Around Town

‘A Really Nice Way to Be Outside Together’: Outdoor Movie Night at Waveny Returns Friday

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A little more than three years ago, town resident Jonathan Breen came up with the idea of hosting a family-friendly outdoor movie night at Waveny Park. 

“I’ve always loved the idea of having outdoor movies,” he told NewCanaanite.com. 

“I just reached out to the town and pitched them the idea,” he added. With the blessing of the Recreation Department, Breen said he reached out to a number of sponsors around town. Steve Karl, vicepresident of Sales at Karl Chevrolet—one of the event’s sponsors—said the project has been “a grassroots effort.” “It seemed like a great idea, and over the last few years that we’ve done it it’s really been a nice event,” he said. 

“We actually have a lot of fun,” Karl added, “because there’s a little popcorn stand and it really feels like you’re going to a movie, but it’s a different kind of venue because you’re outdoors.” This year’s free Outdoor Movie Night will take place this Friday, Aug.

Angela Baldanza

New Canaan Restaurants: Summer Theatre Partnership Helped Business

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The owners of local restaurants that partnered with a theater group that performed in downtown New Canaan through July said the effect on business was largely positive. Angela Baldanza, co-owner of and chef at Baldanza Café, described the restaurant’s partnership with the Summer Theatre of New Canaan as “a very positive experience.” She said that many diners had come into the restaurant to take advantage of a special fixed-price menu, and that she “would do it again.” Asked whether the theater’s impact was noticeably different from previous years, when it had been located further away from the downtown area, Baldanza said “definitely.”

Previously located in Waveny, STONC on Sunday finished its final show on New Canaan Library’s property. The organization partnered this year with a number of local restaurants, which offered special deals for theatergoers.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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New Canaan Police on Wednesday said investigators have received more than 1,200 tips in the case of a local woman missing since May 24. Since issuing a call for video surveillance in the case of Jennifer Dulos, nearly 80 businesses and residents responded, according to Lt. Jason Ferraro. “In addition both physical and digital evidence is continuing to be processed and reviewed to aide in the investigation,” Ferraro said. Tips can be called in at 203-594-3544, emailed to FindJenniferDulos@newcanaanct.gov or submitted anonymously at www.FindJenniferDulos.com. On the same day, the two-month mark since Dulos’s disappearance, family friend Carrie Luft issued a statement.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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The New Canaan Building Department on July 9 issued an after-the-fact permit for $5,000 of work done at 82 Old Kings Highway. The permit, which generated $675 in fees for the town, involved turning a half-bath into a full bathroom by adding a shower stall. ***

Waveny LifeCare Network residents and staff celebrated the U.S. National Women’s Soccer Team win over England in the World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, July 2. The game was watched on Waveny’s new 75 inch television, an addition to Waveny’s therapeutic recreation offerings made possible through a grant by the Rotary Club of New Canaan, and from donations directed to Waveny in honor of volunteer Ruby Bierman’s bat mitzvah. 

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Burglaries in New Canaan are down to four so far this year compared to eight at the same time last year, officials said at the most recent meeting of the Police Commission. Motor vehicle crashes involving property damage are down “significantly,” from 171 to 193, Police Chief Leon Krolikowski said during the Commission’s June 19 meeting, though crashes that involve injuries are up to 18 versus 13 one year ago.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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The New Canaan Building Department on Tuesday received an after-the-fact application from the owner of 1541 Oenoke Ridge Road who had completed an estimated $150,000 kitchen remodel without obtaining a permit. The work included installation of new cabinets, countertops and appliances, moving a sink, running a propane line and reconfiguring lighting. ***

New Canaan Police at 11:26 p.m. Monday cited a 20-year-old Norwalk man for possession of less than .5 ounces of marijuana after stopping him on East Avenue for driving with a defective brake light. ***

New Canaan High School graduate Curt Casali went 3-for-4 Thursday for the Cincinnati Reds in the team’s 5-0 win over Miami. In 16 at-bats this season, New Canaan’s first MLB player is hitting .375 with an OPS of .938.