In light of the recent tragedy in Oklahoma and with hurricane season just around the corner on the East Coast, doctors from BluePearl Veterinary Partners recommend that families remember their pets when making household emergency plans.

“Having an emergency plan in place for every member of your family, including your pets, is extremely important,” said Dr. Neil Shaw, chief medical officer of BluePearl Veterinary Partners. “Most importantly, talk with your family veterinarian to formulate an emergency plan specific to your pet’s needs.”

Micro-chipping a pet

BluePearl doctors recommend speaking with a veterinarian about micro-chipping a pet, so in the event an owner and pet are separated, the pet can be quickly identified and reunited with its owner.

While the number of pets affected from the Oklahoma tornado on Monday isn’t quite known yet, during Hurricane Katrina, it is estimated more than 250,000 pets were separated from their families.

While earthquakes and tornadoes can occur at any moment, hurricane season begins on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.

Here are some tips from BluePearl doctors:

Before a disaster

— Make sure that your pets are current on their vaccinations. Pet shelters may require proof of vaccines.

— Have a current photograph.

— Keep a collar with identification on your pet and have a leash on hand to control your pet.

— Have a properly-sized pet carrier for each animal. Carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand  and turn around.

— Plan your evacuation strategy, and don’t forget to take your pet. Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics, and friends and relatives out of harm’s way are potential refuges for your pet during a disaster.

— If you plan to shelter your pet, work it into your evacuation route planning.

During a disaster

— Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have: Proper identification collar and rabies tag; proper identification on all belongings; a carrier or cage; a leash; an ample supply of food, water and food bowls; any necessary medications; specific care instructions; and newspapers or trash bags for cleanup.

— Bring pets indoor well in advance of a storm; reassure them and remain calm.

— Pet shelters will be filled on first come, first served basis. Call ahead and determine availability.

After a disaster

— Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home. Often, familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be confused and become lost. Also, downed power lines and debris can pose a threat for animals after a disaster.

— If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact the local animal control office to find out where lost animals can be recovered. Bring along a picture of your pet if possible.

— After a disaster, animals can become aggressive or defensive; monitor their behavior.

— Don’t forget your pet when preparing a family disaster plan.

Pet disaster supply kit

— Proper identification, including immunization records

— Ample supply of food and water

— A carrier or cage

— Medications

— Muzzle, collar and leash

About BluePearl Veterinary Partners

Formed in 2008, the Florida-based BluePearl Veterinary Partners employs more than 1,200 people, including about 250 veterinarians. It operates around-the-clock emergency care service facilities in 12 states on the East Coast and in the Midwest.

I generally prefer a “soft” approach for recommendations regarding fine jewelry, but in this case, I’ll make an exception: Never, under any circumstances, use a jewelry box placed on or in your dresser for storage of your fine jewelry!

I know it’s convenient, and a traditional jewelry box with all it’s little compartments works so very well doing exactly what it was designed to do, but unfortunately, you may be putting your jewelry at risk if you keep it in one of these handy containers, particularly if it’s location is either on top of your dresser, or “hidden” in a dresser drawer, because in the event of a burglary, this will usually be the first thing that a thief will look for.

In spite of this admonition, jewelry boxes are not completely impractical, as they make wonderful places to keep your inexpensive costume jewelry, often serving quite well as a “red herring” for a thief, who in haste, may run off with the box of junk, not bothering to search other locations for valuables. (Most home burglaries take less than five minutes.)

“But where would I keep everything?” Ah, not to worry, because the possibilities are endless. As long as you don’t use an obvious location (yes, your dresser drawer is obvious), the idea is to simply buy yourself time in the event of a burglary, and this does not mean that your jewelry should be so well-stashed that a thorough search of your premises could never uncover it’s hiding place. In fact, if you’ve found somewhere incredibly clever, you will want to do yourself (and your family) a favor, and tell at least one person you trust implicitly where your hiding place is. If something ever happens to you, the last thing you want to burden your family with is a question about what you did with your jewelry.

I’m not completely against the use of jewelry boxes; from a practical aspect, you may want to have several. One (for costume jewelry) on your dresser, one hidden within easy reach for the things you wear regularly, and perhaps a third for items seldom worn, which could be placed in a location that may be a little more trouble to access, but if your collection includes certain types of colored stones, you may want to avoid the use of unheated spaces. Not sure? Check with your jeweler.

Don’t have one? Inquiries to this column are always invited, and responses are provided as a public service.

Joe Brandt is a local resident and president of J.L. Brandt Company, offering diversified fine jewelry advisory services to the general public since 1928. Questions or comments may be directed to JLBCO@hotmail.com.

Yale School of Art, 32 Edgewood Avenue Gallery, New Haven; art.yale.edu/Gallery or 203-432-2600: Paintings by Italian Artist Francesco Clemente, made during extended sojourns in Brazil, April 1-June 2; gallery hours noon to 6, closed Tuesdays and Memorial Day.

Fairfield Museum and History Center, 370 Beach Rd.; behind the old Town Hall; open Mon.-Fri., 10-4 (Thur. till 6); Sat.-Sun., 12-4; research library closed Mon.; adults, $5, students w/ ID, $3, children 5 and under, free.info., www.fairfieldhs.org or 203-259-1598: IMAGES 2013, 5th Annual Juried Photography Exhibition and a solo show of the work of Philip Trager, May 4-July 21. The 1750 Ogden House, 1520 Bronson Rd., Fairfield, open Sun., 1-4, for guided tours, June 2-Sept. 29, $3. History Camp, sessions for children ages 4-12, at the museum and at Ogden House, July 8-Aug. 23.

