<p>Keep yourself safe with the Library's&nbsp;<strong>Women's Self Defense Workshop at Darien Library!</strong></p><p>Join us on&nbsp;<a href="https://darienlibrary.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8c17339c2ea9922174f2c0428&amp;id=f47aa824ed&amp;e=75920aab3b" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(19, 70, 136);"><strong>Tuesday, May 14th at 6:30 p.m.</strong></a>&nbsp;as we welcome back&nbsp;Sifu Elliot Leung. Participants 18 years and older will&nbsp;learn how to turn their hands, elbows, and knees into effective tools for self-defense.</p>

<p>Belmont University recently released the Dean's List for the spring 2024 semester. Approximately 44% of the University's 7,338 undergraduate students qualified for the spring 2024 Dean's List.</p><p>Congratulations to Darien resident who achieved the Dean's List:</p><p>Dennis Glassmeyer </p><p>Anya Napoli </p><p>Caroline Ricci </p><p>Luke Ryan </p><p>"Earning a place on the Dean's List is a testament to the unwavering diligence, tenacity and commitment to scholarly distinction exhibited by Belmont's promising students," said Belmont University Provost Dr. David Gregory. "The ability to excel both inside and outside the classroom emphasizes these students' exceptional character and drive, and it is an honor for me to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each one. Whether they are contributing to the arts, pioneering groundbreaking research or championing important causes, they have consistently demonstrated the same level of passion and excellence that has brought them to this momentous academic achievement."</p><p>Dean's List eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.</p>

<p><strong>Experience the epitome of luxury living at the highly anticipated Darien House Tour, presented by The Depot, Darien’s Youth Center, on May 31st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. </strong></p><p>Immerse yourself in the charm of Darien’s coastal lifestyle as you explore exquisite residences nestled in the prestigious Noroton Bay neighborhoods. Enjoy the convenience of central parking and a delightful picnic lunch at the scenic Weed Beach, courtesy of our event sponsor, Palmer’s Market.</p><p>Register early to secure a complimentary catered lunch and ensure you don’t miss a moment of this exclusive event. Join us for a day of inspiration and community spirit as we celebrate the beauty of these Darien homes.</p><p>Learn more and purchase tickets <a href="https://cbo.io/bidapp/index.php?slug=housetour" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://cbo.io/bidapp/index.php?slug=housetour</a></p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">As a long-time publicist, Aline Weiller is an experienced champion for the dreams of other creatives. To produce </span><em>FUN: Essays on a Life Embraced</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> she notes, “I had to root for myself and make the book a priority, as publishing it was my own dream.” That dream came true in January, with the publication of her essay collection celebrating the everyday experiences that connect us.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“The goal of writing </span><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">FUN</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">,” Weiller says, “was to share all types of stories that would resonate with readers, both inspiring and messy, that ultimately convey a message of hope.” Appropriately to her goal, she began working on the collection during the lockdown of 2020. In the suspension of time, she found the space to put the collection together, which features both award-winning essays previously published and those penned specifically for this collection.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Taking inspiration from music albums, Weiller sought to create a balanced and cohesive collection that blends humor and pathos and spans different phases of her life and her roles as sister, daughter, wife, mother, writer, and stand-up comedian. From her large body of work, forty-two essays made the cut, each chosen for its ability to invite readers in. To select the final arrangement, she and her editor wrote each essay title on a Post-it note and lined them up on a bulletin board, moving them around until the flow felt just right. In a nod to her musical inspiration, each essay ends with bonus content in the form of brief ‘liner notes’ or ‘fun facts’ that provide a coda on the events described. Weiller gives family members a voice as well: Several essays about them are followed by Q&amp;As with them.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Collectively, the essays weave back and forth through time, revisiting capstone childhood experiences, adventures of young adulthood, and the poignancy of adulthood proper, with its many long goodbyes. Consistently across the collection, the playful and the poignant walk hand-in-hand. Nostalgia for Weiller is not so much about longing for the past as for capturing it in vivid detail so as to salute it and acknowledge its beauty. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“My aim is to communicate that </span><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">all</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> of life’s stages should be appreciated,” Weiller explains. “I write essays of family’s significance, of pop culture’s influence, of hard-won lessons.” The collection features essays that flow from a yearning to entertain, to share, to connect so readers can relate or laugh or cry.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Both laughter and tears inevitably feature in our lives; thus for Weiller, it was vital not to sugarcoat difficult experiences but to allow joy and sorrow to play counterpoint. Essays like “The Crusader” about her father’s unexpected death at 61 and “The Comeback Kid” about her son’s anaphylactic reaction to pistachio nuts sit alongside “Pen Pal” about her favorite TD Bank pens and “A Fanilow is Born” about coming to appreciate Barry Manilow in concert. The hilarious “Hairista,” a tribute to her hairstyles across the decades, is followed by the poignant meditation “In Transit,” in which traveling through Grand Central invites memories from across her life, ending with her finding a forward-facing seat in which to ride home. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Strategically throughout, essays on pop culture invite identification from readers of all ages. A self-described “pop culture enthusiast,” Weiller enjoys weaving references to it across her work. