The video embedded above is the widely discussed panel on opioid abuse, including heroin, in New Canaan. Produced by Channel 79, the video is a great way for those who were unable to attend the packed-house event at Town Hall to catch up.
A banner adorns a light post outside New Canaan High School. Credit: Michael Dinan
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We’re told that the Board of Education on Monday night voted to request an $87,030,631 operating budget for next fiscal year—some $1.5 million less than the superintendent’s original proposed operating budget (as the town will replenish health insurance reserves for this year). The spending plan requires review and approval from the Boards of Selectmen and Finance, and the Town Council. The school board added $35,000 for club sports financial support. The Board of Ed’s proposed capital budget is $2.8 million.
Animal Control van. Credit: Michael Dinan
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Animal Control officials say they’ve closed the investigation into dog neglect on Oenoke Lane.
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Heads-up to local business owners that are in or are considering joining the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce: The excellent “New Member Breakfast” will be held at 8 a.m. Wednesday in the Lamb Room at New Canaan Library. It’s a chance to network and to speak to new chamber members (the organization added more than 50 in 2015) about their experience. Register here.
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Republican Registrar of Voters Kathleen Redman said during a Board of Selectmen meeting last week that she will not run for re-election again.
80 Main St. is on the market. Credit: Michael Dinan
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We’re hearing that commercial real estate services company Cushman & Wakefield is overseeing the prospective sale of three prominent buildings in downtown New Canaan: at 1 & 2 Morse Court (listed at $3.9 million, the building includes a dermatologist and New Canaan Healthfare), as well as 80 Main St. (see photo at right, the white building) and 87 Main St. (formerly the Thali Restaurant space—it’s set to get a loading zone out front).
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Mark your calendars for two events to be held next week at Halo Studios on Grove Street: Michele Ayoub, Fitness for Your Cause will be held 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2, a Zumba fitness class that benefits local mom Ann Depuy who is battling ALS; and Get Fit for a Cause to be held 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, featuring classes with wellness experts Lizzie Smith of Pryority Wellness for Ernest Toussant in support of the New Canaan Community Foundation’s Young Philanthropist program.
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Here’s a shout-out and congratulations to former New Canaanite Thomas Dunstan, who—after becoming the youngest member of the U.S. national senior water polo team in a half-century—is attempting now to secure a spot on the U.S. Olympic squad. The 6’4” 18-year-old is a student at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif. Read more on Dunstan here in a terrific article in the Orange County Catholic news site.
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A Weed Street resident at 10 a.m. last Friday reported a dead coyote under a shed. When Animal Control arrived, officers determined it was actually a fox, and it appeared to have suffered mange.
LiveGirl Leadership Summit—held on Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 2016. Contributed
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More than 60 middle school students from across Fairfield County gathered at the Stamford Boys & Girls Club on MLK Day for a leadership summit organized by New Canaan-founded LiveGirl. The keynote speaker was LyTasha Blackwell, found and president of She’s A B.O.S.S., who discussed successful leadership traits and celebrating diversity. The summit also featured Wendy Sloane, radio host of “What’s Up With Wendy,” who has served as a career mentor and Charlotte Poth. Poth, a counselor from The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis and Counseling, advised the girls on social media awareness.
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One of New Canaan’s favorite summer entertainment venues—Summer Theatre of New Canaan—is presenting “West Side Story” for its 2016 season. More here.
L-R: Alice Knapp (Vice President, Rotary Club of Stamford), Anka Badurina (Director, Neighbors Link Stamford Skills Development), Catalina Horak (Executive Director, Neighbors Link Stamford), John Bemis (President, Rotary Club of New Canaan), Dan Morris (President, Rotary Club of Stamford), Arisleyda Riehl (Rotary Assistant District Governor). Contributed
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Nice bit of cross-community news here: The Rotary Clubs of New Canaan, Stamford and Darien presented a $14,000 grant to Neighbors Link Stamford, a non-profit organization that helps to integrate local immigrants into their communities through assistance with education, empowerment and employment. This grant will be used by Neighbors Link for its new Culinary Specialty program, which teaches essential workplace and business skills. The program will offer participants the opportunity to earn certificates in areas related to kitchen and restaurant techniques and possibly train at recognized restaurants and institutions.
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From Lucas Niang’s Twitter page.
Congrats to New Canaan Rams senior football star Lucas Niang, who just committed to play football at TCU with an announcement via Twitter. Lucas, a 6’6″, 315-lb. offensive and defensive lineman, was also being recruited by many top D-1 schools—including Miami and Auburn—before finally settling on the Frogs. Signing day is February 3, 2016.
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Boys of summer, take note: Registration for the 2016 Cal Ripken Spring Baseball season is open. The league, which serves ages 5 to 12, will run normal registration through Feb. 13—those registering late (through Feb. 27) pay an additional $100 fee. Register here.
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NCHS sophomore pitcher Gillian Kane helps out at this past Sunday’s BVSA clinic. Credit: Contributed
Meanwhile, the girls of summer are already off to a great start. More than 50 New Canaan youth softball players took part in the first of several winter clinics being held at Bobby Valentine’s Sports Academy in Stamford. Instructors included NCHS head coach Danielle Simoneau, assistant coach Casey Conetta and New Canaan Rams pitcher Gillian Kane. This season the little leaguers will be trying to defend last spring’s District 1 Championship.
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Coming next week: An important survey from New Canaan Library. The library will send its survey by email to randomly selected residents of New Canaan during the first part of February, and asks for your help by filling out the survey if you receive one.
Jordan Alexander. Contributed
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Here’s another winner from the New Canaan Recreation Department’s annual “Lego Maniacs” building competition at South School on Jan. 16. Jordan Alexander won first place with his “top secret research base” for the 2nd grade division.
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New Canaan’s Janis Hennessey and Bob Avery are being appointed to serve on the Board of Assessment Appeals.