The Ridgefield Library wouldn’t allow Dr. Seuss’s birthday to go by without an event. The library will observe the birth of the innovative children’s authors with movies based on his books including The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham.

Films will be shown on Saturday, March 1 from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Ridgefield Library’s temporary location at 21 Governor Street. The program is appropriate for children ages 2 and older. Snacks will be served. No registration required. Call the library for more information at 203-438-2282.

As we head into a new month, more of the white stuff and frigid temperatures are expected. There’s plenty to enjoy indoors this weekend:

• Acrobats at the Playhouse will present Cirque Ziva Sunday and Monday.
• Prince Igor is Live in HD Saturday.
• Photographer Richard Ventre will talk about his work at the Guild of Artists Sunday.
• Into the Woods is on stage Friday and Saturday.
• Jazz Sunday at the First Congregational Church. 

Details on all of these events will be found in this week’s Press. The basics on many are in the Datebook.

For information on both local and regional events, see Arts & Leisure’s This Weekend listings.

The DMV announced new plates for classic cars and motorcycles.

The Department of Motor Vehicles will soon replace its “Early American” license plate with the more stylish “Classic Vehicle” for those cars, trucks and motorcycles that are at least 20 years old.

The new plate’s white background with dark blue lettering and words “Classic Vehicle” centered at bottom accents the special character of these older vehicles. The more modern approach accounts for the variety of vehicles on the road today.

“This is a very distinctive design that these vehicle owners can be proud to display.  As with their cars, it will stand out as special,” DMV Commissioner Melody A. Currey said.  “The new look also allows for up to seven characters for a vanity plate and opens up a wide range of ways to personalize a vehicle.”

The new car and motorcycle plates will say “Classic Vehicle” instead of “Early American.”

Residents can apply now for a vanity plate in this new series and beginning April 1 can obtain a standard-issue one in DMV branch offices around the state.  To qualify, a vehicle must already be registered in Connecticut and be at least 20 years old. Additional details and application information can be found at ct.gov/dmv/classicplate.

Commissioner Currey recently joined members of the state legislature and car enthusiasts at the State Legislative Office Building to unveil the newly designed license plate also available for motorcycles.  The new design will replace the “Early American” license plate that featured black lettering on a white background with an antique vehicle logo on the left side.

The fee is $27 to replace the Early American plate with the Classic Vehicle plate.  Fees vary for replacing other plates with a new Classic Vehicle plate based on the expiration of the current registration.  Applicants can request through the mail only a vanity plate with special letters and numbers for a $96 fee.

Motorcycle plates also feature the same dark blue lettering on a white background with an old-style motorcycle logo on the left and the words “Classic Motorcycle.”  Classic Motorcycle plates are limited to five characters for vanity plate requests.

All Early American design plates in use will remain registered until an owner cancels them.

The new style plate came from discussions with car club members who approached state legislators and DMV to modernize the plate.  Commissioner Currey convened several meetings with car enthusiasts to develop a new design.

“It was important to get feedback for a new design from people who care so deeply about their automobiles,” Commissioner Currey said.

“We appreciate the openness and willingness of the Department of Motor Vehicles to solicit input from Connecticut antique auto hobbyists on the design of the new ‘Classic Vehicle’ antique auto license plate,” said Dave Bajumpaa, a member of Connecticut Council of Car Clubs who served with the group at DMV to determine the new design.  “This new ‘Classic Vehicle’ license plate better reflects the changes to and increased diversity of the antique auto hobby that has evolved over the last 60 years.”

Capt. Jeffrey Kreitz smiles as his parents, Marilyn and Joe, pin his gold captain bars onto his uniform at a promotional ceremony at police headquarters Tuesday morning. (Steve Coulter photo)

Three Ridgefield police officers moved up the ranks recently.

Chief John Roche asked three officers receiving promotion — Capt. Jeff Kreitz, Lt. Craig Worster, and Sgt. Larry Clarke — to remember that they’re part of a team during a ceremony held at the Police Department.

“The six most important words for a leader: I admit I made a mistake,” he started, counting down from six to one. “Five: I am proud of you; four: what is your opinion; three: if you please; two: thank you; and one: we.

“And the least important word: I,” he said. “As leaders of this department, remember that — we, not I.

“It’s we that work to make this department work — it’s the sergeants, the lieutenants, the captains, the major,” he added. “I can issue orders; I can say whatever I wish to say, but it’s the dedication of the men and women of this police department that make it what it is.”

