The Wilton League of Women Voters and the library are co-sponsoring a Hot Topic entitled "A Resourceful Discussion on Energy" tonight at 7:30 at the library. The focus of the panel is alternative energy issues. Jim Motavalli, editor of E-Magazine, a Norwalk-based independent national environmental bimonthly and host of WPKN-FM public affairs and music bi-weekly show, Bob Wall, director of the CT Clean Energy Fund and New England Regional Director of SmartPower, and Keri Enright, program coordinator for SmartPower, are the panelists. An audience question and answer period follows the discussion. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. Call 762-3950 or register online.
Husband and wife art show opensRon and Judy Barron display their diverse artistic offerings in an opening reception on Sunday, April 15 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The show, Assemblages and Canvas Rugs, is an exhibit of floor mats created through a folk art process by Judy and wooden assemblage sculptures of everyday objects and collages fashioned by Ron. The exhibition runs through Saturday, April 28. Their fusion of careers as songwriter, lyricist and author for Judy and teacher, administrator and television director for Ron inform their collective works. Most of the pieces are available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the library. For information: 762-3950.
Earth Day Celebration at the libraryThe library is gearing up for a celebration of the environment on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22 from 1-4 p.m. It will be a day filled with fun, environmental crafts, education, a variety of demonstrations, and hands-on activities revolving around Planet Earth-something for everyone from toddlers to seniors. The Wilton Garden Club, Ambler Farm and local environmental groups such as Connecticut Audubon Center at Fairfield, SoundWaters, SmartPower and others will exhibit their information to the community. Organic products and growing tips, free seeds for planting, vermicomposting demo, and display of a hybrid car are just some of the activities planned. Additionally, three programs will take place during the day. Starting at 1, members from the Connecticut Audubon Center at Fairfield talk about endangered animals as well as having a few on-hand. The program is for children of all ages. Kids Act to Stop Global Warming-Little People, Big Changes is from 2:15-3 p.m. This slide presentation and discussion will be led by 3rd graders Alex Scaperotta and Jordan Reichgut, founders of Little People, Big Changes, a group started for kids to take action to affect the world around them. The program encourages environmental conversation among families. Brendan Hanrahan of CT EarthNet presents Grassroots Up: How Connecticut Communities are Finding New Ways to Protect Our Environment from 3-4 p.m. The program presents an overview of the many initiatives currently being led by local, community-based environmental groups around the state relating to environmental issues such as sprawl, transportation, pollution and more. Earth Day Celebration is funded by The Betsy and Jesse Fink Foundation for Wilton Library's Environmental Initiative. There is no charge for any of the programs. Advance registration suggested. Call 762-3950 or register online.
Computer programsPatrons can upgrade their computer skills with two classes on Tuesday, April 17. With the first class, Find People and Phone Numbers on Wilton Library's Databases from 12-1:30 p.m., participants learn how to use the library's ReferenceUSA, a subscription database, to find friends throughout the United States. People can even search for businesses, including executive names. This class is free and limited to 10 students in the computer lab. To enhance one's ability to search on the Web, the library offers Introduction to Google from 7-8:30 p.m. In this class, students learn how to search for Web sites, images, news, and video with the world's most popular search engine, Google. Advance registration is required for either program. The Google class is $25 per person/$20 for Friends of the Library and Seniors. Call 762-3950 or register online. Both classes require basic keyboarding skills and familiarity with Microsoft Windows.