Westport Arts Center, 51 Riverside Ave.; 203-222-7070 or westportartscenter.org: gallery hours are Mon. to Sat., 10-5, Sun., 12-4;   info. and tickets, 203-222-7070: SOLOS 2013, Fri., April 5-June 2, 12 selected artists, juror Susan Cross of MASS MoCA. SOLOS 2013 Lunchtime Artist Talks, Wed., 12:30-1:30, free: May 29; ArtCafé, Fri., 10-11 a.m., May 24, coffee and muffins and art news, free; 2013 Summer Camps, for ages  up to 12, reg. now open.

Westport Public Library, 20 Jesup Rd., Westport; 203-291-4800 or westportlibrary.org: Eric von Schmidt — A Life in Art, through June 26.

Trumbull Nature and Arts Center, 7115 Main St./Rte. 25; info., reg., visit patronsoftnac.com: Nature photography for kids, age 9 and up, Tues., May 2-June 6, 4-5 p.m., $80/child.

Bellarmine Museum of Art, Fairfield University; open Mon.-Fri., 9:30-4:30, and select Saturdays, free adm.; 203-254-4046 or fairfield.edu/museum: Excavation: Recent Photographs by Stanley Greenberg, on view through Fri., June 14.

Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Ave., Mathews Park, Norwalk;  tours offered Wed.-Sun., at noon, 1, 2, and 3; adm. $10 for adults, $8 for srs., $6 for children; lockwoodmathewsmansion.com or 203-838-9799: What Is It? Technology and Discoveries of the Victorian Era, April 17-Oct. 6; Steampunk: Nature & Machine, through June 15.

Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery, Quick Center, Fairfield University; open Tues.-Sat., 11-5, Sun., 12-4 and one hour before curtain during Quick Ctr. events; info., 1-877-ARTS-396 or vfisit fairfield.edu/quick: Po Kim: The Spirit of Change, April 18-June 5, more than 30 works from the late 1950s to recent paintings from 2009-10.

Amy Simon Fine Art LLC, 1869 Post Rd. East, Westport; 203-259-1500 or amysimonfineart.com: Paul Shakespear: Color Fields, new abstract paintings, April 26-June 8; gallery hours Tues.-Sat., 11-5:30.

Rockwell Art Galleries/Westport, 236 Post Rd. East (Imperial Plaza), 203-227-1800 or rockwellartandframing.com: Fraische, new works by Ann Conrad Stewart, Hanneke Goedkoop and Dana Goodfellow, April 17-July 13.

Kawant Festival — India, photography exhibit by Barbara Paul of Westport, May 1-31; Fairfield University Book Store, 1499 Post Rd., Fairfield; info., 203-255-7756 x300 or email fairfieldubookstoreevents@gmail.com.

Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Dr., New Haven; 203-787-4282 or longwharf.org: Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris, Mainstage production, May 8-June 2.

Treehouse Comedy at Marisa’s Ristorante, 6540Main St., Trumbull; 203-459-4225 or visit treehousecomedy.com: Comedy Showcase, Fri., May 25, 9 p.m., $10; Mike Eagan, with John Romanoff and Ellen Karis, Fri., May 31, 9 p.m., $17.50.

Square One Theatre Company, performances at the Stratford Theatre, 2522 Main St., Stratford; res., 203-375-8778 or squareonetheatre.com: Black Tie by A.R. Gurney, May 17-June 1, Fri.-Sat. at 8, Sun. at 2; plus Sat., June 1, at 4 and 8 p.m.

The Coastal Chordsmen, Wed., May 22, 7 p.m.; sugg. donation $10; Trinity Episcopal Church, 1734 Huntington Tpke., Trumbull; 203-375-1503.

Melissa Ferrick, Wed., May 22, 7:30 p.m., tickets $25;  StageOne Fairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford St.; 203-259-1036 or fairfieldtheatre.org.

Art About Town, opening night Thur., May 23, 5:30-8:30 p.m., orig. works by 84 artists on display in 80 shops and restaurants in downtown Westport; on view and for sale, through June 16; Opening night street party incl. music, performers, pop-up cafes, etc., rain date May 30, free adm.; info., westportdma.com.

Westport Historical Society, 25 Avery Place; westporthistory.org or call 203-222-1424: Five Generations of Yankee Ingenuity: The Gault Family, May 24-Sept. 2, in the Sheffer Gallery, and Tracy Sugarman, Citizen-Artist, May 24-Sept. 2, in the Mollie Donovan Gallery.

Weston Memorial Day Fair, Fri. night, May 24, through Mon., May 27; Fri., 6-10 p.m.,  Sat.-Sun., May 25-26, 2-10 p.m.; Mon., May 27, 12-4; Hurbutt Elementary School, Rte. 57.

Blind Boys of Alabama, Fri., May 24, 7:30 p.m., tickets $65;  StageOne Fairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford St.; 203-259-1036 or fairfieldtheatre.org.

