First Selectman Kevin Moynihan said during a press briefing Thursday that municipal officials are working on a plan to close off parallel parking on the north side of Elm Street “so that it can become the pedestrian walkway and the sidewalk will be given over to the merchants.” Designed to help boost the local economy, the plan would take effect no sooner than May 20, as per Gov. Ned Lamont, Moynihan said during the briefing held via videoconference. The restaurants specifically would have the ability to use that stretch of sidewalk for outdoor dining, Moynihan said. “We will have to decide what we will allow the retail stores to do out on the sidewalk, if anything. There has been talk about allowing them to have tables once a week on a Saturday for a few hours.”
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Pryority Wellness on Grove Street has closed, owner Julie Pryor said in a press release.
Friends of Bristow Park and Wildlife in Crisis on May 5, 2020 released two orphaned and rehabilitated bluebirds at the park. Photo courtesy of Chris Schipper
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A male and female bluebird were released Tuesday at Bristow Park, according to Chris Schipper, a local open space advocate who serves as chair of the Conservation Commission and is an ex-officio member of the New Canaan Land Trust board. The release was arranged by the Friends of Bristow Park and Wildlife in Crisis. “The fledgling bluebirds were rescued and brought to Wildlife in Crisis last year after a cat destroyed their parents,” Schipper said. “Dara Reid and her team nursed the fledglings over the winter and [on Tuesday] we gave them their best second chance to thrive. We hope to continue with bird and turtle releases at Bristow honoring the park’s long history as a wildlife sanctuary.”
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Congratulations to New Canaan High School alumnus Michael Kraus of the University of Virginia on being selected as the second overall pick in the Major League Lacrosse draft:
With the second pick in the MLL Draft, the Hammerheads select Michael Kraus The Virginia attackman and New Canaan native is one of Cavaliers to ever earn 100 goals and 100 assists in his career! pic.twitter.com/hwCP0hoqzB
— Connecticut Hammerheads (@CtHammerheads) May 4, 2020
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The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday voted 3-0 to offer the same deferment on rent to Apple Cart Food Co., which operates the gourmet food counter at Mead Park Lodge, as has been offered to six other tenants of town-owned properties.
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St. Aloysius School announced that its 40th Annual Car Raffle has been postponed. “While we had grand plans to celebrate our 40th raffle, it is with a heavy heart that we announce that this year’s car raffle must be postponed indefinitely due to circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak,” St. A’s said in a statement. “Our school and parish are committed to resuming this special tradition in 2021.”
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Lamont on Tuesday announced that public schools will remain closed for the remainder of this academic year.
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Town officials say they’re seeing increased demand at the New Canaan Food Pantry. Whereas pickup usually sees 130 to 140 people coming to the pantry, it’s now up to about 150 individuals or more than 50 families seeking food support, officials said during Thursday’s meeting of the Health and Human Services Commission.
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Here’s a video from New Canaan Library that has this description on YouTube: “While we’ve been sheltering in place, there has been a lot of time to contemplate what we love and miss about working at New Canaan Library. Here’s what our staff has to say.”
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Elm Street shop Ally-Bally-Bee is now ‘The Artful Mix,’ owner Suzanne Nardi said.
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As anticipated, the New Canaan Farmers Market will reopen Saturday as a drive-thru only model. All customers must (1) Pre-Register for an arrival time at the Market, (2) Pre-purchase from each participating Vendor and (3) Pick up orders at the pre-registered time slot. Pre-registration and Pre-purchasing must be completed using the links on the Market website. Town officials are expected to re-evaluate the prospect of a restricted walk-thru model later this month.
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Finally, here’s a slideshow from New Canaan CARES that is designed to show “how our community showed their gratitude to our town-wide essential workers,” according to a description on YouTube. “We are so incredibly lucky to have such a remarkable community that has really come together in this unprecedented time,” the description said.