<p>The City of Stamford’s 2024 leaf collection program will continue to allow residents to place their loose leaves curbside for pickup. To ensure efficient and effective collection, leaves must be placed curbside before the start date for your area.</p><p>· North (above Merrit Parkway): November 12</p><p>· Middle (Merritt Parkway to I-95): November 19</p><p>· South (South of I-95): December 3</p><p>Only loose leaves left curbside will be collected. Please avoid placing leaves on the road or blocking sidewalks, as this may result in fines. On heavily parked streets, temporary no parking signage will be posted to facilitate leaf removal. Illegally parked vehicles will be ticketed and towed during this period. By following these guidelines, you can help keep Stamford clean and green this fall.</p><p>The City encourages residents to consider composting or mulching their leaves. Mulching leaves into your lawn can create natural fertilizer, enhancing soil health. For those with wooded properties, raking or blowing leaves into the woods allows them to decompose naturally. For more detailed information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stamford.gov/leaves" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.stamford.gov/leaves</a>&nbsp;or call (203)-977-4140.</p><p class="ql-align-center"><br></p>

<p><strong>Stamford Land Conservation Trust (SLCT) to Host Annual Meeting Featuring Film Screening of "My Wild Backyard"</strong></p><p>The Stamford Land Conservation Trust (SLCT) invites the public to join its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 5:30 PM. The event will take place at the Knobloch Family Farmhouse Education Center at the Stamford Museum &amp; Nature Center (SM&amp;NC), located at 151 Scofieldtown Rd, Stamford, CT 06903.</p><p>This year’s meeting will feature a special screening of <em>My Wild Backyard,</em> a short film by filmmaker Jacob Steinberg. The film explores the vibrant wildlife and delicate ecosystems of the saltwater marshes along the Connecticut and New York coastlines. Following the screening, there will be a Q&amp;A session and discussion with Jacob Steinberg.</p><p>Attendees are encouraged to arrive at 5:30 PM for light refreshments and drinks, with the program set to begin at 6:15 PM.</p><p><em>We’ll also be celebrating our recent 64-acre acquisition which, combined with our existing Helen Altschul Preserve, the Taylor Preserve of Mianus River Gorge, LLC, and the City’s Newman Mills Park, creates 240+ acres of contiguous open space for the Stamford community to explore!</em></p><p><strong>About SLCT</strong>: The Stamford Land Conservation Trust was founded in 1972 to preserve the benefits of open space in Stamford by acquiring and managing land preserves throughout the city. Together, these preserves enhance the livability and environmental sustainability of Stamford. Today, through the efforts of its volunteers and donors, the SLCT protects almost 560 acres of open space in Stamford, consisting of 48 preserves, comprised of 65 fee simple parcels, as well as 5 conservation easements. The SLCT is a member-supported 501(c)(3) tax-deductible organization funded entirely through its donors. More information on the SLCT and its activities can be found at <a href="http://www.stamfordland.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(220, 161, 13);">www.stamfordland.org</a>.</p><p><strong>Event Details</strong>:</p><ul><li><strong>Date</strong>: October 22, 2024</li><li><strong>Time</strong>: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM</li><li><strong>Location</strong>: The Knobloch Family Farmhouse, Stamford Museum &amp; Nature Center, 151 Scofieldtown Rd, Stamford, CT 06903</li></ul><p>This event is free and open to the public. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn more about the critical work of SLCT in preserving Stamford's natural landscapes.</p><p>For more information or to RSVP, please visit <a href="https://www.stamfordland.org/event-info/slct-annual-meeting" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(220, 161, 13);">https://www.stamfordland.org/event-info/slct-annual-meeting</a> or contact Lizzy Zawy at <a href="mailto:lizzy@lizzyzawypr.com." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lizzy@lizzyzawypr.com.</a></p><p><em>Your RSVP is optional to help us plan for attendance.</em></p>

<p><strong>FC Buzz Weekend October 11 - October 13</strong></p><p>HamletHub is proud to partner with the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County and FCBuzz to Elevate Arts and Culture in Fairfield County! Each week, look for a listing of weekend events and activities. The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of the arts and culture across 15 towns in coastal Fairfield County. Sign up to receive a free eBuzz newsletter with top picks and spotlight events from the hundreds of events posted on FCBuzz.</p><p><strong>Anthony Rodia</strong></p><p><strong>Stamford Center for the Arts</strong></p><p><strong>Friday Oct 11, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm</strong></p><p>A first-generation Italian-American born and raised in Westchester, New York, Anthony Rodia came out of the womb making people laugh. In his 20’s he tried a few open mics, but ultimately took a different career path as a finance manager of a luxury car dealership. In 2019, Rodia returned to comedy and left his day job to become a full-time stand-up comic. He hit the ground running and performed 100 shows in just nine months, and within three years Anthony has gained a massive fan base online and around the country.