An Open Forum with members of the Board of Education.

Beginning with the start of the school year, and continuing through to the end, the Board of Education (BOE) is hosting an open forum lunch every Monday, Noon to 1 pm, in the BOE Conference Room, Town Annex, First Floor, 66 Prospect Street.  Each week a different member of the BOE will be on hand during lunch to discuss what is happening with education in Ridgefield — how it affects children, adults, and the town.  This open forum is for anyone who lives in Ridgefield; you do not need to have a child in the school system to participate.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the schools, educational priorities, long-term and short-term goals, various programs, and to have your thoughts and opinions heard. 

So grab a bite to eat, and join the BOE for lunch on Mondays.

Kent, Connecticut, a short drive up Route 7 from Ridgefield, was voted “Best for Foliage” by Yankee Magazine, beating out such perennial favorites as Woodstock, Vermont, Bethel, Maine, and Hanover, New Hampshire.  Towns for consideration were submitted by tourism professionals, and once a list of contenders was established, each was rated according to 14 categories, such as color intensity, vistas, hikes, parks and shopping. 

A small town of about 3,000 in Litchfield County, Kent is situated along the banks of the Housatonic River with stunning back-drops of the Litchfield Hills.  The Appalachian Trail runs through Kent, and Macedonia Brook State Park and Kent Falls State Park along with Bull’s Bridge (one of three remaining covered bridges in CT) offer beautiful and unique public spots for “leaf peeping,” hiking, picnicking, and reflecting.  There are delicious restaurants, for dining-in or take-out, and many are kid friendly offering hot chocolate, ice cream and sandwiches.  If shopping interests you, there are plenty of antique shops, art galleries, and farm stands, such as  Mountain View Farm, a certified organic vegetable farm selling fresh, seasonal vegetables, fruit, flowers, fresh eggs and certified-organic maple syrup.

This fall, if you’re looking for a great activity for the day, or even just an afternoon, start driving up Route 7, and you’ll see the beautiful foliage colors in Kent before you know it!

That’s right, Ridgefield Car Wash!

The Soccer Club of Ridgefield’s U-14 Girls Team will be at the car wash from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, August 28th holding an old-fashion bake sale fundraiser for their team trip to Portugal.  There will be cookies, brownies, candies and other treats — something for every member of the family.  It’s the perfect time to get your car washed, waxed and vacuumed; and enjoy some treats — outside of your car — before leaving with a sparkling car, something for dessert on Saturday night and your “tummy” purring!

And if you have older siblings,  at 10 a.m. on September 11th, Barbara Dana in conjunction with her one-woman play, The Belle of Amherst, will present Power Girls, a program that portrays and discusses two strong women from history: Emily Dickinson and Joan of Arc. The program will explore the similarities and differences between these two “Power Girls,” along with slides and readings from the Dana’s Young Adult HarperCollins novels, Young Joan and A Voice of Her Own: Becoming Emily Dickinson. This program is aimed at older children and teens, but anyone else with an interest is welcome to attend.

Later in the month, on Thursday, September 16 at 7 p.m. Barbara Dana will perform selected scenes from The Belle of Amherst, giving just a taste of the play.  She will also discuss how she approaches portraying Emily Dickinson as an actor along with answering questions.  Please register for these two library programs at www.ridgefieldlibrary.org or by calling 203-438-2282 ext. 1015 or 1016. 

These events ares generously sponsored by the Friends of the Library, an independent, non-profit membership organization dedicated to supporting the activities and mission of the Ridgefield Library.

by Terri Woods Garlick

Walk with your dog and help less fortunate cats and dogs.

On Sunday, October 3rd, dogs of every size, weight and color and their families are invited to Ballard Park for the 4th Annual Blue Buffalo/ROAR Paws for the Cause, a dog walk and celebration fundraiser for Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue (ROAR).  Check-in begins at 1:30 pm, the approximately 1 mile walk starts at 2:30 pm, and a tail-wagging, post-walk celebration with food, music and a zany, children’s dog show will happen back at Ballard Park.  The family registration price is $25.00, and there are great incentives for additional fundraisers.

