Darien Patch: Latest Announcements

Moms Collect for Shaw's Employee, Franklin

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:35:13 -0500

Upon learning that Shaw's Supermarket employee Robert Franklin has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, several Darien moms have organized a donation collection on behalf of the Franklin family.

Residents Peggy Barthold, Beth Gardella, and Brandi Maniscalco will be outside of Shaw's Supermarket from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday to receive donations of any amount.

Many Shaw's shoppers are very fond of Franklin, who has worked for years in the store's dairy department, the moms said.

"As we all know, Robert is a special person and a wonderful worker, and we want to do anything we can to help him," said Barthold.

In addition, the moms have opened a bank account—the Robert Franklin Fund—at People's Bank in the Goodwives Shopping Center.

Franklin is fighting cancer of the lung, liver, and pancreas, and is currently being treated with radiation as an outpatient.

Friends, acquaintances, and concerned "strangers" can friend Franklin on his Robert Franklin Fund Facebook. For more information, email Barthold at pbarthold@gmail.com.Donations are not tax-deductible.

Celtic Celebrations Ahead

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:19:38 -0500

Saturday, March 13

Darien Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6933 serves up corned beef and cabbage dinners from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 13, in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Dinner is $10 per person and will be seasoned with live music by the Ward Brothers, plus prizes and surprises. Proceeds will support local VFW programs.

Post 6933 is located at 205 Noroton Ave., Darien. For more information, call 203-655-8552 or 656 0003, or email darienvfw@optonline.net.

Wednesday, March 17

Rory's welcomes St. Patrick's Day with specials the likes of corned beef and cabbage, Sheppard's Pie, and Irish tunes all day. Bagpipers will blow at approximately 1 and 7 p.m.

The restaurant is located at 416 Boston Post Rd., Darien. Call 203-655-9453 for more information.

Check back in the week ahead for more events.

High School Math Team Places 4th in County

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:02:22 -0500

Darien Patch congratulates the Darien High School Math Team for their fourth place finish in the Fairfield County Math League. The placement qualifies the team to compete in the Connecticut State Math League Competition on April 6, 2010 in Hamden, Connecticut.

How to Train Your Dragon

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:18:00 -0500

How To Train Your Dragon Community Craft Day in your town is brought to you by Patch.com, AOL, and Moviefone on behalf of Paramount Pictures release of How To Train Your Dragon. Patch's Dragon Trainers are leading craft events this weekend with projects including a diorama, word find, and coloring along with prizes provided by the movie. The Craft event that has the most attendees will earn a FREE 3-D screening in the local tri-state area!

Space was limited so the RSVP process is currently closed in this Patch!
Any questions, please email: HowToTrainYourDragon@patch.com

If you would like to hold your own How To Train Your Dragon Craft Event, please go here:

Diorama print outs: http://lime.howtotrainyourdragon.com/asset_center/diorama.html
Color Pages: http://lime.howtotrainyourdragon.com/asset_center/coloring_pages.html
Word Find: http://lime.howtotrainyourdragon.com/asset_center/word_search.html

How to Train Your Dragon will be in theaters on March 26th!
http://www.moviefone.com/movie/how-to-train-your-dragon/28118/main

Free SAT Testing at St. Luke's

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:19:00 -0500

WHAT: To help high school students gain a significant advantage in using scores from their college admissions exams to more effectively compete for financial aid, The Princeton Review is offering free, full-length SAT practice tests.

WHEN: Saturday, March 20, 9 a.m. through 1 p.m.

WHERE: St. Luke's Episcopal Church

WHY: Administered under actual testing conditions, participants can use the free practice test to assess their strengths and weaknesses across all subject areas on the SAT. Test-takers will also be invited to attend a free Scores Back Session where they will receive a personalized, detailed score report that analyzes their performance section by section. A Princeton Review expert will review and explain the report and demonstrate unique approaches, techniques and strategies designed to improve scores.

A practice test provides a measure of how you'll do on the exam, and what you need to do to improve your score. The difference between having an average score and a good score on an exam like the SAT is often determined by your understanding of what the test will be like, how long it takes and the limits of the content.

