Kathleen Whitbread, Ph.D., discusses the concept of Universal Design for Learning in schools to accommodate students with learner differences on Friday, April 21 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Ms. Whitbread is assistant professor of Pediatrics and Associate Director of the University of Connecticut Center on Disabilities. To register for the program, call Eve Kessler at 761-0680. The program is co-sponsored by SPED*NET and the library.
Red Hot and Cool gala on SaturdayThe party gets started on Saturday, April 22 when the library's Red Hot and Cool gala begins. The evening's highlights include something for everyone's taste - whether it is wine, gourmet food, wonderful art works, marvelous martinis or DJ dancing. Succulent tastings will be abundantly served from more than six area restaurants including Barcelona Restaurant, Bernard's, Luca's, Portofino's, Wilton Food Company and Wilton Pizza. Elmer's All the Best Wines will pair wine tastings with the delicious epicurean foods in addition to featuring a martini bar. During the festivities, the J. Alden Weir art exhibition will be available for everyone to view. The three dozen paintings, pastels and prints are on loan through May 27 from private collectors and the National Park Service. The exhibition is curated by Joan Macy Kaskell. A silent auction of fine wines and spirits, a live auction with vacations, tickets to sporting events, internships for college and high school students and a giving table with opportunities to sponsor story hours, film series or other library programs are also special features of the evening. There will be dancing into the night with DJ music from James Daniel Entertainment. The evening's major sponsor is The Wilton Bank. Tickets for the fund-raiser are $250 per person and benefit the library. For reservations, call 762-3950 Ext. 216.
Middleschoolers discussedThe library is the location for a follow-up discussion to "Not Much, Just Chillin": The Hidden Lives of Middleschoolers" from 12-1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 24. The forum is a continued conversation based on the Linda Perlstein presentations given at Trackside this past Monday. Area professionals will answer parent questions that may arise from Ms. Perlstein's talks which were based on her book by the same name. The program is sponsored by SPED*NET, Wilton Youth Services, Wilton Youth Council, Wilton Public Schools, Parent Connection, Fathers' Forum and the Library. Funding is provided by United Way of Norwalk & Wilton. To register, contact Wilton Youth Services at 834-6241 or e-mail susan.weingarten@wiltonct.org.
Seniors discuss MaughamBen Van Vechten leads the discussion on Tuesday, April 25 at 11 a.m. for the Senior Center Book Discussion. The group explores Cakes and Ale by W. Somerset Maugham. To register, call the Senior Center at 834-6240, Comstock Community Center.
Snow in AprilLawns are turning green and daffodils are out in full bloom as the gentler side of nature reveals itself this season, which is in sharp contrast to the angry forces that can be unleashed at a moment's notice. Author Jill Fredston, co-director of the Alaska Mountain Safety Center, will discuss that very fury on Tuesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. in the program based on her book, Snowstruck: In the Grip of Avalanches. As one of North America's leading avalanche experts, Ms. Fredston discusses the coming together of avalanches and people in this fascinating talk and slide presentation. According to Ms. Fredston, "If we didn't take risks, we might forget we are alive. But if we take on risks and treat them like games of chance, we tempt fate. Each of us, every day, is an accident trying not to happen. The trick to traveling safely in avalanche country - or managing any natural hazard, for that matter- is to leave room for nature in our plans." Books will be available for purchase and signing. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. To register, call 762-3950 or register online.
Read the Book & See the Movie-Pride and PrejudiceJoanna Ecke, retired teacher and columnist at Wilton Bulletin, and Jean Brey, teacher of English at Wilton High School, provide an enthusiastic and informed discussion of Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice, on Wednesday, April 26 at 7 p.m. Included in the talk are the comparisons with the various movie versions of the book, among them the recently-released film on DVD. According to Ms. Ecke, "At last, here comes a version of Pride and Prejudice known by the name of the actor playing Elizabeth [rather than the name of the actor playing Mr. Darcy], the young and luminous Keira Knightley, all of twenty-one now; she must have been nineteen or so when she played Elizabeth, a far cry from Greer Garson's thirty-six!" Ms. Ecke and Ms. Brey are popular guest lecturers who previously have held many seminars at the library. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. To register, call 762-3950 or register online.
Community meeting with Christopher ShaysCongressman Chris Shays will be at the library on Saturday, April 29 from 11:30 - 2 to meet with constituents to discuss current issues. There is no charge for the program and registration is not required.
Reminder: The library will close one hour early at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 22 in preparation for the benefit.