Former Vice President Al Gore will speak during a virtual program hosted by Byrd’s Books in the new year.
The bookstore will host Gore from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5 as part of the online series, “Write America,” which is presented over the Crowdcast channel. Byrd’s Books presents the weekly series with author Roger Rosenblatt, who created the program.
Gore is the founder and chairman of The Climate Reality Project, a nonprofit devoted to solving the climate crisis. He is the author of the No. 1 New York Times best-sellers “An Inconvenient Truth” and “The Assault on Reason,” and most recently, “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power.”
He is the subject of the documentary movie, “An Inconvenient Truth,” which won two Oscars in 2006. In 2007, Gore was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, along with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, for “informing the world of the dangers posed by climate change.” Gore was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1976, 1978, 1980, and 1982 and to the U.S. Senate in 1984 and 1990. He was inaugurated as the 45th vice president of the United States on January 20, 1993, and served eight years. He ran for president in 2000, losing against George W. Bush.
Rosenblatt is an American memoirist, essayist and novelist. He is the author of five New York Times Notable Books of the Year and three Times bestsellers. He has written seven off-Broadway plays and his essays for TIME magazine and the PBS Newshour have won two George Polk Awards, the Peabody, and the Emmy, among others. In 2015, he won the Kenyon Review Award for Lifetime Literary Achievement. He held the Briggs-Copeland appointment in the teaching of writing at Harvard. A resident of Quoque, Long Island, he is currently Distinguished Professor of English and Writing at SUNY Stony Brook/Southampton.
In October 2020, Roger joined Byrd’s Books for an author’s talk on his book “Cold Moon,” which in part led to Write America choosing Byrd’s Books as its new home. Recently, he was honored by the Fulbright Association on its 75th anniversary.
Write America features award-winning, nationally renowned authors, and new and emerging writers,in readings and conversation each week about how books and art might bridge the deep divisions in our nation.
For information on and registration for each Write America event, visit ByrdsBooks.com, where the independent bookstore has posted the complete calendar of conversations to date through April 25. The website includes extensive author bios and, whenever possible, signed copies of the writers’ books to purchase in advance.
Danbury
Holiday food drive nets Dorothy Day donation
The annual holiday food drive, sponsored by Dennis Perkins of Farmers Insurance, recently continued with a $1,000 donation to the Dorothy Day Hospitality House.
T.P. Engineering of Danbury delivered the check to Perkins as part of the drive that as of last Tuesday, had collected another $500 in food donations, along with the cash.
The drive for non-perishable and shelf-stable donations continued at the Farmers branch office at 30 Germanton Road in Danbury from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 22.
Danbury
Sikorsky Credit Union donates $22,500 to nonprofit organizations
The Sikorsky Credit Union has hosted toy drives in all of its branch locations, and has recently donated $22,500 to local nonprofit organizations to help brighten the holiday season.
Over 200 toys were collected and donated to the Sterling House in Stratford, the Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut, the Boys and Girls Club of Milford, the McGivney Center in Bridgeport, the Danbury Youth Services department, and the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. In addition to toys, each of the nonprofit organizations, and Impact Trumbull, the Center for Family Justice in Bridgeport, and Seymour Pink, received a $2,500 holiday donation from Sikorsky Credit Union.
Sikorsky Credit Union strives to make a difference in the lives of its members and the communities it serves by being involved in supporting the non-profit organizations.
Sikorsky Credit Union is one of the largest credit unions in Connecticut with more than 55,000 members. Membership is open to any person, who lives, works, worships or volunteers in Fairfield, Hartford or New Haven counties.
Danbury
Students, city partner to provide gifts to senior citizens
Marie Hatcher, the certified nursing assistant instructor at Immaculate High School, and her CNA class at the school have delivered gifts in partnership with the Danbury Fire Department.
The members of the class have been doing clinical hours at the Pope John Paul II Nursing Home in Danbury since November.
