Books & Authors
Peter Bouteneff author of How to Be a Sinner Grace Farms event 5-11-21

‘How to Be a Sinner’ — Online Talk Tuesday Afternoon with a Professor of Orthodox Theology

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How can identifying as a sinner bring peace of mind, a clear conscience, and love for others? Peter Bouteneff, author and internationally recognized professor of Orthodox theology, will join Dr. Matthew Croasmun to discuss his latest work “How to Be a Sinner,” addressing topics such as  guilt, shame, and self-care through his compassionate narrative. This discussion is a free, online Zoom event hosted by Grace Farms Foundation. It takes place from 12 noon to 1 p.m., this Tuesday, May 11. Grace Farms’ “Books on Faith & Meaning” series consists of monthly presentations introducing selections from the Faith & Meaning section of the Grace Farms Library. Spanning multiple religious and philosophical traditions, both ancient and contemporary, these texts encourage us to think critically about the meaning in our lives.

Arts & Entertainment
Paul Cezanne Mont Sainte-Victoire

A Talk on Influential Artist Paul Cezanne, Whose Drawings Will Be Exhibited at the Met in June

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The life and work of Paul Cézanne, one of the most influential artists in the history of painting, will be the subject of art historian Page Knox in an hour-long talk Tuesday evening, May 18. — an announcement from Darien Library

Cézanne has inspired generations of artists. Born in 1839 and generally recognized as a Post-Impressionist, his unique method of building form with color and his analytical approach to the natural world influenced the art of Cubists, Fauves and avant-garde artists from his death in 1906 until the present day. Through an in-depth examination of his work, including the portraits of Provençal card players and his long-suffering wife, the famous apple still lifes, and the landscapes of his beloved Mt. Saint Victoire, this lecture will explore the life and art of Cézanne as he sought to attain the “essence of form.”

Healthy Living
Sibshops Abilis

Event May 19 for Kids 10 to 14 With a Sibling Who Has a Disability

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Kids from 10-to-14 years old who are brothers and sisters of someone who has a disability are invited to attend an online “Sibshops” workshop from 5 to 6:30 Wednesday, May 19. Sibshops are high-spirited and fun workshops combining recreation, discussion and information. Note that registration fills up fast, according to the organizer. — an announcement from Abilis

The event is organized by Greenwich-based Abilis, which serves those with disabilities in Darien and other towns, primarily in southwest Fairfield County. It will take place on Zoom.

Healthy Living

The Art of Living Well: A Free, Online Conference to Improve Anybody’s Mental Health and Spirits

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It’s time you start making time for yourself! Take a break from your busy schedule and endless to-do lists and join Mountainside Treatment Centers Saturday, May 22 for three hours of wellness, fun, and community. This free event, while created for individuals in recovery, is appropriate and open to everyone. — an announcement from Mountainside Treatment Centers

Mountainside addiction treatment centers, which has an office in Wilton, rounded up a team of experts to help you discover new passions, let go of whatever is holding you back, and gain practical and tangible ways to change your life. The series of workshops from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. are designed to help you learn how to save money to make that dream vacation happen or find new ways to manage stress.

Darien Library
Speakers Divorce Now What

‘Divorce, Now What?’ An Online Presentation May 12

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Starting the divorce process brings up a number of questions: what are the steps that you will need to take? Should you choose litigation, mediation, or collaboration? What professionals will best serve you in this process? Darien Library presents an online event Wednesday, May 12, with experts who will share their knowledge on navigating these questions and more. — an announcement from Darien Library

“Divorce, Now What?” will delve into the common mistakes and misconceptions that parties have about divorce.

Arzhang Fallahi
Doctor Health Medicine Darien Library

Doctors Answer Darien’s COVID-19 Qs Online; Town Health Dept Has Advice If You Took J&J Vaccine

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Darien Health Department issued advice Tuesday morning to anyone who took the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine, after reports of rare blood-clotting from others who have taken it. “People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.” In another COVID-19 related announcement, three Stamford Hospital physicians will answer questions from the public about the coronavirus in an online event Wednesday evening sponsored by Darien Library. Federal officials have suggested a pause in using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Darien Health Department does not use it, the department said in the announcement (full text, below).

Darien History
Ken Reiss Darien History

Darien Historian Ken Reiss Talks About Town’s History in Online Event, Thursday

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Ken Reiss, a Museum of Darien historian, will discuss how Darien sought its independence, the forces blocking its path, and the hero who persisted to give the town its name in an online lecture Thursday evening. — an announcement from Darien Library

Discover what life was like 200 years ago in “History Close to Home with Ken Reiss,” a Museum of Darien Historian and the author of Darien, 1820: New Town, New Times. This event will take place virtually on Wednesday, April 15 from 7 to 8 p.m. You can register here on Darien Library’s website. About Ken Reiss
Ken Reiss’ lifelong pursuit of history has in recent years been sharply focused on the story of Darien, Connecticut, where he has made his home for the past 32 years. In addition to his most recent work to commemorate the town’s bicentennial, Darien 1820: New Town, New Times, Ken is the author of The Story of Darien, Connecticut, a definitive history of the town.

