Clamdigging around Rowayton

Stop by the Rowayton Arts Center Sunday, Sept. 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. for the awards reception for "Alternative Visions," an exhibition of high-quality abstract artwork by some of Fairfield County's finest artists.

"Submerged Moon," a photograph by Sandy Gennrich, of Stamford, won Best in Show, which can be viewed -- along with all of the first-place winners -- at www.rowaytonartscenter.org.

The other winners, by category, are:

Acrylic -- Elizabeth Nagle (New Canaan), 1st place; Jessica Huse (Norwalk) 2nd; Heide Follin (Norwalk), 3rd; Robert Genna (Greenwich), honorable mention.

Drawings/Pastels/Prints -- Kathy Draper (Norwalk), 1st place; Jackie Flatow (Westport), 2nd; Janine Brown (Fairfield) 3rd; Hanneke Goedkoop (Rowayton), honorable mention.

Mixed Media -- Susan Frey (Stamford), 1st place; Gregg Welz (Norwalk), 2nd; Hu Lindsay (Norwalk), 3rd; Kendall Klingbeil (Pound Ridge, N.Y.), honorable mention.

Oil -- Linda George (Darien), 1st place; Antoinette Vardamis (New Canaan), 2nd; Lilly Langotsky (Rowayton), 3rd; Caroline Gantz (Westport), honorable mention.

Photography/Computer Art -- Jim Kahnweiler (Norwalk), 1st place; Pierre Lahaussois (Rowayton), 2nd; Phyllis Padro (Rowayton), 3rd; Jeanette Pertz (Rowayton), honorable mention.

Sculpture -- Mindy Green (Rowayton), 1st place; Nancy Cammann (Darien), 2nd; Ginny Awn (Norwalk), 3rd; Pat Atkin (Darien), honorable mention.

Watercolor -- Stan Pastore (Norwalk), 1st place; Pam Davis (Rowayton), 2nd; Judith Katz (Westport), 3rd.

The exhibition is on display through Sept. 30 at the Rowayton Arts Center, 145 Rowayton Ave. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free.

Dre Towey returns with Baby Jam

Dre Towey returns to the library with her Baby Jam program on Friday, Sept. 7, at 10:30 a.m. Towey inspires young families to sing and dance with their children while introducing them to a variety of music in a cool setting.

This isn't your typical mommy, daddy and me, as the Baby Jam takes into consideration the parent as well as the child. Towey will share original music, as well as some well-known favorites. Baby Jam provides live music, percussion, pint-sized instruments and offers a take home CD with booklet. Baby Jam also is a great place to connect with other sleep-deprived parents.

Library announces extended hours

Starting Saturday, Sept. 8, the library will be open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. These Saturday hours will be in effect all year long through Memorial Day, when the library will be back on summer hours on Saturdays (10 a.m.-1 p.m). The District's grant, along with the library's four yearly fund-raising campaigns (Annual Fund, Dinner with Character(s), Father Daughter Ball, and Raffle), will support the Library Board of Trustees' commitment to making this expansion of services a reality going forward. To celebrate this new service, the library is hosting an ice cream social on Sept. 8 from 1 to 5 p.m. serving up free ice cream cones for visitors.

`The Other Great Locomotive Chase'

To help bring you back in time to the American Civil War -- actually 1864 -- the library will present Brian Kammerer and his award-winning film "The Other Great Locomotive Chase," Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m.

This is an epic Civil War saga of courage and determination told with model trains and men in wartime with constant action and genuine humor. This program is family-friendly, and you might even go home having learned something new about the war between the states. Popcorn will be served. This program is co-sponsored by the Rowayton Historical Society in preparation of its upcoming Civil War Encampment .

Commissioners' meeting slated

The Sixth Taxing District will have the next Commissioners' Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 8 p. m. at the Rowayton Community Center, 33 Highland Ave. Old business to be discussed will be Scott Whiteman's Sports Camp and guidelines for signs on the community fence at Witch Lane Park. The commission meets on the second Wednesday evening of each month. The public is welcome at any meeting. For information, contact Andrea Woodworth, district clerk, at 203-854-5066.

Library to show `Bernie' Sept. 14

On Friday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m., the library will show the movie "Bernie," starring Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine and directed by Richard Linklater. The movie is rated PG-13 and the run time is 99 minutes. Popcorn will be served. This program is free and open to the public.

Practice SAT/ACT tests at library

The library will be hosting a free practice SAT/ACT test hosted by Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Kaplan will proctor this simulated examination for students to learn what they can expect on the college admission tests. The practice test will familiarize participants with the English, math, reading and science reasoning parts of the ACT as well as the new areas in the SAT.

