Life + Style

Ask Ms. Jen

Bats, Venemous Snakes & Butterflies! // B y J ennifer B radshaw

›› We found a bat in our house and now I’m worried - do most bats have rabies? — Eamonn H. - Wilton, CT

Bats are one of the most feared and misunderstood animals in the world. Like any mammal, bats can carry rabies, although less than one percent of all bats carry the disease. These little “cave dwellers” are super beneficial to have around. Bats consume many agricultural pests and mosquitoes and are more efficient at eliminating these pests than any birds or expensive bug zappers. A single little brown bat can eat 1,200 mosquitoes and nocturnal flying insects in an hour! I don’t know about you, but I’d take bats over mosquitoes any day. How many poisonous snakes are in CT? — Jason A. - Easton, CT

There are no poisonous snakes in CT, or the world for that matter! Snakes can be venomous, but they aren’t poisonous. The term venomous is used when something injects toxins by bite or sting (cobras or bees); poisonous applies to an organism that unloads toxins when ingested or is absorbed through the skin (poison dart frogs and some mushrooms). Here in CT, we have fourteen species of snakes, only 2 of which are venomous.

Why do monarch butterflies only eat milkweed, can’t they eat other leaves? — Kevin A. - Ridgefield, CT

Many butterflies have just one plant that is their main food source and milkweed is the monarchs’ only food. Milkweed contains a variety of chemical compounds that make the monarch caterpillars poisonous to potential predators. The milkweed contains a cardiac poison that is poisonous to most vertebrates (animals with backbones) but doesn’t affect monarchs. Adult monarchs are brightly colored, which in the animal kingdom serves as a warning to predators that they are poisonous.

Jennifer Bradshaw is the Early Education Coordinator at Woodcock Nature Center. She is very involved in several advocacy and association committees. She was awarded the 2019 Excellence in Environmental Stewardship Award given by the CT Outdoor and Environmental Education Association. Jennifer lives in Ridgefield with her husband, Doug, and their children, Jase and Nicky.

»Have a nature question for Ms. Jen? Send it to editor@ ridgefieldmagazine.com.

2021–2022 SEASON

STEPHANIE POPE LOFGREN is a Broadway musical theater veteran with a career spanning over 35 years including 10 Broadway shows. She was hand-picked by the legendary Bob Fosse for her first two Broadway shows (SWEET CHARITY and BIG DEAL) and later appeared in several shows created and/or inspired by Mr. Fosse including CHICAGO, PIPPIN and FOSSE. This fall, Stephanie will direct the Broadway smash hit musical SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE at ACT of CT.

ACT: You were in the original cast of the London production of SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE. Tell us about that. SPL: I was appearing on Broadway in the revival of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM opposite Nathan Lane when our director, Jerry Zaks, invited me to audition for the original London company of SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE. I was thrilled to get the part because most of the original Broadway cast were also in the London production. While I was there, I was invited to sing at Royal Albert Hall at an event celebrating the music of George and Ira Gershwin! I literally thought it was going to be some little intimate concert until I stepped out on to the stage in front of 5000 people!

ACT: What excites you about directing this show at ACT of CT? SPL: The Artistic and Producing Directors, Daniel C. Levine and Erin Craig are both friends and colleagues, and so I was thrilled when they asked if I would be interested in directing at ACT of CT. I have a great deal of respect for them both. I love what Daniel, Erin, Katie Diamond, and Bryan Perri have created in Ridgefield. ACT of CT theater is beautiful, the production values are high, and I appreciate their conscious effort in creating a more inclusive theater environment both on stage and off.

ACT: What can audiences expect from this production? SPL: Audiences can expect an exciting, energy-filled night of great Lieber and Stoller songs, so many of which we already know and love... spectacular dancing and a gorgeous set and costumes performed by a dynamic and diverse cast!

SPL: ACT of CT has become so beloved in our community. Being a NYC based director/choreographer, had you heard of ACT of CT before being hired to direct SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE at the theater? SJP: ACT of CT’s Producing Director, Erin Craig, was teaching a producer mentoring course that I attended and she invited the class to see the theater’s virtual production of THE LAST FIVE YEARS (which happened to star Daniel C. Levine!!). Dan and I first met back in 1997 while starring in CHICAGO where Dan played Mary Sunshine opposite my Velma Kelly!

