Darien High School seniors can now register to get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on May 1, and the second dose on May 22 at the parking lot of the former Lord & Taylor store in Stamford, Darien officials announced. “We anticipate opening the registration link to all students over 16 years of age or older by next week,” the announcement from schools Nursing Director Alicia Casucci and town Health Director David Knauf said. In a separate announcement, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson said Darien has had 58 new cases during the two-week period since April 2. “We are tracking information about folks who are fully vaccinated who then contract COVID,” Stevenson said in her regular, weekly COVID-19 update. “Only one such case has occurred in Darien so far.”
Community Organizations
State Liquor Commission Fines Wee Burn Country Club $15,000, Says Minor Was Served There
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Wee Burn Country Club served alcohol to a minor and violated four other liquor laws or regulations, the state Liquor Commission has determined, so the commission fined the club $15,000 for that and suspended liquor sales for two days in October. The commission’s public notice about the suspension has few details about the violations it says the club committed, but, in addition to “sale to minor,” lists them as “club permit,” “restrictions on drink promotions,” “consumer bar violation” and “sale to intoxicated individuals.” The club, located at 410 Hollow Tree Ridge Road, will be barred from serving liquor on Oct. 12 and 13, 2020. The commission’s website didn’t give any details about the sale to a minor, but Darien police last August accused a Darien man of providing liquor to two “minors” — 19-year-old caddies, in part at the Wee Burn club bar.
Healthy Living
First Selectman Bans Use of Public Baseball/Softball Fields in Town and Vehicles at Darien High
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Darien High School is shut off to all traffic, other than for COVID-19 testing, “in order to eliminate the public from gathering in a manner that risks the spread of COVID-19 within our community,” First Selectman Jayme Stevenson declared in a late Friday afternoon proclamation. Also, all public baseball and softball fields in town, both those at town parks and schools, along with the batting cages at McGuane Park “are hereby ordered closed,” the proclamation states. The order banning vehicles only applies to Darien High School and is not “applicable to the other schools within the district until it becomes necessary to do so,” the proclamation states. The order takes effect immediately and “shall remain in effect for the duration of the emergency unless earlier modified by the Chief Executive Officer,” the proclamation said. “[T]here is a need to eliminate public gatherings at Darien High School and elsewhere so as to eliminate the possible risks of the spread of COVID-19,” Stevenson says in the proclamation.
Community Organizations
Online Activities and Projects You Can Do at Home, from the Bruce Museum
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The Bruce Museum in Greenwich is presenting online short videos and descriptions of projects kids, teens and families can do at home as you socially isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s the announcement about the program series, called “Digital Weekends,” from the Bruce Museum:
Digital Weekends with the Bruce are fun, hands-on art and science projects for you and your family. Over the next several weekends, teaching artist Grayson Kennedy and Youth and Family Programs Manager Megan Brown will lead you in an online activity based on exhibitions at the Bruce Museum. Use the linked videos and write-ups to make something fun and creative while you’re home. This week, for our first project, we will explore the artwork of L. A. Ring, whose paintings featured in the exhibition On the Edge of the World: Masterworks by Laurits Andersen Ring from SMK – the National Gallery of Denmark.
Education
Presenting the Maritime Aquarium Online: Including Live Q&As, Streaming IMAX Movies
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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is offering special online ways for guests and educators to still connect and learn during the current COVID-19 time of closure, including live Q&As with staff as well as streaming IMAX movies. — an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium
On March 17, the Maritime Aquarium began offering live Q&As with members of its Animal-Husbandry team at 3 p.m. each day on the Aquarium’s Facebook page. Each session will mainly focus on an animal or topic shown via recorded video, but questions can be about any related Aquarium subject. Questions can be submitted any time between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. via the Aquarium’s social-media pages – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – and then live on Facebook during the 3 p.m. “Watch Party” webcast. “We very strongly feel the need to make our resources available to our guests, members and schools, even though we are required to be apart,” said Aquarium spokesman Dave Sigworth.
Parents & Kids
You Can Register for This Weekend’s Darien Dash Scavenger Hunt Through Thursday
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Registration is open through Thursday, March 12, for the Darien Youth Commission’s third annual townwide scavenger hunt, the Darien Dash, which takes place on Saturday. — an announcement from the Darien Youth Commission
Teams partaking in the scavenger hunt will compete to score the most points by answering town-based riddles and visiting participating merchants based on clues. The Darien Dash takes place from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 14. It begins at the Town Hall gym and ends at The Depot Youth Center on Heights Road, where points will be tallied and prizes given to winners. Participation in the event is open to all ages, but requires a vehicle and driver to travel about town, based on answers to riddles.
Education
DHS Parents Association to Start ‘Senior Send-Off’ Party for Graduating Seniors
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After years of discussions with the high school’s administration, parents and community leaders, the Darien High School Parents Association got the green light earlier this fall to start a new tradition — the “Senior Send-Off.”
Taking place right after the Darien High School prom on Friday, May 15th, the Senior Send-Off will be a fun, inclusive, substance-free celebration for all DHS seniors that provides a final opportunity for them to celebrate with their entire graduating class before they head off to senior internships the following week. — an announcement from the Darien High School Parents Association
Whether students attend prom or not, all DHS seniors are invited to attend. The party’s theme will be a closely guarded secret until students step through the door of the still-secret location that evening, but clues will be given in the weeks leading up to the night full of food, games, entertainment, raffle prizes, memories and more. This celebration is a Darien High School Parents Association (DHSPA) sponsored event being planned and organized by a parent volunteer committee that already boasts nearly 100 parents sworn to secrecy. It will be funded entirely through donations from parents and the community.
