The Senior Center will sponsor a talk about the dental heath of seniors at 12:45pm Monday, May 24. The mission of the National Dental Advisors, founded by a dentist and national health care expert, is to help every senior be aware of the proper techniques of good dental care in order to manage their dental health. It was founded by a dentist and national health care expert.  

This educational talk will be given by a retired dentist.  A FREE pharmacy discount card will be given to all who attend. Literature on oral health will also be distributed.

The center is located at 30 Edgerton St. Call 203-655-7455 for more information.

SAVE THE DATE!

The sixth annual YWCA Push-n-Pull Parade will take place on Sunday, July 4, 2010.  The patriotic parade steps off from Goodwives Shopping Center in Darien at 10:30 a.m. sharp, where Mary Ann Hall's Music for Children will entertain the waiting crowd starting at 10:00 a.m.  Decorate yourself and your non-motorized vehicle, and parade down the Post Road to Tilley Pond Park.  Join us in the park for live music by Alex and the Kaleidoscope Band and local food and ice cream vendors.  Don't miss this great free event, which will again headline Darien's Independence Day celebrations.  Donations will be gratefully accepted in the park and will benefit the community service programs of the YWCA.  For more information, or to get involved with this committee, contact the YWCA Darien/Norwalk at 655-2535 or visit our website at www.ywcadariennorwalk.org.

As part of their "Healthy Aging Series", Staying Put in New Canaan and Lapham Community Center are presenting this program about healthy feet.  Dr. Andrew Rice of Fairfield County Foot Surgeons in Norwalk will be the guest speaker at this bring-your-own lunch talk.  Dr. Rice will talk about what you can do to keep your feet working to their maximum potential.  He will discuss common symptoms and treatment, essential foot care, what to expect as you age and how to avoid problems with your feet.  There will be time for questions and answers.

The show will be celebrated with an Opening Reception on Wednesday evening, May 19th, from 5:30 – 7 in the Art Wing.

Bring your friends and your families!  We hope you'll join us!

The DHS Student Art Show will be on display from May 17th – May 28th. 

The New Canaan YMCA and Kiwanis Club present Circus Vidbel, the original old-time circus under the big top. 

Tickets now on sale at the New Canaan YMCA Front Desk, as well as Baskin Robbins New Canaan, Bob's Sports, Elm Street Books, First County Bank New Canaan, Gelatissimo, New Canaan Diner and TD Bank New Canaan.  Prices:  $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and kids under 2 free.

Proceeds benefit teen programs at the YMCA and Outback Teen Center.

The New Canaan YMCA and Kiwanis Club present Circus Vidbel, the original old-time circus under the big top. 

Tickets now on sale at the New Canaan YMCA Front Desk, as well as Baskin Robbins New Canaan, Bob's Sports, Elm Street Books, First County Bank New Canaan, Gelatissimo, New Canaan Diner and TD Bank New Canaan.  Prices:  $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and kids under 2 free.

Proceeds benefit teen programs at the YMCA and Outback Teen Center.

The New Canaan YMCA and Kiwanis Club present Circus Vidbel, the original old-time circus under the big top. 

Tickets now on sale at the New Canaan YMCA Front Desk, as well as Baskin Robbins New Canaan, Bob's Sports, Elm Street Books, First County Bank New Canaan, Gelatissimo, New Canaan Diner and TD Bank New Canaan.  Prices:  $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and kids under 2 free.

Proceeds benefit teen programs at the YMCA and Outback Teen Center.

The New Canaan YMCA and Kiwanis Club present Circus Vidbel, the original old-time circus under the big top. 

Tickets now on sale at the New Canaan YMCA Front Desk, as well as Baskin Robbins New Canaan, Bob's Sports, Elm Street Books, First County Bank New Canaan, Gelatissimo, New Canaan Diner and TD Bank New Canaan.  Prices:  $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and kids under 2 free.

Proceeds benefit teen programs at the YMCA and Outback Teen Center.

A Rowayton Arts Center exhibit of drawings, prints, pastels, mixed media and computer art by some of Fairfield County's finest artists will be on view from Sunday, May 23, through Sunday, June 13.  The RAC gallery is open from 12:00-5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 1:00-4:00 p.m. on Sundays.  Admission is free.

Kathy Draper of Wilson Point, the exhibit chair, says, "We are fortunate to have award-winning artist Laurette Rindlaub as the judge for this diverse exhibit. She has exhibited extensively in juried shows including "Art of the Northeast" at the Silvermine Guild Arts Center and exhibitions at the Flinn Gallery and the Bendheim Gallery in Greenwich, the Stamford Museum, the New Canaan Library, and Pen and Brush and the Salmagundi Club in New York City. Her work also is in many private collections as well as the collections of the Banker's Trust Company and Ivey, Barnum & O'Mara."

