Stratford Native Seeks Donor For Life-Saving Kidney Transplant Stratford Native Seeks Donor For Life-Saving Kidney Transplant
Stratford Native Seeks Donor For Life-Saving Kidney Transplant STRATFORD, Conn. — Stratford native Patrick Pantalone, a 1997 graduate of Stratford High, is reaching out to his hometown in hopes of finding a kidney donor for a life-saving transplant. Pantalone was diagnosed nearly four years ago with IgA nephropathy, also known as Berger's disease. He must undergo dialysis treatment two to three days per week for five to six hours at a time.  He has an artificial vein in his arm because his veins could not handle the dialysis, and he also suffers from blood clots that require surgery.  Pantalone has been on the waiting list for a kidney for three years,…
Senators Fight To Save Tax Break For Newman's Own Foundation In Westport Senators Fight To Save Tax Break For Newman's Own Foundation In Westport
Senators Fight To Save Tax Break For Newman's Own Foundation In Westport WESTPORT, Conn. — Over the past 25 years, Newman's Own Foundation in Westport has donated $512 million to charities. But a provision in ongoing federal budget negotiations could force the nonprofit founded by actor Paul Newman to close its doors due to a disastrous tax. U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) have written to Senate leaders for help for the nonprofit. When Paul Newman died in 2008, ownership of the actor’s eponymous food company, Newman’s Own, was turned over to the nonprofit foundation. It donates 100 percent of its profits after taxes to charity.  Because…
Norwalk Land Trust Starts Drive To Preserve Historic White Barn Property Norwalk Land Trust Starts Drive To Preserve Historic White Barn Property
Norwalk Land Trust Starts Drive To Preserve Historic White Barn Property NORWALK, Conn. — The Norwalk Land Trust has launched a campaign to raise $4 million to purchase the White Barn Property and preserve the 15.4-acres as woodlands, wetlands, and meadows with the eye-catching Stony Brook running through it.  The historic property is located on the Norwalk/Westport border and plays an important role protecting both the quality and quantity of drinking water for the local watershed. “Saving this beautiful property,” says Julian Henkin, a member of the Norwalk Land Trust’s board of directors, “is essential to protect a critical habitat for wildlife and a precious…
Fairfield Rotary Serves Up Pancakes For Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Fairfield Rotary Serves Up Pancakes For Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief
Fairfield Rotary Serves Up Pancakes For Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The Fairfield Rotary is teaming up with Chip’s Family Restaurant to offer relief to those dealing with the aftereffects of hurricanes in Puerto Rico. Pancakes for Dinner will take place Jan. 30 at the Tunxis Hill Road restaurant with all proceeds going to the Rotary’s Hurricane Relief Fund for Puerto Rico. Seating times are 5, 6 and 7 p.m. and the set price is $15 per person. Chip’s owners Adam Baiko and George Chatzopoulos will donate all costs of food and service to help the cause. Tips are not included in the price. For reservations with a preferred seating time, e-m…
Sunrise Senior Living Saves Historic Wilton Barn Before Construction Starts Sunrise Senior Living Saves Historic Wilton Barn Before Construction Starts
Sunrise Senior Living Saves Historic Wilton Barn Before Construction Starts WILTON, Conn. — Young’s Nursery is gone, but a historic 19th-century barn on the Wilton property will be saved and donated to the Wilton Historical Society.  Sunrise Senior Living, which is about to begin construction on its new assisted living community on the property at 211 Danbury Road/Route 7, is preserving the historic barn.  “This was simply the right thing to do, and we are excited to help preserve such a special part of Wilton’s history,” said Philip Kroskin, senior vice president of real estate for Sunrise. “Sunrise is committed to thoughtful, sustainable design of our communities…
'The Voice' Winner To Perform In Greenwich To Help The Homeless 'The Voice' Winner To Perform In Greenwich To Help The Homeless
'The Voice' Winner To Perform In Greenwich To Help The Homeless GREENWICH, Conn. -- "The Voice" winner and Stratford native Javier Colon will perform at the 10th annual Close to Home event in Greenwich this February to benefit the Pacific House Young Adult Program that helps young adults avoid a lifetime of homelessness. The popular yearly gathering will be held on Friday, Feb. 23, at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich to raise money for the program. Colon will provide an exclusive solo performance, and will also perform special selections with talented musicians from local high schools. The event will also feature delicious dessert and food tasting's…