Community Organizations
DHS Students in Team Clean Darien Remove Garbage from Weed Beach Park
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The first beach clean up of Team Clean Darien was a success! It happened Friday between 11 a.m. and 12 noon. Several Darien High School students braved the cold and wind to help the cause! — Text and pictures sent in by Mary Wade
They were surprised at the amount of garbage! Next month we will hit Pear Tree Beach!
Darien Library
‘The Party,’ a Short Play About Dating Violence at College, To Be Presented Tuesday at Darien Library
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The Darien Domestic Abuse Council and Respectworks presents a short play exploring issues associated with relationship violence, sexual assault, consent, and bystander intervention. — an announcement from Darien Library
This unique, educational, interactive performance will take place from 7 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4 in the Community Room at Darien Library. The content is considered suitable for those of High School age and older. About the Play
Presented by Deana’s Educational Theater (who also brought us “The Yellow Dress”), “The Party” explores the relationship between three characters, Jordan, Kyle and Allie, who are in college and enjoying campus life: Parties, games, and “hooking up” become a regular part of college life until one night something goes horribly wrong.
Dance
A Time to Just Dance in the Teen Lounge at Darien Library
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Do you have what it takes to cha-cha-cha against the competition? Why not come to Darien Library and prove that you have the smoothest moves of all! The Just Dance Party takes place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28 in the Teen Lounge at the library. Eat some snacks and dance like nobody’s watching at our Just Dance party!
Darien Library
‘The Long Night Against Procrastination’ Sunday at Darien Library for Pre-Midterm Studying
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Settle in for some serious studying, Darien! Come to Darien Library for an after-hours event just for high school students. You’ll need to register. — an announcement from Darien Library
Find a quiet corner to review your notes, take a break with de-stress activities, or consult a reference librarian for your research needs. Dinner, snacks, and beverages will be served.
Darien Depot
‘Seven Ways to End Homework Battles’ — Free Parent Seminar Jan 23 at the Depot
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Parents will learn how to motivate their student and end the homework power struggle in a one-hour, interactive free parent seminar on Jan. 23 at the Depot Youth Center. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center
The seminar, “Seven Ways to End Homework Battles: Challenges and Solutons,” is presented by S4 Study Skills and takes place at 7 p.m. at the Depot, 25 Heights Road. Parents will leave knowing how to support their homework practice, and how to motivate them to action to get results without a meltdown. While there’s no charge for the program, registration is requested.
Education
REMINDER: Presentation TONIGHT on ‘Decoding the SAT and ACT’ College Admission Tests
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Join Lynn Carnegie, founder & CEO of Carnegie Prep, for a presentation on “Decoding the SAT and ACT” college tests on Thursday, Jan. 9 at the Depot Youth Center. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center and Carnegie Prep
Find out how to interpret PSAT scores, the difference between the SAT and the ACT, where to take these tests, and how to prepare for them. Carnegie’s presentation will run from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Depot at 25 Heights Road. __________
This article originally was published Jan.
Healthy Living
Expert Talks on ‘Social Anxiety and Generalized Anxiety Disorder’ in Youth at Darien Library on Jan 8
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Youth today worry about academics, sports, college. When is it too much? The Darien Special Education Parents Advisory Committee and Darien Library invite you to a presentation Jan. 8 on “Social Anxiety & Generalized Anxiety Disorder” by national expert Jerry Bubrick, PhD. — an announcement from Darien SEPAC
The presentation takes place from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan.
Holidays
Winners of Youth Commission 2019 Halloween Window Painting Contest Announced
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Here’s who won the Darien Youth Commission’s 22nd Annual Halloween Window Painting Contest this year. Town Youth Director Alicia Sillars announced the winners Thursday and described this year’s contest with this statement:
Fortunately, the weather was absolutely perfect — a bright, crisp, sunny fall day. With 30 teams of middle & high school aged students painting storefronts throughout the community, it was hard not to get caught up in the fun! Like many special events, these activities are made possible as a result of the unique partnership the Darien Youth Commission forges with the public and private sectors. Special thanks to Beth Cherico, owner of Pie in the Sky, LLC (a mobile art education service) for lending her expertise to the judging portion of this event.
Parents & Kids
Auditions for Mary Poppins JR for Kids 8 to 18 Start Dec 4 in Greenwich
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Open Arts Alliance has announced auditions for its upcoming musical production of Mary Poppins JR. Auditions will be held at 6 p.m., Dec. 4, 5 and 6 at the YMCA of Greenwich (50 East Putnam Ave., Greenwich, CT 06830). — an announcement from Open Arts Alliance
Students ages 8 to 18 are encouraged to come audition for this Supercalifragilisticexpialidocius story about a family in turmoil and the magical nanny who saves the day. Featuring classic songs like: “Step In Time,“ “Jolly Holiday” and “A Spoon Full Of Sugar,” Mary Poppins is one of the world’s most beloved musicals. Performances of Mary Poppins JR. will take place on April 24, 25 and 26, 2020.