23rd Annual Wilton Rotary Club Open Arts and Crafts Show, Sat., May 25, 10-4; crafters may download applications at wiltonrotaryclub.org/craftsshow/indx.htm.

Barn Hill Studio, 20 Barn Hill Rd., Monroe: Spring Art Show, paintings, prints and sculpture by local artists, opening May 25-26, 1 to 5 p.m.; show on view through June 30; info., barnhillstudio.com.

Music for Angels, benefit for Tiny Miracles Foundation, featuring Vertigo, PJ Pacifico, Billy Genuario, Third Sister and The Third Rail, Sat., May 25, 1-6 p.m., Norwalk’s Cranbury Park, Grumman Ave.; adm. $25/adults, free under 12; bringa picnic.

Premier Ballroom Dance Company with guest dancers Andrei Sviridenko and Julia Zubova, prize-winning competitive dancers and owners of the Arthur Murray Studio in Mount Kisco, N.Y., Sat., May 25, 7-midnight, with dance lesson at 8 and show at 9:30; Holy Trinity Greek Church Community Center, 4070 Park Ave., Bridgeport; $17/person, res. suggested, 203-374-7308.

Bridgeport Hospital Home Run, 5K race Sun., May 26, 9 a.m., beginning and ending at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard, 500 Main St., Bridgeport; adv. reg. $20/adults, $10/students 18 and younger, $5/children’s fun run; benefits the Joel E. Smilow Heart Institute at Bridgeport Hospital; info., 203-384-3600 or email bhhomerun@bpthosp.org.

Brookfield Museum and Historical Society, 165 Whisconier Rd., Brookfield; 203-740-8140 or brookfieldcthistory.org: Brookfield’s Fallen Military Heroes, on view Sat. 12-4 through June 1 and during Memorial Day Parade Sun., May 26, and on Memorial Day, May 27.

Brookfield Historical Society’s Strawberry Festival, Sun., May 26, 12:30-3 p.m., outside the Brookfield Museum, Rtes. 25/133, Brookfield Center, following Memorial Day parade; info., brookfieldcthistory.org.

Breast Cancer Survival Center, support groups for post-treatment breast cancer survivors:  May 28, Norwalk (call for details) June 6, 6:30 p.m., CT Challenge Center for Survivorship, 250 Pequot Ave., Southport; info., 203-857-7304.

Fairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford St.; 203-259-1036 or fairfieldtheatre.org: The Revolutionary Optimist, by Nicole Newnham and Maren Grainger-Monsen, May 28, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30).

Back Yard Beekeepers Association, monthly meetings May 28 and June 25, 7:30 p.m., Norfield Church Community Rm., 64 Norfield Rd.,Weston; usually a meeting for new beekeepers at 6:30; free; info., backyardbeekeepers.com.

Dinosaur Revolution, opening night, Fri., May 31, 6-8 p.m., free adm., Stepping Stones Museum for Children, 303 West Ave., Norwalk; reg. online by Tues., May 28, steppingstonesmuseum.org; info., 203-899-0606.

Gary Louris, roots music, Fri., May 31, 7:30 p.m., tickets $25;  StageOne Fairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford St.; 203-259-1036 or fairfieldtheatre.org.

Summer Fun Fest, Sat., June 1, 9-6; activities and products for the whole family, incl. rides and games, vendors, silent auction, entertainment, tag sale, lots of food; free adm.; Fairfield Grace United Methodist Church, 1089 Fairfield Woods Rd.; info., fairfieldgrace.org or 203-307-0190.

Scholastic Book Fair and Open House, Sat. June 1, 10-1, at Honey Tree Preschool, 992 Danbury Rd., Wilton; info., 203-544-7575.

Spring Fest and 3rd Super Seconds Sale, Sat., June 1, 11-5, rain or shine; free adm., family-friendly prices for food and activities;  Clay Art Center, 40 Beech St., Port Chester, N.Y.; 914-937-2047 or clayartcenter.org.

Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, Sat.-Sun., June 1-2, at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich; cars on view incl. a 1955 Jaguar SK140MC and Andy Rooney’s 1966 Sunbeam Tiger; America II and Lionheart, former America’s Cup yachts; Concours Americana on Saturday, American cars from 1900’s to the present; Concours International on Sunday, sports, competition and touring cars from 1900s to the present; Bonhams auction of rare and important collector carsand automobilia on Sun.; hours 10-5 each day, adm. $30/day, $45/two-day pass, children 12 and younger free w/an adult; info., greenwichconcours.com.

Introduction to Zen: Lecture and Zazen Practice, presented by the Japan Society of Fairfield County, with lecturer Zuiho Mathew Perez, resident monk at the New York Zendo Shobo-ji; Sat., June 1, 2-4:30 p.m.; res. due by May 28; at Westport Library, 20 Jesup Rd.; res., sakamaki0624@gmail.com or 203-912-3757.

Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Dr., New Haven; longwharf.org or 203-772-8262: Shake-It-Up-Shakespeare Summer Youth Production: Romeo and Juliet, general adutions for ages 15-21, Sat., June 1, 12-4 p.m., callbacks on June 8 and 15.

The Long Meadow Bluegrass Band, Sat., June 1, at 7 and 9:30 p.m.; tickets $15; Milford Center for the Arts, 40 Railroad Ave. South, Milford; 203-878-6647 or milfordarts.org.

