Griffin Hospital in Derby to host AARP driver safety refresher course

Griffin Hospital will host an AARP Driver Safety Program March 4./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host an AARP Driver Safety Program from 8:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. March 4 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation's first and largest refresher course for drivers. 

While the course is geared toward drivers age 50 and older, the course is open to everyone.

The training is designed to help you learn current rules of the road, how to operate your vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment, and make some adjustments to common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time. 

The course also covers such topics as how to maintain proper following distance at all times; the safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections; the effects of medications on driving; how to minimize the effect of dangerous blind spots; the importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating, smoking, and cell-phone use; proper use of safety belts, air bags, and anti-lock brakes and ways to monitor your own and others' driving skills and capabilities.

Participants will gain a greater appreciation of driving challenges and how they can avoid potential collisions and injuries to themselves and others. 

As an added bonus, participants can check with their auto insurance company about discounts for completing the course.

The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. 

Make checks payable to “AARP.”

To register, call Esther, 203-732-1523.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Paint night fundraiser planned at Oxford studio for Derby High School PTO

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  Painting that participants will create. 

  OXFORD - An adult paint night to benefit the Derby High School PTO will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Rad Art - Arts and Crafts Studio, 144 Oxford Road.
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Quoting from a Facebook event page:

"The talented teachers at Rad Art will guide you step by step in painting, through a 2-hour class. Your inner artist is just waiting to come out! It's a guaranteed relaxing fun night out! 

"They provide everything you need: canvas, paint, brushes, easels, music and inspiration. Just bring yourself, your friends, a beverage of your choice and let the Paint Party begin! [Cost is] $35 per person and lite snacks will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own as well."

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Ansonia Nature Center offers puppet making workshop, Eagle watch trip, more

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road, has scheduled a variety of programs for children and adults in February.

NATURE’S EXPLORERS – Tuesdays, Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, 10–11:30 a.m.

Join Wendy for our new preschool/toddler program. This four-week session is for children ages 2–5 years old with an adult. These outdoor classes will be fun exploring and learning through play. We will learn about nature and science through activities such as hiking, singing, games, reading, and making crafts. Every class is outside!!!! 
Please register in advance. TUITION: $40 per four-week session 

SNOWSHOE SATURDAY: Getting Ready for Bluebirds – Feb. 11, 1:30 p.m.

Need to get out? Enjoy the winter with this guided hike through our woodlands and fields. Join Ranger Dan and snowshoe around the Nature Center grounds to clean out the bluebird boxes. 

Bluebirds will start nesting again in March and April. 
Great exercise and fun for adults and older children. We have snowshoes to borrow! 
FREE, but pre-registration is required.

PET LOSS GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP – Feb. 14, 1 p.m.

Losing a beloved animal can be tragic and a very emotional time for humans. There are numerous resources to turn to for the loss of a human loved one; however, there are limited options for when we lose an animal. Susan Wilson has created this support group for those who have lost an animal or have one in the process of moving on. While these sessions are free, donations are accepted.

EAGLE WATCH AT THE SHEPAUG DAM- Feb. 18, 9:30 a.m.
Alison Rubelmann will join you on this field trip to the Shepaug Dam to view the bald eagles that are wintering on the Housatonic River. Very cold, clear weather is best for finding eagles at the dam, which is on a hill and tends to be colder than most other Connecticut locations, and we plan on spending an hour or more there, so dress in several layers of clothing and wear more layers than you may think you need. 

Group size is limited; pre-registration is required. FEE: $3 per person.

SKULLS AND SCATS – Feb. 18, 1:30 p.m.

Hey, what was for lunch? From herbivores to carnivores, explore the levels of the food chain of Connecticut’s mammals. Come see our collection of skulls and learn how to identify them by looking at their teeth. We will also teach you the basics in scatology while exploring the Nature Center’s property for clues. Please register for this family event. FREE.

OUR HIDDEN LANDSCAPES: Stone Cultural Features & Ceremonial Sites – Feb. 19, 2 p.m. 

Hikes in the woods can reveal a variety of stone cultural features to archaeologists and historians. While many of these are the remains of abandoned farmsteads and industrial mill sites, others represent Native American ceremonial sites. State regulations support preservation of sacred Native American sites, so it is important for land trusts and conservation organizations to recognize these sites within their properties and inform the CT State Historic Preservation Office and Office of State Archaeology of their presence. 
Join Dr. Lucianne Lavin, Director of Research and Collections at the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, Ct., for a PowerPoint presentation on European-American and indigenous stone structures found in our state. 
Please pre-register for this FREE program.

PRESIDENTS’ DAY OWLING – Feb. 20, 1 p.m.

Join us for a stealthy foray into the forested parklands to seek the haunts of our most silent nocturnal predators. This program is for all ages, but keeping quiet is the key to our success. Upon our return we will warm up in the Nature Center to learn about owl adaptations while meeting two of our resident owls. Dissection of an owl pellet or two will help us discover what our feathered friends eat. FREE; please register.

PUPPET WORKSHOP – Feb. 26, 2 p.m. 

Dive into the recycling bin with puppetry artist Linda Wingerter of The Stringpullers Puppet Company! Puppets can be made from anything, and we’ll explore how to imitate animal movements with easy-to-find discarded materials. Then we’ll create characters based on the residents of the Nature Center to take home for your own puppet show. 
Materials and tools will be provided; just bring your curiosity! MATERIALS FEE: $10. Recommended for ages 7-12.

*** ONGOING PROGRAMS *** 

Sundays: Guided Hikes, 1 p.m.  

Thursdays: Yoga for a Healthy Mind and Body, 6:30 p.m. -call Pam, 203-888-4124

Saturdays: Creature Features, noon 

All programs require pre-registration; call 203-736-1053.

This is a press release from the Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center.