Parents are invited to enjoy a night out while the Rowayton Arts Center provides an evening of krazy kool fun for their children (ages 3 to 12) on Friday, May 21.  Beginning with a pizza party, the evening of themed building and games with Legos^® will be held from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in RAC's spacious, well-lighted upstairs studio at 145 Rowayton Avenue.

Registration is limited to 20 participants (must be potty trained – no diapers).  The fees are:  1 child in family $45, 2 children in family $55,  3 children in family $70. Registration and payment required by Friday, May 21 -- call 203-866-2744.

This event will be organized by Krazy Kool Creations^TM, which has provides classes, camps and parties that explore the world of creating with Legos^® while reinforcing values and important social skills. Krazy Kool Creations^TM is owned by Shari and Ed O'Neill and is now entering its fifth year in Fairfield County. For more information visit the web site at www.krazykoolcreations.com.

Located in the heart of Rowayton on the scenic banks of the Five Mile River, the Rowayton Arts Center offers classes throughout the year.  The Rowayton Arts Center (RAC), which was founded in 1960, is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to exhibit the work of creative people in the area, offer classes for artists of all levels, serve as a community cultural center and create an environment for the exchange of arts-related ideas. 

The Darien Library Spring Gala, The Bookmark, will take place at 6:30pm Saturday, June 5. The event includes calypso music, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, a silent art auction and also a live auction.

Admission is $130 per person. Purchase tickets here or contact the library at 203-655-1234.

The "Ultimate Battle of the Bands" will take place from 4 to 8:30pm at Darien High School, with 14 Connecticut high school rock bands participating. An awards ceremony will follow.

Food and refreshments will be available. Admission is $8.

Here's the lineup:

• 6:30 - Stealing Free Samples Darien HS
• 6:50 - The Interstellar Elevators Weston HS
• 7:10 - Feedback Darien HS
• 7:30 - Rethink Danbury HS
• 7:50 - FROGG Westhill HS
• 8:10 - Twisted Union Haddam-Killingworth HS
• 8:30 - Midnight Snack Lewis Mills/Manchester/Valley Reg.
• 9:00 - Awards Ceremony

The Darien Nature Center's six week summer program begins June 21st.  We still have plenty of space available so give us a call or email debbie@dariennaturecenter.org

Children will enjoy a different outdoor adventure with our changing themes each week.

Creatures Great and Small

Beastly Behavior

Claws, Quills and Camouflage

Down on the Farm

Old Man River

Where did they go?

Fun, friends and outdoor trekking.

The Darien Nature Center's Early Birds pre-summer program brings lots of fun and friends.  This program is for children ages 3 through 6.

Children will learn about the wonders of nature while hiking on the trails, visiting with the animals and learning a reverance for nature through Indian legneds.

The program will run Monday, June 14th to Thursday, June 17th from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.  Children bring a bag lunch.  No peanut products please.

For further information call 203-655-7459

ATTEND THIS SEMINAR AND LEARN HOW TO…. • Make more money with your business – immediately

• Execute low cost strategies to improve your profits right now

• Take control of your business

• Work "ON" your business instead of "IN" your business

Is it just an unnecessary fuss, all this going on and on about vintage? Does one year really make that much of a difference in a wine? Can any one vintage really be that much better than another? How about you join us and see for yourself.

We're not just putting wines up against each other, we're putting the same wine from the same winery from two different vintages on the tasting barrel. It's called a "vertical" tasting and it is an experience you shouldn't pass up.

Oh … and we're doing it twice.

~ Vietti Tre Vigne 2006 vs. Vietti Tre Vigne 2007 ~

… and …

~ Muga Prado Enea 2000 vs. Muga Prado Enea 2001 ~

Musica Leonis Presents Mozart's Mass in C

On Sunday, May 23rd at 3:00pm the St. Mark's Chorale, Soloists and Orchestra will perform Mozart's Mass in C "Trinity Mass." This work is one of many written during Mozart's years in Salzburg and includes passages similar to his very charming earlier operatic writing. St. Mark's music director Brian-Paul Thomas will conduct the performance which will be sung in Latin. In addition members of St. Mark's resident brass ensemble will perform a selection of patriotic favorites in advance of the Memorial Day holiday.

 The professional orchestra comprising musicians from New Haven and New York City includes oboes, trumpets, trombones and timpani. Of interest, and typical of this period, is the scoring for strings, which includes violin I and II, cello and bass, but no violas.