The Machine Unplugged, Sat., June 1, 7:45 p.m.; tickets $38;  StageOne Fairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford St.; 203-259-1036 or fairfieldtheatre.org.

Night Lights on Broadway with Frank Mastrone & Friends, a Father Barry Furey Angel Aid Scholarship Benefit, Sat., June 1, 8 p.m., tickets $50, $100; $25/srs., students; Edgerton Ctr. for the Performing Arts, 5151 Park Ave., Fairfield; info., res., 203-334-6271 or visit olacs-fairfield.org.

Jennifer Sings Broadway, Sat., June 1, 7:30 p.m., wine and cheese served; tickets $35; Weston Historical Society, 104 Weston Rd.; res., 203-226-1804.

The Beach Boys, Dana’s Angels Research Trust Gala Benefit and Concert, Sat., June 1, at the Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; tickets, $50, $60, $85, $110; res., scalive.org or 203-325-4466; for gala information, visit DanasAngels.org.

Bridges, a collaborative art show presented by Milford Fine Arts Council and Bridges…A Community Support System, receiving Tues., June 4-Thur., June 6, 12-5; show June 11-28; recept. and awards Thur., June 13, 5:30-7 p.m.; at Milford Center for the Arts, 40 Railroad Ave. South; 203-878-6647, milfordarts.org or bridgesmilford.org.

Connecticut Classic Arts: demonstration of a pastel landscape by Hank McLaughlin, Thur., June 6, 1-3:30; Trumbull Library, 33 Quality St.; new members welcome; info., 203-926-0000.

Long Wharf Theatre Gala with Mandy Patinkin, accomp. by Paul Ford on piano, Fri., June 7, 6 p.m.; cocktails, small plates, silent auction, performance at 8; dessert recept. at 9:30; Claire Tow Stage in the C. Newton Mainstage Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven; info., kathy.cihi@longwharf.org or 203-772-8234.

True Love Doesn’t Weight, dinner theater featuring great American love songs performed by high school and college students, Fri., June 7 at Vazzano’s Four Seasons, 337 Kenyon St., Stratford; tickets $50 incl. dinner, show, taxes and gratuities; cash bar; benefits The Obesity Action Coalition; call 203-880-5000 for res.

The Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave., Derby; open for guided tours, Thur.-Fri., 10-3, Sat., 10-4, Sun., 12-4, May 11-October; info., 203-734-2513.

111th Norfield Fair, Sat., June 8, 9-4; arts and crafts vendors, specialty/gourmet food, family activities; Norfield Congregational Church, 64 Norfield Rd., Weston; 203-227-7886 or norfield.org.

BooZoo Canine Carnival, Sun., June 8, 10-5; hosted by the museum’s fictional puppy mascot; games for families and dogs, dance performances by members of the World Canine Freestyle Organization, Crazy Canine Contest, North Shore Animal League adoptable pets; Stepping Stones museum for Children, Mathews Park, 303 West Ave., Norwalk; info., steppingstonesmuseum.org or 203-899-0606 x262.

Health Wellness & Sports Expo, Sat.-Sun., June 8 and 9, 11-5; free adm., all ages; 75 exhibitors; Sports & Wellness, 17-27 Starr Rd., Danbury; info., 203-531-3047 or visit hws-expos.com.

Greater New HavenCommunity Chorus Transformations, Sat., June 8, 8 p.m., Mozart’s Coronation Mass plus other works by Bartok, Kodaly, Thompson, Santore; Battell Chapel, 300 College St., New Haven; tickets at the door, $20 ($15 in advance at gnhcc.org).

4th Annual Mille Ferrari, “A Day of Italian Food, Wine and Cars,” Sun., June 9, noon to 4, free, rain or shine, at Rizzuto’s Restaurant and Bar of Westport, 540 Riverside Ave., with the New England Ferrari Club and Fiat of Larchmont; GoSimRacer Race Car Simulator and GoGo-Kart track by Grand Prix New York Racing; info., rizzutos.com, fca-newengland.org or fiatusaoflarchmont.com.

Voice of the Wetland Allstars: featuring Tab Benoit, Cyril Neville, Corey Dulechin, Johnny Vidacovich, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Johnny Sansone and Waylon Thibodeaux, Sun., June 9, 7:30 p.m.,  StageOne Fairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford St.; 203-259-1036 or fairfieldtheatre.org.

Collegium Westchester Chorus and Orchestra, Sun., June 9, at 8 p.m., excerpts from Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Puccini’s La Bohème; free adm., donations accepted; Weston High School, 115 School Rd.; info., 914-282-8611 or collegiumwestchester.org.

Burn, documentary film about Detroit Engine Company 50, Mon.-Tues., June 10 and 11, 7:30 p.m., tickets $15 online at detroitfirefilm.org/events or $20 at the box office on the night of the show; at the Bijou Theatre, 275 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport; 203-332-3228 or thebijoutheatre.com.

Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court; 203-227-4177 or westportplayhouse.org: 2013 Subscription Series: The Show-Off by George Kelly, family comedy/drama, June 11-29; Loot, British farce by Joe Orton, directed by David Kennedy, July 16-Aug. 3; Oblivion by Carly Mensch, world premiere of modern tale of parents and children, Aug. 20-Sept. 7; Room Service by John Murray and Allen Boretz, American farce, directed by Mark Lamos, Oct. 8-28.