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Each mention provides an opportunity, as she observes, “to transport the reader back to a specific moment in time.” Whether it’s the impact and influence of Mary Tyler Moore, the tragic passing of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds days apart, or connecting with her son over their shared love of the band America, Weiller celebrates pop culture’s staying power and its capacity to create bonds across generations. As she observes, “It speaks to all of us—like a keepsake leaving its indelible imprint, sometimes years after its heyday.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">When asked which essay best represents her writing, Weiller chose “Center Stage,” which she describes as “a snapshot of my childhood.” The essay describes her mother’s drama school, which she ran out of their family home, and her stagings of </span><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Sound of Music</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. The essay also serves as a tribute to her mother, who, Weiller says, “made us feel like stars” and who instilled from an early age a love of play and performance for the purposes of connecting. These gifts find fulfillment in her moving and funny collection. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“Ultimately,” Weiller says, “I want </span><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">FUN: Essays on a Life Embraced</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> to evoke emotion and have readers see themselves in my tales. It’s my hope the book brings forth wisdom, light, joy.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Connect with the author via her website </span><a href="https://www.alineweiller.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.alineweiller.com/</a> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">or on social media: Facebook @alineweillerauthor; Instagram and X @AlineCWeiller; and YouTube @alineweiller9262</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Contact the author by emailing info@</span><a href="alineweiller.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">alineweiller.com</a></p>

<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(Evanston, Illinois) Today, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) announced the winners of this year's National Merit $2500 Scholarships. The 2,500 Merit Scholar designees were selected from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Among the winners is Darien resident Joyce Huang, a student at Greenwich Academy. Huang received the $2500 National Merit Scholarship. This award is supported by National Merit Scholarship Corporation's own funds.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">These Scholars were chosen by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the Finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including the difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®); contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the Finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Today’s release is the second announcement of winners in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. On April 24, about 770 recipients of corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards were named, and on June 5 and July 15, some 3,600 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners will be announced. By the conclusion of this year’s competition, more than 6,870 academic champions will have won National Merit Scholarships worth approximately $26 million.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Learn more about the National Merit Scholarship Corporation </span><a href="https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/start.aspx?gid=2&amp;pgid=61" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">HERE.</a></p><p><br></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>FC Buzz Weekend May 10-12</strong></p><p>HamletHub is proud to partner with the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County and FCBuzz to Elevate Arts and Culture in Fairfield County! Each week, look for a listing of weekend events and activities. The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of the arts and culture across 15 towns in coastal Fairfield County. Sign up to receive a free eBuzz newsletter with top picks and spotlight events from the hundreds of events posted on FCBuzz.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/performing-arts-at-moca-stella-cole-jazz-at-lincoln-center-emerging-artist" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Performing Arts Stella Cole</strong></a></p><p><strong>MoCA Westport</strong></p><p>Friday, May 10, 7:00 pm - 12:00 am</p><p>To watch Stella Katherine Cole perform is to be transported back in time. Her voice, personality, and presence all shine with a timeless quality, as if she’s been plucked straight out of an old MGM movie. The joy she derives from the music of the Great American Songbook is irresistible. Spend a few minutes scrolling through the thousands of comments on her viral singing videos, and you’ll see she has people of all ages falling in love with this music.</p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/v-eccbs-5th-anniversary-spring-season/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>V – ECCB’s 5th Anniversary Spring Season</strong></a></p><p><strong>Darien Arts Center</strong></p><p>Friday, May 10 to May 11, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm</p><p>The evening highlights the versatility, technical prowess, and acute artistry of ECCB's dancers and celebrates four different choreographers and their varying styles. Complete with live music, come enjoy works by Dorothea Garland, Seyong Kim, Alejandro Ulloa and Claire Mazza.</p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/bird-banding-demonstration-at-birdcraft/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Bird Banding Demonstration at Birdcraft</strong></a></p><p><strong>Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary</strong></p><p>Saturday May 11, 8:00 am - 10:00 am</p><p>A fascinating, up-close view of how bird banding works. Watch as birds are gently captured in the Birdcraft Sanctuary, their measurements are recorded, and they are fitted with an identification band before being released back into the wild, unharmed. Participants may get to release a bird too! Bird banding is one of the oldest and most important techniques used for studying and understanding birds. All ages welcome. Located at 314 Unquowa Rd. in Fairfield, Birdcraft operates a licensed bird banding station where more than 18,000 birds have been documented since the 1970s.