What’s going on in your part of Greenwich
Old Greenwich
The town is teaming up with the Friends of Greenwich Point for the Holly Grove cleanup project, and volunteers are needed from 9:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 3.
Typically, this cleanup project is done in the spring but it was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Masks are required, and long-sleeved shirts, long pants, work gloves and water bottles are recommended. Volunteers can also bring pruners or loppers.
According to organizers, the project will focus on trimming branches in the area and removing vines that have enveloped the hollies.
Holly Grove is “part of a regional network of places recognized for outstanding value to bird conservation. The mature holly trees serve multiple purposes to support wildlife and many creatures enjoy the red berries, from squirrels, raccoons and other small mammals to our native birds as well as migrating
ones traveling between their winter and summer territories,” the Friends of Greenwich Point said.
The grove has been a part of Greenwich Point since 1959, when it was donated by a local couple, the Kitchels, in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. The Friends of Greenwich Point have been working since 2016 to restore Holly Grove through cleanups and by planting 63 new hollies and rebuilding the entrance post, header and rail.
For more information on the Friends of Greenwich Point or on the cleanup, visit www.friendsofgreenwichpoint.org/
Downtown
For many restaurant owners, closing off the lower portion of Greenwich Avenue to vehicle traffic during the pandemic has been a huge success in allowing outdoor seating for diners.
But there have been some complaints. First Selectman Fred Camillo is expected to hold a public hearing in the coming weeks to hear from business owners and residents on the future of the Avenue.
No date was set for the public hearing, but at Thursday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, Camillo said he will consult with Selectwomen Lauren Rabin and Jill Oberlander. He said the hearing would likely take place “in the next week or two.”
“We want people to be able to weigh in about Greenwich Avenue,” Camillo said on Thursday. “I met again with the merchants on the bottom of the Avenue and while the restaurants are all in about the last block, Restaurant row as it’s come to be called now, being shut to traffic and a few merchants are, too, there were several merchants that told me they were hurting. We have some options.”
Camillo said he had been asked whether it is possible to open up the section of Greenwich Avenue to traffic during the day and then close it off at night. But he said that presented challenges in moving the barriers back and forth.
“It kind of creates a little confusion,” he said. “It’s not impossible, but we were thinking either we’d keep it the way it is or open it up 24/7, and keeping the ‘nodes’ there so that all the restaurants that are out on the last block that don’t have a barrier would have to get them.”
The “nodes” are areas where parking spaces are blocked off with barriers to allow for outdoor dining or shopping.
Currently, Greenwich Avenue is closed to vehicular traffic from Grigg Street to Railroad Avenue. Originally the closure began at Havemeyer Place but it was lowered after business owners expressed concern about a lack of parking.
The closure is set to remain in effect into December and return again next spring.
Cos Cob
The Greenwich Historical Society will hold its annual Fall Festival on Oct. 3, with activities for the whole family to enjoy outdoors.
Masks are required, and the historical society will take step to ensure proper social distancing and will put safety protocols in place.
The bluegrass band Too Blue will perform. Family activities will include scarecrow making, storytelling and a scavenger hunt.
The day’s activities will be broken up into two sessions: from noon to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. The family package costs $35 for members and $50 for nonmembers.
The family tickets will include a scarecrow kit, which will also be available for purchase at the event.
“Fall Festival is a timehonored tradition that is anticipated by families throughout the community,” said Anna Marie Greco, director of education at the Greenwich Historical Society. “We are grateful for the support we’ve had over the years and look forward to a large and enthusiastic turnout this year.”
Reservations are required. For more information and to purchase tickets, greenwichhistory.org/the-greenwichhistorical-societys-annualfall-festival/.
Downtown
Greenwich will mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the traditional raising of the pink ribbon flag outside Town Hall at 9 a.m.
Oct. 1.
Masks and social distancing will be required.
The Breast Cancer Alliance, a Greenwich-based nonprofit, will lead the ceremony. First Selectman Fred Camillo is expected along with BCA Board President Meg Russell and Barbara Ward, director of Breast Care Services at Greenwich Hospital.
October is a big month for fundraising at the BCA, which awards grants to teach surgical techniques to doctors; funds research into new treatments; and provides access to mammograms for underserved women.
Because of the pandemic, the BCA’s annual luncheon, silent auction and fashion show will be a virtual event on Oct. 19. Richards will still present fashion by Caroline Herrera using models who have fought breast cancer.
There will also be a special tribute to BCA co-founder Lucy Day, who died in June, and an appearance by actress Kate Walsh, of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice” fame. She is now part of the cast of Netflix’s hit “The Umbrella Academy.”
For more information and to buy tickets or make donations, visit bidpal.net/BCALuncheon2020.