Marcia Ball, Louisiana Swamp and Texas Stomp, Wed., June 12, 7:30 p.m., $45;  StageOne Fairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford St.; 203-259-1036 or fairfieldtheatre.org.

Reel Law Film Series, spon. by Koskoff, Koskoff & Bider, at the Bijou Theare, 275 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport; showsings at 7, doors open at 6 for food and drink; adm. $10/adults, $8/students, srs.; info., thebijoutheatre.com or 203-332-3228: Philadelphia, June 13; Witness for the Prosecution, July 11; Class Action, Aug. 8; The Paper Chase, Sept. 12; and My Cousin Vinny, Oct. 10.

Irish Heritage Society of Milford’s Tara Theater Company: Remembrance by Graham Reid set in Belfast (rated PG-13, content and language); Thur., June 13-Sat., June 15, at 7:30 p.m., tickets $12 on Thur., $15, Fri.-Sat.; at the Stratford Theater, 2422 Main St., Stratford; res., 203-874-6273 or 203-878-2865.

Shakespeare on the Sound at Pinkney Park, Rowayton; shakespeareonthesound.org: As You Like It, June 13-20,  $20 for adults, $10 for srs., students; no Greenwich location this season.

The Last Bison, “Mountaintop Chamber Music” Virginia-based indie folk band, Fri., June 14, 7:30 p.m., $22;  StageOne Fairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford St.; 203-259-1036 or fairfieldtheatre.org.

Weekend Bird Walks at Osbornedale State Park and Kellogg Environmental Center, led by Donna Rose Smith, Sat., June 15, at 8 a.m.; 500 Hawthorne Ave., Derby; info., 203-734-2513.

42nd Monroe Congregational Church Strawberry Festival Sat., June 15, 10-5, and Sun., June 16, 12-5; all sorts of strawberry treats plus games for children, entertainment, craft vendors; on the Monroe Green, Rte. 111, Monroe; free adm.; info., 203-268-9327 or 203-394-7145.

Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers, featuring Edie Brickell, Fri., June 21, 8 p.m., 4th annual Palace Theatre Gala at 6 p.m.; concert-only tickets $175, $80, $55; 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; 203-325-4466 or scalive.org.

Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill St., Bridgeport; 203-576-1636 or downtowncabaret.org:  Forever Motown, with a cast of four male and three female vocalists backed by a live band, Sat., June 15, at 5 and 8 p.m., tickets $47; Barbra & Frank — The Concert That Never Was!, Fri., June 28, 7:30 p.m., Sat., June 29, at 5 and 8 p.m., tickets $39 & $47.

Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Lane, Andsonia; free adm., open daily 9-5 (winter hours); 150 acres, 3 miles of nature trails, visitor center, displays, gift shop; Redwing Pond House nature-based preschool; Saturday at noon, Creature Features, and Sunday at 1, guided hikes, every weekend; ansonianaturecenter.org or 203-736-1053.

* Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd., Wilton, 203-834-1896 or www.nps.gov/wefa: grounds open daily dawn to dusk; Burlingham House Visitor Ctr., Sat.-Sun., 10-4, Jan.-March (Thur.-Sun., 10-4, April-Dec.); call for info. on tours. Admin. offices open Mon.-Fri., 9-5; info., incl. current program and tour sched., call or visit Web site. Volunteer Opportunities: visit nps.gov/wefa/supportyourpark or call 203-834-1896 x11.

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, 10 North Water St., Norwalk; 203-852-0700 or maritimeaquarium.org; open daily, 10-5 (till 6 in July and August; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas); $19.95 adults, $17.95 for youth (13-17) and seniors, $12.95 children 3-12 (various combination passes avail. incl. IMAX theater): sharks, seals, river otters, sea turtles, jellies and more than 100 other species; Marine Lab, Ocean Playspace for toddlers, Shark & Ray Touch Pool; Africa: The Desert to the Sea, through Labor Day, 2013; seal feedings at 11:45 a.m. and 1:45 and 3:45 p.m. daily; Meerkats, special exhibit, through Labor Day, 2013. Marine Life Study Cruises, departing at 1 on Sat., April 27-June 29, all passengers must be min. 42” tall, $20.50/person, call for res. Global Insights lecture series: Jean-Michel Cousteau, French environmentalist, Mon., May 20, tickets $35.

* IMAX Theater at the Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St., Norwalk; daytime films, $9.50/adults, $8.50/srs., $7/2-12; Hollywood films, $11.50, $10.50, $9.50;  info., 203-852-0700 or maritimeaquarium.org: The Last Reef, daily at 11 and 2, through June 20; Sharks, daily at 1 and 3 p.m. through June 20; Born to Be Wild, daily at noon and 4 Mon.-Thur. and at noon Fri.-Sun., through June 20.

Philip Johnson Glass House, National Trust for Historic Preservation; office at 199 Elm St., New Canaan; Tickets for 2013 Season, May 2-Nov. 30, on sale now at philipjohnsonglasshouse.org: SNAP! by E.V. Day, exhibition for the building known as Da Monsta, May 2-Nov. 30; Gnomon/Wave for Night (1947-2015), new sculpture by Tauba Auerbach, May 2-Sept. 1. Tours: Pure Glass House + Exhibitions, one-hour guided tour, $30/person; Site Tour, two hours, $45/person; Extended Tour, 2.5 hours, $100; Private Tour, 2.5 hours, $250; Special Focus Tours: Architecture, Art and Landscape, two hours, $45 each; group tours also available.

Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven; 203-432-3800 or britishart.yale.edu: Edwardian Opulence: British Art at the Dawn of the Twentieth Century, Feb. 28-June 2.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St., New Haven; open Tues.-Fri., 10-5 (Thur. till 8); Sat.-Sun., 11-5; 203-432-0600 or artgallery.yale.edu: Renovation & restoration — Kahn building, Old Yale Art Gallery and Street Hall now open.

Yale School of Architecture Gallery, 2nd flr of Paul Rudolph Hall, corner York and Chapel Streets, New Haven; open Mon.-Fri., 9-5, Sat., 10-5; architecture.yale.edu/exhibitions: White Cube, Green Maze: New Art Landscapes, Feb. 14-May 4.

The Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave., Bridgeport; 203-372-3521;  Rick Schaefer’s Crows, original series of charcoal drawings stretching 40 ft., on view through July 7; recept. Thur., May 16, 4:30-7 p.m.; Your House, My House, exhibit exploring all types of homes, through Sept. 2;  Tues.-Sat., 10-5, Sun., 12-5; museum and planetarium (Full-Dome Show: The Little Star That Could, for ages 8 and young; Dawn of the Space Age, for ages 8 and older), $9.50 adults, $8 children, seniors, students, free under 2; many interactive exhibits.

Mark Twain Library, 439 Redding Rd./Rte. 53, Redding; 203-938-2545 or marktwainlibrary.org: Cartoons by Germain Green Glidden “G3”, incl. his “Groggs,” through May.

Greenwich Historical Society, Bush-Holley Historic Site, 39 Strickland Rd., Cos Cob; open Fri.-Sun., 12-4 (docent led tours at 1, 2 and 3); 203-869-6899, ext. 10 or www.greenwichhistory.org; adm. to gallery, visitor ctr. & house museum, $10/adults, $8/srs. and students, members and under 6 free ; group tours at $7/person avail. on public and non-public days; library and archives open Wed., 10-4 and by appt., adm. offices open Mon.-Fri., 9-5; gallery hours Wed.-Sun., 12-4: From Italy to America, cultural heritage of the Italiam American community in Greenwich w/comp. exhibit of photographs from the show From Italy to America: The Photographs of Anthony Riccio, organized by the Bellarmine Museum of Art at Fairfield U., March 1-June 30.

Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum, 3011 Whitney Ave., Hamden; open Wed., 10-4, Thur., 10-7, Fri.-Sat., 10-5, Sun., 1-5; info., ighm.org.

Thursday Night Ballroom Dance Party, 7:30 to 11 p.m., all levels, no partner necessary, Ballroom Dance & Latin, $12/person; hosted by Ballroom DanceSport at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 35 Norfield Rd., Weston; info., 203-454-9200 or visit ballroomdancesportct.com.

Damsels in Divorce, support group for women in all phases of divorce; 2nd and 4th Friday, 7-8:30 p.m., Grace Church, 5958 Main St., Trumbull; info., damselsindivorce@aol.com.

Downtown Cabaret Theatre Camp Cabaret, July 1-28; sessions for grades 5-8 and 9-12; full-length camp finale musical; 263 Golden Hill St., Bridgeport; info., downtowncabaret.org.

Long Wharf Theatre Summer Acting Classes for Children, ages 7-13, 222 Sargent Dr. New Haven; longwharf.org or 203-8262: Hogwarts After Harry, July 8-12, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., ages 8-13, $350; Viking Train Your Dragon, July 15-19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., ages 8-13, $350; Avengers to the Rescue II, July 22-26, 9 a.m.-noon, ages 7-10, $195; Folktales, July 29-Aug. 2, 9 a.m.-noon, ages 10-13, $195.

Summer Art Class at Milford Arts Center, for ages 8 and up; July 10-12 and 17-18, 1-3 p.m.; July 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; $150; info., 203-878-6647 or visit milfordarts.org to download an application.; reg. by June 28.

The Westport Writers’ Workshop, 3 Sylvan Rd. South, Westport; membership $150/yr. offers access to “writing hours unplugged,” quiet writing time w/o Internet access, several days/wk.; Westport Writopia Lab, offering creative writing workshops for ages 8-18, info. at writopialab.org; westportwritersworkshop.com or 203-227-3250.

Silk’n Sounds Chorus, seeking vendors for Fall Festival/Holiday Bazaar on Nov. 9 in Hamden; space cost $50; info.,203-239-7104 or email jtalarczyk@snet.net.

Mariah needs a home.

Mariah is a 4-year-old female husky/shar pei mix, whose coat is short and fawn color. She is spayed and up to date on her shots. Shelter volunteers say Mariah loves to run or go for walks, is a quiet girl and is housebroken. She would be well-placed in a home with adults or older children. To adopt Mariah, contact the Shelton Animal Shelter, 20 Riverdale Ave., 203-924-2501.

Cara Brook

Getting organized is a task nearly everyone has on his or her to-do list. And it most often falls to the bottom of that list every day as so many other important tasks take precedence. If one of your goals is to get organized, you can finally get some help to make that goal a reality.