Chief Roche was reciting the words of Ridgefield Rabbi Jon Haddon, who had delivered a similar “we, not I” message during the chief’s promotional ceremony.

“I framed those words in my office and look at them every day,” he said. “They remind me what leadership is all about.”

Lt. Craig Worster receives his new lieutenant’s bar from his children, Ashlynn and Patrick, at a promotional ceremony at police headquarters. (Steve Coulter photo)

All five members of the police commission were in attendance for the ceremony as commissioner George Kain led the invocation followed by remarks from chairman Thomas Reynolds.

First Selectman Rudy Marconi also spoke, congratulating all three men on their hard work and dedication to the community.

“It’s sincerely appreciated, not only by me and the board of selectmen, but by the residents of town,” he said. “As Chief Ligi once said, ‘When the Fire Department is called and shows up, everybody is happy because somebody is there to help them; when the Police Department is called and shows up, it’s not always happy.’

“People do recognize that and they do appreciate that’s what you’re sworn in to do —  your duty is to uphold the law and when you get called you have to do that to the fairest of your ability,” he said. “We all thank you for your leadership.”

Town Clerk Barbara Serfillipi, who swore the officers in to their new ranks, also commented about all three officers’ “remarkable leadership.”

“I must say it’s been a privilege for me to give the oath of office to all three of these men who now stand here as leaders of the department,” she said. “It’s a wonderful thing for me to do.”

Capt. Kreitz, a Ridgefield native who joined the force in 2003, celebrated with his wife and two young children as well as his parents, who came to town from Florida for the ceremony.

Also in attendance for the captain was former Ridgefield High School Principal Joe Ellis.

Sgt. Larry Clarke stands with his family during a promotional ceremony at police headquarters recently. Sgt. Clarke, who joined the force in 2002, was promoted from patrol officer to sergeant. (Steve Coulter photo)

“Jeff has had an amazing career so far and it’s great that a graduate of Ridgefield High School — someone homegrown and educated right here —  can be recognized through a promotion for his excellent work to the people of Ridgefield,” Mr. Marconi said.

Lt. Worster, a former member of the U.S. Army and Coast Guard, also celebrated with his wife and children, who helped pin his new lieutenant’s bar to his uniform.

He joined the force in October 2000 and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2012.

In 2007, he was named the police commission’s officer of the year.

“I’m sure the bump in the paycheck will be welcomed,” Mr. Marconi joked. “But seriously, you’re well deserving of this promotion, you go above and beyond to help people and that isn’t missed — it’s appreciated.”

Sgt. Clarke is also an award-winning officer, earning the department’s exceptional service award in 2006.

He was hired in July 2002 and has served as the department’s accreditation officer for several years.

Chief Roche recalled when Sgt. Clarke first interviewed as a patrolman.

“Former police commissioner Mike Casey called me right after Larry interviewed with us and said, ‘Of all the people I ever interviewed, he’s one of the most genuinely nice people,’” he said. “A lot of people share that sentiment around town.”

The Prospector Theater’s Pop-Up Shop is hosting a free screening of “Akeelah and the Bee” on Monday, March 3, at 12:30 p.m.

The film tells the story of an 11-year-old girl, battling against fear and self doubt through a number of spelling bees. It stars Laurence Fishburne, Keke Palmer, and Angela Bassett. Popcorn, candy, and soft drinks will be provided.

This show is in promotion and support of the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association’s Third Annual Spelling Bee on Wednesday, March 12,  at p.m. at the Ridgefield Playhouse.

Tickets to the spelling bee are available at ridgefieldvna.org and will also be available at The Pop-Up Shop’s screening of “Akeelah and the Bee”.

Seating to this free screening is limited. Register by calling or visiting The Pop-Up Shop, 454 Main Street, 203-403-3588, or email info@prospectortheater.org.

In addition to individual and family portraits and events, Karen Rayda does sports photography and work for local businesses.

Photographer Karen Rayda says the notion that some people are naturally photogenic while others are best advised to avoid the camera is nonsense.

“Everyone has a distinctive feature that glows before the lens,” she said. “The key is to find it.”

That pursuit is exactly what Ms. Rayda dedicates herself to as part of her work. It is a labor of love that grew out of a curiosity as a child and developed into a passionate hobby as a young adult.

She bought her first camera on money earned delivering newspapers in the Long Island town of her youth. That camera was always with her as she sought out memorable subjects in her neighborhood. Later, she took classes to learn about the mechanics of photography and picture composition, working with a coach who helped her establish fundamental techniques.

