Tonight at the library, the League of Women Voters presents Meet the Candidates Night, from 7-8:30 with the six boards and commissions of Wilton. Candidates from the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, Board of Education, Board of Assessment Appeals, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals will be on-hand to answer questions in this informative forum. The evening is sponsored by the Wilton League of Women Voters, Wilton Chamber of Commerce, and the library. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. To register: wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 762-3950.
Discover the library on SaturdayThe third annual Discovery Day takes place at the library this Saturday, Oct. 20, from 11-2. This year, Discovery Day has an international flavor, embracing special activities and materials from around the world. Cosmic Jibaros, the Latin rock/salsa band featured in the July Summer Music & More Concert Series at the library, will be back from 12:30-1:30, accompanied by salsa dancing instruction. Mehndi painting (henna) from India, Ikebana flowering arranging (Japan), stories from other lands, crafts, displays of international cookbooks, travel guides, and world literature collections are just some of the things available for people to see. New technologies that include ELF (an e-mail notification service), online catalog tips, downloadable audiobooks, and demo of self-checkout are just a few of the new and future services being shown. The Wilton Rotary Club is offering a very special service to kids and their parents, using the Amber Alert notification system. Volunteers will take pictures of children and produce identification cards from 11-2. The information is stored in the nationwide Amber Alert database. There is no charge for the initial photo and no registration is needed to take the photos. A free American barbecue tops off all the fun. Discovery Day is free and promises something for everyone to enjoy. For more information, call 762-3950.
Music series kicks offThe Connecticut's Own music series begins this Sunday, Oct. 21, from 4-5 p.m. with a performance by the Schubert Club of Fairfield County. Performers include Richard Leslie, baritone with piano accompaniment; Hilary Brown, clarinetist with piano accompaniment; Jeanne Farewell, pianist; Mary Tokarski, accordionist; and Kathleen Theisen, soprano and pianist. The program includes selections from Strauss, Poulenc, Chopin and Wagner-Liszt, among others. Additional dates: November 4 Doug Bogan; January 27 Dan Kreiger; February 10 Quadrivium String Quartet; March 16 Prevailing Winds of Connecticut; May 4 The Amore Trio. The concerts are free of charge. Advance registration is strongly recommended and pre-registrants must arrive by 3:50 p.m. to be guaranteed seating. After 3:50 and if space is available, waitlisted and walk-in registrants will be admitted. To register: wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 762-3950.
Museum trips and programs this fallThe library is partnering once again with St. Matthew's Church with a number of bus trips and museum programs beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 24. The first trip is to the Guggenheim Museum in New York. The bus leaves the library at 9:30 and departs the museum at 4. Cost for the bus and museum admission is $45 per person and $40 for seniors (65 and over). There is an option of taking a guided one hour group highlights tour for $7 additional per person. There is limited space in the guided tour. The total with the tour is $52 per person; $47 per senior. On Thursday, Nov. 1 from 3-4 p.m., popular Metropolitan Museum of Art docent, Joan Kaskell, returns to the library with a lecture and slide presentation on Lorenzo Ghiberti's (1378-1455) magnificent renaissance masterpiece - Gates of Paradise, which will be on exhibit at the Met from October 30, 2007-January 13, 2008. The program is free. Advance registration is recommended. On Thursday, Nov. 8, the bus trip is to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The bus departs the library at 9:30 and leaves museum at 4. The cost for bus and museum admission is $46 regular/$42 senior. Both bus trips are on a first come, first serve basis as space is limited. Reservation and payment must be made in advance. To register, call 762-3950.
Health issues discussedPandemic Flu is the topic for Wednesday, Oct. 24, when Dr. Michael Parry, Director of Infectious Disease of Stamford Hospital, addresses the group from 12:30-2 during the Healthy Choices series. Dr. Parry will explore the clinical nature of influenza, how antigenic "shifts" produce new strains of the virus and how new strains can lead to a pandemic. On Thursday, Oct. 25, also from 12:30-2, Dr. Frank DiFazio, Stamford Hospital Orthopedic Surgery, provides information on joint replacement surgery, particularly hip and knee replacements, as well as non-surgical options that may be available for reducing pain and regaining mobility. There is no charge for either program. Advance registration is suggested. To register: wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 762-3950.
Global warming at homeA screening of the documentary, The Warming of Connecticut, takes place on Thursday, Oct. 25 from 6:30-9 with a panel discussion following the movie. The film emphasizes how global warming is predicted to impact Connecticut residents and examines the science and solutions at the local level. The evening begins with a reception at 6:30, with opening remarks by Bill Brennan at 7. The panel discussion includes Mike Lindberg, Wilton Energy Commission Chair; Rudy Marconi, Ridgefield First Selectman; Brendan Hanrahan, CT EarthNet's Executive Officer; Rob Wall, Connecticut Clean Energy Fund - Director, Energy Market Initiatives. The evening is sponsored by the Betsy and Jesse Fink Family Foundation for Wilton Library's Environmental Initiative, the Wilton Energy Commission, and the Ridgefield Action Committee for the Environment. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. To register: wiltonlibrary.org/events or call 762-3950.