Arts & Entertainment
Stamford Park Party Nov 2021

Free, Family Friendly ‘Park Party’ With Giant Thanksgiving Parade Balloons in Stamford This Sunday

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A free, family-friendly “Parade Spectacular Park Party” with giant parade balloons, entertainment and photos with Santa, will take place throughout Mill River Park in downtown Stamford this coming Sunday afternoon, Nov. 21. The party is a replacement for the city’s traditional giant balloon Thanksgiving parade, which was also cancelled last year. The event, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. (but will “loop, in hour-long segments” according to this report in the Stamford Advocate) is sponsored by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District, which has been sponsoring downtown holiday events for decades. No tickets or pre-registration is required.

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Halloween Safety Darien Police 2021

Halloween Safety Tips From Darien Police for Parents, Trick-or-Treaters, Householders and Drivers

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In order to assist our community in enjoying this fun-filled holiday as safely as possible, the Darien Police Department has compiled a list of Halloween safety tips. To enjoy a fun and safe Halloween, we suggest parents, children, motorists, and homeowners follow this advice:

PARENTS
• Always escort your children and carry a flashlight. • Be familiar with the neighborhood where your children will be trick-or-treating. • Set a specific time for your child/children to be out. • Always know who is trick-or-treating with your children.

Darien Thriving Youth Task Force 2021

Findings From Darien Student Survey on Substance Abuse, Mental Health To Be Presented Wednesday

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Findings from the a survey of students from the 7th through 12th grades about substance abuse and mental health will be shared with parents at a public meeting  at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 20 in the Middlesex Middle School auditorium. — an announcement, partly reworded, from The Community Fund of Darien

Among the findings from the survey, from the Student Assets Survey conducted last February for the Thriving Youth Task Force (TYTF) in partnership with the school district:

——”[G]etting into a good college and getting good grades are the primary sources of stress” across all grades surveyed, from 7th thrugh 12th, “even in middle school!” according to an Oct. 7 post on the TYTF Facebook timeline.

Community Fund of Darien 2021
Thriving Youth Task Force TYTF square logo

Five-Year, $625K Fed Grant Includes Funds to Expand Pot, Alcohol Education for Darien Kids, Parents

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More education efforts about teen marijuana and alcohol use will be coming in the next five years now that the Thriving Youth Task Force of Darien has been awarded $125,000 per year for the next five years by a grant from the federal government. The federal Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Grant, managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will support TYTF activities. The task force is organized by The Community Fund of Darien, which runs the TYTF program. Janet King, executive director of The Community Fund of Darien, said the funding will not only allow her organization to continue the Thriving Youth Task Force’s programs in teen substance use prevention and education, but to expand them. “The DFC Grant gives us a fantastic opportunity to further engage our community to work together towards this goal,” she said.

Parents & Kids
Computer Keyboard 8-2-16

‘Parenting in the Digital Age’ — School District Offers Workshop in November

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The Darien school district is providing parents with workshops next month about children’s use of social media. Each workshop is for a different children’s age group, takes place at the district headquarters at 35 Leroy Ave. and starts at 10 a.m. on a weekday. Schools Superintendent Alan Addley announced the workshops in a message to parents on Friday. Here’s what he said about the workshops:

“We share in the challenge of navigating the increasing role that social media and technology play in the lives of students and ourselves.

Parents & Kids

Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival Returns on Saturday, Oct 16

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The Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival, a half-century tradition in town, returns  Saturday, Oct. 16 to again turn Tokeneke School into an amusement park. — an announcement from the Tokeneke Parent Teacher Organization

It was with great sadness that we had to take last year off from this beloved community celebration due to the pandemic, and the return of the carnival is a welcome and joyful sign of how far our community has come in the span of a year. 

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The rain date will be on the following day (Sunday, Oct. 17). 

The Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival is an established favorite fall activity for Fairfield County families, offering something fun for children of all ages. This year’s Pumpkin Carnival will feature a wide variety of mechanical rides suitable for a wide variety of ages.

Darien Scouting 2021
Darien Scouts Appalachian Trail

Darien Scouting Open House on Saturday, Oct 2

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You can come learn about scouting in Darien at a fun, interactive open house from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, Oct. 2. — an announcement from Darien Scouting

Families are invited to stop by the Andrew Shaw Memorial Scout Cabin at 140 West Ave. to see the scouts in action, participate in hands-on activities, and learn more about the Darien Scouting program. Darien Scouting programs include Cub Scouts for boys and girls in Kindergarten through Grade 5, separate boy and girl Scout BSA troops for Grades 5 to 12, and a co-ed STEM Venture Crew for high schoolers interested in the STEM fields.

