Pequot Library is starting a new initiative called “Beyond the Book Club.” According to a release from the library, the club is taking inspiration from Pequot Library’s founder, Virginia Marquand, by focusing on both women and Pequot Library’s mission of “Bringing Literature, Music, Art, Science & the Humanities to our Community.”
The club will be open to all and will meet 11 times a year. Participants can come to one program or all. There will be book discussions, related workshops or viewing and discussion of movies.
The first session starts with the movie “Little Women” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7. Marianne Pysarchyk, head of technical services and teen librarian at Pequot, wanted to start with literature, but when she talked to her colleagues “the first name that popped up was the author Louisa May Alcott … ‘Little Women’ is so widely read, it’s read in schools and both young and older readers know it. Starting with the movie, we can compare and contrast the literal vs. the visual.”
Upcoming sessions are:
Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m.: Book discussion on the historical fiction book “March” by Geraldine Brooks, whose character Mr. March, taken from Alcott’s “Little Women,” is the absent father gone off to war leaving his wife and daughters to make do in difficult times, and the new biography “Marmee & Louisa: The Untold Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Mother” by Eve LaPlante. Club participants will be able to compare and contrast historical fiction and non-fiction.
Saturday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m.: Workshop on creative writing, “Influential Women Who Shape and Inspire Our Lives and Our Writing.” Led by author, artist and speaker, Adair Heitmann, the workshop will guide participants to remember a significant woman who helped shape their life. Learn how to complete an outline and other writing tips. Heitmann is the director of communications at Pequot.
Although the club is free, registration is required by contacting Pysarchyk at 203-259-0349, ext. 19 or pysarchyk@pequotlibrary.org.
Archive for January, 2013
Women in literature
Don’t get sidelined with the flu
I was one of the millions who have had the flu. I came down with it three days after Christmas, and it knocked me out for a week and I didn’t feel normal again until three days after that. Even so, I had a residual cough that only recently went away.
If you’ve gotten the flu – and I wonder how anyone has been able to escape it – you know what I’m saying.
Of course, I never got a flu shot. In fact, I have not gotten one in 10 years. I just never saw a need.
I know differently now.
For those of you who have not received a flu shot, the Health Department’s Public Health Nursing Office, 100 Mona Terrace, has a limited amount of the vaccine. Call 203-256-3150 for an appointment.
Additionally, a no-appointment, walk-in clinic will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, at the nursing office for those who are age 9 and older. For those with children under 9, the department asks that you call for an appointment.
The accepted insurance are Medicare Part B, Connecticare, Aetna and Anthem. Bring your insurance card with you. Without insurance, the cost of the flu vaccine is $25. Payment will be accepted by cash or check made out to the Fairfield Health Department. Those with Husky insurance or an inability to pay can call 203-256-3150.
The consent form for the flu shot will be available at the clinic or you may print it out in advance by accessing this link. Those making appointments will complete a different consent form.
The department asks that you wear clothing with loose sleeves or short sleeves. For information, call 203-256-3150.
And you need to know about the flu, how to avoid it, how to treat it and who is at risk, visit a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention special website.
A chance to get involved
The town administration is looking for interested residents to fill vacancies on several committees, boards and comissions.
Due to political party balance requirements as specified in the Town Charter, some positions have party restrictions.
While these groups may not appear to be the most exciting ones, they still serve a valuable purpose in our local government. And it would give you an chance to get your foot in the door of being a part of the decision making.
All of the appointments need Board of Selectmen approval and one (Historic District Commission) also needs the approval of the Representative Town Meeting.
Here’s the list.
Affordable Housing Committee
Three vacancies, any registered voter except Democrat, four-year terms
The committee is responsible for studying the need for affordable housing in Fairfield; making an inventory of sites within the town that may be suitable for affordable housing and tracking the availability of those sites; and studying sources of funds for affordable housing.
Board of Assessment Appeals
Two vacancies, both must be filled by Democrats, to complete elected term ending in November.
The board is an elected body consisting of up to five volunteer residents authorized under Connecticut law to revise individual property assessments. Residents who disagree with their real estate, motor vehicle, or business personal property
assessments can petition the Board of Assessment Appeals to revise their assessments.
Historic District Commission
Two alternate vacancies, any registered voter, five-year term
The commission is an appointed board of seven volunteer residents who vote on alterations to properties that are within the town’s three historic districts in Greenfield Hill, Southport and the Old Post Road by downtown Fairfield. The commission must approve nearly any change to a property that is within a historic district if that change is visible from a public street, assuming natural barriers, such as shrubs and trees, are not in place, since they can be removed.
Housing Authority
One vacancy, any registered voter except Democrat, five-year term
The authority is responsible for providing decent, safe and sanitary housing for seniors, disabled or low-income Fairfield residents. The authority works in accordance with Housing and Urban Development, which works to provide better living standards for those who might not be able to secure them on their own.
Land Acquisition Commission
Two alternate vacancies, any registered voter, four-year term
The commission, established by a town ordinance in 1997, is charged with investigating land that could be purchased by the town for active and passive recreation use.
Shellfish Commission
One vacancy, any registered voter, four-year term
The commission has jurisdiction over about 1,000 acres of sea beds in Fairfield and works with the town’s Conservation Department.
Water Pollution Control Authority
Two vacancies, any registered voter, four-year term
The authority is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the town’s wastewater treatment plant, compost facility, eight pump stations and more than 205 miles of sewer lines. The wastewater treatment plant discharges 10 million gallons of treated effluent per day to Long Island Sound. More than 95 percent of pollutants are removed and 5,000 tons of sludge are generated per year, which is mixed with discarded leaves and brush and composted into an organic soil amendment
To be considered, contact Kathleen Griffin in the first selectman’s office at kgriffin@town.fairfield.ct.us or 203-256-3030.
For more information, visit www.fairfieldct.org.
