May 12, 2008
Farmers Market returns to Darien
Summer hasn't officially begun until the Farmers Market has come back to Darien, with vendors bringing tons of fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, and baked goods to us, giving us great excuses to eat healthily and try out new and refreshing recipes. It's a sweet start to the warmer weather, and luckily for us, summer will be arriving a month earlier than usual and staying through the holiday season.
This year, the market will begin on Wednesday, May 21st and will run each Wednesday through December from 11am to 6pm in its new location, the Howard Johnson hotel parking lot at 150 Ledge Road. It's a great way to support the local farmers of Connecticut, since all of the food that is available is produced in-state.
Posted by EricaB at 11:44 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 31, 2008
Education Week Grades Connecticut
The 12th annual edition of Education Week's Quality Counts, an assessment of the state of our nation's education system, has been published on the journal's Web site. Take a look at the online report of the Connecticut State Highlights 2008, or stop by the Information Desk at the Library to read a printed copy of the assessment.
Quality Counts grades how well each state's education system compares to the nation's average. The indicators of "wellness" include chances for success, achievement measures in math and reading, high school graduation rates, Advanced Placement exam scores, college and work readiness, and efforts to improve teaching quality.
Some great news for us: Connecticut received a grade of A- in the "Chances for Success" indicator; this grade is significantly higher than the national average score of C+.
Posted by EricaB at 01:06 PM | Comments (0)
January 17, 2008
My suggestion for this weekend...
Searching for something fun to do on Saturday evening? Here is my suggestion, considering winter is in full swing and temperatures are set to dip into the 20s:
Rather than standing out on the platform in the wind and cold at Darien Station, waiting for a train heading into the Big Apple, instead visit the warm and cozy Library to experience New York City transportation through exquisite photographs.
This Saturday, January 19th, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, the Library will hold an Artist Reception displaying The Astoria Elevated Line, a collection by photographer June Steffensen Hagen. Stop by, meet the artist, and mingle with your fellow community members. Refreshments will be served, and you're all invited!
Posted by EricaB at 11:54 AM | Comments (0)
November 16, 2007
Christmas Tree Guides Available At The Library
The holiday season will soon be upon us, so it's a great time to begin scouting out the perfect tree for your family to enjoy this Christmas. Whether you are a first-time buyer or an ol' pro, you'll enjoy the Connecticut Grown brochure of the state's Christmas tree farms. It includes a directory of locations as well as some great tips on how to care for your tree to keep it looking festive through the new year. Consider taking home one of the 33 million real trees that will be sold this season!
Stop by the Library's Information Desk to pick up a brochure, bundle up the little ones, and take a ride to some of the many farms right here in Fairfield County. Also visit the CT Christmas Tree Growers website for tree selection tips, safety guidelines, fun facts, travel directions, hours of operation, and the special amenities that each farm provides. Most offer both pre-cut and cut-your-own trees, and some have complimentary treats, such as donuts, hot cocoa, and mailboxes for first-class letters to the North Pole!
Here are some locations near Darien:
Westport:
CT Audubon Society H. Smith Richardson Tree Farm
November 23rd through December 23rd
203-623-0646
Easton:
Everett's Corner Tree Farm
Weekends December 1st through December 9th
203-268-2508
Shelton:
Jones Family Farms
November 18th through December 24th
203-929-8425
Posted by EricaB at 04:33 PM | Comments (0)
Connecticut Grown
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has introduced a fun, new way for you to locate a variety of fresh, top quality produce at neighborhood farms throughout the state. Visit the Farm Map Website for an interactive exploration of the farms & commodities that each county has to offer, including farmer's markets & stands, Christmas trees, honey, ice cream, maple syrup, orchards, seafood, wineries, and greenhouses.
Want a foldable map so that you can embark on a Connecticut Grown road trip at a moment's notice? Stop by the information desk at the Library to pick up a paper version of the website, as well as brochures for Connecticut Grown pumpkin picking, hay rides, farm festivals, and wine tastings.
Posted by EricaB at 12:27 PM | Comments (0)