NEIGHBORHOODS
What’s going on in your part of Stamford
Hundreds of community leaders, food and music enthusiasts and community-minded area residents gathered together at the Pacific House Food & Wine Experience at the Sheraton Stamford Hotel earlier this month. The event raised nearly $40,000 to help homeless youth and the Pacific House Young Adult Program.
“Pacific House plays a vital role in our community,” said state Rep. Matt Blumenthal, D-147. “Stamford is a place that cares for its own, and that can’t happen without Pacific House.”
The evening raised funds for the Pacific House Young Adult Program, which helps homeless young adults in lower Fairfield County find housing and connects them with employment, education and support services that prepare them for adulthood. Specialized case managers, programs and a dedicated living space at the Pacific House shelter helps these young people avoid a lifetime of homelessness.
“I’ve been involved in helping the homeless community for over 20 years,” said Jerre Skeats, of Darien. “Pacific House does a great job in executing their vision for transitioning people out of homelessness.”
Pacific House is the only regional men’s emergency shelter, serving the towns of Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan, Darien and beyond. The organization provides food, temporary shelter and an array of support services to homeless men and young adults, including workforce development, recovery programming, and job readiness training. For more information, visit PacificHouse.org.
The fifth grade winner was Hanna Reyna, with John Marko Thomas finishing second.
Olivia Cieciwa got first place and Penolope Shannon received second place in the sixth grade category.
The seventh grade winner was Jack Boyle.
In the eighth grade category, Mariza Klimala took first place, while Robert Grande got second place.
The first place winner for the 11th grade was Vishnu Ramesh.
The contest topic changes every year and is open to any student from fifth to 12th grade. If interested in next years contest, contact Kate McBride at ktbirdie@gmail.com.
The Mayor’s Gallery, located at 888 Washington Blvd. on the 10th floor, will present “Squeegeed, Poured and More,” an exhibit of three artists — Nat Connacher, Lisa Cuscuna and Lisa Hillman — from May 1 to June 28.
A reception is planned for May 2, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Weekday hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, call 203-858-3082.
Connacher is president and creative director of Connacher Art & Design. His areas of expertise are corporate identity, branding and visual information design.
For more information about his work, visit itswhatsinside.life.
Cuscuna, who uses poured thinned oil paint in her work, is a member of the Greenwich Arts Council and a member of the Arts & Culture Commission for the city of Stamford. She was president of the Loft Artists Association from 2009 to 2013, and is now a board member and treasurer of the LAA.
For more information about her work, visit LisaCuscuna.net.
Hillman teaches art programs and workshops in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Arizona. She maintains a studio at the Loft Artists Association in Stamford where she serves on the board of directors.
The Stamford Downtown Special Services District, in partnership with its partners at Innovate Stamford and CTNext, is hosting a new Summer Vibes in Latham Park — Placemaking Series.
Summer Vibes, beginning in May, is intended to engage the downtown community by making Latham Park a destination for everyone, including those seeking fun, friendly competition or those seeking a quiet place to kick-off their shoes and enjoy a relaxing interlude, according to a news release.
Stamford Downtown has scheduled free exercisebased classes led by area fitness establishments, as well as Pop Up Story Times led by Ferguson Library, Chess Open Play, Badminton Open Play, Sunday Afternoon Music with Kids Draw Free in May, Monday Night Movies sponsored by Avon Theatre featuring Half Full Brewery and more.
Sunday Afternoon Music in Latham Park, curated by Barbara Occhino,will take place Sundays in May, from 1 to 3 p.m. Come with a picnic basket and blanket and enjoy the sweet sounds of acoustic music. Kids Draw Free will be on hand, too, for the little ones to color and paint a craft or two. The performers are: Richard Keith on May 5, Susan & Laura, SnL on May 12, Laura Skutch on May 19 and Charlie Happylife on May 26.
Participating neighborhood businesses have donated their time to bring their exercise classes outside for “Let’s Get Physical in Latham Park.” Phatburn, Stamford YMCA, Lifecycle Studios and Stamford Yoga have teamed up to offer a plethora of free classes in the park during the summer. All participants will need to sign a waiver to be eligible to join a class. No prior registration is needed.
Monday Night
Movies sponsored by
Avon Theatre, featuring Half
Full Brewery, is a series of free movies at the park. Kunjan Collective will be on hand to warm up the audience with DJ music starting at 5 p.m. until the sun goes down and then it’s showtime.
The Chess Open Play season is Saturdays, June 8-Sept. 28, from 1 to 3 p.m.
For more information, call 203-348-5285.