Not an ordinary, volunteer-built animal shelter, ROAR which opened in 2005, strives to be a “model shelter”— the model being the way we treat our own family dogs and cats. Through the generous, enthusiastic help of our volunteers, business partners, local veterinarians, and staff, every cat and dog receives the same medical care, nutrition, exercise, attention and love that local families give their own pets.  All are spayed and neutered (or given a certificate for the procedure if too young) before leaving the shelter.  ROAR’s ongoing operation depends on private donations, grants, pro bono services, and fundraisers like Paws for the Cause.

So bring your four-footed friends and join the fun at Paws for the Cause.  Man’s best friend is counting on you!!

A concert to benefit dogs rescued from puppy mills will take place on September 26, 2010 from 1- 5 at the Frye Homestead, 66 Nashville Road Extension in Bethel. It will feature music by the Rob Silvan Band with Cookie Thomas on vocals. The food will be catered by Big Green Truck Pizza.

“So many people don’t understand that the cute puppy in the pet store comes from a puppy mill where animals are bred indiscriminately in deplorable conditions.” says event coordinator, Janet Schroeder, who has participated in several rescue efforts across the country with the Humane Society. “They suffer horribly,” she adds.

New legislation drafted by the Humane Society is forcing some mills to close their doors for good. In connection with Second Chance Animal Rescue of Clinton, Missouri, Janet was able to rescue nine of these dogs in March. They were all placed by Ridgefield Operation Animal Rescue (ROAR) in homes in Connecticut. Because of the poor condition of these animals the vet bills totaled over $4000.

Janet will be picking up ten small dogs, mostly Bichon and Maltese in the middle of August. The concert will help to pay for transportation and vet bills for these animals. Tickets are $50 in advance and $65 at the door. For more information contact Janet  at 203 730-9688 or www.concertforpuppymillrescue.org

Price: $50 per person in advance ($20 for children)/$65 at the door

Sarah’s Skybar? Sarah’s Rooftop? SWB Rooftop? Whatever your fancy, it’s a beautiful, romantic, & inspiring place to dine.  Overlooking gardens and scenic West Lane, this new outdoor venue is literally a breath of fresh air.

Enjoy the photos (courtesy of Sarah Bouissou) of some of the first diners to enjoy the outdoors at Sarah’s Wine Bar during the Thursday evening ribbon cutting. SWB is open Tuesday through Sunday during the summer. While reservations are accepted at Bernard’s (downstairs), there are no reservations for SWB.

Bernard’s & Sarah’s Wine Bar are located on West Lane in Ridgefield.

by Terri Woods Garlick

On July 1st, Founders Hall was decorated  in red, white and blue to celebrate America’s birthday at their annual Independence Day Picnic, sponsored in part by Fairfield County Bank.  This year, over 200 members enjoyed hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, baked beans, salads, desserts and more at this “backyard barbecue.”  The Senior Melodiers of Founders Hall and the Billy Michaels Millennium Band provided entertainment, and fun was had by all.

Founders Hall is a recreation and education center open, without charge, to individuals 60 years of age or older in the Ridgefield area. Founders Hall operates with financial support from members, individuals, corporations and foundations.

Ridgefield Music and Arts Center Summer Concert Series: Fridays After Five ~ Season IV

All summer long, great live music will be preformed in front of Town Hall on Friday evenings from 6-8 PM.  Stop by, while enjoying your evening  in the beautiful village of Ridgefield!

July 9              Split for the City; Def Con 4

July 16            Maggie O’Keefe; The Interns; Kevin Haines Band

July 23            Scotts Ridge Middle School Chamber Orchestra; Relative Souls (Band of Michael McNamara, SRMS Music Teacher)

July 30            Olivia Koterska; Mel Bresnan; Cam Bell Band

August 6          JAZZ NIGHT – If you play Jazz and the Real Book songs, come join in!