</p><p><strong>Sweeney Todd: The Musical</strong></p><p><strong>Downtown Cabaret Theatre</strong></p><p><strong>Friday Oct 11, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm</strong></p><p>Sweeney Todd has become a bloody, worldwide success since being awarded eight Tony’s, (including Best Musical), for its Broadway premiere. Stephen Sondheim’s and Hugh Wheeler’s (A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures) tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat has simultaneously shocked, awed and delighted audiences across the world.</p><p><strong>Ink and Time: European Prints from the Wetmore Collection</strong></p><p><strong>Bellarmine Hall Galleries</strong></p><p><strong>Friday Oct 11, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm</strong></p><p>This exhibition presents a group of woodcuts, engravings, and etchings from the late 15th through late 18th centuries drawn from the Wetmore Collection at Connecticut College. The collection was assembled in the early 20th century by Fanny S. Wetmore, and bequeathed to the College in 1930. From familiar favorites like Dürer’s Adam and Eve and Rembrandt’s Three Trees to hidden gems like the gold-sprinkled surface of Maria Katharina Prestel’s Virtue Overcoming Vice, the show explores more than three centuries of artistic innovation on paper.</p><p><strong>Eddie Izzard</strong></p><p><strong>Stamford Center for the Arts</strong></p><p><strong>Saturday Oct 12, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm</strong></p><p>Brilliant, hilarious and often bizarre, the one and only Eddie Izzard is back in the US! The Remix Tour Live promises to be an unforgettable night of thought-provoking, intelligent and surreal stand-up comedy. As always with Eddie, expect the unexpected!</p><p><strong>Sad Dads Book Club - Q&amp;A with Nabil Ayers, "My Life in the Sunshine"</strong></p><p><strong>Fairfield Theatre &amp; Vinyl Street Co</strong></p><p><strong>Sunday Oct 13, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm </strong></p><p>A new series of conversations with authors about their works and lives that kicks off with featured author Nabil Ayers, &amp; continues into December with Ezra Furman, August Thompson, and Mike Ayers. From re-examining the boundaries of family and race, uncovering the secrets of Lou Reed's 'Transformer,' a coming-of-age tale of first love, discovery, and grief, and asking top musicians what song they’d want to hear last—you’ll find plenty of inspiration at the Sad Dads Book Club.</p><p><strong>SM&amp;NC Fall Family Fest Sunday</strong></p><p><strong>Stamford Museum &amp; Nature Center</strong></p><p><strong>Sunday Oct 13, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm</strong></p><p>They are celebrating New England's most colorful season by bundling all the fun of a festival with a special dinosaur twist! Members enjoy discounted admission and our Family Premium &amp; Plus Members may attend a Sunday of their choice, free! Plus, our newest exhibition "Dinosaur Discoveries: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas" will be on view during each Fest. Get tickets today!</p><p><strong>INTEMPO's Hispanic Heritage Month Benefit Concert: "Soundscapes from Latino America"</strong></p><p><strong>First Congregational Church of Greenwich</strong></p><p><strong>Sunday Oct 13, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm</strong></p><p>Soundscapes from Latino America showcases INTEMPO's talented teaching artists and advanced students performing the diverse musical traditions of Latin America all while we celebrate the richness of Hispanic culture and raise funds for our students! This annual event promises high-level artistry in a cultural celebration not to be missed.</p><p>See these and discover hundreds more events on the FCBUZZ EVENTS page at <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">https://culturalalliancefc.org</a>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Finding Your Voice as a Parent Webinar: Anxiety and School Refusal on Tuesday October 29th 2024 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. co-hosted online with the Stamford JCC (Stamford, CT).</strong></p><p><strong>Register here on Zoom:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://bit.ly/9D226E" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(81, 98, 111);"><strong>https://bit.ly/9D226E</strong></a></p><p><strong>Speakers:</strong></p><p>Attorney Lawrence Berliner, Connecticut Special Education Law</p><p>Jane Faherty, Stamford JCC JumpStart Director &amp; Special Education Advocate</p><p>Dr. Rachel Busman, Psychologist and Senior Director at Cognitive &amp; Behavioral Consultants LLP</p><p>Taking Ownership of Your Child’s Educational Journey</p><p>In this conversation, Dr. Rachel Busman will explore why children may exhibit school refusal behavior and how anxiety and mental health issues can play roles.</p><p>• What is meant by school refusal?</p><p>• Why do children and teenagers refuse to attend school?</p><p>• How depression, anxiety and behavior are related to attendance</p><p>• A turning point: How can parents/caregivers know when their child’s refusal to attend school is problematic and in need of professional support?</p><p>• Developing specific strategies to help children and teens attend school more consistently</p><p>• Collaborating with teachers and staff</p><p>• Q &amp; A</p><p>Questions?&nbsp;Please contact Rachel Berliner, Public Relations Assistant at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rachel@berlinerspecialedlaw.