 Soloists for the performance are drawn from the metropolitan New York area. Tenor Lawrence Jones has performed with the Glimmerglass and Sarasota Operas and is heard frequently in the Boston Early Music Festival and most recently at Carnegie Hall. Bass-baritone James Gregory spent years in Salzburg performing as a soloist and chorale musician and performs in the New York area regularly. Fairfield resident Mary Petro performs as soprano soloist in Fairfield County, is seen regularly in opera in Westchester, has performed in Chicago and appears frequently with the Metropolitan Opera chorus.

 This is the final concert of this season's Musica Leonis Concert Series. A $15 donation is requested for the concert which will be about an hour in duration.

Bestselling author Lee Child will be at Darien Library on Sunday, June 6 at 5:30 p.m. to talk about his newest book, "61 Hours." Mr. Child's appearance is part of the Library's Spring Author Series. He is the #1 bestselling author of 13 Reacher thrillers ("61 Hours" is the author's 14^th novel featuring Jack Reacher).  

The series character Jack Reacher is a former United States Army Military Policeman who led a fictional unit, the 110th Special Investigations Unit, formed to handle exceptionally tough cases, especially those involving members of the United States Army Special Forces.

Now a drifter, the only possessions Reacher appears to keep are a foldable toothbrush, an expired passport, and an ATM card. "61 Hours" is set in South Dakota and Reacher is traveling on a sightseeing tour bus when it crashes during a savage snow storm. As the riders are stranded in the middle of nowhere during a blizzard, Reacher gets caught up in a hunt for a murderer and the protection of a key witness who is set to testify in court against an international drug ring.

"Child is a superb craftsman of suspense, juggling several plots and keeping his herrings well-rouged... Best of all, this is a rare series book that reads like a stand-alone. Everything you need to know about Jack Reacher is contained within its pages. And chances are you'll want to seek out other Reacher adventures the moment you finish." – Entertainment Weekly

 "Child's writing is superb. Not only is this thriller believable, but the descriptions of the blizzard will make readers want to hug their furnaces. Fast paced and exciting, this is highly recommended." – Library Journal, starred review

"This is Child in top form, but isn't he always?" – Booklist, starred review

Mr. Child is a native of England and a former television presentation director for Granada Television in Manchester. During his tenure, his company made "Brideshead Revisited," "The Jewel in the Crown," "Prime Suspect," and "Cracker."

A book signing and reception will follow the presentation. Books will be available for purchase.

Darien Library is located at 1441 Post Road, Darien, Conn.

For more information, visit darienlibrary.org or call 203-655-1234.

Additional parking for evening and weekend Library programs on Thorndal Circle (behind Nielsen's).

(Images attached: Photo of Lee Child; Image of book cover for "61 Hours")

VISIT FRANCE AND ITALY IN GREENWICH AT MORELLO

A Summer Series of Wine Dinners

Morello Italian Bistro is pleased to announce the Summer Series of Wine Dinners beginning Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 7 p.m.  Morello Wine Director Olivier Flosse and Sommelier Zack Kameron will combine history, culture and the glories of the grape into an evening of conviviality and education.

Laetitia Vineyard & Winery's Wine Expert Jeff Feinberg, Flosse and Kameron invite visitors to come and enjoy spectacular selections from Laetitia paired with the modern Italian cuisine of Morello's Executive Chef Mark Medina-Rios. 

To reserve a seat, please call the restaurant at 203.661.3443.  The cost for this all-inclusive event is $125 per person.  Each dinner will be composed of four courses (three savory + dessert) with a multitude of wines / beverages to match.

With a prestigious heritage that is still evident in the style and grace of its wines today, Laetitia Vineyard & Winery combines the best of art and science in making beautiful wines of exceptional quality.

Date: Thursday, June 10, 2010

Time: Reception at 7 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Place: Morello Italian Bistro, 253 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, Conn.

203.661.3443 www.morellobistro.com

Price: $125 per person all inclusive

Menu: HORS D'OEUVRE

Sparkling Brut NV

PRIMI

Burrata micro herbs, grilled crostini

Chardonnay Estate 2008

PESCE

Stuffed Trout artichokes, almonds

Pinot Noir "La Colline" 2006

Pinot Noir "La Montee" 2006

CARNE

Lamb Chop Saranesa fava beans, chickpea polenta, cipollini onions

Pinot Noir Reserve du Domaine 2007

Pinot Noir "Les Galets" 2006

DESSERT

Orange Marscapone Cheesecake

Barnwood Orange Muscat

About Laetitia Vineyard & Winery

Laetitia Vineyard & Winery has a prestigious heritage, rich in French tradition that is still evident in the style and grace of the wines today.  In 1982, French viticulturists from the esteemed champagne house, Champagne Deutz, searched California for a suitable site to begin growing and producing méthode champenoise sparkling wines in America.  They likened the soils and climate of the Arroyo Grande Valley to those found in their native Epernay, France and thus Maison Deutz was born.  About 185 acres were planted of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot blanc vines, and for more than 13 years Maison Deutz enjoyed an excellent reputation for outstanding méthode champenoise sparkling wines.

