Guess Who's Coming To Town?!

April showers don't just bring May flowers . . . they also bring exciting guest speakers to Darien Library! Take a look at who will be visiting us over the course of the month. We hope you will join us!

Let's begin with our Spring Author Series:

Meet the Author! Charlotte Smith
Dreaming of Dior
: Every Dress Tells A Story
Wednesday, April 28 at 7 PM
We LOVE fashion and will talk fashion anytime, but this April is special because this April, our Spring Author Series continues to unfold with an author and fashion expert whose remarks and collection are in vogue, in demand, and most desirable no matter what the season.  Five years ago, Charlotte Smith, Curator of The Fashion and Textile Gallery in Sydney, Australia, inherited a priceless vintage clothing collection from her American Quaker godmother, Doris Darnell. Dating from 1790 to 1995, the collection had been a lifetime labor of love for Darnell and consists of more than 5,000 treasures, ranging from a pioneer womans daintily mended best dress to couture originals by Dior, Chanel, and Balenciaga. Ms. Smith has compiled a gorgeously illustrated book of the dresses, their stories, and the lifetime of memories the collection holds. The presentation will include a display of several pieces from the collection.
 

And mark your calendars for:

Dr. David Downie
Weathering the Storm: Climate Change, Science, and Policy

Guest Lecture by Dr. David Downie, Fairfield University

Monday, April 5 at 7 PM
During the month of March, Darien and the rest of the Northeast experienced some of the most extreme weather we've seen in quite awhile, with tons of snow, rain, and wind reminding us that while nature is beautiful, it can also take some wild turns. But is it as unpredicable as we may think? Will climate change bring similar conditions in the coming years? Please join us for a special One Book, One Community event, as Dr. David Downie, Director of Environmental Studies and Associate Professor of Politics at Fairfield University, will give a dynamic presentation about the factors that influence extreme weather and global warming, as well as what is being done to help protect the future of our planet.


The Poet's Voice, featuring Anne Boutelle

Sunday, April 18 at 3 PM
April is National Poetry Month! We are celebrating at Darien Library with the return of The Poet's Voice, which features yearly readings in Fairfield County libraries by outstanding poets. Ann Boutelle will read poems from her selected works, Becoming Bone and Nest of Thistles, winner of the 2005 Samuel French Morse Prize from Northeastern University Press. Boutelle teaches at Smith College, where she founded the Poetry Center. She is considered the guiding light of the Poetry Center and continues to guide the Center's efforts.



College Admissions 101: A Panel Discussion for Families

Advice for Student Athletes
Thursday, April 22 at 7 PM

We know how stressful college admissions can be. We also know you can never get too many tips on how to prepare yourself for the admissions process! And if you're a student athlete, the process can be even more confusing and complicated. So we've gathered a panel of coaches, parents of student athletes, and current student athletes who have been through it all and have tried and true advice to offer on college admissions, the recruitment processes, and how to juggle academics and sports all at once.


Ask the Master Gardeners!

Container Gardening for Flowers & Vegetables
Tuesday, April 27 at 7 PM
It's an evening of asking the experts! Wally Pugh and Regina Campfield, both graduates of the CT Master Gardener Program at the Barlett Arboretum, will share their gardening wisdom with us. First Mr. Pugh will offer an assortment of good gardening practices and skills for optimal yield. Then, Ms. Campfield will discuss designing your planter, types of plant materials, soil provisions, and watering techniques. Learn the theory of "thrillers, spillers, and fillers" for your pots! Come with paper and pen in hand. You will want to take notes!


There is so much more that is happening this month! Click here for a full listing of events for April.

Special Film Event - "The Color of Fear"

Showing Wednesday, March 31st at 7 p.m.
Showing Wednesday, March 31st at 7 p.m.

We invite you to join us tonight for a special Stand Against Racism* event, co-sponsored by the YWCA Darien/Norwalk.

Wednesday, March 31 at 7 p.m.

THE COLOR OF FEAR

The Color of Fear is an insightful, groundbreaking film about the state of race relations in America as seen through the eyes of eight North American men of Asian, European, Latino and African descent. In a series of intelligent, emotional and dramatic confrontations the men reveal the pain and scars that racism has caused them. What emerges is a deeper sense of understanding and trust. This is the dialogue most of us fear, but hope will happen sometime in our lifetime. (Running time: 90 minutes)

"What is presented to me as an American does not look like me. Does not think like me, does not smell like me, does not cry like me."-- Mexican-American participant featured in the film

 "I won't trust you until you're as affected by my experience as I am everyday by yours." -- African-American participant featured in the film. 