Life + Style

Minivan Wars

Vantastic New Vehicles // B y R oge R g a RB ow

›› RODNEY Dangerfield often said, “I get no respect.” The same can be said for the minivan. While Rodney’s claim was more shtick than reality, the minivan has been the butt of jokes and the recipient of unearned disdain since Chrysler launched the first modern minivans back in 1984.

Today’s minivans are a far cry from those early boxes on wheels, offering rugged good looks and luxury car amenities, yet the mission remains the same: the ultimate family vehicle. In that role, minivans are better than SUVs. Period. In reality, a minivan can handle much more than just family duty. Whether you need to haul people, pets, stuff, or even 4x8 sheets of plywood or drywall, these vehicles are impossible to beat. To check out the current van crop, I recently spent some time with Chrysler’s latest and two new competitors.

The Chrysler Pacifica is one of the gems in the company’s portfolio. When it was introduced in 2017, the goal was not only to be competitive, but to be the best minivan available. Offering a stylish exterior with Stow ‘N Go 2nd and 3rd row seating that folds completely flat into the floor, the Pacifica was a hit out of the box. It even had a built-in vacuum for those errant Cheerios. Plus, it was the only minivan to offer a plug-in hybrid option. For 2021 the Pacifica gets more handsome styling and an all-wheel-drive option which levels the playing field further against the SUV competition.

My loaded Pacifica Limited AWD tester included Park Assist, a 760-watt, 18 speaker Harmon Kardon sound system and the very attractive S Appearance package. Even minivan haters were giving it a look, with the blacked out exterior trim and an interior swathed in black leather with contrasting trim. While all minivans drive like large cars versus the tippy nature of many SUVs, the Pacifica dials it up a notch. Acceleration from the 287 hp V6 is brisk, with handling leaning towards the sportier side of the equation. The seats offer plenty of support and include heating for both front and

The all-new 2022 KIA Carnival, has a stylish SUV feel with typical minivan features, bringing a unique blend of both worlds.

second row passengers. The Pacifica is also available as a plug-in hybrid, delivering up to 32 miles of electric only range, or 30 mpg on gas. Pacifica prices start at under $36,000.

Toyota’s Sienna minivan debuted in 1997 as a replacement for the funky Previa. While the Sienna was known for good safety ratings, its exterior design was forgetful at best. Tired of being the minivan with the “good personality,” Toyota last year unveiled an aggressively styled new Sienna. With muscular flanks worthy of an off-road SUV and a face befitting a masked superhero, it’s clear Toyota replaced the decaf in the design studio. All Siennas now come standard with a hybrid powertrain, returning 36 mpg average, with a choice of FWD or AWD.

The Sienna’s interior is a wonderful place to spend time. Side doors open with a kick underneath, revealing reclining captain’s chairs with built in ottomans. Those optional seats also slide delivering Shaq-level legroom. The materials and fit and finish are worthy of a luxury sedan, while the floating center console opens to ample–and accessible–storage below. The console also includes a built-in mini-fridge, a feature that should be standard equipment in any vehicle destined for road tripping. FWD Sienna pricing starts under $35,000.

Looking to attract folks who wouldn’t consider a minivan, KIA calls the allnew 2022 Carnival an MPV (multi-purpose vehicle). From the outside, it has a stylish SUV vibe with nicely integrated door sliders, an extended nose and an interesting dimpled metal C-pillar. The overall look is really attractive and unique. Inside, the Carnival gets even better. KIA’s interior design department is crushing it with the perfect mix of technology, creativity and luxury.

The wide touchscreen leads into a digital dash that incorporates KIA’s Blind-Spot View Monitor. When you use your turn signal, a camera in the mirror displays view down the side of the car. As a cyclist, I think this should be standard on all cars as it helps you see what can be easily missed. There is also Passenger View and an intercom system between the driver and rear passengers. The second row has optional VIP Lounge seating if you really want to spoil the kiddies. The best seat though is behind the wheel. The Carnival is a joy to drive with excellent ergonomics and the perfect combination of comfort and performance. Carnival prices start at only $32,100.

When you consider the advantages of a minivan, including the lower load-in height, power doors, better handling and fuel economy, now combined with modern style and luxury, the choice versus an SUV seems easy. Let the arguments begin. n

The Chrysler Pacifica is featured with more styling and an allwheel-drive option as well as more luxurious interior options.

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