The From Mess to Success Organizing Workshop Series, which began in January, addresses several organizing topics for both home and office. Cara Brook, Professional Organizer, points out, “Many people feel overwhelmed by clutter. You might want to get organized, but don’t make the time or you have systems in place, but it’s not working as well as you hoped.” Whatever the organizing problem, there is a simple method you can learn that will help you tackle it.

The series of one-hour organizing workshops is free.

The last session before the summer break will be held Tuesday, May 21.  This workshop will include an “Ask the Organizer” panel discussion with Brook and organizing colleagues; Matt Baier of Matt Baier Organizing LLC, Jennifer Burke of JKB Organizing, and Susan Lovallo or Clutter Solutions LLC.

All meetings are held at the office of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, 10 Progress Drive in Shelton. To register, email Cara at cara@organizewithsos.com or call 203-273-8583. Pre-registration is required.

Cara is a Professional Organizer, public speaker and mentor for new organizers. Since February, 2004, her company, Strategize.Organize.Simplify., LLC (S.O.S.) has worked with clients to tackle the seemingly endless piles of paper, create filing systems, better manage their time, and become more productive in their daily lives. Ms. Brook’s mission as a Professional Organizer is to work with individuals who are ready for change in their lives and want to become better organized in the process.

Prior to founding S.O.S., Cara worked in a number of senior project management positions in corporate, small business and non-profit arenas. Ms. Brook received Fairfield County’s prestigious 40 Under 40 Award in 2009. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and a Past President of the Connecticut Chapter. In addition, Cara is a member of the FOCUS Organizers consortium, offering workshops and Ask-the-Organizer panel discussions on various organizing topics. Cara’s motto is, “Life works better with a plan.”

For more information, email Cara at cara@organizewithsos.com or call her at 203-273-8583.

Lifeguards monitor activities in designated areas to provide assistance to swimmers and attempt to prevent accidents; caution swimmers regarding unsafe areas; maintain order in swimming areas; rescue swimmer in danger of drowning; administer first aid and/or cardiopulmonary resuscitation as required; instruct patrons in water safety; participate in physical and rescue skills training; perform general maintenance tasks including beach cleaning; and perform related duties as required.

The parks looking for applicants are:

• Black Rock State Park, Watertown;

• Indian Well, Shelton;

• Mt. Tom, Litchfield;

• Silver Sands State Park, Milford;

• Sherwood Island State Park, Westport;

• Wadsworth Falls State Park, Middletown;

• Wharton Brook State Park, Wallingford.

Qualified applicants must possess a valid American Red Cross Lifeguard certification which includes CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Basic First Aid. Those applicants that do not already possess the waterfront skills module will be required to attend and successfully complete the prerequisites for it. All certifications must be valid through the last day of employment.

Dates of employment are from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The normal work week is 40 hours, including weekends and holidays. Pay ranges from $9.60-$13 per hour, depending upon years of experience and qualifications.

Parties should visit the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/lifeguards for more information, including an application. Information on lifeguarding in a Connecticut state park is also available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTStateParkLifeguards.

The 11-week, part-time program runs from Tuesday, May 28 through Friday, Aug. 9. It includes six hours of educational seminars, four hours of direct patient care and one on-call experience per month. Classroom sessions will take place weekly. Schedules for clinical training will be arranged with participants.

For more information, call 203-384-3948.

Sharon Varga and her family have organized a walk this weekend to raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer research.

Sharon Varga is an inspiration.

The Milford woman, 52, survived pancreatic cancer, and has since become sort of a poster child of hope. She and her family are organizing a pancreatic cancer research walk this weekend from Walnut Beach to Silver Sands Beach.

Varga found out when she was 47 years old that she had pancreatic cancer, and she said it was really lucky that her doctors found it early. She was getting urinary tract infections, and her doctor sent her for a CT scan — strictly precautionary to see if maybe she had kidney stones — and the test came back showing a spot on her pancreas.

Even then, given her age and health, her doctor didn’t think she had cancer. He sent her to a gastroenterologist, and he even said, “I know you don’t have pancreatic cancer.”

The doctor said she had a cyst on her pancreas and planned to drain it. When he went in to drain it, he found that the cyst was a solid mass.

Varga said she asked him, “Does that mean it’s cancer?”

“The doctor said, ‘Let me worry about it, not you,” Varga recalled.

Four days later the doctor called her and said he wanted to talk to her in the hospital.

That’s when she got the bad news. “When you’re told you have cancer, it’s a punch in the gut,” she said.

Lucky?

Since there really aren’t any symptoms, in most cases pancreatic cancer isn’t discovered until stage three or four, and often that is too late. Varga was lucky: Hers was caught in the beginning of stage two.

Maybe lucky isn’t the right word exactly.

She still gets emotional because what followed wasn’t a picnic. She had what is called a Whipple procedure, which means a surgeon removed her gallbladder, two-thirds of her stomach, half her pancreas and part of her small intestine. She was in the hospital eight days — in a medically induced coma for two days.

When she got to go home, she was on a feeding tube for 10 days.

Twelve weeks of chemotherapy followed.

“I learned that it’s the biggest and most dangerous surgery you can have,” Varga said. “But they had told me that since I was so young, I’d be okay.”