HOW: Call 1-800-273-8439. Advance Registration is required.

Call For St. Thomas More Children's Tag Sale Items

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:50:11 -0500

The St. Thomas More Women's Circle will hold its 19th Annual Children's Tag Sale Saturday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Donation items requested include gently worn baby and children's clothing (thru size 14); toys, children's books, DVDs, CDs and videos; children's furniture and gear (strollers, car seats, etc.) and sporting equipment.

Donations will be accepted in the Parish Hall from 10 a.m. Sunday, March 14, to Thursday, March 18, at noon.

A Darien tradition, the sale has raised thousands of dollars to support organizations that assist women and children in Fairfield County. This year, funds will be shared with the Norwalk Emergency Shelter and Malta House.

For more information, contact Holly Homes at holly.homes@gmail.com.

Himes Launches New Consumer Protection Webpage

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:09:00 -0500

Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) has launched a new consumer protection webpage as part of the 12^th Annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 7-13. The site provides constituents with tools to follow recall campaigns, protect themselves against identity theft, and register for the Do Not Call List, along with links to information on other consumer protection topics. The page can be found in the How Can I Help You? section of the congressman's website and is highlighted on his front page this week.

"It's never too early or too late to become a more informed and empowered consumer," said Himes. "Regardless of your age or financial situation, there are useful lessons to learn about managing money wisely and protecting yourself against scams and other unscrupulous business practices."

This coordinated consumer education campaign encourages individuals across the country to take full advantage of their consumer rights. This year's theme – Dollars & Sense: Rated "A" for All Ages – highlights the importance of using good consumer sense at every stage of life – from grade school to retirement. In recognition of NCPW 2010, Himes is promoting free resources to help people protect their privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft, understand credit and mortgages, and steer clear of frauds and scams.

National organizers of this year's NCPW include AARP, the Comptroller of the Currency, the Consumer Federation of America, the Council of Better Business Bureaus, the Federal Citizen's Information Center, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Trade Commission, the National Association of Attorneys General, the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, the National Consumers League, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Postal Service.

Congressman Jim Himes represents Connecticut's 4^th District, which includes the communities of Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Oxford, Redding, Ridgefield, Shelton, Stamford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.

Local Scholarship Deadline for DHS Seniors

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:12:44 -0500

Information and application forms for local, community-based scholarships are now available for Darien High School's class of 2010. Materials may be found on the table across from the guidance office or on the DHS website.

All applications are to be completed and returned to Mrs. Schoknecht in the main office by March 29. For more information, contact Mrs. Schoknecht at 203-655-3981, ext. 2353 ormailto:pschoknecht@darienps.org

Middlesex PA Calls for 2010-11 Volunteers

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:13:01 -0500

It's nominating time at Middlesex Middle School and the school's parent association is looking to fill numerous volunteer positions, some big and some small. Volunteers can take on an assignment that lasts only a few weeks or one that affords them the opportunity to get more involved.

Job descriptions and a 2010-2011 volunteer application are available online. For more information, check here or contact nominating co-chairs Deirdre McGovern at 203-662-0536 or MGMcG@aol.com; Janice Griffiths at 203-656-0677 or janicegriffiths@optonline.net; or Diane Barston at 203-656-3480 or dbarston@optonline.net.

Person-to-Person Appreciates National Charity League Donation

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:30:39 -0500

The New Canaan Chapter of the National Charity League recently made a $750 grant to Person-to-Person.

Person-to-Person, a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency, was originally established in 1968 by St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Darien. Providing basic emergency services to low-income individuals and families living in lower Fairfield County, Person-to-Person is a volunteer-driven agency that is committed to helping clients achieve self-sufficiency through practical help, advocacy, education and problem-solving initiatives.

Programs include Emergency Assistance, Campership and Scholarship. In 2009, Person-to-Person helped 24,780 people avert crisis and make ends meet.

These efforts are made possible by in-kind donations, a force of more than 2,000 volunteers and -- like the grant from the New Canaan NCL -- financial contributions from individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations.