Giving

Major Participation by Greenwich Non-Profits in March 7 Giving Day

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The Fairfield County Community Foundation and Bank of America have launched Fairfield County Giving Day, an online 24-hour day of giving, set for Friday, March 7. During a single 24-hour period, donors are asked to make online donations through www.FCGives.org  to their favorite local non-profits. The goal of the giving day is to raise $1 Million for nearly 300 non-profits in the region. Participating non-profit groups are doing work in areas critical to the community – from housing to education to the arts and more. As an extra incentive, non-profits are vying for prizes of up to $25,000. Continue Reading →

Around Town

Greenwich Rally to Support the Sandy Hook Ride on Washington, Team 26

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A public rally outside Town Hall on Sat., March 8 will be hosted by Greenwich Council Against Gun Violence. According to the organizers, the rally, which kicks off at 12:30pm supports the Sandy Hook Ride on Washington and seeks to “raise awareness of the need for common-sense gun legislation and to honor the 26 children and educators killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School.” According to the Sandy Hook Ride on Washington website, 26 cyclists will ride from Sandy Hook to the Capitol between March 8 and the March 11 “in support of common sense legislation to reduce gun violence.  We also ride to honor all victims of gun violence.” Team 26 is riding for the second year, covering 400 miles from Newtown to Washington D.C. with rallies along the route. Hosted by Connecticut Council Against Gun Violence, featured speakers at the March 8 rally will include:

Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei
Senator Richard Blumenthal  (CT)
Attorney General George Jepsen (CT)
Representative Jim Himes (CT 4th District)
Greenwich Selectman Drew Marzullo
Monte Frank, captain, Team 26; board member, Newtown Action Alliance
Jonathan Perloe, rally organizer, Greenwich Council Against Gun Violence
Dawn Spearman, founder, You are Not Alone, Bridgeport, CT
Reverend Maxwell Grant, Senior Minister, Second Congregational Church, Greenwich

Additional participants will include:

Greenwich Selectman David Theis
Ron Pinciaro, Executive Director, CT Against Gun Violence
Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz, Greenwich Reform Synagogue

The Greenwich Council Against Gun Violence is a local grassroots organization of concerned residents from Greenwich. Continue Reading →

Parenting

Internet Safety: Cyberbullying, Spyware, Parental Controls

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Part 2 of 2-part feature on Greenwich Police Detective Christy Girard’s presentation on Internet safety and children. Detective  Girard acknowledged in her presentation to the Father’s Forum on March 1st that parents may be reluctant to use monitoring software, or “Spyware.” Monitoring all a child’s text messages and social media posts is potentially exhausting. However, according to Detective Girard,  if a child is being bullied, it is ideal to be able to have access their online communications. Her advice is to trust one’s instincts, and monitor when necessary. Continue Reading →

Around Town

Courage to Speak Empowering Youth to be Drug Free Family Night

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The 10th Annual Courage To Speak Empowering Youth to Be Drug Free Family Night will take place on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, 5:15 p.m., at West Rocks Middle School in Norwalk (Snow date:  March 20).  All are invited to the event, which will bring students, parents, educators, school and government officials, business and community leaders together to affirm their commitment to keep our children safe from drugs and other risky behaviors. A complimentary dinner will be served. Bring your children with you. This exciting media event will spotlight the outstanding work and words of students who participate in the Courage to Speak Foundation’s programs and curricula in their schools taught by the health class teachers. Norwalk’s Mayor Harry Rilling, Chief of Police Thomas Kulhawik and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Manuel Rivera will introduce the students who take the microphone and speak out with their vows not to use drugs. State Representative Lawrence F. Cafero, Jr. will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Continue Reading →

Parenting

Children & Internet Safety: Friends with Strangers, Sexting, Facebook

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Part 1 of 2-part feature
(Link to part 2: Internet Safety: Cyberbullying, Spyware, Parental Controls)

Greenwich Police Detective Christy Girard tackled the subject of children and Internet safety at this past Saturday’s Father’s Forum at the YMCA. Girard covered everything from grooming behavior of sexual predators to mean girl cyber-bullying on playdates, and elaborated on the multiple ways a child can get in trouble or become a victim. Lest a parent feel helpless about the treachery of predators and bullies targeting their children, Girard left parents a grab bag of tools and tricks at their disposal to keep even the most internet-savvy children safe. Who Are Your Kids Talking to? 