Government & Politics
LWV LVW Darien League of Women Voters

Several Darien League of Women Voters Public Events Coming This Month

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The League of Women Voters of Darien has scheduled several programs of interest to the community this Spring:

A further discussion about the future of Darien within Fairfield County; a discussion about voter access and the security of the voting system with the secretary of the state; and a discussion with leaders of several town government boards. — an announcement from the League of Women Voters of Darien

All will be held online and are free and open to the public. In addition to these three programs, the Darien League’s annual meeting at 7 p.m., June 2 will feature as its keynote speaker Patti Russo, executive director of the Campaign School at Yale University. The League doesn’t have much information yet on the discussion with leaders of various town boards. The date and time will be announced later.

Theater
Red Curtain

Tween and Teen ONLINE Theatre Workshop: The Wizard of Oz

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Aspiring actors and actresses will love this theatre workshop! In a playful environment, tweens and teens will create fantastic improvisations under the guidance of drama teacher Ingrid Schaeffer. Together, the theatre group will perform an inspired version of “The Wizard of Oz” after reading through the script. All you need to participate is an active imagination! This free workshop, meant for teens and tweens from ages 11 to 18, takes place from 1 to 2:15 p.m., Saturday, April 10.

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Learn How to Best Honor Your Loved One With A Great Obituary

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Learn the basics of how best to honor your loved one with an obituary in this hour-long class with Jamie Passaro, who runs dear person obits based in Eugene, Oregon. — an announcement from Darien Library

Writing an obituary is an important task. Obituaries are history, journalism, and poetry. They are often the last word. All participants will receive Jamie’s 25-page booklet “Writing an Obituary in Four Easy Steps.”

Business
Digital Computer Laptop Keyboard Phone Desk

SCORE Presents 5-Part Webinar on Managing Technology In and Outside Your Office

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Need to upgrade your technology skills? The Darien Library and SCORE present a 5-part webinar series to bring you up to speed on the tools you need to succeed both in and outside your office. Is technology taking control of your life and home? In this webinar, parents will learn tips, tricks, resources and strategies for managing technology in your family. — an announcement from Darien Library

Register for the ‘The Tech Workshop Your Kids Don’t Want You To Attend.’

Gil Harel Darien Library image

Magic to Do: Stephen Schwartz’s ‘Pippin’ with Gil Harel

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The plot of “Pippin” presents the audience with an exceedingly abstract and “meta” story. In fact, at points in the musical, one gets the feeling that one is watching a show within a show. During this online program, Professor Gil Harel will discuss this unique musical, calling attention to its genesis and evolution, its unusual and somewhat complex plot, and its infectious score. — an announcement from Darien Library

Having been conceived during Stephen Schwartz’s days as a student at Carnegie Mellon, and having made its debut on Broadway in 1972, the show was reimagined in an award-winning revival in 2013. In the nearly 50 years since its premiere, and in various stagings and incarnations, “Pippin” has enchanted audiences with its compelling story and stellar score.

Education
Greg Tang headshot

How to Make Math Make Sense — a Workshop for Parents on Wednesday, March 31

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Greg Tang will be presenting a virtual parenting workshop, “Mathematics Everywhere, for Everyone” on Wednesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. at the The Children’s School in Stamford. — an announcement from The Children’s School (with a note from Darienite.com in italics)

In his talk for The Children’s School, Greg will present an approach to math that makes working with numbers more intuitive and enjoyable, for children and parents alike. Many of the traditional problem-solving algorithms taught in school, Greg argues, are cumbersome and tedious to apply, and as a consequence many children begin to dread math. To get children off on the right foot with arithmetic, he teaches techniques — such as grouping numbers and using visualizations — that make problems easier and much more satisfying to solve. Children become more confident about their skills when they realize they can use reasoning, rather than blindly applying an algorithm, to find solutions.

Community Fund of Darien 2021
Moira Rizzo

‘Pandemic Parenting’ — Register Now for April 8 Online Talk by Family Therapist

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Family therapist Moira Rizzo will lead an interactive discussion on Thursday, April 8 at 10 a.m. on “Pandemic Parenting: Strategies to Keep You and Your Kids Sane Through Challenging Times.”
Her presentation includes how to effectively talk with teens about:
—mental health
—social connectedness and
—substance use. The discussion is the fourth in a series of The Community Fund of Darien’s “Our Darien” events this year designed to educate parents about the dangers of substance use, youth mental health and how they can best support their teens. If You’re Attending … Registration for this Zoom webinar, sponsored by The Depot Youth Center and YWCA Parent Awareness, is free and required at www.communityfunddarien.org

Darien Library
Genealogy photo

Finding the Living When Doing Genealogical Research: Online Discussion Wednesday Morning

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Conducting genealogical research for relatives who are still alive poses unique and interesting challenges. Join us to discuss your experiences “finding the living” in a small group, online discussion with Sara Zagrodzky. The discussion, “Finding the Living,” takes place from 10 to 11:30 a.m., this Wednesday, March 24. — an announcement fromDarien Library, which is sponsoring this event

Be prepared to hear and share success stories, search strategies, and things that didn’t quite work. This is a follow-up discussion to the Finding The Living lecture on March 13th, but attendance at the lecture is not required for participation in this discussion.