August 13        Ian Mahoney; Jake Farber; Maria Koterska

August 20        Soap Candy; Watching Paint Grow; Chris Staples Band

The Ridgefield Music and Arts Center (RMAC) is the first organization in the community dedicated to providing a permanent performing arts venue for students in grades 6 and up.  The original Ridgefield Railroad Station has been donated and land leased from the Town of Ridgefield — all that is left are donations for renovations.  Once completed, the possibilities are endless… art, music, theater, dance, open mic nights, photography and art exhibits, comedy, poetry reading… the list of artistic endeavors continues.

by Terri Woods Garlick

READ !

June 23 through August 7

For more than 25 years, the Ridgefield Library has offered its elementary school-aged children a summer reading program.  Last year, close to 1,300 children participated, and this year, the Children’s Staff believes a record number will  participate.  Already, over 300 Ridgefielders have been trained to be summer reading specialists, and will record what might prove to be the largest number of books read by Ridgefielders in one summer.  With the recent inclusion of teens and adults in summer reading, the Ridgefield Library has one of the largest programs in Fairfield County.  The Library Staff works hard all year on a cohesive theme with incentives and complimentary programs, and this summer’s program will not disappoint!

Make a Splash, Read! is the theme of the Summer Reading Program for all children going into grades K-5.   The process is simple:  children choose to read books, to have books read to them or to listen to audio books.  On their visits to the library, the readers share their thoughts on one book with a summer reading specialist — usually graduates of the program.  Another sharing option is for the reader to create an art project about a book to be displayed at the Library.  All children must read at least one book before beginning the program.

Along the way, there are “cool” incentives for books completed.  For example, 10 books, a reader gets a Summer Reading Poster, 20 books, a gift certificate to Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe, 30 books, a photo in the “Wet & Wild” Gallery, 40 books, one pass for the Ridgefield Recreation Center  Pool or Martin Park Beach, plus a foam water shooter, and for 50 books, a gift certificate to The Toy Chest.

The Friends of the Ridgefield Library enhance the program every year with special programs at the Library for the children to enjoy.  Twelve programs will be offered in June, July and August, that compliment the theme, Make a Splash, Read!  These programs are offered to all age-appropriate participants.   Some of the programs featured this year are:  the Woodcock Nature Center will bring the outdoors, indoors and the Norwalk Maritime Center will present, “The Long Island Sound,” along with mimes, puppet shows, and song concerts.  The perennial favorites, Family Game Night and “Bubblemania,” are back too.

In keeping with the water theme, Make Waves, Read! is the name of the Teen Summer Reading Program, for all kids going into grades 6-12. Teens read a book, then complete a short book review form.  Every 100 pages read count as one book towards the incentive program:  10 books, a slice from Piccolo Pizza, 20 books, a sundae from Deborah Ann’s Sweet Shoppe, and 30 books, a free movie ticket to the Ridgefield Playhouse.  Teens also receive raffle tickets for every 5 books read.  Throughout the Summer Reading Program, weekly raffle drawings will be held and gift cards to local and area merchants (includes Books on the Common , CVS Pharmacy, Subway and The Orange Elephant) will be given to the lucky winner.  The final grand raffle prize is a limo ride to the first day of school.

Adults are also included in the Summer Reading Program:  Water Your Mind, Read! is open to all adults.  For every book read or listened to, participants complete a review form and leave it in one of the “pails” around the Library.  Forms can be found online and submitted electronically, if so desired.  These anonymous reviews will be catalogued and bound together so other summer readers can get suggestions, opinions and reviews for new books to read.  The Library will have two copies, one in the Fiction Room and one in the Reference Area.  In addition, for every review submitted your name will be entered in one of the weekly raffle drawings for Adult Summer Reading Prizes.

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To SPLASH into the wonderful season of reading, The Woodcock Nature Center will visit the library on Thursday, June 24 with some little creatures who love to SPLASH into ponds! The event takes place from 10:30 to 11:15 in the library’s Dayton Program Room and is open to families with children age 5 and up.

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A big thank you to the Ridgefield Library, the Friends of the Ridgefield Library, and local merchants and organizations for making these programs available to all Ridgefielders, young and old, year after year!