Anti-Semitism 2021
Darien High School DHS 9-13-16

Community Leaders Denounce Anti-Gay, Anti-Women, Anti-Jewish Messages in Darien

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Community leaders on Friday denounced graffiti found this week in a boy’s bathroom at Darien High School that insulted women and threatened gay people. They also denounced an anti-Jewish comment made in an online Darien chat group. “The incidents this week have been reported to the Darien Police Department, and the [school district] administration has aggressively used all the tools legally available to conduct its investigation,” the leaders said in a letter sent to parents and staff in Darien Public Schools. “There is no place for sentiments of hate, bigotry, anti-Semitism or religious discrimination of any kind in our schools or community,” the letter said. “These behaviors are very disturbing and unacceptable.

Education
Maritime Aquarium programs for home schooled students drop-off

Programs for Home-Schooled Kids on Oct 1 at Maritime Aquarium

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Home-schooled kids can take an educational “dive” into the marine world through discounted admission and grade-appropriate programs Friday, Oct. 1 at  The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. — an announcement from The Maritime Aquarium

“Homeschool Day” makes available to homeschool students many of the educational classroom programs regularly presented to traditional school groups by Aquarium educators. Options on Oct. 1 include story times for preschoolers and a selection of classroom programs for kids in all grades, from K-12.

Education
First Day of School New Canaan Country School

Tips for Easing the Transition Back to School

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The new school year is upon us, and understandably, for some it can be an exciting but anxious time. New Canaan Country School psychologists Rebecca Comizio and
Jackie Britt-Friedman offer the following tips to help reduce stress around the
transition. — This article is from New Canaan Country School
1. Open up space for dialogue
Children benefit from knowing the adults close to them are there to listen. There will be a myriad of feelings as the first day of school approaches: excitement, apprehension, anticipation, worry.

Sports
Poster 1 Knights for Aces Norwalk Grassroots Tennis 2021

‘Knights for Aces’ Tennis Tournament for Kids and Teens, Aug 22 in Darien and Norwalk

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Kids and teenagers of any skill level are invited to play in the Knights for Aces tennis tournament, coming Sunday afternoon, Aug. 22. — an announcement from Grassroots Tennis & Education
The competition, from 1 to 6 p.m., features round robin doubles tennis matches, starting on the courts of four clubs in Darien — Middlesex, Tokeneke, Wee Burn and Woodway. Participants are asked to arrive by 12:45 p.m.

After matches are played, the winning doubles team in each division will play in the finals at Grassroots tennis courts in Norwalk. Players and spectators are invited to enjoy pizza and refreshments, and winners will take home trophies and t-shirts. 
Finals and food will be  at the William Rippe Tennis Center at Springwood Park, 11 Ingalls Ave.

Community Organizations

Abilis Expands Special Needs Services in Darien With Four Programs This Year, More Expected

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Abilis, a nonprofit that serves people with special needs and their families, will be expanding programs and services in Darien, starting with four programs in the areas of job training, life skills, employment and housing. — an announcement from Abilis

Abilis is now accepting applications for two programs: Abilis LEAP Transitions Program, which helps people acquire life skills, as well as Project SEARCH, a 10-month internship at the Darien YMCA to provide job training. Two other programs are still in the works: Sometime later this year Abilis will open Darien Library Café. Later this summer and early fall, the organization will run the supportive living program for 12 new, large studio apartments on East Lane, as part of the Corbin District project. “Having these four initial Abilis programs, and more to come, in the Darien community, will only strengthen our ability to help more individuals with disabilities or special needs,” said Amy Montimurro, CEO and president of Abilis.

Community Organizations
Sheffield Island Lighthouse

Your Kid’s Summer Camp Could Visit Sheffield Island Lighthouse

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New this summer, the Norwalk Seaport Association is now welcoming regional organizations that offer summer camps for children to come and visit Sheffield Island and Sheffield Island Lighthouse for an unparalleled maritime excursion. — an announcement from the Norwalk Seaport Association

Preservation of the island and lighthouse as well as offering educational opportunities for children are two of the founding principles that the Norwalk Seaport Association has been founded on. If organizations and summer camps are looking for a new camp activity that will delight and engage kids of all ages, they should consider renting the Norwalk Seaport Association’s vessel the C.J. Toth for an excursion. The Norwalk Seaport Association has developed two options for camp educators to choose from, both offer an educational and rewarding experience at affordable price points. A two-hour harbor cruise is scenic, educational, and fun.

Community Organizations
Allegra Erickson and Christina Passaretti Thriving Youth Task Force TYTF

Two New Members Named to Community Fund of Darien’s Thriving Youth Task Force

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The Thriving Youth Task Force announced Monday that Allegra Erickson and Christina Passaretti will join its executive board for the 2021/22 school year. — an announcement from The Community Fund of Darien
Erickson will assume the role of Executive Board co-chair.  She will succeed Shelly Skoglund, who will complete her term as co-chair this year. Christina Passaretti will serve as vice chair, succeeding Susan Marks, who will also complete her term this year. Erickson brings a wealth of experience to the Thriving Youth Task Force. She has served our community on the PTO executive boards of Hindley Elementary, Middlesex Middle School and Darien High School and was a board member, Youth Asset Team adult advisor, and Community Investment executive board member for The Community Fund of Darien.