NEIGHBORHOODS
What’s going on in your part of Greenwich
Greenwich
The Greenwich Police Department is offering to check on vacant homes as people leave town during the holiday season.
The department cannot guarantee that homes will be checked on, but officers may make periodic checks, assuming they are not busy with other calls.
People interested in getting on the department’s “Dark House Checklist” can fill out a form on the town’s website.
Central Greenwich
Local historical groups will soon participate in Wreaths Across America Day to honor those who fought in the nation’s military.
The Israel Putnam House Association, Children of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution and the public will gather at Christ Church cemetery to remember veterans and their service to the country on Dec. 16.
After the ceremony, there will be holiday refreshments across the street at Putnam Cottage.
The ceremony is at 12 p.m. on Dec. 16 in the cemetery at Christ Church Greenwich, 254 E. Putnam Ave. The reception will follow at Putnam Cottage, 243 E. Putnam Ave.
Downtown
Chabad of Greenwich will host its annual menorah lighting this week on Greenwich Avenue.
The menorah display will be at the intersection of Greenwich Avenue and Arch Street, near Restoration Hardware.
The lighting event is free and open to the public and afterward there will be a concert at the New Chabad Center, featuring rapper Nissim Black.
The concert is a ticketed event, with adult tickets at $40 and children’s tickets at $20.
The menorah lighting on the Avenue is Saturday at 6:15 p.m., near Restoration Hardware at 310 Greenwich Ave. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. at the New Chabad Center, 38 Field Point Road.
Visit the Chabad website for concert tickets and additional information.
Greenwich
Waste Free Greenwich will host a webinar to help people deal with the influx of trash that comes with holiday celebrations.
Panelists from Waste Free Greenwich and the Greenwich Conservation Commission will share sustainability tips for holiday decorating, cooking and more. The event will be hosted by the PTA Council Green Schools Committee.
The webinar is on Dec. 7, from 9 to 10 a.m., online. Visit wastefreegreenwich.org/events for more details and registration.
Glenville
Abilis is seeking donations to support its families with young children during the holidays.
Abilis is looking for new, unwrapped toys, books, diapers, wipes and food or gift cards, specifically for infants and toddlers up to age three. A full list of the items Abilis is seeking is available on its Amazon wishlist, which is linked on its website.
Diapers are a major expense for many families, Abilis said, and sizes 3 through 7 are the most commonly requested from the families the nonprofit supports.
Donations can be dropped at Abilis Headquarters, 50 Glenville St., Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The final day to drop off donations is Friday.
Contact Jennifer Miklautsch with questions at Miklautsch@abilis.us.
Downtown
Shoppers can soon make a trip to Vineyard Vines and part of their purchase will support Kids in Crisis.
The “Holiday Shopping Soiree” at Vineyard Vines is on Thursday and 20 percent of all sales will be donated to Kids in Crisis, a local nonprofit that helps children and families navigate unsafe situations, family conflicts, substance abuse, temporary housing needs and more.
Val’s Putnam Wines & Liquors will serve beverages during the shopping event and the Granola Bar and Maman Bakery will offer food.
The event is organized by Stacy Zarakiotis, Maggie Bridge and Jenny Allen, the trio behind Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop at Sam Bridge Nursery. The Reindeer Festival is on now through Dec. 22.
The Kids in Crisis shopping event is from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Vineyard Vines, 145 Greenwich Ave.