DoingItLocal

[Fairfield, Conn., April 17, 2014] The Fairfield Public Library is hosting its monthly DIY

Craft Salon at the Fairfield Woods Branch Library, 1147 Fairfield Woods Road on Saturday,

May 3 at 11 a.m. This month we will rediscover the art of embroidery.

Our guest presenter will be Jessica Pigza of the New York Public Library. Jessica is a rare book

librarian and the author of BiblioCraft. She will teach us how and where to look for crafting

inspiration and we will make embroidered bookmarks. Jessica runs Crafternoon, a program for

crafters not unlike our Craft Salon, at the New York Public Library.

The craft salon is for people 18 years and older. Advanced registration is required due to

the limited space. All programs at the Fairfield Public Library are free of charge. For more

information call 203-255-7308 or visit us online www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org . Follow

the Fairfield Public Library on Twitter: www.twitter.com/fairfieldpublib and Facebook:

www.facebook.com/fairfieldlibrary. All programs at the Fairfield Public Library are free of

charge.

[Fairfield, CT, April 16, 2014]  On February 11^th, 1969, the Fairfield Woods Branch Library opened its doors to the public for the first time.  Five years later, the Branch Library became the busiest of the then 47 branches in Connecticut.  Forty-five years later, it continues to be the busiest branch library of the now 75 branch libraries in Connecticut.

Today, Fairfield Woods Branch Library is transitioning into a neighborhood library that responds to traditional community needs as well as the 21^st century needs of Fairfielders. It’s not just about books and technology – it’s about championing the cultural lives of its community members and strengthening the neighborhood.  The Branch Library is a place where community-building connections are happening every day.

Seniors – visit daily to keep up with current events reading newspapers and magazines, chat with neighbors and participate in programs that promote learning such as lectures on history, book clubs, and crafts.  The weekly Purls of Wisdom knitting group is a great example.   A regular attendee, Gloria Roach says “I look forward to going to the Fairfield Woods Branch Library every Thursday morning for the knitting group.  We have a tremendous amount of fun and we are learning every time we are there.  Once a month, we also have a book club and have lively discussions about the books.  The Library is one of my favorite places to visit.

“Adults – heavy technology users; computers, wireless, databases such as Consumers Reports and digital collections.  Streaming and downloading music as well as the outstanding music collection of latest CDs, but also the very popular monthly DIY Craft Salon.  Jeanette McMahon says “Every month, we work on a different craft.  The craft is always new, fun and well presented.  I bring home a project which I can share with my family.  Attending the Craft Salon is fun.  It is something I do for myself in the middle of a busy month.  I enjoy talking with other participants while I am learning something new.  The conversation with the women is good for the body and soul.”

Teens – the newest department at the Branch.  Established in 2008, the downUNDER is a safe, welcoming space.  The professional teen services librarian helps students transition from children’s to adult services and offers year-round curricular support for teens and their parents/advocates. Teens receive homework support and participate in afterschool activities that encourage creativity and community building.

Children – helps to support and understands the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skills for today’s students.  Science STARS and Lego architect programs introduce these topics and allow exploration in a fun and educational way.  Of course traditional story times remain popular and reinforce children’s pre-reading and motor skills.

Families – Seed to Seed Library is one of our most popular community services, as are the classes on gardening with occasional hands on instruction at our community garden.   Active for 4 years, this seed-lending library has garnered national and international attention and has been featured (appeared) in articles from American Libraries, the French magazine Kaizene, the University of Alaska’s Agroborealis, Modern Farmer and Connecticut Gardener.

The Fairfield Woods Branch Library is a neighborhood hub, visited by families, students, seniors and people from all walks of life – an average of 675 visitors per day.  Surrounded by schools, places of worship and senior housing, the Branch Library continues to maintain outstanding service and is an integral part of this economically-diverse community.

All programs at the Fairfield Public Library are free of charge.  For more information and to register for this event call 203-255-7308, or visit us on the web www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org .  Follow the Fairfield Public Library on Twitter: www.twitter.com/fairfieldpublib and Facebook: www.facebook.com/fairfieldlibrary.