But Varga knew the scary statistics: There’s only a 4% survival rate.

The toughest part, she said, was telling her kids, Mike, 26 and Dan, 23.

But she did, and they dealt with it.

‘I knew I was going to be okay for my three year mark’

Today, she’s healthy.

“I knew I was going to be okay after my three year mark,” Varga said. “Pancreatic cancer can come back within three years.”

Varga said she doesn’t always have a lot energy these days, so there’s that to contend with. But friends point out that she looks great. She lost 68 pounds, which is more than doctors predicted she would lose during the procedure.

She wears a purple ribbon pendant on a chain around her neck, and she pointed out that things definitely change after such a life-altering experience.

“You appreciate life more,” she said. “You don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Her sons and her husband Steve are part of the team that put together this weekend’s fundraising walk.

The walk is Saturday, May 18, starting at Walnut beach. Registration is at 9 a.m., opening ceremonies at 9:45 a.m. and the walk to Silver Sands along the boardwalk will start at 10 a.m.

Pre-registration is $50, and $60 at the event.

So far more than 70 people have signed up, and pledges are at about $12,000.

The fund-raiser is organized through the Lustgarten Foundation for pancreatic cancer research. Marc Lustgarten was a top executive with Cablevision. He died of pancreatic cancer in 1999.

Varga said all money raised will go to the foundation to fund research.

Local businesses have made donations, including raffle items, and Bayview Balloon will build a huge balloon arch for that day.

The Varga family hopes to make the fund-raiser an annual event. For information call 203-874-4903, or email milfordwalk2013@yahoo.com. Register online at lustgarten.org.

The marathon is a unique opportunity for swimmers to challenge their own stamina and achieve new goals, all while helping someone with cancer and nowhere else to turn. Participants often swim in support or memory of a friend or loved one or choose to take on the challenge to help alleviate the suffering of someone they have never met.

Swimmers are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible for this year’s marathon. As a swimmer, pledges obtained will raise money to help provide cancer patients and their families with financial support and care for the needs that health insurance does not cover.

St. Vincent’s Swim Across the Sound is a statewide, nonprofit organization affiliated with St. Vincent’s Medical Center. Over the past 26 years, the Swim has grown to provide 50 different cancer education, screening and support services to the community, ranging from prevention to survivorship programs, which touch the lives of more than 20,000 people each year.  While the St. Vincent’s Swim Foundation raises money year-round through dozens of events, the marathon is the flagship fund-raiser.

This year’s participants will include solo swimmers, two-person relays, team relays, University Challenge and Corporate Challenge teams. Entry fees vary by category and become part of the swimmers’ fund-raising goals.

All swimmers will be recognized for their participation and awards will be given to the top male and female solo swimmers and top relay teams.

Enrollments for the marathon are considered on a first-come, first-served, first-completed basis. To apply or for more information, visit swimacrossthesound.org.

While some may get overwhelmed with the daunting task of a major cleaning, try these tips from Sally Morse, director of creative services at Hunter Douglas.

15 minute clear away

If cleaning and clearing away the clutter seems overwhelming, Morse has one trick to calm the nerves.

“Try setting the kitchen timer for 15 minutes per area, like the bedroom closet, pantry or foyer. Telling yourself you’re going to de-clutter the home in one weekend sounds draining,” she says. “Rather, split up the tasks into smaller ones so you stay focused and don’t get lost in the process.” Make a list of all the areas you have to organize and space it out over a few days.

Welcome in light

While you might want to update everything in your home with more spring-like furnishings and accessories, it may not be the most time- or cost-effective approach for you. One uplifting and impactful décor change that can easily be made, however, is to update your window treatments.

By adding the right window fashions in your home, they will not only look stylish and beautifully filter light for a glowing room, but also provide a host of practical benefits such as energy-efficiency, UV-protection, sound absorption and more.

Bring nature in

As Earth comes to life again it’s a great time to bring that life indoors with easy-to-maintain plants and flowers. Try the cast-iron Japanese perennial, one of the toughest species available. Nearly indestructible, it withstands low light, low humidity and a wide range of temperatures. Additionally, to make your indoor and outdoor spaces feel more seamless, use the same planters on your porch and entryway as in your foyer and kitchen.

Don’t forget about the flowers; add pastel bouquets of lilac, forsythia and narcissus to spread a cheerful dose of color around the home.

Lemon fresh

Appeal to all five senses with this year’s spring updates. After your initial scrub — and sorting and clearing of clutter — extend that fresh scent by adding a lemon-scented diffuser. You can, of course, easily purchase one, but for a fun DIY project, create a citrus diffuser at home.

Simply take any small vase or glass bottle and add lemon-scented fragrance oil, mineral oil that’s used as a non-evaporating base to hold the essential oils, a small dose of vodka that thins the oils getting it to the right consistency to move up the reeds, and diffuser reeds that can be purchased at any crafts store.

Start by pouring one-fourth cup of mineral oil into a measuring cup, add two to three tablespoons of vodka, stirring to emulsify both together; then put in the essential oil. Pour the mixture into your container and insert five reeds. Flip them over every few days to keep the scent fresh. With these basic ingredients on hand, you can keep your home smelling fresh and clean all through the season and beyond.

Information: www.hunterdouglas.com.