Saturday, February 22nd @ 9:00 am:  The Ridgefield delegation of elected state officials and Majority Leader Jason Rojas invite you to join their discussion about current housing laws, as well as proposed housing legislation for this year’s session. No registration required.  All participants and attendees are expected to conduct themselves with dignity and treat all those present with respect, empathy and civility.

The Housing Forum will be recorded and made available for viewing on the Library’s YouTube channel.

Starting February 13th: The Ridgefield Library is again providing space for AARP Tax Aide, a free tax preparation service for low and moderate income taxpayers, especially those age 50 and older. AARP Tax Aide will be offered on Thursdays from February 6th through April 10th on the following schedule:

February 13th through March 27th — 8:15 am to 12:15 pm
April 3rd & April 8th — 10:15 am to 2:15 pm
April 10th — 8:15 am to 12:15 pm

Assistance is available by appointment only, no walk-ins — please call (203) 438-1654 directly to schedule your session.

The Library’s Museum Pass Program offers free or discounted admission to over 20 premiere educational and cultural institutions in Connecticut and New York. Passes are located at the Circulation Desk. They may be borrowed for two nights and are available on a first come, first served basis only (no reservations).  The Museum Pass Program is made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Ridgefield Library.

For more information, call the Circulation Department at 203-438-2282 x202 or email the Circulation Desk.

Wednesday, February 26: Students in Grades K-5 are invited to meet local student athlete Zoe Guerrero. Zoe is currently ranked #20 in the World in Halfpipe Snowboarding by the World Snowboarding Federation. She’ll talk about her experiences training and competing as a snowboarder and then join us as we build and race our own snowboarders in a hands-on STEAM challenge. Registration is required and opens on January 26, 2025

Programs like this are made possible in part by the generosity of our donors.

Saturday, February 8th & Saturday, February 15th:  Learn more about the proposed Town of Ridgefield’s Public Safety Building for the Police and Fire Departments. First Selectperson Rudy Marconi, Director of Public Works & Facilities Jake Muller, Police Chief Jeff Kreitz and Fire Chief Jerry Myers will discuss the details of the proposed new building and answer questions from the public. 

Information presentations will be held on Saturday, February 8th from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm , and again on Saturday, February 15th from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.  

Click here for more information.

 

 

Friday, February 14th @ 6:00pm:  Join us for our 21+ adults-only tabletop gaming experience. Snacks, non-alcoholic beverages provided as well as a ticket for one beer or glass of wine included. Tabletop games mean anything from card games to dice games, board games to strategy games. 

You are welcome to bring a game and play, learn a new game, borrow a game from our collection to take home, or just observe! If you have a specific game that you are interested in teaching, please let us know so we can put a table aside for you. Larger groups of six or more can also email to request a table be set aside.

All attendees must be 21 or older. Registration is recommended. 

Click here to learn more and to register.

Thursday, February 13th @ 1:00 pm:  Cognitive Decline and Dementia: The Importance of Early Evaluation with Dr. Alison McElhone, offered in partnership with rvnaHEALTH.

Understanding the early signs of dementia can be crucial for effective care and planning. In this enlightening session, Dr. Alison McElhone, Geriatrician, will explore the various types of dementia, their prevalence, and the underlying brain pathology that contributes to cognitive decline. She will discuss key risk factors, including genetic influences, to help you identify early warning signs and explain why primary care may not be the most suitable setting for a comprehensive evaluation.

Dr. McElhone will guide you through the evaluation process, emphasizing the importance of early detection and assessment in accessing appropriate resources and support. While Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia cannot be treated, early evaluation can significantly impact the management of symptoms and improve quality of life for patients and caregivers. Whether you’re a caregiver or concerned about your own cognitive health, this session will equip you with vital knowledge to navigate the complexities of dementia care.

Please register HERE.

Tuesday, February 11th @ 1:00 pm:  Nikki Nuut is the new Executive Director of Founders Hall, a hub of learning and connecting for our local 60+ community. Membership is now at 3500 members, which represents approximately half of the total senior population in Ridgefield. As the new Director, Nikki’s vision for enriching mind, body and spirit are connected in the offered courses in education, fitness and creativity.

Senior Voices is a free event and a hybrid program held on the second Tuesday of the month. Individuals may attend in person and online. Light refreshments will be served. If you have any questions, please contact the Commission on Aging at [email protected].

Click here to learn more and to register.

Continues February 10th & March 10th:  Memory cafés are essentially social gatherings where individuals with memory impairment and their adult caregivers come together in a supportive environment, share conversation over a cup of coffee, or participate in fun, simple activities with the group. It’s an opportunity to meet with others for support, companionship and fun!

The programming provides structured activities to promote reminiscing, cognition, and engagement for those with dementia, while offering caregivers an opportunity to make new friends and build strong, supportive, social connections.  

This free series is offered in partnership with the Library, Ridgefield Parks & Recreation and Ridgefield Station Assisted Living & Memory Care and will be held on the second Monday of the month in January, February and March from 10:00 am to 11:30 am in the Charter Oak Room at the Ridgefield Recreation Center.  Caregivers and their loved ones should both register for and plan to attend all three dates to allow for continuity and a more personalized experience.

Registration is available online, in person at the Ridgefield Recreation Center, or by calling 203.431.2755 (press 1).    

Click here to learn more.

CANCELLED–Thursday, February 6th @ 6:00 pm: Students in grades K-8 are invited to join New York Times bestselling author Maria Scrivan as she shares her inspiration for the beloved Nat Enough series through childhood art, photos and stories. Come hear about Maria’s own struggles with not fitting in, her love of cartooning at an early age and her strategies for moving through doubt and fear. Young writers and readers will learn more about her creative process along with the tools and materials she uses to create each book. Registration is encouraged but drop-ins are welcome as space permits.

Books on the Common will have copies of her books available for sale and signing. This program is co-sponsored by the Ridgefield Council of PTA’s Young Writers Conference.