</p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/plant-sale-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Plant Sale</strong></a></p><p><strong>Bartlett Arboretum &amp; Gardens, Stamford</strong></p><p>Saturday, May 11, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm</p><p>The Sale features hundreds of plants for you to choose from, for gardens with sun or shade, in dry areas or wet: Native perennials and shrubs, Aromatic and Culinary herbs, Garden Vegetables and more! UConn Master Gardeners will be on hand throughout the sale to help you make the best choices.</p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/madama-butterfly-puccini-the-met-opera-live-in-hd/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Madama Butterfly (Puccini)</strong></a></p><p><strong>Ridgefield Playhouse</strong></p><p>Saturday, May 11, 12:45 pm - 4:15 pm</p><p>Three extraordinary sopranos—Aleksandra Kurzak, Eleonora Buratto, and Asmik Grigorian (in her highly anticipated Met debut)—tackle the demanding role of Cio-Cio-San, the loyal geisha at the heart of Puccini’s devastating tragedy. Tenors Matthew Polenzani and Jonathan Tetelman co-star as the callous American naval officer Pinkerton, whose betrayal destroys her. Mezzo-sopranos Elizabeth DeShong and Eve Gigliotti share the role of the steadfast maid Suzuki, and baritone Davide Luciano and Lucas Meachem are the American consul Sharpless. Acclaimed maestro Xian Zhang makes her Met debut conducting Anthony Minghella’s vivid production.</p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/living-with-connecticuts-wildlife/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Living with Connecticut’s Wildlife</strong></a></p><p><strong>Connecticut Audubon Society Center, Fairfield</strong></p><p>Saturday, May 11, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm</p><p>Connecticut’s citizens are blessed with the rich diversity of wildlife in the state. Learn all about our wild neighbors from Paul Colburn, master wildlife conservationist with CT’s DEEP (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection) for “Living with Connecticut’s Wildlife” presentation focuses on how to live with and enjoy our wild neighbors. Species covered include Black Bear, Eastern Coyote, Bobcat, Fisher, Raccoon, Skunk, Virginia Opossum, Red and Gray Fox, Woodchuck, White-Tailed Deer, birds, bats venomous and non-venomous reptiles, and amphibians. </p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/victorian-tea-service/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Victorian Tea Service</strong></a></p><p><strong>Wilton Historical Society</strong></p><p>Saturday, May 11, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm</p><p>Guests will be seated in a beautifully decorated tent in the courtyard of the Society’s campus, with all the classically magnificent details expected from a 19th century tea service. Delicious teas and bites </p><p>catered by A Dash of Salt will be accompanied by a presentation on the History of Tea from an expert from Bigelow Tea.</p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/awakening-opening-reception-a-group-exhibition-featuring-floral-artwork-to-benefit-local-organization-earthplace/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Awakening: Exhibition Reception Featuring Floral Artwork to Benefit Local Organization Earthplace</strong></a></p><p><strong>Sorelle Gallery, Westport</strong></p><p>Saturday, May 11, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm</p><p>During the reception Explore floral artwork, Watch a frosting piping demo and taste cake samples by Harborview Cakes, Watch a bouquet-building demo and shop flower arrangements by New Petal Flower Farm, Enjoy light refreshments including a specialty floral cocktail, Percentage of proceeds from partnering organizations and artwork sales to be donated to Earthplace!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/mcc-spring-concert-featuring-frostiana" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Mcc Spring Concert, Featuring Frostiana</strong></a></p><p><strong>Saint Luke Church, Fairfield</strong></p><p>Saturday, May 11, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm</p><p>Join the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut for a springtime concert, featuring Frostiana, along with other works. </p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/finely-tuned-paintings-by-marlene-siff-35e6a" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Finely Tuned: Paintings By Marlene Siff</strong></a></p><p><strong>Westport Library</strong></p><p>Sunday, May 12, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm</p><p>Each of the five massive, dimensional works in "Finely Tuned, Paintings by Marlene Siff"— Fanfare, Crescendo, Legato, Elegy, and Fugue — is named for, and linked to, a specific expression found in music. Visitors to the gallery can scan a QR code next to each piece and listen to the musical selections that the artist used as inspiration. Also on view are several maquettes that Siff made as studies prior to the construction of these awe inspiring works. </p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/cinderella-23d5e" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Cinderella</strong></a></p><p><strong>Downtown Cabaret Theatre, Bridgeport</strong></p><p>Sunday, May 12, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm</p><p>The timeless story of Cinderella and her journey to find love and happiness with the handsome Prince Charming, but this is unlike any Cinderella you’ve ever seen! Cinderella’s her wicked step mother and stepsisters try everything they can to keep Cinderella from attending Prince Charming’s Royal Ball, but with a little help from a magical fairy Godmother, Cinderella makes it to the Ball for a night she will never forget.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/harmony-in-hues-exhibition-c1a2f" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Harmony In Hues</strong></a></p><p><strong>The Norwalk Art Space</strong></p><p>Sunday May 12, 12:00 am -12:00 am</p><p>Resident Artists of TNAS join together for a group exhibition featuring Alejandra Gonzalez, McLee Mathias, Brie Miyoko, Remy Sosa and Tiara Trent. Excerpt of exhibition statement by Brie Miyoko: "In the heart of our TNAS community, the Resident Artists embark on a transformative journey similar to the growth of a vibrant garden. The canvas of the artist’s experiences mirrors the stages of blooming flowers.</p><p>See these and discover hundreds more events on the <a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FCBUZZ EVENTS</a> page at <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://culturalalliancefc.org</a> Sign up for the <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cultural Alliance eBuzz</a> to receive top picks and spotlights each week in your inbox.</p><p><br></p>