To view the trailer, click here

*The Stand Against Racism is a movement of the YWCA with the goal of bringing people together from all walks of life - across the country - to raise awareness that racism still exists. “Stand Against Racism” day is Friday, April 30, 2010,The YWCA Darien/Norwalk, along with 60 YWCA's and approximately 1,500 organizations will celebrate diversity and raise awareness that racism still exists and should not be tolerated.

Please join us for this important film event.

Wednesday Matinee Forecast - "Storm" at 2 p.m.

Showing Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Showing Wednesday at 2 p.m.

 

Our Wednesday Matinee Series continues on Wednesday, March 31 at 2 p.m. with an international thriller.

STORM (2009) Starring Anamaria Marinca and Kerry Fox; Not rated; 105 minutes (In English, German, Bosnian, and Serbian with English subtitles.)

Hannah Maynard, prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague, is leading a trial against a former commander of the Yugoslavian National Army who is accused of the deportation and later killing of dozens of Bosnian-Muslim civilians. When a key witness commits suicide, it looks like the case will unravel, however Hannah refuses to give in.

Hoping to uncover new findings, she travels to the witness' burial in Sarajevo and meets his sister Mira who she senses has much more to say than she is willing to admit.  Despite threats of violence, Mira reluctantly agrees to testify at The Hague. However, she and Hannah must both risk life and limb to make it to the court, only to discover that there are traitors among their own ranks.

This an an edge-of-your-seat thriller, with a great story and wonderful performances. Click here to learn more and to watch the trailer.

 

The Dysfunction Continues!

The Spring Book Discussion Series, Dysfunction Junction: The Lives of Others, continues!

Tuesday, March 30 at 7 PM

Our second selection is The Bolter by Frances Osborne. Library staff members will lead the discussion (the Library has copies of the books available for patrons to borrow, but prior reading of the books is not necessary to attend the discussions.)

The Bolter is the biography of Lady Idina Sackville, one of the most scandalous Brits of the post-World War I era. Though not considered a particular beauty, Sackville charmed men and women alike, and made a habit of marrying whenever she fell in love. Written by her great-granddaughter through the use of family stories, diary entries, and never-before-seen letters, the book chronicles the story of this most intriguing woman of old British money and title, a woman who leaves her husband and children for a romantic, albeit epically dysfunctional life, taking her from flapper girl in London to adventure in Kenya.

“Osborne's lively narrative brings Lady Idina Sackville (an inspiration for Nancy Mitford's character the Bolter) boldly to life, with a black lapdog named Satan at her side and a cigarette in her hand.” – Publishers Weekly

The series continues next month with The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer on Tuesday, April 20 at 7 p.m., and The Kids Are All Right by The Welches on Tuesday, May 4 at 7 p.m.
 
You'll find all the details right here.

Monday at 12 - Knowledge @ Noon

(Image courtesy of flickr user Desiree Delgado)
(Image courtesy of flickr user Desiree Delgado)

How about a little knowledge with your lunch on Monday, March 29th  - at noon?

Join Marianne (Readers’ Advisory) and Gretchen N. (Knowledge & Learning Services) in the Main Reading Room, located on the 2nd floor, for a brief overview of a few of our proprietary research resources.  What is Culture Grams?  And how about that History ResourceCenter?  Both are fantastic sources for adults and students.  Book groups, term paper writers, and book lovers can all deepen their knowledge while finding a new world of reliable and authoritative information...and do it all with your Darien Library card!

 

Friday's Film - "The Blind Side"

Showing Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Showing Friday at 7:30 p.m.

 

This Friday, March 26th at 7:30 p.m., we are pleased to present The Blind Side, starring Sandra Bullock, Kathy Bates, Tim McGraw, and Quinton Aaron. Sandra Bullock won the Oscar and the Golden Globe for her performance in this film. The Oscar-nominated film has won a place in many hearts and memories. Please join us as our Friday Film Series continues.

This film is the remarkable true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home. Michael was taken in by a wealthy white family who helped him fulfill his potential as a person and as an athlete. He worked hard on the field and in the classroom and became an All-American in college and was picked in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, changing his life and the lives of the loving family who were there to watch him succeed.

To learn more about the film and view the trailer, click here.

This film is rated PG-13. Running time is 128 minutes.

Refreshments will be served.

Admission is free.

For more information about our Friday Film Series, please click here.