Ms. Rayda has invested some $10,000 in her profession, but she calls the time investment inconsequential since it has been so enjoyable.

Her passion has become a growing business. In addition to individual and family portraits and events, Ms. Rayda also does sports photography for Ridgefield High School and chronicles charity events by Stop & Shop and other corporations. She also does work for local businesses and organizations such as Special Olympics, Relay for Life and Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

One of her clients credited her with producing striking images of her daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. “Warmth and humor are qualities that bring out the best in people, and Karen is uniquely gifted in this area,” said Judi Zieselman Stoogenke.

Ms. Rayda enjoys one-on-one sessions most because they let her connect with her subjects.

Her approach is simple: maintain fluid interaction while getting people to open up about their passions and pursuits.

Her sessions typically last an hour, with the “sweet spot” for the best shots happening between 15 and 45 minutes. In the best of these shoots, her subjects “smile with their eyes,” producing beautiful natural images, although other expressions can also be memorable.

One recent session had a dad gazing lovingly at his wife and baby. “The emotion melted right into the image,” she said.

Working behind the lens has taught Ms. Rayda a few things about what works in front of the lens. For example, she says, for a standing shot, men look better when they cup their fingers slightly inward, while women should keep their fingers elongated.

A hand or thumb inside a pants pocket plays well, as does folded arms, a chin supported by hands for a ground level shot, and one’s head facing the camera but body angled to one side.

Never force a smile, she says.

“Project yourself the same way you would a heartfelt thought or emotion,” said Ms. Rayda, a married mother of two children.

On the subject of “selfies” — photographing oneself and posting to the Internet — Ms. Rayda advises caution. “I like to see people looking their best and selfies typically don’t cut it,” she said. “But always be careful that whatever you post is appropriate.”

Her favorite shot: A footbridge blanketed in snow atop Mt. Sunapee, New Hampshire.

The shot she regrets missing: An elderly man kissing his wife on the forehead at the supermarket. “It was the most touching thing I ever saw,” she said.

For all her professionalism, Ms. Rayda said she never wants to lose the wonderment she had as a young girl because she believes it is fundamental to good photography.

She quotes the renowned photojournalist Alfred Eisenstaedt: “Every professional should always remain in his heart an amateur.”

There are a few seats left for Comedienne Christine O’Leary’s Comedy Writing Workshop at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Mondays, March 3 through April 14, from 7 to 9 p.m., for would-be stand-up comics. To sign up ($300), call or visit the box office at The Ridgefield Playhouse, 203-438-5795, or go to ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

The Feb. 27, 1964 Press reported that classes opened at the newly built Farmingville Elementary School on Feb. 24. The date also marked the end of double sessions at the Ridgebury Elementary School.

A combination of rain, snow and winter weather made the planting of trees and shrubs around several of the 1964 World’s Fair buildings a difficult job for the Woodcock Nurseries. Woodcock had brought planting materials from its Ridgefield nurseries and from Pennsylvania and New Jersey to place around the Travellers  Insurance Pavilion, the Swiss Pavilion, the Wax Museum and Puppet Theatre, the Kodak building and several other buildings. The Ridgefield company was in the process of putting gravel and stones in place at the Flushing, N.Y. site for plantings in the spring.

Samuel Chotzinoff, pianist, music critic and National Broadcasting musical director for many years, died at 74. Mr. Chotzinoff had lived on Spring Valley Road for about 20 years. Arturo Toscanini, his close friend,    admired Ridgefield on a visit here in 1947. Mr. Chotzinoff quickly talked the conductor into presenting a concert here. Mr. Toscanini brought 30 members of his orchestra here for the event, which drew the largest number of people ever to crowd the high school auditorium on East Ridge. It was a benefit for the library and was sold out. Two years later, Mr. Chotzinoff persuaded Mr. Toscanini to return to conduct a benefit for both the library and the Boys Club.

Gerri  Karwoski, now Mrs. Gerri Lewis of West Mountain Road, was chosen queen of the Stardust Lounge Valentine Day Dinner Dance.

Harry E. Hull, veteran leader of the Democratic Party in town and four-term former first selectman, announced he was bowing out of the active political field. He said it was time for some younger men to take over.

Mrs. Sylvia Latanzi of Prospect Street, who was well known in town for expressing her opinions, complained to the Board of Education that teachers in the high school had been talking politics to their students. She told the board that teachers were talking about presidential candidate Barry Goldwater at the school. She said that teachers were there to teach education not politics.

