Did You Hear … ?

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Many New Canaanites by now have seen a rendering of the Midcentury Modern-inspired commercial building that John and Melissa Engel have planned for the lot at 215 Elm St. The architect on the project is Westport-based Frederick William Hoag. Some time after John Engel explained what he had in mind to a University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation professor, a document that included some truly fascinating concepts came in from students (see above). The Maryland architecture program been called the only one in the nation that includes professional Masters programs and related PhD-level studies in planning, preservation and real estate development within the same school.

William Egan. Credit: Michael Dinan

William Egan. Credit: Michael Dinan

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Bill Egan, the newly hired principal of New Canaan High School, has gotten into the spirit of the job very quickly: At his formal introduction at the Board of Education meeting on Monday night, board member Sheri West astutely noted, Egan was sporting a NCHS Rams tie.

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As the death toll following the earthquake in Nepal crosses the 5,000 mark, a group of local Nepalese men—including two managers at Thali restaurant on Main Street—have set up a collection and information table in front of the eatery. The men are Keshab Chapaginsharma, Mallesh Esarla and

L-R: Keshab Chapaginsharma, a manager at Thali restaurant on Main Street, Krjen Jurung and Mallesh Esarla, also a manager there and all three men Nepalese, are raising money for their home nation in the wake of an earthquake this week whose death toll has exceeded 5,000. Stop by their table on Main Street between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday. Credit: Michael Dinan

L-R: Keshab Chapaginsharma, a manager at Thali restaurant on Main Street, Krjen Jurung and Mallesh Esarla, also a manager there and all three men Nepalese, are raising money for their home nation in the wake of an earthquake this week whose death toll has exceeded 5,000. Stop by their table on Main Street between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday. Credit: Michael Dinan

Krjen Jurung (who has lost his home back in Nepal). “My family is safe but my friend is from Nepal also and his house got destroyed,” Chapaginsharma said. “As you know, the situation is very bad right now. Around 70,000 houses were damaged and I don’t know maybe the number will go up so we are trying to do some small help by raising funds here with the people in New Canaan.”

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A reminder that the New Canaan League of Women Voters‘ forum on the future of the Playhouse will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the New Canaan Nature Center.

New Canaan Playhouse was built in 1923.

New Canaan Playhouse was built in 1923.

The forum will be televised live on Channel 79, though organizers are urging interested residents to try and come in person, so that they can interact with the panel experts. Details here.

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New Canaan’s Michael Crofton announced on Tuesday that he had resigned from the Planning & Zoning Commission as he and his wife are expecting to spend a lot more time in Florida. Best of luck to the Croftons.

The proposed sign at South End restaurant's new establishment, to open in about one month at 15 Elm. The sign will look similar to this though the word 'Booze' likely will be replaced, P&Z Commissioners say.

The proposed sign at South End restaurant’s new establishment, to open in about one month at 15 Elm. The sign will look similar to this though the word ‘Booze’ likely will be replaced, P&Z Commissioners say.

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P&Z on Tuesday night hosted a lengthy discussion about the new sign planned for “SE Uncorked,” the new eatery that South End New Canaan is opening at 15 Elm St., formerly the Picador space.

The sign likely will include something like “Drinks” instead of “Booze” in the name, and the new restaurant itself will feature a full bar and wines that New Canaanites likely have not yet experienced, said manager Michelle Mauro, also a new member of the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce.

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There is no truth to the rumor that Chef Luis Lopez, one of New Canaan’s favorite local chefs, is involved in the “new” Gates restaurant or that the reopening of Gates on Forest Street will in any way affect Lopez’s eatery on Elm, he tells us.

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As many NCHS seniors and their families make plans for college next year, the New Canaan Community Foundation is reminding town residents about the Community Foundation’s scholarship program for students who need financial assistance to continue their education. Some $175,000 in grants is available and the application deadline is May 4. For more information, visit the NCCF website www.newcanaancf.org or call the nonprofit organization’s office at 203-966-0231.

Town Clerk Claudia Weber swears in Office Clinton Jarvis to the New Canaan Police Department on April 28, 2015. Credit: Michael Dinan

Town Clerk Claudia Weber swears in Office Clinton Jarvis to the New Canaan Police Department on April 28, 2015. Credit: Michael Dinan

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New Canaan Police Officer Clinton Jarvis was sworn into the job on Tuesday by Town Clerk Claudia Weber. “It’s an honor and I’m ready to get started,” Jarvis, formerly of the Bridgeport Police Department, told NewCanaanite.com. “It’s an honor to be here. I left a lot of good guys and I’m excited to start something new.”