 

Meet the Author: John Barricelli

John Barricelli will be at the Library on Thursday, March 25th at 7 p.m.
John Barricelli will be at the Library on Thursday, March 25th at 7 p.m.

Our Spring Author Series continues on Thursday, March 25th at 7 p.m. with a visit John Barricelli, author of The SoNo Baking Company Company Cookbook: The Best Sweet and Savory Recipes for Every Occasion. The SoNo Baking Company Cookbook has been named one of 2010's Most Exciting Food Books by Publishers Weekly. 

John Barricelli is the owner of the SoNo Baking Company & Café in South Norwalk, a sought-after destination for artisanal breads, specialty cakes, delicate pastries, and much more. As a third generation baker, host of PBS’s Everyday Baking from Everyday Food, and regular guest on NBC’s The Martha Stewart Show (the book’s foreword is by Martha Stewart), Barricelli emphasizes using the best ingredients, techniques, and equipment to produce beautiful, professional-quality results at home. From his numerous television appearances, Barricelli has become a household name in the world of baking. In this visually stunning new cookbook, he presents 150 comprehensive, easy-to-follow, and inventive recipes for sweet and savory items, including cookies, cobblers, pies, brownies, tarts, and quiches. Feast on delectable treats from SoNo Baking Company & Café while the author shares expert tips that will empower both novices and the most advanced chefs to revamp their baking repertoires and create new variations on old favorites.

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

 

 

Friday's Film ~ "Serious Moonlight"

Showing Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Showing Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Our Friday Film Series continues with a dark (very dark) comedy starring Meg Ryan. We hope that you'll join us at 7:30 p.m. on Friday...and every Friday.

Friday, March 19th at 7:30 p.m.

SERIOUS MOONLIGHT (2009) Starring Meg Ryan, Timothy Hutton, Juston Long; Rated R; 84 minutes

A high-powered female attorney learns that her husband is about to leave her for a much younger woman. Consumed by a dangerous romantic cocktail of love and desperation, she holds him captive until he “promises to stay with her and love her forever.” However, the wife’s plan becomes complicated when the couple’s home is overtaken by a robber.

"Amusing black comedy about an avenging wife features a strong cast directed by Cheryl Hines." -- Hollywood Reporter

Click on the image at left to watch the trailer.

Refreshments will be served. Admission is free.

 

Friday's Film ~ "Up in the Air"

Showing Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Showing Friday at 7:30 p.m.

We are not up-in-the-air (or undecided, uncertain, wishy-washy, or ambivalent) IN THE LEAST with our Friday Film Series selection for this Friday! We know that you will enjoy every moment of this excellent Oscar-nominated film with its Oscar-nominated cast. 

March 12 at 7:30 p.m.

UP IN THE AIR (2009) Starring George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Jason Bateman; Rated R; 109 minutes 

Ryan Bingham is a corporate downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road is threatened just as he is on the cusp of reaching ten million frequent flyer miles. Leading an empty life lived out of a suitcase he thinks he may have finally met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams in this quirky comedy. 

"A smart, alert, supremely entertaining movie." -- The Washington Post

"One-word reaction: bravo." -- Rolling Stone

"Timeliness can be tricky to pull off convincingly in movies. It's tough to capture an era while it's still happening, yet Up in the Air does so brilliantly, with wit and humanity." -- USA Today

...and my favorite review...from The Philadelphia Inquirer...well, um, just because...

"Ryan may not be admirable, but Clooney makes him relatable. It's his deepest and nakedest performance."

Please join us. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Wednesday Matinee ~ The Grapes of Wrath

Showing Wednesday, March 10 at 2 p.m.
Showing Wednesday, March 10 at 2 p.m.

 

Wednesday Matinees continue with a special film screening!

Wednesday, March 10 at 2 p.m.  - A One Book, One Community Event

THE GRAPES OF WRATH (1940) -  Starring Henry Fonda and John Carradine; Not rated; 129 minutes

A poor Midwestern family is forced off their land and travels to California, suffering the misfortunes of the homeless in the Great Depression. (Wow. Get a load of this early film trailer!) 

"The Grapes of Wrath is just about as good as any picture has a right to be; if it were any better, we just wouldn't believe our eyes." -  Frank S. Nugent - The New York Times

"There is a rigorous purity in [Ford's] visual style that serves the subject well. The Grapes of Wrath contains not a single shot that seems careless or routine." - Roger Ebert

To learn more about our One Book, One Community town-wide read, please click here.

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