Girard said predators work to earn a child’s trust and break them away from their parents. “You don’t know who you’re talking to, right?” Girard asked the audience at the Father’s Forum. Continue Reading →

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Parents don’t want teachers armed. Teachers also strongly opposed.

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letter to the editor - Greenwich Free Press

To the Editor

In the 14 months since Sandy Hook, there have been 44 more school shootings, resulting in another 28 children and educators killed by guns. The NRA’s answer to this national tragedy is to allow teachers to carry weapons. But nowhere in its agenda is support for common-sense legislative reform that would reduce gun violence. The stranglehold the gun lobby has on Congress is why the Greenwich Council Against Gun Violence is holding the Greenwich Rally to Support the Sandy Hook Ride on Washington. On Saturday, March 8, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Town Hall we’ll welcome Team 26, cyclists riding 400 miles from Newtown to Washington, D.C., to honor victims of gun violence and call for federal legislative action. Continue Reading →

Around Town

Eat Healthy. Save Money. Become a Community Gardener.

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Don’t Miss out on Armstrong Court Community Organic Garden Plot Registration! Community Garden plots go fast each spring, so don’t wait. Mark your calendar and see how you can become a community gardener, growing the best food in town and reducing your food budget at the same time. You must attend one meeting in order to sign up, but there are FREE SEEDS for all gardeners! When? Continue Reading →

Tiny New York Kitchen: Mardi Gras King Cake

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By Victoria Hart Glavin of Tiny New York Kitchen

I’m sure you’ve been hearing a lot about King Cake these days, but just what is King Cake anyway? King cakes are a holiday tradition around the world, including the celebration of the Twelfth Night and Carnival. Each community has its own recipe variations and symbolic interpretations. In the United States, a plastic baby is baked inside the cake, and the person who received the slice with the baby in it is said to have good luck and named Queen or King of the party and required to supply the next king cake or host the next party or both. The cake is topped with icing and three colored sugars that represent justice (purple), faith (green), and power (gold). Continue Reading →

Around Town

Greenwich’s Per Heidenreich Helps Pick Name for Aquarium’s $2.7M Research Vessel

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It’s decided. Norwalk Aquarium’s new hybrid-powered research vessel will be named “R/V Spirit of the Sound.” Kiara Velazquez, a 10th grader at Brien McMahon, won a free boat outing for her family and a free IMAX® movie screening for one of her classes at Brien McMahon when her winning name was selected by a committee that included Per Heidenreich of Greenwich, chair of the Aquarium’s new-vessel committee. The Aquarium’s $2.7 million, 65-foot catamaran is expected to make its debut in late spring. The new research vessel will be bigger, quieter and greener than the Aquarium’s current 34-year-old trawler. Continue Reading →

Tiny New York Kitchen: Teriyaki Pork Fried Rice

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By Victoria Hart Glavin of Tiny New York Kitchen

Skip the take-out and make your own Teriyaki Pork Fried Rice! INGREDIENTS

2 Tablespoons Canola Oil (Divided)
2 Beaten Eggs
2 Tablespoons Grated Ginger
2 Teaspoons Minced Garlic
1 Pound Lean Diced Pork
1 1/2 Cups Thinly Sliced Cabbage
1/2 Cup Finely Chopped Red Bell Pepper
1 Bunch Thinly Sliced Green Onions
1/2 Pound Thawed Frozen Peas & Carrots
3 Cups Cooked White Or Brown Rice
1/3 Cup Teriyaki Sauce
2 Tablespoons Low Sodium Soy Sauce

In a large-size sauté pan add 1 tablespoon canola oil over a medium-high heat. When hot add beaten eggs. Cook until just cooked through. Transfer eggs to a plate and set aside. Continue Reading →