Around Town

‘A Safe Place Where They Feel Supported’: New Canaan Dance Academy Preps for Nationals

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Achieving success in the competitive dance world is not easy. 

It takes years of relentless hard work and dedication; it takes 20-hour weeks of blood, sweat, and tears. Now, that might not sound enjoyable; when the end result of that work is dancing on stages at the highest levels in the nation, however, it may be worth it. “The New Canaan Dance Academy was always my second home and the people there were my second family,” NCHS senior Sasha Kotlyar, who started dancing at age three, said. “Being a part of the program was so special and is something I will never forget.”

Founded in 2001 by Elaine Young, the New Canaan Dance Academy (NCDA) has experienced significant growth in recent years and is preparing now to send its competitive program, known as the “company team,” to Dance Nationals on July 5. This will be NCDA’s second time sending their entire competitive program, consisting of about 75 girls, to Nationals, which will take place in Orlando.

Business

‘A Great Journey’: Salon Anastassia Opens on Main Street

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It has been a lifelong dream of Anastassia Aida to own a salon. The Estonia native has spent her entire career working in the beauty industry—from obtaining her license in Europe to working at Greg and Tony Salon in Westport, Aida never stopped working toward her ultimate goal. Two months ago, those dreams became reality. Aida opened Salon Anastassia at 80 Main St. in April. 

Now, she said she’s learning how to be a business owner. 

“I love what I’m doing,” Aida told NewCanaanite.com Tuesday during an interview in the sleek, modern second-floor salon.

Eric Thunem

Town Council Committee Discusses Next Steps Regarding Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

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Town officials say they need time to evaluate the merits of a citizen-led campaign to reduce the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in New Canaan. After receiving dozens of letters themselves and seeing similar ones in local news—calling for a reduction for reasons of noise, public health and environmental issues—members of New Canaan’s legislative body are calling for a comprehensive analysis before recommending any change to local ordinances. During a meeting last week of the Town Council’s Bylaws and Ordinance Committee, member Eric Thunem said: “I think we need to hear from a lot more people before we vote on an ordinance that could impact so many more things than just the noise in my backyard. There are a lot of implications that would restrict and change the economics of landscaping.”

Committee members during a June 4 meeting spent nearly one hour discussing the issue. One Committee member, Kimberly Norton, said she was “on board with moving ahead with [restrictions].”

“I think we’ve had an outpouring of letters from the public…there’s lots of interest in the issue, and I think it behooves us to take it forward,” Norton said during the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference.

Kelly Coughlin

New Canaan Police Take Part in Special Olympics ‘Law Enforcement Torch Run’

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New Canaan Police on Friday participated in a fundraising run for the Special Olympics. NCPD received the “Flame of Hope” from Stamford Police early on a sunny, hot morning at the “Pop Up Park” at South Avenue between Elm Street and Morse Court. The Law Enforcement Torch Run “is an incredible event that brings law enforcement together and connects them with the Special Olympics community,” Officer Kelly Coughlin said in an interview before NCPD’s leg of the run started. Launched in 1981, the “run” now sees more than 100,000 law enforcement officers, known to the event as “Guardians of the Flame,” participate. The “Flame of Hope” symbolizes courage and celebration of diversity, according to the Special Olympics website.

Government

Selectmen Approve Furniture Contract for Waveny House Wedding Rooms

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Furniture will be put into the brides’ and grooms’ rooms at Waveny House as preparations are made for what officials are calling an “off the charts” wedding schedule. On Tuesday, the Board of Selectmen approved a $14,299.10 contract with Raymour & Flanigan to furnish Waveny House’s wedding rooms.

“We’ve done substantial updates on these rooms, including painting them a nice cashmere color,” Parks & Recreation Director John Howe told the selectmen at their regular meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “The next step is to get furniture in them.”

First Selectman Dionna Carlson and Selectmen Steve Karl and Amy Murphy Carroll voted 3-0 in favor of the contract. The project is covered in the bride and groom rooms update section of the town’s budget. Parks & Recreation Office Manager Beatrice Watkins detailed the process of finalizing the contract.