A case of vandalism in the Ridgefield Knolls was resolved and handled by the parents of youngsters who did the damage, thus eliminating the need for further police investigation. Officer Ronald Molles said he appreciated the prompt action of the parents and their children and also said it was not often that the police department got such cooperation. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Groff of Aspen Ledges Road, who were members of Ridgefielders for Goldwater, reported that anti-Goldwater signs were pasted on their mailbox and front window and that obscene language had been written in crayon on one of their cars.

There was no opposition to the plans of the Girolmetti brothers to erect a 16-lane bowling alley and restaurant on the family property on Danbury Road (now Girolmetti Court) at a meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Louis Girolmetti, speaking for his brother, John, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mario Girolmettti, said the plan included tearing down the existing Mary’s Restaurant.

Eugene Lavatori announced plans to open a restaurant named for his mother, Nina. The restaurant, formerly owned by the Bonadios, was at the intersection of Main Street and Danbury Road, across from Joe’s Store. The spot is now the home of the Ridgefield Citi Bank branch. Mr. Lavatori had previous culinary experience as a cook at Silver Spring Country Club and at the Italian American Mutual Aid Society.  His mother was formerly a cook at the Maplewood Restaurant.

The Board of Appeals on Zoning unanimously approved the three requests for variances in conjunction with the Benrus Watch Company’s plan to erect a manufacturing plant on 41.45 acres of land on Route 7, south of the Route 35 intersection.

The Board of Finance failed to grant a request for a $50,000 appropriation to buy as much of the Great Swamp as possible because the cost and general feasibility of the program had not been fully determined. Mrs. Francis B. Woodford, chairman of the Conservation Commission, said the town should buy the land for open space because there was a danger that developers would fill the land and eliminate the swamp as a water storage sponge.

Emergency medical services accounted for nearly two-thirds of the Fire Department’s work calls last year.

There were 3,374 calls in 2013, and 2,094 of them, or 62%, were for emergency medical services, according to statistics reviewed last week by selectmen acting as the town Fire Commission.

The year had 57 fire calls, including 26 structure fires — 21 residential fires and five in commercial buildings.

There were also 14 brush fires, five vehicle fires, and four rubbish fires. Eight fire calls were categorized as “other.”

The statistics shared by acting Chief Kevin Tappe at the Fire Commission’s Feb. 12 meeting showed that in 2013 the department had 77 “hazardous materials” responses, 90 “other hazardous responses,” 446 miscellaneous other responses, and 88 rescue calls that weren’t emergency medical service calls.

The Fire Commission showed interest in the year’s 455 false alarms, including 296 accidental alarms, 118 alarm system malfunctions, and three classified as “malicious.”

Fire alarms are classified aren’t as “malicious” on the basis of motive. Often, young children attracted to fire alarm “pull stations” on the walls of public buildings cause them.

“What we call a malicious false alarm is an alarm that’s called in, it’s false — there’s no fire, no smoke. But it’s not accidental, it’s not a system malfunction,” Chief Tappe later explained.

“They’re not malicious in that somebody’s doing it out of anger,” he said. “A preschool kid, they just probably thought it was another toy.”

The first malicious false alarm of 2013 was at the First Congregational Church, on Feb. 28,  “That was just a pull station. I don’t know what it was, if that was a child,” Chief Tappe said.

There was another March 13 at a pre-school on Route 7. “One of the preshcool kids pulled the fire alarm. They probably didn’t know any better,” Chief Tappe said. “We re-set it. They talked to the child.”

The third was at Starbucks, on August 10. “It was a child that pulled a pull-station,” the chief said.

The handful of falsely pulled alarms in Ridgefield isn’t much, according to Chief Tappe, who recalled working in Stamford where sometimes there’d be several a night.

“That’s very low, three,” he said.

Rolling out fire trucks when there’s no fire seems wasteful, and the selectmen wondered if there were ways to reduce false alarms, double check before sending equipment, or possibly to charge for them. But the firefighters seemed to view false alarms as a normal part of department operations.

“Quite often it’s accidental, set off by cooking, or something on the scene,” said acting Chief Kevin Tappe.

“Most of what you call false alarms are food on the stove, steam from the shower,” said Lt. Michael Moore.

“My wife lighting a fire,” joked Selectman Andy Bodner.

