 FWMS, McKinley Schools Don’t meet No Child Left Behind Standards Aug. 24… CT State Department of Education press release reported that Fairfield Woods Middle School and McKinley Elementary School were listed as “not making adequate yearly progress” for the 2005-06 school year. The report is based on the results of the 2006 Connecticut Mastery Test. To read the state reports go to: http://www.state.ct.us/sde/PressRoom/2006_AYPList_byReason.pdf To learn more about the Connecticut Mastery Test go to: http://www.cmtreports.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 CL&P BridgesHow Big and How Ugly?? CL&P has a proposal to build bridges which will carry very high voltage lines across Fairfield waterways . The Town Conservation Committee has disagreed with this bridge proposal claiming, "Asethically, it stinks". However our First Selectman agrees with CL&P, is at odds with the Commission and a feud seems to be brewing over this issue. (Read more details in an 8/23 Citizen News article by Jessica Wakeman ... http://www.fairfieldcitizen-news.com/local/ci_4225352) Well it’s not just the Conservation Commission that disagrees with CL&P and Fairfield’s First Selectman on their plans to build utility bridges over Ash Creek, Mill River and Sasco Creek. In the case of Ash Creek it will be a separate structure built about 25 feet north (on the Grassmere side) of the bridge on Fairfield Avenue (where it connects to the Post Road in Fairfield). The bridge would be 160 feet long, 9’8” wide and 8’2” high. The proposed utility bridge will be very visible. It will be built at an elevation higher than the roadway, so that as you pass over the bridge into Black Rock you will see to your left ... a structure looking like an elongated doghouse. Because the structure is over 8 feet high and 25 feet from the roadway, it will block much of the scenic view of Ash Creek. Ugly will be the appropriate adjective. Since the power lines will be buried under the waterways at the Saugatuck River and the Housatonic River, it is unclear to many why the lines cannot also be buried at Ash Creek. If you would like to learn more about this project click here… | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Delayed Start Time Effects High School Curriculum... from a report by Partners in Education (PIE) PIE’s latest analysis reports that the delayed high school start time negative effects students enrolled in the Regional Center for the Arts (RCA) program. RCA is an inter-district magnet performing arts high school program. After attending nearly a full day at their home high schools, students from Fairfield travel to this regional program to attend classes in the performing arts. Fourteen neighboring towns also participate in this program. RCA supplements our high schools’ course offerings in areas like dance, theatre and musical performance. By delaying the high school start time, and thus extending the ending time, Fairfield has virtually eliminated our students from participating in this very important program. For more on the negative effects of the delayed high school start time, including documents obtained by PIE through Freedom of Information requests, see the PIE web site: Partners in Education | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Improving Education ?
Board of Education $$ Gifts to Schools Report$$ Sept.12 … Fairfield Board of Education published their 2005-2006 gifts to schools report as an enclosure to the agenda of their Sept 12th regularly scheduled meeting. Highlights of the report include the following:
For published details of gifts received by the Fairfield Public Schools click here (and be patient they are several PDF files). During the September 12 BOE meeting the Chairman, James Lee, noted that while the administration did publish this report there may be inaccuracies in the reporting of this data and no discussion on the topic was held. We await an update to this report. For more on Fairfield public schools go to: http://www.fairfieldct.org/education.htm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Fairfield Public Schools'New Web Site Causing a Stir September 27th, 2206 … A new Fairfield Public School web site is causing a stir among parents and school board members. On first view the new web site for both the district and individual schools appears quite professional…. And quite expensive. A quick review of both the 2006-2007 School budget and also the minutes of Board of Education appears there is no mention of monies directed to this project, design criteria or approval for the ads that appear as links on many sections of the sites. The new system supplied by the company Edline is of significantly different design than the current School web site and the Town's other two supported sites, the Fairfield Public Library site and the Town site. In addition each PTA developes, maintains and funds their own individual sites. The release of the new School site signals that there is little coordination or a consistent technology plan, and thus extra expense, in Town supported web sites. However what appears even more troubling is that the new site contains subtle, and not so subtle, advertising links. Which leaves many to question who will monitor these links for appropriateness and who is getting the advertising revenue generated from the links. And as with any web system will external links allow data to be collected on users and cookies to be place on individual machines. You can see just how subtle the advertising can be by visiting the Burr Elementary site and clicking on the Burr Band. What you see on the right is a list of “links” which are actually click through ads for various offerings. This begs the question does the