The members of the class have been working mostly with the same four patients on 2 South of the nursing home.
In early December, the students asked Hatcher, if they could do something nice for the patients for Christmas.
The members collected money and put together gift bags. The bags included: Christmas socks, lip balm, lotion, scented spray, Christmas candy and soaps donated by GoatBoy Soaps in New Milford.
Danbury was collecting gifts for the senior citizens, in the meantime.
Fire Marshal Terence Timan, who is also an Immaculate High School alumnus, who graduated in the school’s Class of 1985, worked closely with the students and Mother Mary to help deliver the gifts.
He was happy to share his fond memories with the students.
In addition, Jodie Rieve has been instrumental in partnering with Immaculate High School to facilitate the clinical hours.
Claire Dwyer organized everything with the city and the school.
The students included: Ashley Nicoletti of Sandy Hook, Caroline Merritt of Danbury, Nicole Cianflone of Danbury, Alivia Garcia of Newtown, Sadie Mellen of New Milford, Carolyn Jandura of Redding, Alexis Walsh of New Fairfield, Courtney-rae McCormack of Danbury, and Ava Amatulli of Danbury.
Immaculate High School is a private, non-profit Catholic college-preparatory institution that serves students from 28 communities in Connecticut and New York.
The school was founded in 1962, and also allows its students to focus on academic excellence, spiritual development, service to others, and personal goals.
The school is located in Danbury, and is part of the Diocese of Bridgeport’s school system.
Danbury
National Guard soldier receives new rank, responsibilities
Major General Ray Shields, who is the adjutant general for the state of New York, has announced the recent promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility, and leadership.
Max Yuqui, who is from Danbury and assigned to the 1156th Engineer Company, recently received a promotion to the rank of private 1st class on Saturday, Nov. 20.
Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability and development potential.
The promotions additionally recognize the best qualified soldiers and also attract and retain the highest caliber citizen soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.
Visit dmna.ny.gov for more information about the New York Army National Guard.
New Milford
AIDS Day event celebrates scientific progress for HIV prevention
The Silo in New Milford recently held a World AIDS Day event.
A gathering of friends and supporters attended the event on Dec. 4 to celebrate the scientific progress regarding HIV prevention and treatment.
The ceremony included a meditation exercise, personal speeches, an art exhibit and a candlelight reflection.
Producer Brendan Gaul also addressed guests and shared the trailer for the documentary film “5B.” The film tells the story of the nurses, and caregivers, who opened the first AIDS ward at a California hospital in the 1980s.
In addition, Pattie McKnight, who is the executive director of Health Care Advocates International of Stratford, presented The Silo, a donation of $10,000.
The donation matched the donation of the $10,000 that was previously donated by the Stewart B. McKinney Foundation Inc.
The donation will support Survivor to Thriver, a monthly program related to mental health.
The program will begin Jan. 22.
The free one-day workshop will be offered for 25 people each month.
It will be open to all people, especially those who facing stigma, shame, discrimination, and/or lack of hope, as well as those looking for ways to better their lives.
For more information, contact The Silo on Upland Road in New Milford at 860-355-0300, or email [email protected]
World AIDS Day is Dec. 1.
Regional
Youth cheerleading squads compete in nationals
Cheerleading squads from Danbury and Newtown recently competed in a national competition in Florida.
Hat City Youth Sports’ D14 cheerleaders from Danbury placed third in the AYC National Championship. Community members raised almost $2,000 through a GoFundMe page for the girls to attend.
Newtown Youth Cheerleaders from the D-10, D-12, and D-14 cheer squads qualified to attend the AYF National Championships in Kissimmee, Fla. Community members raised more than $5,000 through a GoFundMe for the students to travel to the competition. Other fundraisers were held.
Regional
Cultural alliance surveying art, culture lovers for study
The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut is coordinating local participation in a nationwide Sixth Arts and Economic Prosperity study.
The biennial survey is sponsored by the Americans for the Arts non-profit organization that is based in Washington, D.C.