Fireplace fires — started with the chimney flue closed, for instance — are a fairly common source of false alarms, the firefighters agreed.

But they don’t necessarily view all those false alarms as wasted trips. If there’s smoke, or something that seems like it, it makes sense for the Fire Department to come and check things out.

“I see it from the Community Center,” said Selectwoman Di Masters, who is the community center’s executive director and oversees rental of the Lounsbury House for things like weddings or fund-raisers.

“Because it’s a public building, you have to clear the building,” she said.

And the Fire Department’s expertise is then needed to declare it safe for people to go back inside.

“You can’t say, ‘It’s my wife, it’s a burger,’” Ms. Masters said.

The selectmen asked about repeat offenders for false alarms and were surprised to learn that town buildings were considered the most frequent sites.

“Do you really think it would be mostly town buildings?” First Selectman Rudy Marconi said.

“Probably: schools,” said Chief Tappe.

With schools, the department likes to check things out — even if school officials say it’s a false alarm.

“When someone from the school calls — ‘A basketball hit a pull station’ — we are already on the road,” Chief Tappe said.

“Someone has to check it out,” he added, “to make sure it’s not an arsonist calling to say a basketball hit a pull station.”

Shami Anand

Raines International Inc., a retained executive search firm, recently announced the promotion of Shami Anand to managing director.

Ms. Anand has spearheaded the growth of the firm’s procurement and supply chain practice in addition to supporting the finance, general management, and human resources practices, the firm said.

She worked for 18 years at PepsiCo in the finance and global procurement organizations, where she most recently served as vice president for World-Wide Sweeteners and other beverage ingredients. Ms. Anand has procurement leadership experience in commodities, ingredients, packaging, and indirect categories on a global basis. Her executive search experience includes engagements for senior operating roles, including chief procurement officers, chief operating officers, and their direct reports for Fortune 500, private/family-owned, and private equity-owned companies.

“Shami is an extremely talented executive who works collaboratively with her clients to deliver the highest-quality candidates,” said Bruce R. Raines, president and chief executive officer of Raines International. “Her expertise in the areas of supply chain and procurement are exceptional in the executive search industry and support our continued growth as a diversified services firm.”

For more information about the firm, visit rainesinternational.com.

Buying and Selling on eBay is a Ridgefield Continuing Education class that provides hands-on experience using eBay to help buy old or new items, convert household clutter to cash; start an eBay business.

Instructor Eileen Burton has a small French collectibles business and has spent more than eight years buying and selling on eBay. Class meets on Tuesdays, March 3 and 11 from 10 to noon at the Venus Building. Cost is $81. Other classes, including Pinterest, Excel, Access, iPad, iPhone, Publisher, Skype, Word, and Picasa are scheduled. Visit ridgefieldschools.org or phone Peggy Bruno at 203-431-2812 for more information.

Dear EarthTalk: What is the latest prognosis for wind energy to command a larger piece of the renewable energy pie? —Peter M., Akron, Ohio

Hydroelectric sources of power dwarf other forms of renewable energy, but wind power has been a dominant second for years, and continues to show “hockey stick” growth moving forward. According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), global cumulative installed wind capacity — the total amount of wind power available — has grown fifty-fold in less than two decades, from just 6,100 megawatts (MW) in 1996 to 318,137 MW in 2013.

And the future looks brighter still. Analysts from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) predict that wind will account for the largest share — 30% of new renewables added to the global power grid by 2030. That new renewables are expected to account for as much as 70% of all new power sources over the next 20 years means that wind is poised to become a major player on the global energy scene.

Here in the U.S., energy generated by domestic wind farms has nearly tripled in just the past four years, despite a brief hiccup due to a lapse in the Production Tax Credit, a renewable energy production incentive that effectively subsidizes the creation of more wind farms. But even despite this, wind represented about a third of all new power added to the U.S. grid over the past five years. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a leading environmental non-profit and wind power advocate, forecasts that the U.S. will derive some 20% of its total electricity production from wind by 2030.

“The U.S. industry has many reasons for favorable long-term prospects,” reports the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), a non-profit trade group representing the wind industry. “In addition to the record activity at the end of 2013, wind energy helped keep the lights on and insulate against temporary price spikes during the recent ‘polar vortex’ cold weather snap, demonstrating the value of wind power in a balanced energy portfolio.”

AWEA also points out recent reports showing how incorporation of wind energy lowers costs for electric consumers. “And critical to some parts of the country facing continuing drought, wind energy uses no water in its production, as well as releasing no emissions,” adds the group.