Fairfield Public School system endorse these businesses? Another subtle advertising example can be found by clicking on the library media center and then picking fun games for kids. You then find yourself able to enter a contest and the wording on the site says "….there's still time to send in your entry. Buy, borrow, or just look at my new book Hedgie Blasts Off! Find the the page with the drawing of a US Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Silver Dollar. Click on the 1,000 Free Hedgie Blasts Off! contest link on this page and enter the first five words of text from the page with the coin on the contest form." This is very subtle advertising for both the book and the US Marine Corp. With war and death on the evening news each night telling kids the Marine Corp is fun seems to some a bit inappropriate. But maybe the most troubling aspect of the new web pages are how quickly one can get very personal information about children at individual schools. With three clicks What's Up Fairfield was able to learn the following (editor's note: we have removed identifying information from the excerpt): ... (child's name)is in Ms. (teacher's name) (x) grade class at (school name), he has a younger brother (child's name), older brother (child's name), likes lizard, Italian ices and Florida… and he will be at the garbage museum on Sept. 13th.  (Child's name) is (x) years old. He lives in a house with his mom and dad, his older brother, (child's name), and his younger brother, (child's name). He also has a lizard named Spikey. (Child's name) favorite number is 21, and his favorite colors are black and red. (Child's name) favorite food is Italian Ice. His friends love him because he always decides on games together with his friends! (Child's name) is very good at playing soccer. When he grows up, (child's name) would like to be a veterinarian. His favorite thing to do with his family is go to Florida. This year in (x) grade, (child's name) would like to learn how to do science experiments! One somewhat ironic link under the parents' section is Cablevision's site on Internet safety. You can order a free copy of their Internet Smarts: Safeguarding Your Children in Cyberspace at http://www.powertolearn.com/internet_smarts/the_guide.shtml With the type of information about our children shown above, it is clear that this new site does not follow the safety guidelines listed here. Who is monitoring the content of this site and at what cost? While components of the old system are still functioning several schools have had their old sites discontinued and are now fully “on-line” with the new system. The links to the new school sites are: District Site https://www.edline.net/pages/Fairfield_School_District Dwight Elementary School https://www.edline.net/pages/DWIGHT_ELEMENTARY_SCHOOL Burr Elementary School https://www.edline.net/pages/Burr_Elementary_School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Board
of Education Goals?? Where is our school district headed? Sept. 12 …. Partners In Education (PIE) has posted a new update on the Fairfield Board of Education's goals for 2006-2007 titled “Where is our school district headed?” The following is a portion of the new PIE posting: At its September 12 meeting, the Fairfield Board of Education withdrew consideration of its prepared goals for the 2006-07 academic year, following questions raised by a parent....(see the goals). Neither the Board nor the Superintendent gave any explanation of why this agenda item was withdrawn. The proposed goals for this year were the same as the goals set by the Board for last year and previous years. The parent’s questions included: 1. Did the school administration include parents and other community members in preparing the district goals? Like other Connecticut school districts, each year Fairfield’s Board of Education sets yearly goals for our district. According to state law, those goals are approved by the Board “with the participation of parents, students, school administrators, teachers, citizens, local elected officials and any other individuals or groups such board shall deem appropriate.” Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 10-220(b)(emphasis added). See the statute at http://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/pub/Chap170.htm#Sec10-220.htm For the complete story click here to visit the PIE web site. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Town Charter Revision ExplainedThe League of Woman Voters sponsored two sessions for the “uninitiated on the Town Charter”. The sessions took place Sept. 5th and Sept. 12th in the Rotary Room of Fairfield Public Library. Present at the session was the Chairman of the Charter Review Commission Alex Trembecki, Secretary Linda Snelham-Moore and member Sarah Morehouse. Basically the Town Charter is the rules and regulations by which the Town of Fairfield is governed. In November of 2005 the Selectmen appointed a commission to review these regulations and make proposals for changes. The proposed revised charter will be voted on by town residents in the November 7 election. There will be three questions on the ballot in November:
 At the LWV session Chairman Trembecki said the commission proposed the first two changes for the following reasons:
http://www.fairfieldct.org/charter.htm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 School Bus Schedules
… and the winners and losers are ... Fairfield Public Schools have published their 2006-2007 bus schedules. The “best and worse ride” awards go to:
