The Burnham Library in Bridgewater will host a program on how to operate an Apple Watch.
Michael Jay, a certified Apple teacher, will lead an interactive 90-minute workshop that will cover some of the basics for new Watch users, including how to get started and the main functions of the watch. The event is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 21.
Attendees should bring their Apple Watch and iPhone to follow along.
This program is free and open to all. Registration is required by visiting the Events Calendar at www.burnhamlibrary.org. For more information, call the library at 860-354-6937 or email jkallay@burnhamlibrary.org.
Danbury
Cancer nonprofit speaks to Rotary Club
Shannon Cobb, president and CEO of Ann’s Place, recently spoke to the Rotary Club of Danbury about the nonprrofit, which provides help and hope to those living with cancer and to their loved ones.
Cobb said the services offered at Ann’s Place are needed more than ever after many people were not able to get cancer screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ann’s Place, which is located in Danbury, does not charge for its services, and relies on the generosity of donors to pay for the support its gives.
The Rotary Club of Danbury has been a donor for several years to help fund vital support services provided by Ann’s Place for cancer patients. Fore more information about Ann’s Place, visit https://www.annsplace.org/.
Danbury
Home buyer workshop to be held
Housatonic Habitat for Humanity will hold a free home buyer education workshop via Zoom at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25.
The 90-minute workshop, hosted by the Danbury Library, includes Habitat’s team, who will explain what it means to be a Habitat homeowner, and representatives from Newtown Savings Bank, who will explain the home-buying process, what is needed from the borrower to be approved for a mortgage, the benefits of homeownership, and tips for improving your credit score.
By working with buyers from beginning to end, Housatonic Habitat helps individuals prepare for the various responsibilities of homeownership, including learning how to budget your finances effectively and avoiding financial pitfalls once you become a homeowner. Habitat also mentors prospective homeowners in developing a family budget and setting long-term financial goals.
Register for a Zoom link at the events calendar on DanburyLibrary.org, call 203-797-4505 ext 7730 or email atranng@danburylibrary.org. Also, visit https://housatonichabitat.org/ for more information.
Danbury
History of license plates to be discussed
The Danbury Library is hosting a program with AAA of New England about the history of American license plates at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26.
Fran Mayko, media relations manager for AAA of New England, will lead the virtual program.
Register at the events calendar on DanburyLibrary.org or call the Danbury Library to register 203-797-4505 ext 7743. To register by email or for question about this program or about ZOOM, email ytoma@danburylibrary.org
Danbury
Immaculate students to take invitational math exam
Two Immaculate High School are among a small number of students nationwide who have been invited to take the American Invitational Mathematics Exam. Only 5 percent of students across the country are invited to take the exam.
Juniors Yipeng (Simon) Zhao of Sandy Hook and Junyi (Luka) Lu of Danbury qualified for the exam by scoring high on the national AMC 12 exam recently. Zhao’s score was high enough to earn him a Certificate of Distinction.
The two will take the 15 question, three-hour exam on Feb. 7,. The exam is intended to provide challenge and recognition to the high school students in North America who have exceptional mathematical ability. Finalists can go on to the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad.
All exams are administered by the Mathematical Association of America, the world’s largest community of mathematicians, students and enthusiasts.
To qualify for the AIME, students must take the AMC 12 or AMC 10 exams. Both tests are 25-question, 75-minute multiple choice tests.
The AMC 12 covers the entire high school curriculum including trigonometry, advanced algebra and advanced geometry but excludes calculus. It can be taken by students in grade 12 or below and under 19.5 years old.
The AMC 10 covers the high school curriculum up to 10th grade and can be taken by students in grade 10 or below and under 17.5 years old.
The following Immaculate students participated in the AMC 12/10 tests.
AMC 12 Exam Participants:
Yipeng (Simon) Zhao ‘24 of Sandy Hook
Junyi (Luka) Lu ‘24 of Danbury
William Tucker ‘24 of Danbury
Julia Babcock ‘23 of Ridgefield
Kevin Bailie ‘24 of New Fairfield
Guanlu (Bruce) Lu ‘24 of New Milford
Robert Riego de Dios ‘24 of Danbury
James Toscano ‘23 of New Milford
AMC 10 Exam Participants:
Michael Jimenez ‘26 of Danbury
Estrella Roman ‘26 of Danbury
Raphael Antonios ‘26 of Danbury
Siwei (Zane) Han ‘26 of Sandy Hook
Danbury
Library presents virtual program on ‘The Aztec Empire’
Danbury Library is presenting a free virtual program with a Peabody Museum educator who will livestream from the museum galleries to explore the Mexica and Aztec civilization through artifacts and primary documents. The Zoom event is at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18.