The fact that wind energy in the U.S. avoids some 100 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually is also good news. AWEA adds that that number will grow as wind energy scales up to 20% of the grid and beyond “making the addition of more wind power one of the fastest, cheapest, and largest-scale ways for states to meet the Administration’s new goals for reducing carbon pollution from power plants.”

While wind continues to grow fast, solar may finally be catching up. According to BNEF, some 36.7 gigawatts (GW) of new solar photovoltaic capacity were added worldwide in 2013 compared with 35.5 GW worth of new wind power installations. BNEF adds that global demand for wind turbines may actually shrink in 2014 (by five percent), representing the first such decline since 2004. But Justin Wu, head of wind analysis for BNEF, says it’s just a temporary blip: “Falling technology costs, new markets and the growth of the offshore industry will ensure wind remains a leading renewable energy technology.”

EarthTalk is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E-The Environmental Magazine emagazine.com. Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com.

Drivers relaxed in the town garage before heading out on the roads Tuesday morning. Closest, at right, is Mike Pontello. Dennis Ford is center. And that’s Darren Brown at left in back. (Macklin Reid photo)

“It’s a long night, once you start plowing,” Public Works Director Peter Hill said.

“Each of these trucks has 16 miles of road to clear. You say 16 miles of road — you have to talk ‘lane miles,’ which would be four times 16,” he said. “You take two passes out of the center, and then you push back on both sides. So you make four trips up and down that road.

“That’s only once,” he added. “We can do that a number of times. We can open everything up and turn around and have to do it again.”

Mr. Hill’s crew of Highway Department plow drivers have been having a lot of long nights.

“I’d have to say it’s the worst winter since ’95-’96,” he said.

Jay Donnelly, who drives one of the town’s plow trucks, remembers.

“Ninety-five-ninety-six was my first year here. That was unbelievable,” he said. “They’re saying this is the eighth worst on record.”

Between the repeated snowstorms and the salt shortages, it’s been a tough winter to keep the roads as clear as people have become used to having them, members of the crew said Tuesday morning, before heading for another day of plowing.

“We’ve been out a lot. But now the level of salt is making it hard,” said Mike Pontello.

“If we had the material it wouldn’t be as bad,” said Keith Weaver. We’re limited. Salt all over the state is hard to get. It is what it is. People have got to deal with the conditions. Don’t drive like it’s summer,” he said.

“My mom used to drive around with chains on,” Jay Donnelly said. “I think we’re all getting a little spoiled.”

“I think one of the biggest problems is everyone has these SUVs,” said Darren Brown. “They see the commercials with these SUVs plowing through four feet of snow and think they can.

“We’re out there plowing and trying to make the roads safe, and we’ve got people out there joy-riding in SUVs. It makes our job a lot harder.”

The Highway Department’s plowing crew consists of 16 truck drivers, according to Mr. Hill.

“We also have a couple of mechanics that drive during the storms,” he said.

There are also a number of private plow contractors the town hires to help out with larger storms.

And the Parks and Recreation Department’s workers clear the parking lots at all schools and town buildings — plowing, but not out on the roads.

Mr. Hill is proud of them and the job they’ve been doing this year under tough conditions.

“I’ve got an excellent crew. These guys give me 100% during the snowstorms. They’re really out there working hard. There’s not that many towns that can say their guys give the effort that my people do,” he said.

“But they are getting tired.”

Average retail gasoline prices in Connecticut have risen 2.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.73/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,540 gas outlets in Connecticut. This compares with the national average that has increased 3.2 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.44/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Prices in Ridgefield Sunday included $3.79 at state line, $3.80 at Valero, $3.83 at Irving, $3.98 at Mobil and $4 at Copps Hill Shell, according to gaspricewatch.com. The lowest price gasoline in Danbury was a $3.63 at Global, 110 Newtown Road. The lowest price in the state for a gallon of regular  was $3.53 at Petrex station in Meriden.

Including the change in gas prices in Connecticut during the past week, prices yesterday were 21.5 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 11.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 17.6 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 26.7 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

“Gasoline prices, as expected, continued their rise over the last week,” said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Gregg Laskoski. “The pace in the increases slowed somewhat versus the week prior, but motorists shouldn’t get excited over the one week slow down in the rise in prices. We fully expect that as refineries get into the prime of maintenance season, gasoline prices nationwide will continue to rise, and perhaps at the fastest rate we could see in 2014. We’re starting to see cleaner burning summer gasoline come in to view across the nation, and with lower production as refineries prepare for an increase in demand and for summer spec gasoline, price spikes can occur,” Laskoski said.

Karla Murtaugh

Leading Neumann Real Estate sales associate Karla Murtaugh was recently named Christie’s International Real Estate Luxury Specialist for 2014 at the Top Agents Conference in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Ms. Murtaugh was identified as one of the 140 most successful real estate professionals in the Christie’s International Real Estate network, the real estate arm of Christie’s auction house.

“This designation is a powerful tool that will not only help me distinguish my business within the marketplace, but will elevate my global standing in the luxury sector,” said Ms. Murtaugh. “I look forward to implementing the new concepts and strategies garnered from my experience at the conference.

“Ridgefield experienced almost double the number of sales of luxury homes in 2013 as compared to 2012, with 24 homes priced more than $1.5 million selling in 2013 versus 13 in 2012,” Ms. Murtaugh said. “I expect this segment to also show steady growth as the overall market value increases in 2014.”

A book brigade — a human chain of schoolchildren, parents, senior citizens, town dignitaries, working folks, library fans all — will be assembled on the afternoon of May 9 for ceremonial purposes. Their charge will be to pass books hand to hand and move the last of the library’s collection from its temporary site off Governor Street to the new Ridgefield Library on the corner of Main and Prospect.

And with this act of community — everybody lending a hand, moving the books — the party will start, kicking off the new $20-million library’s grand opening weekend celebrations, May 9 to 11.

“It has been more than 10 years in the works, and has taken the generosity and hard work of nearly 1,300 people, including planners, designers, volunteers, Friends, staff, board, and donors to bring to fruition, but the time is finally here,” said Peter Coffin, chairman of the library board.

“We invite the entire community to join us on the afternoon of Friday, May 9, for ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremonies, to be followed throughout the weekend by performances, demonstrations, games, and more to help visitors discover the many delights of the new Ridgefield Library.”

The book brigade, led by someone costumed as one of Maurice Sendak’s “Wild Things” will be in the afternoon. “As soon as little kids get out of school and can get over here,” Assistant Library Director Mary Rindfleisch said.

The ceremonies will follow, after the last books have been moved, probably about 4:30 or 5. More specific times are to be announced.

There’s a lot planned for the May 9 ceremonies:

• A ribbon-cutting and some words from a few officials.

• A re-opening of the Main Street doors in the old 1903 Morris building as a public entrance.

• Presentation of the Paccadolmi Awards for leadership and volunteer service.

• Dedication of the Wall of Donors honoring more than 150 individuals, families and institutions who contributed $10,000 or more to help build the new library.

• Unveiling of the Community Mural created by artist Marcia Simha, with more than 500 book spine inscriptions and other dedications from donors in the community.

• Music by members of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra.

There’ll be refreshments.

Further events will continue through the weekend.

Tours of the building will be led by Friends of the Library and other volunteers.

Games and contests will help to introduce services and features of the new library.

Demonstrations will show off new technology in the building, including the Donofrio Family Technology Resource Center for technology instruction and “makerspace” creativity and innovation projects.

The library staff will also show people the new circulation system using Radio Frequency Identification to streamline borrowing and returns.

There’ll be performances in the new Revolutionary War Room and Dayton Program Room (named to preserve the legacy of the original Dayton Program Room), both with state-of-the-art presentation and performance technology.

Performance events on Saturday, May 10, will be Alex the Jester presenting family shows at 11 and 2 and music by singer-songwriter Grayson Hugh and singer Polly Messer at 3:30.

And on Sunday, May 11, plans are for A Music for Aardvarks family concert at 2 readings and performances by Ridgefield writers and musicians at 3:30, followed by a reception.

During the weekend there will also be presentations on the application for certification of the building as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) facility, made possible by Praxair.

As chairman of the Campaign for the New Ridgefield Library, Phillip Lodewick headed an effort to raise $15 million in private gifts and donations and to secure a $5-million contribution by the town.

“I think what the opening on May 9 is going to be is a celebration of a great spirit of generosity within the Ridgefield community,” Mr. Lodewick said.

“The library for a long time has needed to put a new face on. And to have the citizens of the town step up and support the effort, and to have the town itself step up and support the effort, shows that there’s a whole body of people here who believe in the mission of the library, which is to provide lifelong opportunity for learning and be a place of community.”