Student-Run 'So We Think We Can Dance' Returns To Darien Arts Center Student-Run 'So We Think We Can Dance' Returns To Darien Arts Center
Student-Run 'So We Think We Can Dance' Returns To Darien Arts Center DARIEN, Conn. – The popular showcase of talent, So We Think We Can Dance is back for its seventh year at the Darien Arts Center, where the student-run production has sold-out audiences for the past six years.  Totally produced by DAC dance student volunteers, ages 10 to 18, the show returns to the DAC Weatherstone Studio with performances on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. DAC dance students manage all stages of creation and execution, and choreograph and perform approximately 17 dances that encompass many different styles of dance. The DAC dance program provides d…
Darien Y Hosts Workshop For Women Returning To The Workforce Darien Y Hosts Workshop For Women Returning To The Workforce
Darien Y Hosts Workshop For Women Returning To The Workforce DARIEN, Conn. – The Darien YMCA is once again hosting its "Graceful Transitions" workshop for women who are considering a return to work after having children. The workshop will be held on Saturday, Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Darien Y. The five-hour workshop will help women begin to navigate the transition back to work with grace, openness and a perspective of growth. It will not deliver "tips and tricks," but will rather focus on identifying values, purpose, vision and creating a narrative for change. Participants will emerge inspired, nourished, connected and …
Norwalk Historical Society Hosts Service Project For MLK Day Norwalk Historical Society Hosts Service Project For MLK Day
Norwalk Historical Society Hosts Service Project For MLK Day NORWALK, Conn. -- The Norwalk Historical Society will host a family-friendly Service Day Project this weekend in honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Operation Thank You, a project in conjunction with the non-profit organization Operation Gratitude, will be held on Sunday, Jan. 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Norwalk Historical Society Museum. This free event will educate the community about King's life, as well as provide an outlet for children and adults to further his message of peace and love by writing thank you letters and cards for the country's first responders. “Life's most…
Trumbull's Kennedy Center Names Shelton Man As New President/CEO Trumbull's Kennedy Center Names Shelton Man As New President/CEO
Trumbull's Kennedy Center Names Shelton Man As New President/CEO TRUMBULL, Conn. — The Kennedy Center has a new president and CEO — Richard Sebastian Jr. of Shelton. Sebastian has been appointed effective Jan. 2.  He succeeds Martin Schwartz of Trumbull, who is retiring after nearly 40 years of service. Schwartz, who was the Trumbull-based center’s first president and CEO, will remain as acting president and CEO until Jan. 18 in order to ensure a smooth transition. “With over 200 resume submissions, Richard Sebastian was chosen because he has the credentials to create growth and sustainability for the agency; embodies the persona of our leadership; and…
Staples Grad Wins Golden Globe For Best Song From P.T. Barnum Movie Staples Grad Wins Golden Globe For Best Song From P.T. Barnum Movie
Staples Grad Wins Golden Globe For Best Song From P.T. Barnum Movie WESTPORT, Conn. — For the second year in a row, Staples High School grad Justin Paul and his writing partner, Benj Pasek, won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture. They accepted the award during Sunday night's telecast on NBC.  Their winning song is "This is Me" from the movie-musical "The Greatest Showman," which is about Bridgeport's own P.T. Barnum. The song is performed by Keala Settle. The other nominees were:  "Home" from the movie "Ferdinand." Music by Nick Jonas, Nick Monson & Justin Tranter, Lyrics by Jonas &…
Journey To The Past: Monroe Through Time II To Be Unveiled At Sunday Lunch Journey To The Past: Monroe Through Time II To Be Unveiled At Sunday Lunch
Journey To The Past: Monroe Through Time II To Be Unveiled At Sunday Lunch MONROE, Conn. -- A new illustrated paperback capturing the rich history of Monroe will be unveiled at a luncheon at the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library on Sunday. The luncheon will introduce "Monroe Thought Time II," which chronicles such little-known chapters in the town's history as: A Ku Klux Klan rally in 1924 that drew 1,100 America-Firsters to a site where a Goodwill Store stands today. A neighborhood popularly called Punkups that disappeared when Lake Zoar was created in 1919. The unsolved mystery of Captain Nathan Seeley, who was found dead in his barn in 1890 with a noose…