Bill named after Darien girl requires equestrian helmets to meet safety standards

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) announced today legislation to require all equestrian helmets manufactured and sold in the United States to meet certain safety standards. The Christen O’Donnell Equestrian Helmet Act – named after a 12-year-old Darien girl who died after being thrown from her horse wearing a hard hat that looked like a helmet but did not in fact meet proper safety standards – will help ensure riders are not misled by unapproved hats that pose as helmets but do not actually protect from head injuries.

 

“As a parent of two young girls, nothing would cause me greater pain than seeing my daughter hurt or worse from an injury that could have been prevented with proper protective gear,” said Himes. “Unfortunately, many horse riders unknowingly purchase ineffective head gear for themselves or their children thinking it is a real helmet.  I am pleased to introduce this bill to help prevent tragedies like Christen’s from ever happening again.”

 

The bill directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish safety standards for equestrian helmets based on those developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), a leading non-profit developer of safety standards used in U.S. law. It requires all helmets manufactured and sold in the United States to meet the ASTM safety standards until the CPSC standards are finalized and imposes fines on companies who try to pass off their unapproved hats as approved helmets.

 

“Since Christen’s death, I have been tirelessly working on passing the Christen O’Donnell Equestrian Helmet Act to stop the sale and production of unapproved equestrian helmets in the United States,” said Kemi O’Donnell, Christen’s mother. “I had no idea back then that the helmet she wore that day was simply a piece of apparel and offered no protection against any kind of head injury.  I could not believe that it was legal in the United States to sell something that looked exactly like a helmet but was simply a hat. With the rapidly increasing awareness and attention on head injuries today, I believe there is no better time than now to finally pass Christen’s Bill.  If passed, the Christen O’Donnell Equestrian Helmet Act would ensure that no consumer ever again would mistakenly purchase a hat instead of a helmet.”

 

Brain injuries are a major public health concern, with two million head injuries occurring in the United States every year. Horseback riding causes 11.7% of sports-related traumatic brain injuries, which is the largest percentage of any recreational sport. Over 100 deaths per year are estimated to result from equestrian related activities, with head injuries accounting for three of every five of these deaths. Properly fitted ASTM-certified helmets can reduce head injury-related deaths by 70 to 80 percent; the U.S. Pony Clubs lowered head injury rates by 29 percent through mandatory helmet use.

 

The bill is supported by the Equestrian Medical Safety Association, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing horseback riding injuries; the U.S. Pony Clubs; Riders 4 Helmets; Charles Owen, a leading manufacturer of certified equestrian helmets; the Brain Trauma Foundation; Safe Kids Worldwide, an organization dedicated to preventing childhood injuries; and Chronicle of the Horse, a weekly equestrian magazine.

 

Company To Create Or Retain Nearly 1,500 Jobs For Residents Over The Next Five Years

 

(DANBURY) – Governor Dannel Malloy today announced that Cartus Corporation, a leading provider of global relocation services, is expanding its headquarters in Danbury to grow its presence in the state after considering other options in New York and Texas. As part of the project, Cartus will retain 1,275 jobs in Connecticut and create as many as 200 new jobs for residents over the next five years.

 

“Cartus’ decision to continue to grow here is another example that our economic development initiatives are working – giving us the tools to compete with other states and win,” said Governor Malloy. “Yet again, an industry leading company chose to make its future in Connecticut because of our superior value proposition: a highly skilled and productive workforce, world-class quality of life, and business-friendly environment.”

 

The state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) will provide Cartus with a $6.5 million loan to cover part of the $15.4 million estimated total cost of the expansion project, including purchasing equipment and making leasehold improvements.

 

“Cartus has been proud to call Connecticut home for nearly 60 years, and we are committed to growing our operations here,” said Cartus President and CEO Kevin Kelleher. “This new investment will position the company for future success, and also allows Cartus employees and their families to continue to give back to the communities they know and love.”

 

DECD made the loan at an interest rate of 2 percent for a term of 10 years. Principal payments will be deferred for the first five years. Thirty percent of the loan principal may be forgiven if Cartus retains its current staff level of 1,275 full time Connecticut jobs for five years. If Cartus creates, in that same five year period, 100 additional Connecticut jobs, fifty percent of the loan principal may be forgiven. If Cartus creates a total of 200 additional Connecticut jobs, 100 percent of the loan principal may be forgiven.

