Hey Greenwich! Did You Know ... We're Reading Together?

Today is April 16, 2012 and it's National Eggs Benedict Day.

And depending upon whose story you believe, there may be a Greenwich link to the creation of this venerable brunch staple. The well-known banker and yachtsman E.C. Benedict, whose Indian Harbor estate stands sentinel on the Greenwich coastline, was reported by the late Craig Claiborne as the man behind the idea to serve poached eggs atop English muffins with ham and hollandaise sauce.

This day in history:

On this day in 1789, newly elected President George Washington leaves his Mount Vernon, Virginia, home and heads for New York, where he is sworn in as the first American president.

On April 16, 1940, the Cleveland Indians’ Bob Feller pitches his first no-hitter. He went on to throw two more no-hitters in his career; only two other pitchers in baseball history have recorded more no-hitters.

Locally...Here's What You're Going to Want to Know ...

Greenwich Reads Together 2012, the community-wide reading experience that engages all of Greenwich in exploring a single book, kicks off two weeks of programs this week.

This year’s book, Zeitoun by Dave Eggers, follows a family's experiences during and after the calamity of Hurricane Katrina. Starting tomorrow and until May 1, there is a multitude of engaging activities built on the American Book Award winner. Scheduled programs are to include celebrated artists from literature, jazz music, and photography, as well as renowned names from national news and government. Numerous adult, children and teen book discussions will be held across Greenwich. And all of the programs are free.

Talk by Author Dave Eggers – Tuesday, April 17 at 7 pm, Cole Auditorium, : Multi-award winning author Dave Eggers engages in a lively talk about Zeitoun via Skype. 

Katrinaville Chronicles: Images and Obervations from a New Orleans Photographer – Thursday, April 19 at 7pm, , Cos Cob: Photographer David G. Spielman shares his personal experience and images. Presented by Greenwich Historical Society.

Film: Trouble the Water – Friday, April 20 at 8 pm, Cole Auditorium, Greenwich Library: Award-winning documentary with introduction by Greenwich resident Tom Stark, who shares his post-Katrina volunteer experience. Presented by the Friends of Greenwich Library.

Jazz Concert – Saturday, April 21 at 4pm, Cole Auditorium, Greenwich Library – Greenwich High Honors Jazz Ensemble, coached by the dean of New Orleans bass players Bill Huntington, performs New Orleans jazz music. Greenwich jazz saxophonist Bennie Wallace moderates Q&A with Bill. Presented by Greenwich Library and Backcountry Jazz.

Zeitoun’s New Orleans in the Aftermath of Katrina: Preserving Civil Liberties While Protecting Public Safety – Tuesday, April 24 at 7 pm, Cole Auditorium, Greenwich Library: James Letten, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana and the recipient of the U.S. Attorney General’s Medallion for Distinguished Service for leadership following Hurricane Katrina, talks about the balance of protecting individual rights and public safety. Talk introduced by David Fein, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. A Q & A moderated by JoAnn Messina, past president , will follow. No tickets will be distributed, early arrival is suggested.

The Story of a Katrina Survivor – Wednesday, April 25 at 2pm, , 299 Greenwich Ave.: Artist and current Greenwich resident tells the story of evacuating New Orleans and the challenges of rebuilding his life and career. Presented by Greenwich Arts Council.

Reporting from Katrina and Extreme Weather in a Warming World – Thursday, April 26 at 7 pm, Media Center, : Rob Marciano, a news and weather anchor for CNN Worldwide and 1986 Greenwich High School graduate, relays his experience of reporting on Katrina.

Lessons from Zeitoun: Where Do We Go from Here? – Tuesday, May 1 at 7 pm, : An interfaith panel discusses overcoming prejudice in a diverse society. Presented by the Sholom Center and the Interfaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut.

Children and Teen Discussion Groups:

Special Joint Session: Greenwich Library Junior Book Club and Middle School Book Club – Thursday, April 19 at 4:30pm: students grades 4-8 discuss Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes, the companion book for Greenwich Reads Together.

Greenwich High School and , and Middle Schools — each will have book discussions/programs for students, faculty and parents.

Adult Discussion Groups – residents can organize their own (Greenwich Pen Women can supply a book group leader) or join one of the discussion groups at the Greenwich Library branches, the , the , the , or The .

Greenwich Government:

• 6:30PM BET (Board of Estimate & Taxation) Meeting (in the Cone Room of Town Hall)

If you prefer the clicker ...

Then check out Greenwich government and organizations with Greenwich Community Television (Cablevision Channel 79 or FiOs channel 24.

Sources: Wikipedia, history.com.