Letter to the Editor

Reader Responds to “GHS Grads Break Silence on Drugs from Marijuana to Heroin”

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This comment from Greenwich Free Press reader Will was submitted in response to last week’s feature “GHS Grads Break Silence on Drugs from Marijuana to Heroin.” The piece focused on the story of Mark Pelazza, who shared this story of addiction and recovery during a parent seminar hosted by the YMCA of Greenwich and Liberation Programs. The story was widely shared, drawing 397 likes on the GFP Facebook page and thousands of views. “Certain drugs are easier to access and more readily used in Greenwich, and other places in the area such as Rye and Harrison, because of the affluence of the town and lack of activities available to teenagers. These towns are built for 30- and 40-somethings with families who still want to work in New York City but have a safer environment to raise their children. Unfortunately a byproduct is a lack of entertainment available on the weekends: Concerts are expensive and often 21+, non-alcoholic dance clubs are 18+, the beach closes at 3pm in the winter, Arch Street has turned into a middle school ritual, GHS rarely has weekend events, etc. Continue Reading →

Around Town

Audubon Greenwich: Apply Organic Principles to Your Own Backyard

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CT NOFA’s Organic Lawn & Land Care Workshop hosted by Audubon Greenwich Thursday, April 3, 6:00-9:00 PM

Presented by CT NOFA with Camilla Worden, Dwight Brooks, Jenna Messier, and Michael Nadeau

Through simple organic practices and building a healthy soil food web, every lawn can be organic AND the envy of the neighborhood. The National Audubon Society’s Bird-friendly Communities program in Connecticut is working to provide bird-friendly havens for birds living in and migrating through our neighborhoods and parklands. The NOFA Organic Land Care Program, a program of CT NOFA, has worked to extend organic agriculture principles to yards, gardens and playing fields since 1999. These two missions come together for a evening event on Thursday, April 3, 2014 from 6:00-9:00 pm, when Audubon Greenwich and the NOFA Organic Land Care Program host parents, and homeowners, and landscapers for an Organic Lawn & Land Care workshop at Audubon Greenwich. Attendees will learn from Jenna Messier, Michael Nadeau, Camilla Worden, and Dwight Brooks – each of whom are esteemed NOFA-accredited Organic Land Care Professionals. Continue Reading →

Around Town

April Fool’s Day Draws a Crowd to Rummage Room

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By Leslie Yager
On Tuesday the mannequins in the windows at Rummage Room in Old Greenwich drew a crowd. Not because all the merchandise on display was donated. That is always the case. The thrift shop — owned and run by the Women’s Fellowship of the First Congregational Church of Greenwich — resells donated merchandise to raise funds for a variety of family, women’s and children’s charities. Tuesday was April Fool’s Day, and throughout the day the pair of mannequins in the window displays  on either side of the store entrance entrance were  people. Continue Reading →

Around Town

It’s No Joke: Crocuses in Full Bloom Corner of Maple and Putnam Ave

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It’s April 1, but this no gag. The crocus have suddenly blossomed at the intersection of Maple Ave, Putnam Ave and Milbank Ave. The colors are a range of purples and yellows, with some variegated ones mixed in. _______________________________________________________________________________

Born in February, Greenwich Free Press hit 250 Likes on April Fool’s Day! If you haven’t yet, please Like us on  Facebook. Continue Reading →

Sports

Final 4 Preview

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By Ryan Bologna, GHS Class of ’17

We’re down to four in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, with many surprise teams, including local college, UConn. Both the men’s and woman’s teams have had much success throughout the tournament. The men are in the final 4 and woman reached the elite 8. The road is tough for the men. They will take on the number one in the country Florida Gators, who since UConn beat them back in early December Florida has won every game since then. Continue Reading →

Around Town

PartyStyle Box: Decorate Your Party Table With Citrus Fruit

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By Janine Vairo
Try making these bright and fresh flower centerpieces and candles with lemons and limes! The weather is warming up and everything is turning green. It is a great time to incorporate sunny yellows and green limes into your table decor. If you are looking for a centerpiece that brings a “Wow” factor to your table, think about combining unusual elements together. In addition, the smell of the limes mixing with the florals creates a very fresh scent. This centerpiece doesn’t take that long to put together, but really makes a statement. Continue Reading →

Parenting

Anatomy of a DUI

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By Leslie Yager
Substance abuse and misuse, especially amongst young people, was the theme for the meeting at UConn Stamford of a group of professionals including social workers, counselors and police officers. The Lower Fairfield County Regional Action Council (LFCRAC) includes professionals from Greenwich, Stamford, Darien and New Canaan who share the goal of reducing and preventing substance abuse and misuse. The group discussed topics including marketing of e-cigarettes and alcohol to teens and regulations for Narcan, the opiate antidote used for heroin overdoses. Discussion also touched on “doctor shopping,” binge drinking and deaths of young people from falling off balconies and out windows, and drunk and distracted driving. Officer Jason Kim from New Canaan Police gave an overview of what happens when police suspect someone of drunk driving. Continue Reading →

Business

BBB: Do you fit the Profile of a Scam Victim?

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By Howard Schwartz, CT Better Business Bureau
Much is known about the personalities of con artists and their methods, however, Connecticut Better Business Bureau says consumers with certain character traits and behaviors may be more prone than others to becoming a victim. Young people – from adolescents to college students – are potential victims because although they may understand the workings of sophisticated scams, they do not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves, particularly when using computers and smart phones.  They also may share too much information on social media sites. It also is well-established that the elderly are prime targets for fraud because they may not understand some of the ways scammers can trick them into handing over personal and financial information. But age alone does not determine who will most likely become a victim.  The other two determining factors are personal values and behavior.Here are some of the traits common among scam victims:They take someone at their word – Victims tend to not do their homework, ask questions, or check with BBB before signing a contract or putting down a deposit. They are afraid of being rude – They don’t want to hang up the phone or shut the door, even if they are not interested in whatever the peddler is selling. Continue Reading →