In 1997, Maison Deutz was purchased by vineyard owner Jean-Claude Tardivat who renamed the winery Laetitia after his daughter.  At this time, the winery's focus began to shift from sparkling wine to still wine production of Burgundian-style varietals.  Several years of experimentation making estate-grown Pinot Noir revealed that the quality was exceptional, confirming that Laetitia Vineyard is a premier site for this noble varietal.

The winery was then acquired by a partnership that included Selim Zilkha.  In 2001, Zilkha obtained sole ownership of Laetitia and assumed leadership of the brand.  Zilkha brings a remarkably successful and varied business background to Laetitia as well as passion and dedication to working with the team to produce truly outstanding wines.  It is fitting that in Latin the name Laetitia means joy and happiness.  After all, what brings more joy and happiness to life than having family and friends around your table, enjoying time together over a great meal and amazing wines.

Laetitia Vineyard & Winery is the parent company of Barnwood and NADIA.

About Morello Italian Bistro

Opened in December 2008 and located at 253 Greenwich Ave. in Greenwich, Conn., Morello offers diners Italian-influenced cuisine, more than 650 varieties of wine, superior service in a stylish and energizing setting.  Serving rustic Italian food with a modern twist, Morello stays true to the style of traditional bistros.

Morello is part of the Marlon Abela Restaurant Corporation (MARC) portfolio of restaurants that also includes A Voce in New York City, Bistro du Midi in Boston and The Greenhouse and UMU in London.

Along with its relaxed atmosphere and welcoming service, Morello showcases many local ingredients and affordable prices.  The new Executive Chef Mark Medina-Rios has infused the menu with his own style and modern approach to old-world cooking.  For additional information, please visit www.morellobistro.com or Morello on Facebook.

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Vocal artistry and technique will take center stage on June 6, when 27 teenage singers will present their spring recitals at Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien.

The public is invited to the free concert, which will be presented in two sections, with students grouped by age.  The Junior Recital with middle school through grade 10 singers starts at 3:00 pm, and the Senior Recital with singers in grades 11 and 12 starts at 7:00 pm.

The 3:00 p.m. Junior Recital program will include big band tunes made famous by the "Rat Pack," as well as highlights from Rogers and Hammerstein's musical theatre works, including a review of "Sound of Music." 

The Senior Recital begins at 7:00 p.m. and features classical repertoire, art songs, operatic arias and songs written for new American theatre.

The vocalists are all local teens, ranging from middle school to seniors about to graduate from DHS, who study singing with voice teacher, Kathryn Amyotte.

The recital singers are Marin Amyotte, Abby Becker, Kaylyn Buckley, Hannah Caldwell, Kathleen Cameron, Patrick Collins, Justine Dunn, Will Doughty, Florian Eenkema van Dijk, Lonneke Eenkema van Dijk, Julia Fuller, Katya Gunya, Amanda Hutter, Paris La Rock, Abby Leinroth, Caity Lowden, Reed Morgan, Johnny Nevins-Herbert, Cristina Noujaim, David Phipps, Douglas Phipps, Courtney Plutte, Laura Powis, Alex Rankine, Lily Saffa, Paige Sommer and Jackie Winsch.

Kathryn Amyotte said, "The recitals we've planned are sounding wonderful! We've tailored each song to fit each singer beautifully. My students have done the hard work in lessons and rehearsals that will result in performances that will be great fun for both the singers and the audience!"

In addition to teaching young singers, Kathryn Amyotte works as a vocal musician, voice coach, and choral contractor for The New York Film Chorale in the New York metropolitan area. Trained as a classical operatic soprano at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music with a degree in Vocal Performance, Ms. Amyotte has performed as a soprano soloist in operas and oratorios in the U.S. and Europe.

Ms. Amyotte has taught singing in Darien since 1992, training young musicians who are passionate about singing. Many of her students go on to advanced study and careers as professional singers.  In fact, one of her professional baritones in the New York Film Chorale studied singing with her while he was at Darien High School.  Singers are admitted to The Kathryn Amyotte Voice Studio by audition. For an audition, contact kathryn.amyotte@gmail.com.

Recital accompanist Dwayne Condon is a nationally recognized musician excelling as a pianist, accompanist, singer, arranger, conductor, and published composer. He is also a prolific recording musician, who has sung on nearly 200 major motion pictures soundtracks. Mr. Condon is the Director of Worship and Fine Arts at Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien.

A reception celebrating all recital performers will take place at 5:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public; no tickets are required.