Americans for the Arts seeks to measure the impact of artistic, and cultural work on the economy.
The Cultural Alliance is seeking volunteers who will conduct surveys of people attending cultural events in the region.
Beginning in March, surveys will be administered at plays, art shows, poetry readings, and any other event that attracts people who love the arts and culture.
A fifth annual survey was conducted in 2015.
The information from the survey showed that Americans spent $166 billion annually on arts and culture expenditures.
The information also showed that the industry supported the equivalent of 4.6 million full-time jobs.
In Fairfield County, residents and organizations spent nearly $282 million on art, and cultural purchases, supporting 6,789 jobs, according to the survey.
The sixth survey was originally scheduled for 2020. The survey was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Cultural Alliance hopes to complete a minimum of 800 surveys over several months in the 10 towns of the region that is represented by the Western Connecticut Council of Governments:
The 10 towns are: Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield and Sherman.
Arts and cultural organizations that would like to join the effort may sign up bit.ly/aep6_commitment.
Currently partnering in the survey effort are: the Ridgefield Arts Council, the Bethel Arts council, the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, Western Connecticut State University, Bethel Arts Inc., the Ridgefield Theater Barn, Bethel Jazz, the Northwest Arts Council, the Danbury Cultural Commission and the Thrown Stone Theatre Company.
Residents who would like to help conduct the surveys may contact Emily Denaro at [email protected]
The alliance is a 501(c)3, and regional service organization serving 10 towns in the Danbury area.
The aspiration of the alliance is to improve access and growth of arts and culture to improve quality of life and the economy. The Connecticut Office of the Arts provides major support for the endeavor.
Ridgefield
Boy Scouts to pick up Christmas trees
It’s that time again for Ridgefield Boy Scouts of America Troop 116’s annual Christmas Tree pickup community service project and fundraiser.
Community members who are interested in taking advantage of the project can do so Jan. 8.
The Boy Scouts in the troop have been providing the service to the town’s residents since 2002.
The scouts and their parents travel around the town picking up residents’ discarded Christmas trees after the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
The trees are then delivered to the town transfer station where they are shredded.
In the spring, Troop 116 Scouts use the mulch from the trees to nourish the landscape beds that line Main Street in the town.
The cause is also the primary fundraiser for the scouts.
Funds earned are used to support ongoing Ridgefield community service projects and supplement scouting expenses so that all scouts are able to participate.
The Scouts are able to learn leadership skills and become better citizens of the community through the program.
Register online at ridgefieldtroop116.com, call 203-626-4952, or email: [email protected]
The suggested donation is $17.
Region
Diabetes, chronic pain telephone workshops to be held
The Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging is offering free health workshops in the new year.
One is a free, six-week Live Well with Diabetes telephone workshop in English and Spanish for adults with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes diseases.
Community members may participate in the comfort of their own home without having to use technology beyond the phone.
Registration is underway for the next phase of the workshop.
The group begins Jan. 12 and runs through Feb. 16. The Spanish workshops are held from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays. The English workshops will be held from 10 to 11 a.m.
Each week a trained Live Well leader will facilitate the one-hour group phone calls. A native Spanish speaker will lead the Spanish workshops.
Participants will learn about healthy eating, high and low blood sugar, being active, sick day guidelines, tips for dealing with stress, foot care, making weekly action plans, and how to set small and achievable goals to combat and deal with the disease.
The participants will be mailed a toolkit at no cost.
The toolkit will consist of an instruction booklet, an exercise CD and the book, “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions. Participants of the Spanish workshop will receive “Tomando Control de Su Salud.”
The agency’s toll free conference call line will be used to connect the group.
Participants will be given a $25 grocery gift card, thanks to a generous grant from the Connecticut Community Foundation.
Class size is limited to six adults. Pre-registration is required.
Participants must be willing to share their name, address and phone number so that the toolkit can be mailed directly to them.