 

“It’s great news for greater Danbury,” said State Sen. Michael McLachlan (R-24). “Cartus is a great business partner in Western Connecticut and this incentive will help Cartus create or retain nearly 1,500 jobs over the next five years. I am pleased this quality company will grow right here in Danbury.”

 

“I’m very pleased Cartus has promised to stay and hire in Danbury – and I look forward to learning more about this agreement with the state to ensure the benefits to residents are greater than our investment,” said State Rep. Dan Carter (R-2). “Economic development is crucial for our region to grow and prosper, but we must always balance the costs to taxpayers.”

 

“I am committed to helping Danbury’s corporate infrastructure grow so that employers can afford to hire, and this commitment from Cartus is a step toward that goal,” said State Rep. David Scribner (R-107). “The employment infrastructure in Danbury has a bright future, and I believe it’s important to incentivize job creators to expand in our area.”

 

“This is great news for Danbury and the surrounding communities, which already support a strong economic environment and quality of life,” said State Rep. Richard A. Smith (R-108). “However, I continue to advocate for creating a stable tax and regulatory environment to draw in businesses so that taxpayer money isn’t needed to incentivize economic development.”

 

“I commend Cartus Corporation for its commitment to remain in Connecticut and for continuing to provide indispensable high-end jobs,” said State Rep. David Arconti (D-109). “I thank Governor Malloy for once again proving he will do what is needed to attract and keep important companies in the state.”

 

“Danbury has been fortunate to have a community-minded business in Cartus, and I’m delighted it is expanding here,” said State Rep. Bob Godfrey (D-110th). “This boosts our state’s economy and creates local jobs, and, since Cartus is a relocation business, signals that the national economy continues to improve. This is a win for everyone.”

 

“As valuable members of our community the Cartus Corporation has shown their commitment to Danbury with economic contributions, charitable giving and volunteer efforts,” said State Rep. Giegler (R-138).  “Their continued presence in Danbury will be good for the local economy with more jobs and more philanthropy to non-profits and other organizations and I’m pleased they’re staying here and expanding locally.”

 

In addition to the DECD financing, Connecticut’s Clean Energy Finance Investment Authority (CEFIA), the state’s “green bank”, will provide funding for project-related energy efficiency investments, subject to approval by the CEFIA Board. Cartus will also receive a sales and use tax exemption of up to $1 million from Connecticut Innovations (CI) upon approval by the CI Board.

 

“Our partnership with Cartus will provide important direct and indirect economic benefits to the region for years to come,” said Catherine Smith, Commissioner of DECD.

 

“Cartus Corp has consistently distinguished itself as an employer of choice and philanthropic leader in Greater Danbury,” said Stephen Bull, president of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce. “Any city would be lucky to have Cartus as a tenant and we look forward to working together to keep them in Danbury and give them the necessary support as they continue to grow here.”

 

With locations throughout the U.S. and worldwide, Cartus is part of Realogy Holdings Corp., a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation, and settlement services. Cartus serves a global client base – offering a broad array of cost-effective, customized relocation services to support clients and their transferring employees – that includes corporate, government and membership organizations of all sizes and types, including 50 percent of the Fortune 50. Cartus was recently honored by the United Way of Western Connecticut with its Corporate Volunteer Award. The award honors Cartus employees who annually dedicate thousands of hours to volunteer outreach efforts — locally and around the world.

 

Tree Seedling Give-Away To Children

The Westport Tree Board will celebrate Arbor Day with a special event on Friday, April 25th, in

front of Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue, from 2– 5 p.m.

 

First Selectman Jim Marpe will kick-off this year’s Arbor Day celebration at 2 pm with an Arbor

Day Proclamation, followed by introductory remarks from Tree Warden, Bruce Lindsay. From

2-5 pm, a “drive-through” FREE give-away of 100 Kousa Dogwood, 100 River Birch and 100

Douglas Fir tree seedlings (with planting instructions) to school-age children and residents of

Westport on a first-come, first-serve basis. The tree seedling give-away has been made possible

through the generous donation of Connecticut Light & Power in recognition of National Arbor

Day.

According to Lindsay, “This is a great opportunity to teach our children the value of being good

stewards of the environment and the beauty that such plantings bring to our everyday lives.”