The program will use these primary sources to investigate the contact between Aztec and Spanish peoples and understand how bias can impact our understanding of evidence.
Registration is required at the events calendar on DanburyLibrary.org or call the Danbury Library to register, 203-797-4505 ext 7713. To register by email, or for questions about this program, or about Zoom, email kmostacero@danburylibrary.org.
Region
Hockey game benefits Special Olympics
The third annual “Bender Classic” to benefit Special Olympics was held on Jan. 7 at the Frietas Ice Forum in Storrs.
Crowds showed up to watch the Newtown/New Fairfield Nighthawks take on the E.O. Smith/Tolland High School Bucks at the hockey game.
The night opened with everyone in attendance singing “Happy Birthday” to UConn K9 Tildy, who gave an enthusiastic bark just prior to her ceremonial puck drop.
K9 Tildy, who is handled by E.O. Smith Alum and UConn Police Department Sgt. Justin Cheney, was supportive of the charity event taking place on her 7th birthday.
Sgt. Chapman, Officer Hayes, and Officer Wlasuk of the Newtown Police Department faced off against Officer Vertafeuille, Officer Rivera, and Officer Funk of UConn Police Department during the intermissions of the defensive battle between the Nighthawks and the Bucks.
During the first intermission: a goal by Chapman brought the Newtown Police Department squad to an early 1-0 lead, followed by another score by Hayes. In the final seconds of play, a lucky breakaway by Chapman put Newtown up 3-0.
Both teams came out strong in the second intermission. UConn Police Department spent a lot more time in Newtown territory but were unable to stop Wlasuk from connecting for a fourth Newtown goal. After a barrage of near misses by Vertafeuille, Funk was able to put UConn Police Department on the board, leaving the score at 4-1 for the night in favor of Newtown Police Department.
More than $11,000 was raised for Special Olympics, with more donations still coming in. There was great turnout, including some of the Best Buddies and Unified Sports participants from E.O. Smith High School.
The link to donate will remain open at benderclassichockey.com. The Newtown Police Department will also be promoting its Penguin Plunge and Tip-a-Cop events for Special Olympics later this year.
Sherman
CT’s new troubadour to perform
Kala Farnham, Connecticut’s new troubadour, will perform at the Jewish Community Center on Saturday, Jan. 21. Joining her will be Connecticut’s own George Mallas.
Farnham has garnered numerous awards and recognition, including serving as the current Connecticut State Troubadour, 2020 Falcon Ridge Festival Emerging Artist, 2020 Great American Song Contest Finalist, and 2019 Rose Garden Performing Songwriter Contest winner.
Her 2020 album, “Your Spirit Is a Work of Art,” is composed of 13 musical vignettes exploring the imperfect beauty of the human condition.
Mallas has been writing and playing his piano-based songs since his teen years. His musical influences include Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and James Taylor. He has released two CDs, the latest his wonderfully received “unscathed.”
He hosts the weekly radio show “The Songwriters’ Block” with Melanie Berti, heard Wednesday evenings on Pawling Public Radio.
Reservations are required. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers.
Southbury
Affordable housing grant earned
Giving financial support for worthy projects across its 21-town territory, the Connecticut Community Foundation has awarded the Southbury Affordable Housing Alliance a $10,000 grant to help the alliance create townhouse-style affordable housing in town.
The funding will cover much of the predevelopment costs of affordable housing.
The Connecticut Community Foundation, a Waterbury-based nonprofit, funds nonprofits and other organizations that work toward diversity, equity, and inclusion in towns. This aligns with the alliance’s goal of providing urgently needed homes for those having low- to moderate-incomes in order to enhance their and Southbury’s vitality and viability.
The alliance will offer another public event on Jan. 24, which will include Q&A, details to be provided on social media.