Call 203-575-4276 to sign up for the Spanish workshop. Call 203-574-6746 for the English workshop.
This program is sponsored by The Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging, the Connecticut state Unit on Aging, and the Connecticut Department of Public Health through grants from the Administration on Aging, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Generous support is also provided by the Connecticut Community Foundation.
Another free, six-week Live Well with Chronic Pain telephone workshop for adults is also being offered from 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 11 through Feb. 15.
Adults with chronic pain will learn better ways of dealing with frustration, fatigue, isolation, and poor sleep, in the workshop.
Techniques to improve or maintain strength and energy, the appropriate use of medications about chronic pain, and ways to improve nutrition are also explored.
The workshop will also cover gentle chair exercises to help with pain and gain strength. Breaking the pain cycle, pacing activities, and rest and tips for communicating with healthcare providers will also be discussed.
Materials will be sent directly to participants at no cost, and include the book, “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Pain,” an instruction booklet, and exercise and relaxation CDs.
The workshop is also limited to six participants.
The agency will need the names, complete mailing addresses, and phone numbers of the participants’ in order to sign them up for the workshop, and mail out the books to them.
Call 203-574-6746 for more information, and to register.
Sherman
Singer-songwriters to perform
The Jewish Community Center in Sherman will present “Some of My Songs” starring Mike Latini with special guest Susanna Marker at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8.
Latini developed his craft in New York City and Boston, performing in rock bands and singer-songwriter venues throughout the northeast. His accessible music, engaging performance style and unique lyrical perspectives enable him to ride the rails from the sublime to the ridiculous, and make all the stops along the way. After years on the local streets and national roads, he has recently been playing his music in clubs and on concert stages in the New York, New Jersey, New England area, with occasional forays into the heartland. His fourth and latest album, “2020 Visions,” written during, and largely about, the pandemic year is being released in connection with this show. His earlier collections are available on iTunes, Spotify, etc., and can be heard at www.mikelatini.com
Marker is a singer-songwriter based in Sherman. She’s performed her original music throughout the region as both a solo act and with several bands. Her songs have been described as clever, inspired and sensitive.
Reservations are required. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. They may be purchased online at www.jccinsherman.org by Jan. 7.
A snow date is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15. This concert will be held indoors. Masks will be required regardless of vaccination status. The JCC in Sherman has been a gathering place for the local communities in the Candlewood Lake area and nearby New York towns since 1994. The mission of the JCCS is to provide high quality educational, cultural and social programs to Sherman and the surrounding communities, serving all people irrespective of age, race or religion.
Washington
History club to discuss ‘notable citizens’
The Gunn Historical Museum in Washington History Club is hosting a hybrid “Notable Citizens of Washington: Then and Now,” program in the Wykeham Room of the Gunn Library at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25.
The program is the History Club’s January meeting. It will take place in person and via Zoom.
Longtime Washington resident Dimitri Rimsky is moderating the lively group conversation.
The virtual event will also be about Washington’s notable citizens from the past, the citizens who are remembered fondly in residents’ hearts and minds, and the citizens who contributed so much to the community, and forever shaped the town’s history.
Participants will be able to bring their favorite stories and memories to share. They may also listen to the conversation about the town’s past.
Participants will also be able to bring their related photos and objects for show and tell.
The Washington History Club at Night is a program of the museum.
The program meets in the Wykeham Room of the Gunn Library to discuss the history of the town, Washington Depot, Marbledale, New Preston and Woodville.
All people are invited to attend the free program. The program is also taking place indoors.
Attendees are required to wear a face mask due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
In-person seating is limited.
Registration is required to attend in person or online.
Register at: https://www.gunnlibrary.org/gunn-museum/upcoming-programs/ to receive the Zoom link for the program, and to register.
The Gunn Historical Museum is located at 5 Wykeham Road in Washington, Conn.
Call the museum at 860-868-7756, or visit gunnmuseum.org for more information.
