Did You Hear … ?

The town is seeking to settle an appeal filed by the owners of a Lukes Wood Road home after the Planning & Zoning Commission last year denied their request to allow higher-than-allowed pillars for a gate at the end of their driveway.

At a special meeting of P&Z on Sept. 22, town attorney Ira Bloom said that under a “reasonable compromise” reached with the town, the pillars—which already are in place at 309 Lukes Wood Road and stand about six and seven feet above grade, given the slope of the land, against the four feet allowed by the New Canaan Zoning Regulations (see Section 6.5.C.3.a on page 126 here)—will remain. However, Aris and Patricia Kekedjian have agreed to move certain trees, replant others, forego installing any fixtures atop the pillars and remove an upper piece of their driveway gate, Bloom said. P&Z commissioner Jack Flinn called the plan “more than adequate” during the meeting, held at Town Hall, and the commission voted unanimously to support it.

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Oxygen Fitness on Pine Street is seeking a part-time front desk worker. The shift will consist of opening the gym at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and working through 11 a.m. Interested in more hours? The fitness facility is looking for a weekend opener, too: 7 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Contact Cat Alesssio at oxygenfrontdesk@gmail.com for more info.

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The Board of Selectmen on Wednesday voted 3-0 to appoint New Canaan’s Ted Shaker to the Youth Sports Committee. He replaces Ben Sibbett on the group, which is overseeing an across-the-board fields usage fee for the private organizations that run youth sports in New Canaan, among other matters. First Selectman Rob Mallozzi called Shaker a “longtime friend” who used to run CBS Sports and, more recently, has worked out of New York University on a program designed to improve the climate for kids’ sports. The selectmen noted that the town is lucky to have such experts volunteer their time to help make it run. “He will do a terrific job,” Mallozzi said.

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Speaking of sports, Curt Casali—a 2007 New Canaan High School graduate and New Canaan’s first ever Major League Baseball player—is in the hunt for the coveted full-time catching job for the Tampa Bay Rays, according to MLB.com.

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A great time was had by all at the New Canaan Old Timers Association ceremony and luncheon at Waveny on Sunday, September 18. Sports legends Bill Brown, Kara Devlin, Paul Devlin, Cari Hills, Mario Lopez, Jeff Mellick, Bob Schott and Andy Towers were honored in front of friends, family and former teammates. Emceed by NewCanaanite’s own Terry Dinan the event was one of the best-attended in recent memory, drawing a crowd of more than 150 that included First Selectman Rob Mallozzi, football coach Lou Marinelli and legendary baseball coach Mark ‘2-5-0’ Rearick. All proceeds from the event went toward NCHS athletic scholarships. Next up for the Old Timers is the annual Homecoming Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 15.

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The new butcher shop planned for South Avenue—between Station Eats and the Colonial Barber Shop—is to be called ‘South Avenue Butcher,’ P&Z commissioners said Tuesday, while discussing the business’s proposed sign out front.

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South Elementary School students are enjoying a new lower playground, members of the PTC say. Featuring several climbing elements and play platforms, it has a unique spherical design delivers unlimited play routes that exercise kids’ bodies as well as their minds. The PTC Executive Board worked closely with playground consultants, O’Brien and Sons, and South School administrators, including physical education teachers and physical/occupational therapists, to design a playground that was challenging, engaging and supported the needs of the special education community at South.

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David P. Dineen has been appointed to Executive Vice President, Head of Community Banking, at Bankwell, according to Christopher R. Gruseke, President and CEO of Bankwell and its parent company, Bankwell Financial Group. Most recently Senior Vice President and National Market Manager for Capital One Bank., Dineen in his 30-year banking career has served as Executive Vice President, Branch Distribution at Capital One, where he was responsible for branch and small business banking for the New York metro market, which included more than 250 branches. Dineen lives in Darien with his wife and three children. He’s a member of the Darien Board of Education, Darien Volunteer Fire Department, and Darien Firefighter’s Foundation. He and his wife are also actively involved with the Tiny Miracles Foundation.

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New Canaan Youth Field Hockey hosted its Annual Father vs. Daughter Field Hockey event Sunday night at Dunning Stadium. Fifth/Sixth, Seventh and Eighth grade teams faced off against their dads, making those weekend warriors work for every play. New Canaan Youth Field Hockey program is a nonprofit volunteer organization that has taught the fundamentals of field hockey to our youth for 25 years in town.

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Finally, the New Canaan High School Theatre department kicked off the 2016-17 season with a successful car wash fundraiser. All drama students worked in shifts to scrub and wash cars along with keeping up with the regular Saturday routine of working on sets, props and costumes. Funds raised will help offset costs of the upcoming season. All performances will be held at the New Canaan High School Auditorium and tickets may be purchased online. The season kicks off with the upperclassmen’s production of “Feathers in the Wind,” a whimsical play with music weaving together a collection of Jewish folk tales about the wise fools of Chelm into a single fable.