It’s a winter wonderland in Greenwich for the holidays THE DISH
Winter wonderland… Check out the wonderful scenes — inside and out — at Sophia’s on Liberty Way. Owner Sophia Scarpelli, a Cos Cob native, has operated the mainstay store for nearly 40 years in town. Shoppers can delight in the warmth of the holidays glow from the decorated window displays.
Scene… To help keep Stamford Downtown’s holiday traditions alive, the YES Network stepped up to the plate to host multiple airings of the “Heights & Lights” event throughout the month. Brian Cashman, general manager of the New York Yankees; Aaron Boone, manager of the Yankees; Santa (veteran climber Brian VanOrsdel); and their friends rappelled down the 22 stories of the
Landmark Building for the televised event. The 30minute show also features behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, fireworks and more as well as the lighting of the Stamford Downtown holiday tree in Latham Park. The full television schedule can be found at stamforddowntown.com/ events/heights-lights-8/.
Out there… The Greenwich Arts Council and Open Arts Alliance are presenting a “Broadway Evening” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16. The virtual seminar will feature a 45-minute discussion with Rocco Natale, executive director of Open Arts Alliance, on the history of composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II. It will also feature special performances by members of
Open Arts Alliance’s Leadership Council. Admission to this virtual event is free. To attend, RSVP to info@greenwicharts.org.
On the court… NBA allstar player and Greenwich Country Day School alum Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz and his family have donated $12 million to Country Day to help lowincome students have the opportunity to attend the private school. The newly created Mitchell Family Scholarship Fund, the largest in the school’s history, will also help build a new basketball court and athletic center at the school.
Scene… Actor Kevin Bacon of Sharon was seen filming Showtime’s drama “City On The Hill” on location in White Plains, N.Y., last week. The one-hour drama now in its second season is about crime and corruption in Boston in the early 1990s. Bacon and actor Aldis Hodgewere seen shooting near the American Express office on Main Street.
Out there… In celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday, the Chamber Players of the Greenwich Symphony will perform in a streamed
concert from the Flinn Gallery at the Greenwich Library at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. Dr. Gil Harel will discuss Beethoven’s most celebrated work, Symphony No. 9, as well as how he gained status in the music world. For more info and to join in on the celebration, go to
www.greenwichlibrary.org.
Out there… The Avon Theatre is presenting screenings of “The Nutcracker” from the Bolshoi Ballet in Cinema, captured live in Moscow. Screenings will run from Friday, Dec. 18, through Wednesday, Dec. 23, nightly at 7 p.m., with additional matinees at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For tickets (members, $9/general public, $14.50) go towww.avontheatre.org or call 203-967-3660.
Scene… Tina Carpenteri and Frank Carpenteri Jr., owners of Garden Catering whose flagship location is in Old Greenwich, have launched their “Nugs Not Hugs Holiday Edition” initiative to provide holiday meals to 500 area families. They are coordinating the distribution of the meals with area nonprofits, including the Greenwich United Way, Port Chester, N.Y.-based Carver Center, Norwalk-based Food Rescue US and New Havenbased Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen. A $9 contribution will provide a meal for one and a $54 donation will feed a family. To donate to the initiative, go to www.gardencatering.com or to the Garden Catering app.
“At this time of year, when the sun is most hidden, the holiday of Hanukkah celebrates the rays of hope and light… At such times, we yearn for the sun, and the light and warmth that it provides. Often, it is through simple and unrecognized miracles that we are able to feel the warmth of hope and light.”
— Rabbi Rafael Goldstein
And that’s all for now. Later…
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