New Canaan Library is pleased to announce the debut of Discussion Lab @NCL: an open forum for thoughtful, community conversations on topics that are in the news. The initiative’s tagline, “Making Sense with Community,” underscores the Discussion Lab’s aim of giving members the opportunity to discuss today’s news issues, based on articles from reputable major newspapers and magazine journals. Each session will be moderated by individuals with substantial knowledge of the chosen topic. The moderators will focus the discussion on information gained through specific articles, copies of which will be available at New Canaan Library or accessed digitally through the events calendar on the Library’s website, newcanaanlibrary.org
The inaugural discussion, Carbon, Cows and Dirt – A Good Environmental Trifecta? will take place on Thursday, August 15 at 10 a.m. in the Curtis Gallery.
The owners of local restaurants that partnered with a theater group that performed in downtown New Canaan through July said the effect on business was largely positive. Angela Baldanza, co-owner of and chef at Baldanza Café, described the restaurant’s partnership with the Summer Theatre of New Canaan as “a very positive experience.” She said that many diners had come into the restaurant to take advantage of a special fixed-price menu, and that she “would do it again.” Asked whether the theater’s impact was noticeably different from previous years, when it had been located further away from the downtown area, Baldanza said “definitely.”
Previously located in Waveny, STONC on Sunday finished its final show on New Canaan Library’s property. The organization partnered this year with a number of local restaurants, which offered special deals for theatergoers.
New Canaan Library was closed Tuesday due to a problem with its power, officials said. The library suffered a power outage late Monday and Eversource confirmed that there’s a power cable connection problem entering the building, Kathy Blance, head of public relations for the library, said in an email. “We have electricians working on it but it will be an extensive job so we’re closed today [Tuesday],” she said. Library Director Lisa Oldham said that three major power lines run from Cherry Street, under the building, and out toward Main Street, and that one of them “is apparently very, very old and has now failed.”
“Unfortunately, this particular cable that failed runs both the chillers for the AC and all of our servers, so there is no way we could open,” Oldham told NewCanaanite.com in an interview.
Blance said late Tuesday that power had been restored and the library would open as usual Wednesday. Library officials long have said that a new library is needed.
The dark side of two young women’s friendship against the backdrop of Hollywood glitz frames The Paper Wasp, the debut novel from Lauren Acampora, author of an acclaimed short story collection, The Wonder Garden. Join New Canaan Library in welcoming Ms. Acampora on Thursday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Adrian Lamb room. Copies of the book will be available for purchase, courtesy of Elm Street Books. Please register online at newcanaanlibrary.org. The Paper Wasp, Acampora’s electrifying debut novel, tells the knife-edge story of two women’s dark friendship and twisted ambition set against the backdrop of contemporary Hollywood.
New Canaan Library welcomes author Jeanne Mackin, speaking about her latest novel, The Last Collection, on Tuesday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Adrian Lamb Room. Copies of the book will be available for purchase, courtesy of Elm Street Books. Please register online at newcanaanlibrary.org. Paris 1938, and the looming threat of World War II, is the backdrop to this enthralling historical novel that swirls around the glamour and infighting of two of fashion’s biggest icons: Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli. Enter Lily Sutter, a recently widowed young American teacher, who, while visiting her brother, gets caught up in the rivalry for recognition as the most successful and influential fashion designer in France.
