NEIGHBORHOODS

What’s going on in your part of Stamford

NEWFIELD

The Italian Center has re-opened its new banquet rooms after they had been closed since a fire last spring.

Mayor David Martin attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month.

Martin spoke of the Italian Center’s rich history of philanthropy in the city. He is just one of many politicians who have stopped by the center in its lengthy history: Richard Nixon dedicated the building in 1971, Barbara Bush campaigned at the center in 1992 for her husband’s failed second term in office, and Al Gore kicked off his presidential campaign there in 2000.

“I am excited to introduce Serafina at the IC” Paul Hickey, the center’s executive director, said of the ballroom. “Our beautiful grand ballroom is the perfect space for weddings, fundraisers and corporate events. The smaller Club and Newfield rooms are well-suited for rehearsal dinners, showers and smaller parties.”

COVE

The Cove Neighborhood Association will hold its annual neighborhood picnic on a Thursday evening in July.

The picnic, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cove Island Pavilion, will be on July 20.

“Enjoy a fun evening with friends and neighbors,” the group wrote on its website.

The association will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, paper goods, condiments, ice, charcoal and bottled water, but asks attendees to bring a side dish to share.

NORTH STAMFORD

The North Stamford Association and the city will hold a Shred & Recycle Day with a mobile shredding truck parked at Scofieldtown Park on Saturday.

Use of the shredding truck will be free for association members, and $15 for non-members. Large dumpsters provided by the city are free to use for all residents, and any North Stamford resident — with an ID that shows a 06903 ZIP code — can sign up to join the association and use the shredder for free.

The Vietnam Veterans of America will also join the event, and ask that residents bring new or used household items such as furniture, TVs and exercise equipment to donate to veterans.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Scofieldtown.

DOWNTOWN

Game tables for chess and checkers will pop up on summer Saturdays in Latham Park.

The tables, with rentable game pieces, will be available at 1 p.m. on the following Saturdays: June 23, July 7 and 21, Aug. 4 and Sept. 1.

At the park, there will be 24 movable bistro chairs available to park patrons, donated by Downtown Special Services District.

Contributed photo Mayor David Martin cut the ribbon of the Italian Center’s new banquet rooms with Executive Director Paul Hickey and Carmine Longo Jr., president of the center’s Board of Directors.