As we at NewCanaanite.com speed into our fourth month, classic and modern cars are motoring into town today—though soon enough, those vehicles and all others will pay $1 per hour to park at the end of Pine Street.
Mary Maechling of Parade Hill Road with her preschooler, David.
Across town, residents on Parade Hill Road have petitioned town officials to address motorists (especially large-vehicle operators) that they say are traveling too quickly in their neighborhood—for many years a popular cut-thru between Routes 123 and 124 (Oenoke Ridge Road).
Traffic in New Canaan and the commercial center of our town form a major piece of what made news this week.
Town talker
An article disclosing plans for 21 Forest St.—for a 3-story mixed residential (seven units) and retail (two street-level spaces) complex—garnered conversation both on NewCanaanite.com and on our Facebook page.
While some, including residents who hold permits, expressed justifiable concerns about parking in the Locust Avenue lot—already filling up too often and too quickly with construction vehicles for Town Hall and the firehouse—others lamented the loss of the old BMW Lindners Cycle Shop building on Forest.
Here’s a slideshow of the developer’s plans (article continues below):
[acx_slideshow name=”Forest Street Development”]
Local Merchants
New Canaan Lawn Equipment's James and Janet Bacco (mother and son), at the Cross Street property. The property itself recently was sold. The business has a lease that goes out 2.5 years, said Bacco, a 1976 New Canaan High School graduate.
The popular full-service fitness facility Oxygen on Pine Street marks one year this month, while a brand-new Asian reflexology parlor down on East Maple—Sokushindo—looks to pass that same milestone one year from now.
One business that serves New Canaanites taking care of their properties—Geiger’s—has taken over the Frogtown Nurseries space, while Cross Street mainstay New Canaan Lawn Equipment says that the business will remain open though its property has been sold (those now in charge of the property say they’re reviewing options for future use).
Coming Up
New Canaanites may avail themselves of several events taking place in town today, in chronological order:
Hello ultra-comfy Max, a Bichon who was adopted (owner surrender) at 9 months old by Village Critter Outfitter owner Shirleen Dubuque. "He is 16 1/2 years old and still going strong," she says. Contributed photo
From 1 to 2 p.m. at Village Critter Outfitter, Girl Scout Troop 121 is holding a special event with PAWS Animal Shelter. Organizers say: “During the event … the Girl Scouts will have craft activities for kids. PAWS will bring a shelter dog and will have a short demonstration on the proper way to interact with a dog, discuss the shelter mission and learn the process of pet adoption.”
From 4 to 6 p.m. at the Country Club of New Canaan, the New Canaan Preservation Alliance is holding its annual awards ceremony (and celebrating its seventh birthday). “Awards will be given to local homeowners for preservation, rehabilitation, and preserving a sense of place, as well as to individuals who have contributed to preservation in New Canaan through leadership and education,” the alliance says of the event. It’s open to the public though RSVP is required. Country club attire.
Here are nine past winners of awards from the New Canaan Preservation Alliance. The nonprofit from 4 to 6 p.m. this Sunday, May 4 is holding its ceremony—free and open to the public, though RSVPs are required (email rsvp@newcanaanpreservationalliance.org). Clockwise from top-left and finishing in the center: 533 Weed Street built circa 1720, Colonial Period; 453 Carter Street built in 1734, Colonial Period; 216 White Oak Shade built in 1840, Greek Revival Period; 144 South Avenue built in 1900, Queen Anne Style; 122 White Oak Shade Barn built in 1910, Colonial Revival Style; 390 Oenoke Ridge built in 1920 with 1900 Barn/Stable, Colonial Revival Style; 425 Oenoke Ridge built in 1746, 1852, and c1900; 228 South Avenue built in 1929; and 208 Valley Road built in 1927 designed by Alfred Mausolff.
At 5 p.m. today, New Canaan resident David Jaffe, president and CEO of Ascena Retail Group, will talk about accelerating through an economic downturn during the New Canaan Library’s “Conversations with Business Leaders” series.
Getabout is providing rides to the May 6, 7:30 p.m. "Musicals, Masters and Marches" concert at New Canaan High School. Contributed photo
Led by NCHS Band Director Scott Cranston, the New Canaan High School Band and Jazz Ensemble will team with the Summer Theater of New Canaan to present “Musicals, Masters and Marches” at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the NCHS Auditorium. The show will feature medleys from classic American musicals including Music Man, Grease and Hairspray, which the Summer Theater of New Canaan will premier as its season opener on June 21.
Finally, Silver Hill Hospital and New Canaan Library are teaming up to mark May as Mental Health Month. Part of what joint effort from the local organizations involves bringing awareness and open dialogue to mental illness. Dr. Sigurd Ackerman, Silver Hill’s president and medical director, said mental illness strikes one in four adults and one in five teens. Here’s what Laurie Iffland, head of reference services at the library, said in a press release: “The U.S. Surgeon General has reported that stigma is a major barrier to people seeking help when they need it. That’s why Mental Health Month is so important. We want people to understand mental illness and join in conversations throughout our community. The library provides a platform for learning and conversation. The more people know, the better they can help themselves or help their loved ones get the support they need.”
Schools
Jan Murphy will be the new principal at West School. Contributed photo
It’s been a busy week for New Canaan Public Schools. One major headline for the Board of Education came out of a Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, when the latter put conditions on the closely followed expansion project at the YMCA that will see the school board make a formal vote on a divisive question involving construction vehicles’ routes.
Kristine Woleck will be the new principal at East Elementary School. Contributed photo
Meanwhile, the district named NCHS Principal Dr. Bryan Luizzi the new interim superintendent of schools, while two elementary school principals also were announced.