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">rachel@berlinerspecialedlaw.com</a></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(66, 66, 66);">Person to Person (P2P), the largest food pantry provider in lower Fairfield County, recently hosted a reception at their Stamford warehouse to honor nearly 75 supporters who helped fund P2P's two mobile food pantries, part of its P2P on Wheels program. The event celebrated the recent expansion of P2P on Wheels with the launch of the second mobile pantry. This expansion, made possible by a generous $240,000 grant from the Steven &amp; Alexandra Cohen Foundation, will double the nonprofit's capacity to serve families and individuals in Stamford. This expansion will also offer crucial support services delivered by P2P’s trained, bilingual caseworkers, who help clients navigate additional resources through P2P or referrals to other area agencies. The Steven &amp; Alexandra Cohen Foundation has given over $1.6 million of charitable support to P2P. Their support will help ensure that P2P can continue meeting the growing needs of the Stamford community, expanding its reach to more individuals and neighborhoods where it is needed most.Guests at the reception enjoyed small bites prepared by Chef Samad Mickens of Beyond the Salt and Chef Martita of Empanadictas, both of which are part of The Village's Incubator Program. Chef Iven Romero and Rosemary Group also collaborated on the event, which was curated by Sue Moretti Bodson of Emboss, LLC.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(66, 66, 66);">In FY24, P2P distributed enough groceries in Stamford to prepare 561,000 meals. With 2,200 Stamford residents relying on P2P each month, the new mobile pantry will help meet the growing demand for food assistance and provide access to other vital support services, including housing, financial assistance, and job training resources.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(66, 66, 66);">This expansion is crucial as about 12% of Stamford residents face food insecurity, a number rising due to economic challenges and the lingering effects of the pandemic. Many families face barriers, such as a lack of transportation to traditional food pantries, making mobile services like P2P on Wheels essential. The second mobile pantry will expand into new neighborhoods and offer evening and weekend hours to better reach working families. It will provide a full complement of food for healthy meals, including fresh produce, milk, meat, eggs, and pantry staples such as cereal and beans.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(66, 66, 66);">Nancy Coughlin, CEO of Person to Person, shared her excitement about the program's growth: “The need for food assistance in Connecticut’s second-largest city, unfortunately, continues to climb.&nbsp;In 2023, when Mike Riccardi was Person to Person Board Chair, he initiated this project and helped raise vital funds to make it a reality. We are grateful to the thousands of volunteers and dozens of community partners that help us build a stronger Stamford.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(66, 66, 66);">To see the pantry schedule or learn how to get involved by donating, volunteering, or receiving food support, visit </span><a href="https://p2phelps.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://p2phelps.org/</a></p><p><em>Contributed photo from </em><strong style="color: rgb(95, 99, 104);"><em>ChiChi Ubiña</em></strong><em>/Fairfield County Look</em></p>

<p>Looking for a perfect way to spend this <strong>Saturday, October 5</strong>? Join the community for <strong>WineFest on Bedford</strong>, an unforgettable day filled with <strong>wine tastings</strong>, delicious food, live music, local vendors, and fun activities. Limited tickets are still available, so don’t miss out on this exciting event!</p><p>WineFest will feature <strong>over 100 varietals</strong> from <strong>30+ wineries</strong>, giving you the opportunity to sample an incredible range of wines from around the world. Some of the featured wineries include <strong>1924 Wines</strong>, <strong>Bezel by Cakebread</strong>, <strong>Ferrari Carano</strong>, <strong>J. Lohr</strong>, <strong>Louis Jadot</strong>, and many more!</p><p>Event Highlights:</p><ul><li><strong>Wine Tastings</strong>: Sample wines from premier wineries such as <strong>Coppola Winery</strong>, <strong>Kendall Jackson</strong>, <strong>Hampton Water</strong>, <strong>Freixenet</strong>, and others.</li><li><strong>Food Tastings</strong>: Enjoy delicious treats from local favorites like <strong>Bella’s Sweet Treats</strong>, <strong>Le Rouge Chocolates by Aarti</strong>, <strong>So Fresh Doughnut Co.</strong>, and <strong>Prospector Gourmet Popcorn</strong>.</li><li><strong>Local Craft Vendors</strong>: Browse through artisanal goods from vendors like <strong>Figo Woodworks</strong>, <strong>Flourish &amp; Fern</strong>, <strong>Whimsical Wicks</strong>, and more.</li><li><strong>Live Music</strong>: Set the tone for the day with performances by local musicians.</li><li><strong>Lawn Games</strong>: Grab some friends and enjoy fun games on the lawn between sips of wine.</li></ul><p>Event Details:</p><ul><li><strong>Date</strong>: Saturday, October 5, 2024</li><li><strong>Time</strong>: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM</li><li><strong>Location</strong>: Bedford Street, Stamford, CT</li><li><strong>Tickets</strong>: <a href="https://aftontickets.com/event/buyticket/1qjwvg4797?aff=emailblast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here to purchase your tickets</a> – limited availability!</li></ul><p>This year's WineFest is sponsored by <strong>Mohegan Sun</strong>, <strong>YOGASIX Stamford</strong>, and <strong>Chase Bank</strong>, with media partners <strong>Star 99.9</strong>, <strong>WEBE 108</strong>, <strong>WICC</strong>, and <strong>Fairfield After Dark</strong>.</p><p>Don’t wait! Get your tickets now and enjoy a day of <strong>wine, food, and entertainment</strong> at WineFest on Bedford. It’s the perfect way to welcome fall and make memories with friends and family!</p>