Bethel Daily Briefing: Thursday, April 5, 2012

Today is Thursday,  April 5 , 2012

TODAY'S WEATHER from the National Weather Forecast

Red Flag Alert!

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind between 8 and 13 mph. 

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. North wind between 3 and 8 mph. 

GARDEN HINTS  from the Old Farmer's Almanac

Can you tell me how the expression "green thumb" originated?

According to James Underwood Crockett, it comes from the fact that algae growing on the outside of earthenware pots will stain a person's thumb (and fingers) if he or she handles enough pots. Hence, a person who is always working with flowerpots has a green thumb. Another theory is that it originated during the reign of King Edward I of England. He was fond of green peas and kept half a dozen serfs shelling them during the season. The serf who had the greenest thumb won a prize.

QUOTE OF THE DAY from Brainy Quotes

A good film is when the price of the dinner, the theatre admission and the babysitter were worth it.

Alfred Hitchcock

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The date for the All or None Special Town Meeting is April 24 at 7:30 pm at room A of the Municipal Center.There is another special town Meeting scheduled in the same place for 7 P.M. The subject of that meeting is not known.

The Republican Primary is April 24, 2012 between the hours of 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Absentee Ballots are available to Republican Registered Voters beginning April 3, 2012 who meet the criteria for voting Absentee 

Building With Spirit Wine Tasting to benefit Housatonic Habitat for Humantiy, Friday June 1 2012,  6-10pm,  Danbury Fair Center Court7 Backus Ave

If you would like to work on this year’s Quilt, there is still room for you, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 1pm. [put on inside]

Please come out and support a local CT dog rescue: Karuna Bully Rescue for our Our 2nd annual fundraiser, BULL n' BREW on Saturday May 19th - 6pm at the Ambler Farm in Wilton, CT! There will be live music, local craft beer, wine, catered eats, a silent auction + raffle! All proceeds to benefit homeless bully breed dogs in need and we will also join to celebrate our first successful year as the Karuna Bully Rescue community! Tickets are $50 via PayPal to fosterfund@karunabully.org or $60 at the door.  Please direct questions to info@karunabully.org

A World of Flavors (for kids 6 - 10 years old) Mondays, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM 6 Classes run for 7 weeks (4/2, 4/9, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7 & 5/14) Note: There will NOT be class on Monday, 4/16.

Back by popular demand! Emphasis will once again be on food from different nations. Chef Robin will introduce your children to dishes from Mexico, China, Italy, France and more. Kids will work in a professional kitchen preparing their own dinner (and extras to take home for the family to sample).

$25 each class $130 if you purchase 6 in advance

Cooking Together (for kids 3 - 5 years old... and parents too) Thursdays, 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM Classes run for 6 weeks (4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3 & 5/10)

Cooking is a great skill for children of any age. You’re never too young to have fun in the kitchen! In these classes Chef Robin will work with you and your children to create delicious meals. Emphasis will be on introducing kids to healthy, new foods. It’s amazing what they’ll taste when they prepare it themselves!

$20 each class. $110 if you purchase all 6 in advance.

APR. 5 COFFEEHOUSE: WCSU will present the Midtown Coffeehouse at 8 p.m. in Alumni Hall on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. The coffeehouse will include open mic performers at 8 p.m., followed by the featured act, a capella group Play It By Ear, at 9 p.m. Admission will be free and the public is invited. Donations to sustain the Coffeehouse will be accepted. Call (203) 837-9700 or visit www.wcsu.edu/stuaffairs/Coffeehouse.aspfor more information.

APR. 7 STRIKE OUT CANCER EVENT: The WCSU Softball Team will host a Strike Out Cancer event at noon and 2 p.m. during the team’s double-header game against Plymouth State on the softball field on the university’s Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. Supporters are encouraged to make a monetary pledge for each strikeout thrown by a WCSU pitcher or a lump-sum cash donation during the games that will be donated to a local cancer charity. The public is invited. For more information, email heller022@connect.wcsu.edu.

At most kids’ chess tournaments, the parents are relegated to waiting in hallways or parking lots while the children compete. At last Saturday’s second annual “Mini Me” Charity Chess Tournament, sponsored by the Chess Club of Fairfield County (CCFC), parents were plucked from the sidelines to play as a team with their child.  To read more about kids chess in Fairfield County, click here. 

Youth for Understanding, one of the oldest and largest exchange programs in the world, is seeking loving families to host foreign exchange High School Students for the 2012-2013 academic year.  For families interested in learning about other countries and backgrounds, hosting a foreign exchange student is an excellent introduction into a new culture, and a priceless experience for you as well as the international student.

We are a private, non-profit educational program dedicated to preparing young people for their responsibilities and opportunities in a changing, interdependent world.  For more information,

School Date Reminders 

April 6th – Schools are closed

April 10 – Conference Day – Early Dismissal – JS & BMS

April 11 – Conference Day – Early Dismissal – JS & BMS

April 12 – Conference Day – Early Dismissal – JS

April 12 – Professional Development Day – Early Dismissal – BMS & BHS

April 16-20 – Spring Recess

TODAY IN HISTORY from On This Day

 1614 - American Indian Pocahontas married English colonist John Rolfe in Virginia. 

 1621 - The Mayflower sailed from Plymouth, MA, on a return trip to England. 

 1806 - Isaac Quintard patented the cider mill. 

 1887 - Anne Sullivan taught Helen Keller the meaning of the word "water" as spelled out in the manual alphabet. 

 1923 - Firestone Tire and Rubber Company began the first regular production of balloon tires. 

 1930 - Mahatma Ghandi defied British law by making salt in India. 

 1951 - Americans Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were sentenced to death for committing espionage for the Soviet Union. 

 1955 - Winston Churchill resigned as British prime minister. 

 1985 - John McEnroe said "any man can beat any woman at any sport, especially tennis." 

 1987 - FOX Broadcasting Company launched "Married....With Children" and "The Tracey Ullman Show". The two shows were the beginning of the FOX lineup. 

Have an announcement or an interesting bit of news?  Let us know!  Click here or email Christine Rose at RosepetL5@aol.com