Although the grand opening weekend is May 9 to 11, most of the library’s move — and, it is hoped, the start of operations at its new 472 Main Street building — will take place in the weeks that precede the big celebration.

The plan is for library to close for a brief period in April, shutting down at its temporary quarters on Governor Street.

The library staff hopes to restore some services on a limited basis at the re-opened Main Street site as they settle in and get the many new systems and services up and running during the weeks before the celebration.

The exact dates of the closing, move and re-opening aren’t known yet. They depend on the new building meeting life/safety and building code occupancy requirements, and will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

People who’d like to participate in the Book Brigade should contact Ms. Rindfleisch at 203-438-2282, ext. 1009, or mfrind@ridgefieldlibrary.org.

Further details will be posted on www.thenewridgefieldlibrary.org.

Sara Dian Clinton and John Henry Lowenstine

Sara Dian Clinton and John Henry Lowenstine were married Feb. 14 by Patricia Stephenson, a Justice of the Peace at the Ridgefield town hall. A ceremony will follow in April at the Avilla Beach Resort in Curaco, Dutch Antilles.

Mrs. Lowenstine, 42, is an attorney, Democratic party fundraiser and lobbyist. She is active on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 exploratory campaign efforts. She graduated from New York University and the Quinnipiac University School of Law in Hamden. She is the daughter of her late parents Dolores Ann Clancy of Bonita Springs, Fla., and Dr. Arthur J. Clinton of Luquillo, Puerto Rico.

The bride’s father, a retired urologist, had a private practice in West Orange, N.J. The bride’s stepfather, Gerald P. Clancy, who is retired, was the chairman of the New York Coffee, Sugar and Cocoa Exchange.

The bride is a descendant of DeWitt Clinton (1769 to 1828), often referred to as the Father of the Erie Canal, U.S. senator and was mayor of New York City and governor of New York and George Clinton, fourth vice president of the United States (1805 to 1812), in the administrations of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

The bridegroom, 45, is known as John. He is a sales representative specializing in International Commodities Trading.

They met volunteering at their children’s school, The Greenwich Catholic School.

The bride and bridegrooms’ previous marriages ended in divorce. Between them they have three children: Truman Mallory Curtis Jr., Giacomo Lowenstine and Giustina Lowenstine.

You’re On the Air or How to Really Make it in Voice-Overs is available through Ridgefield Continuing Education. “With such notable talent as Linda Hunt and Donald Sutherland lending their voices to commercials, films, and videos, one would think that it would be next to impossible to break into this field. Not so,” says instructor Steven Wahlberg.

In this class students learn how to turn voice-overs into a full- or part-time business, said Mr. Wahlberg, a voice-over artist who has worked for IBM, Honeywell, The Hartford and Save the Children.

He will demonstrate voice-over technique and will introduce students to the voice-over business. Advanced registration is required and space is limited. This class meets on Monday, March 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School. Tuition and registration fees total to $31.

Visit ridgefieldschools.org or call Peggy Bruno at 203-431-2812 to register.

Ridgefielder Marty Heiser hosted a live Republican 4th Congressional District debate last week on his local television show.

The candidates competing to go against incumbent Democrat Jim Himes include state Rep. John Shaban, Harvard University graduate Dan Debicella, former Navy SEAL Carl Higbie, and eye doctor Joseph Bentivegna.

The hourlong debate can be seen here and on Youtube.

David Newman of Ridgefield, Wooster School head of upper school, gave a presentation  at the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools conference, What Works is Worth Sharing: Teachers Helping Teachers on Jan. 28.

Mr. Newman discussed “How to Create a Culture of Thinking at Your School.”

Culture of Thinking focuses teachers’ attention on the eight cultural forces present in every school, classroom, and group learning situation, he said. These forces act as shapers of the group’s cultural dynamic and consist of language, time, environment, opportunities, routines, modeling, interactions, and expectations.

As teachers strive to create cultures of thinking in their classrooms, Mr. Newman said, they make time for thinking, develop and use a language of thinking, and make the classroom environment rich with the documents of thinking processes. They also look for opportunities for student thoughtfulness, use thinking routines as supports and scaffolds, model and make their own thinking visible, interact with students in a way that demonstrates an interest in and respect for students’ thinking, and send clear expectations about the importance and value of thinking in learning.

“Presenting one’s professional work to his or her colleagues, and the resulting discourse is always reaffirming that there are plenty of talented and passionate adults working to provide the best educational opportunities for our youth.” said Mr. Newman.