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We’re hearing that the New Canaan Police Department is about to kickstart a very aggressive distracted driving enforcement campaign. Want to be a good driver who doesn’t drive distracted? Sign “the pledge”—available in PDF form at the bottom of this article.

Ellen Crovatto (Director of Development, far left) and committee members including chairpersons Jen Gallagher, Alicia Wyckoff, Holly Parmelee, and Maya Frey. Contributed

Ellen Crovatto (Director of Development, far left) and committee members including chairpersons Jen Gallagher, Alicia Wyckoff, Holly Parmelee, and Maya Frey. Contributed

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Get fired up: The 2015 Books, Blues, and BBQ party committee is busy planning this year’s fun-filled, fundraising event to benefit the New Canaan Library. The event takes place on Friday, May 29th under the tent at the library, rain or shine. Register online at newcanaanlibrary.org or by calling 203-594-5025.

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Here’s the schedule for Phase One of the reoccupation of Town Hall, from the office of the first selectman:

  • On Wednesday April 29, the Town Clerks office located at the Stewart’s Office Building 223 Elm Street will be closed and will re-open at the New Town Hall on Wednesday May 6.
  • On Monday May 4, the Public Works Department located at the New Canaan Police Department, will be closed and will re-open at the New Town Hall on Wednesday May 6.
  • On Monday May 4, the Parking Department located at Stewart’s Office Building 223 Elm Street will be closed and will re-open on May 6, at the New Canaan Police Department 2ed floor.
  • On Tuesday May 5, the Tax Assessor and Tax Collector located at the Stewart’s Office Building 223 Elm Street will be closed and will re-open at the New Town Hall on Wednesday May 6.

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New Canaan resident Dennis W. Perry has been selected as President/CEO of Greenwich-based Abilis, an organization supporting individuals with disabilities in lower Fairfield County. Perry and his wife of 32 years, Martha, have three adult children one of whom has development disabilities caused by bacterial meningitis contracted at ten weeks. As a result, Perry has for the past 20-plus years explored resources available to families of children with disabilities around the globe while working with a number of these organizations at a board level to help insure their long term viability. At a local level, he and his wife have been supporters of Challenger Baseball and have also been instrumental in bringing Unified Sports Soccer and Basketball to lower Fairfield County.

Joe Zagarenski (L) of The McLoud Group, a firm that's managing construction work at the Town Hall renovation, and Michael Pastore, director of the New Canaan Department of Public Works, at the March 25, 2014 Board of Selectmen meeting, held at the police department. Credit: Michael Dinan

Joe Zagarenski (L) of The McLoud Group, a firm that’s managing construction work at the Town Hall renovation, and Michael Pastore, director of the New Canaan Department of Public Works, at the March 25, 2014 Board of Selectmen meeting, held at the police department. Credit: Michael Dinan

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Joseph Zagarenski, the affable manager of the Town Hall renovation project, has been hired as senior engineer in the New Canaan Department of Public Works. Welcome, Joe!

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A judge has granted an electrician an extension until May 30 to respond to a lawsuit alleging poor work in new home construction on Ponus Ridge.

Looks like the new marketplace on Pine will be called "Pine Street Concessions."

Looks like the new marketplace on Pine will be called “Pine Street Concessions.”

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We’ve heard a lot of buzz around the new Grand Central-style marketplace planned for Pine Street, including its proposed name.

Recently, a sign popped up on the site that calls the proposed business “Pine Street Concessions.”

L-R: Marianne Kay, Laura Heckman, Cindy Havens and Boardie Kurz.

L-R: Marianne Kay, Laura Heckman, Cindy Havens and Boardie Kurz.

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The Nature Center Preschool recently hosted a party St Barth’s style with the theme “Cabana Nights.” The goal was to raise money for the Nature Center’s outdoor space: 40 acres of outdoor classroom enjoyed every day by the preschool classes. Cindy Havens, New Canaan resident and preschool parent and her committee, with support from Preschool Director Marianne Kay, provided the apres-beach ambiance under a tent in the Nature Center’s meadow.

https://newcanaanite.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Stop-Distracted-Driving-Pledge-NCPD-NEWQ.pdf

One thought on “Did You Hear … ?

  1. The glass box by U. MD students is kind of chic – providing the sunlight, heat, cold and roof-top snow can be controlled with modest energy consumption.

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