Students must register for this test online at www.rowayton.org or by calling the library at 203-838-5038. Space is limited. Those taking the test must also bring two No. 2 sharpened pencils and a calculator. Test results will be returned to the students in the weeks following the practice exam.

Civil War comes to Pinkney Park

A call for volunteers has been issued to form a Home Guard Unit called the Five Mile River Guards, who will muster on Saturday, Sept. 15, in Pinkney Park.

Everyone is invited to join the Rowayton Historical Society for an afternoon of history coming alive at the Rowayton Civil War Encampment. Kids can sign up to be a soldier for a day -- for ages 6 and up -- $35 if you pre-register, $45 at the door (soldiers will get a T-shirt, cap, belt buckle, musket and a snack). General admission for the encampment, which will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is free. Soldiers from the 20th Connecticut and other Connecticut Civil War regiments will set up a Union camp in Pinkney Park, and there will be activities for children and adults, as well as food, music, art and a Civil War cannon firing into the river.

At 3 p.m., Civil War author Blaikie Hines will give a special talk on the life of a Union soldier. To register or to get information, contact the RHS at info@rowaytonhistoricalsociety.org or call 203-831-1036.

SoNo Ice House reschedules

Everyone is invited to Rowayton Day at SoNo Ice House for free skating on Sunday, Sept. 16, from 1:30 to 3:20 p.m. SoNo Ice House is based in historic South Norwalk near Wilson Point. It is a state-of-the-art facility featuring two rinks -- one official NHL-sized rink and one training rink. Additional features include a pro shop, cafe, gym, observation area (overlooking the main and training rink), skate rental, lockers and party rooms. For information, visit www.sonoice.com.

Open Chantey Sing returns to Sundays

Join us to sing along or enjoy listening during theOpen Chantey Sing, a monthly celebration of our maritime heritage. Surrounded by artwork in the current exhibition in the Rowayton Arts Center Gallery, special guests from New York and throughout Connecticut join Deirdre Murtha of The Johnson Girls and her husband, Sean, in leading rousing nautical songs. The next celebration is scheduled for Sept. 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. and will continue on the third Sunday of each month. Refreshments included in $5 admission.

Scene of the Crime Book Discussion

On Sept. 19 at 7 p.m., the library will be bringing to the community BookTalk for Adults: Scene of the Crime Book Discussion Series.

It starts off this month with "Death at La Fenice," by Donna Leon. What mystery reader does not feel at home in the familiar surroundings of 221B Baker Street or strolling the village streets of St. Mary Mead? And who has not sensed the perils of the mean streets of Chandler's Los Angeles or Paretsky's Chicago? Setting has marked importance in many mystery novels. This series looks at novels in some less familiar settings, both geographical and cultural. In many cases the writers have used the settings to create mood, to affect plot, to illuminate characters and to highlight thematic concerns.

Diana Loevy will lead the discussions.

Other books in the series include Oct. 17, "Willow Pattern," by Robert van Gulik; Nov. 14, "A Dwarf Kingdom," by Nicolas Freeling; and Dec. 19, "Smilla's Sense of Snow," by Peter Hoeg.

Refreshments will be served. Multiple copies of the books are available at the library.

Brother Sun

to play coffeehouse

Brother Sun will be performing on Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Good Folk Coffeehouse. Pat Wictor, Greg Greenway and Joe Jencks have formed this dynamic new trio.

Calling upon contemporary songwriting, and informed by the deep roots of gospel, blues, and folk, the trio weaves a tapestry of harmony that is fresh yet familiar.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the music starts at 8. Donations are $25 and children 7-12 are half price. Children under 7 are welcome. No reservations are necessary. The Goodfolk Coffeehouse is located at the Rowayton United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 5 Pennoyer St. For information, visit www.goodfolkcoffeehouse.com.

Volunteers needed for book sale

The library will be hosting a Community Book Sale, running from Sept. 27 to 30. Preview night is Sept. 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. and volunteers are neede. If you can volunteer for a few hours on any of these days to support this new fundraiser, visit volunteer.rowayton.org.

In the know around Rowayton? Please share Rowayton happenings with your community. Send them to Clamdigging@Rowayton.org. And now you can follow the goings-on in Rowayton on our blog at www.NorwalkCitizenOnline.com. Feel free to comment and start a Rowayton conversation.

All events at the Rowayton Library are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. For more information on Rowayton Library events, call 203-838-5038 or visit www.Rowayton.org.