. An enormous American flag, perhaps 100 feet long, hung from a firetruck’s extended ladder. Plenty of firefighters and their fire engines were present at the parade, and at least one truck drove in it. Amid the cheers, Truwit arrived in an SUV, which stopped for about 10 minutes near the front of Grieb’s Pharmacy.

Sports
Ali Truwit Paralympics 2024 swimmer

Come Help Send off Swimmer Ali Truwit of Darien as She Heads to Paris to Compete in Paralympics

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At 9:30 a.m., Friday, Aug. 16, the Town of Darien and The Corbin District are planning a townwide send-off to Darien’s paralympic athlete, Ali Truwit. Truwit is headed to Paris to compete in three swimming events. — an announcement from the First Selectman’s Office

Spectators are asked to come line the sidewalk on Boston Post Road between Center Street and Corbin Drive and cheer for Ali as she heads off to compete for our country. This will be a wonderful time to show community spirit and pride as we send off an inspirational young woman to represent the United States and Darien to the world.

Holidays

Rain, Rain Sends Away Darien’s Fireworks Display — Postponed to Friday, July 19, If It’s Dry

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Darien’s firework display has been postponed to Friday, July 19, “due to impending inclement weather” the town government has announced on its website. In other words: Rain, rain sent away Darien’s Fireworks Display. Wait a week, and whaddaya say? If it’s dry, that’s the day. Darien’s town fireworks are now scheduled to begin at about 9 p.m. on the 19th.

Government & Politics
Zagrodzky Board of Selectmen

Selectmen OK Drawing Up Description of Pear Tree Beach Dredging Project to Put Before Bidding Contractors

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The Darien selectmen recently approved $25,500 to create a bid proposal documenting what steps contractors would agree to do in order to prevent erosion at Pear Tree Point Beach. “The purpose of this request for $25,500 is to really fund [project consultants] Weston & Sampson to go out and develop bid documents,First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky said at the July 1 meeting of the Board of Selectmen. “The bid documents would provide basically all the information that any contractor would need to bid on this project — these parts — and then hopefully we would have a number of bidders and we would be able to select a low-cost bidder. “That beach is at risk. There’s no doubt about it,” Zagrodzky said.

Town Hall

New Flags Donated to the Town

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Three Darien businessmen who donated dozens of flags for downtown lampposts have been thanked by the town Beautification Commission in a public letter. “On behalf of the Darien Beautification Commission, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the generous donation of the American flags that you sourced, purchased and assembled,” commission members said in a letter to the three businessmen: David Hawes, head of the Hawes Team at Compass real estate; David Campbell, CEO and president of Rings End Lumber and John Hertz, one of the founders of Hollow Tree Self Storage. “Your support played a pivotal role in the success of the celebration of Memorial Day and towards the overall beautification of Darien, and we are immensely grateful for your contribution. “To have the flags flying from the town lampposts is not only beautiful but also serves to remind the town of the sacrifice that so many have made for our freedom,” the letter continued. “We have received positive feedback, and it is clear that your contribution to the town’s appearance makes a significant difference.”

Fourth of July 2024
Dog with American Flag Old Glory Fourth of July 4

Four Tips to Keep Your Pets Calm and Safe Over the Fourth of July

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Food. Fireworks. Parties. While many people love the July 4 holiday, it can be traumatic for pets who have a phobic reaction to the loud sights and sounds that are synonymous with Independence Day celebrations. — an announcement from Best Friends Animal Society

With dogs and cats getting spooked and running away from yards, doors, and even screened windows to escape the chaos, the day can go from being festive to fraught for pet owners, too.

Community Organizations
Undies Project Lucy Langley

Undies Project Co-Founder, Under Ill Health, Decides to Retire

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Following a recent leave of absence due to ill health, Lucy Langley, co-executive director of The Undies Project, has decided this is the right time for her to retire. — an announcement from The Undies Project

Langley co-founded The Undies Project in 2015 with Laura Delaflor. The mission of the group is to provide new underwear to men, women and children in need to improve their lives. Initially started as a program at Neighbor to Neighbor, The Undies Project became a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2016 and rapidly grew from its grass roots origins. The Undies Project now donates to over 50 organizations in the Tristate Area that serve those who are homeless, living in shelters or who are on a low income.

Fourth of July 2024
DWI Driving while intoxicated

Do Your Country and Yourself a Favor: Patriots Don’t Drive Buzzed

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There’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Independence Day in Connecticut. Spending time getting your mugshot is one of the worst, and getting into a car crash is even worse. — an announcement from AAA Northeast
Revelry mixed with high traffic volume over the holiday period can bring an increased crash risk, especially crashes involving drivers impaired by alcohol. AAA projects a record 60.6 million people will travel by car over Independence Day week – an additional 2.8 million travelers compared to last year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 487 people died in traffic crashes during the 2022 Fourth of July holiday period, and 40% of those fatalities occurred in drunk driving crashes.

Healthy Living
mosquito https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aedes_aegypti_biting_human.jpg

West Nile Virus Found in Darien Mosquitoes, Which Is Not Unusual — Here’s How to Minimize the Risk

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Today, Monday, the DPH reported that mosquitoes positive for WNV have been found in Darien. — an announcement from the Darien Health Department

Finding mosquitoes positive for WNV commonly occurs each year at this time, not only in Darien but in many locations throughout the state. It is important to note that NO cases of West Nile Disease have been diagnosed in Connecticut residents thus far this year. Here are a slew of things you can do to make it less likely a mosquito will bite you, your family or anyone else around your home:
What the State Is Doing About Mosquitos
As it does every year, the state Mosquito Management Program is monitoring mosquitoes for the presence of viruses that can cause illness in people including West Nile virus (WNV), Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE) and ZIKA. The mosquito trapping and testing program, coordinated by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), began in June and continues through October.

Darien Board of Selectmen 2024
Great Island Town of Darien Visioning Plan

Selectmen Approve $400K Great Island Operating Budget, Public to Be Asked for Ideas on Using the Property

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The Darien Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Monday to approve a $400,000 operating budget for the Great Island property. Also during the meeting, selectmen were told that consultants just hired to suggest future plans for the property had stressed how important it is to get plenty of public suggestions on what should be offered at the site. The budget includes $175,000 in rent payments to the town. One tenant there is moving out, Town Administrator Kathleen Buch told the board. If the loss of the tenant’s rent puts enough of a dent in the budget, a request for more money might be brought to the board, she said.

Darien July 4th 2024
Sopwith Camel Push-n-Pull parade

The Always Cute Push-n-Pull Parade Coming Thursday Morning, July 4, Preceded by a Ceremony

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Darien’s annual Push-n-Pull Parade will celebrate Independence Day rolling down Noroton Avenue starting at 10 a.m. with kids on decorated bikes, scooters, wagons, and non-motorized vehicles bedecked in red, white and blue. Just before the parade, a 25-minute ceremony with patriotic music will include selected readings from the Declaration of Independence and recognition of Darien students currently attending military academies, university ROTC programs and on active duty. First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky said at Monday night’s Board of Selectman meeting that he will be joining some Darien children in reading selections of the Declaration. Seating will be provided for the ceremony, which is organized by the Darien Monuments and Ceremonies Commission. The event will begin at 9.30 am in the Darien High School Courtyard, immediately preceding the Push-n-Pull Parade, sponsored by the Darien VFW.