http://www.fairfield.k12.ct.us/Transportation.htm#Bus%20Routes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Elementary School Class Size UpdateOffice of Superintendent of Schools August 11, 2006 --- In a letter to the Board of Education Superintendent of Schools Ann Clark informed the Board of Education that she felt there was sufficient funding to meet all staffing needs at Fairfield’s elementary schools. Therefore Superintendent Clark is recommending that class sections be added to the following schools: Grade 5 … Dwight Grade 3 … North Stratfield Grade 4 … North Stratfield Grade 2 … Osborn Hill Grade 4 … Osborn Hill Grade K ... Sherman Grade K … Stratfield Grade 5 … Stratfield For the complete content of the letter see: http://www.fairfield.k12.ct.us | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Superintendent Gets Raise
$241,689.00 plus a car Compensation exceeds that of Chief Justice of Supreme Court Wednesday, August 23 ….. Superintendent of Schools, Ann Clark, was given a 3% raise boosting her salary to $220,689 and making her total compensation package in excess of $241,689.00. In addition to the base salary Ann Clark is given a yearly “Christmas bonus” of $21,000 plus unlimited use of a leased Ford Explorer (a new car comes every three years). The “Christmas bonus”, usually paid out in September, comes in the form of an annuity and is not treated as taxable income. Superintendent Clark also received three more vacation days. At her new salary, three extra vacation days is equivalent to an additional $2,881 in compensation. Which leaves us wondering, if Ms. Clark does not report use of all vacation days does she then receive compensation upon retirement at the then prevailing salary. Sounds a bit like another “Christmas bonus” buried in the fine print and another long-term obligation not accounted for in the School budget. To put the school chief’s salary in perspective consider the following:
For more on Fairfield public schools go to: http://www.fairfieldct.org/education.htm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 ... sponsored by the Connecticut Rail Commuter Council For years the Commuter Council has complained about unsafe conditions at rail stations served by Metro-North. The Connecticut Dept. of Transportation (which owns the stations and parking at most stations) even spent $1.6 million hiring consultants to prepare engineering analyses of the stations… yet ignored their recommendations for repairs. Now Governor Rell has interceded, telling CDOT to inspect and fix the stations. The Commuter Council wants to help. Commuters know better than most what’s wrong at their stations, so we’re asking them to contribute photos and details about what needs to be repaired. Unless you request otherwise, we’ll post your name next to your photos. All contributed photos will be shown on our website and shared with CDOT and Governor Rell. The Council promises to follow-up and make sure that, this time, the repairs are made. To see photos of the Fairfield station that have already been submitted click on: http://www.trainweb.org/ct/fairfield.pdf To see photos of the Southport station already submitted click on: http://www.trainweb.org/ct/southport.pdf For more on Fix My Station photo campaign go to: http://www.trainweb.org/ct/FixMyStationCampaign.htm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Free Audio books !!From Westport Public Library Carry a stack of books in the palm of your hand. Download audiobooks to your PC or laptop and copy the files to your MP3 player. Learn how. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Partners in Education New Organization Formed Partners in Education, formed by concerned parents, will support parents and educators by providing analysis of educational directives and their effects on education in Fairfield. Concerned that parents have lost their voice in education and that the resources they need, such as tracking down facts on many issues is a time consuming process, Partners in Education felt a new “information vehicle” was needed. Therefore they have partnered with the web site www.WhatsUpFairfield.com to use the website as a vehicle to keep parents informed on a variety of education issues. For more on this new organization click here or go to their new icon on the right side of this page. If you would like to contact Partners in Education with suggestions or questions you may e-mail them at PartnersInEd@snet.net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 $300,000 Surplusat Board of Education August 16, 2006 – At the Board of Selectman meeting First Selectman Ken Flatto reported that the Board of Education had a surplus of approximately $300,000 in the 2005-2006 budget. While giving no details the First Selectman confirmed that Board of Education personnel had sent an e-mail reporting approximately $300,000 not currently expended or encumbered and that this sum would be returned to the Town general fund. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
       AnyTown USA??? Recognize these photos? They could have been snapped almost anywhere in the US but they were actually taken here in downtown Fairfield. Sadly, as neighborhood groups, attempt to retain the character of their individual areas Fairfield’s “Economic Development” seems to encourage the highest bidder to take over downtown. For a wonderful article on the plight of our Downtown read the Fairfield Citizen News article by Jessica Wakeman. "Finding Balance" By Jessica Wakeman Like an aging socialite under a plastic surgeon's scalpel, the face of downtown Fairfield has changed. "When I first came into town in the early 1950s, the only major store we had in town was F.W. Woolworths," recalled Harvey Sussman, who is one of the original owners of Fairfield Center Jewelers at 1498 Post Road "We had Trudie's Dress Shop, Gene's Boot Shop, Gentile's Pharmacy, Henry's Men's Shop, Mercurio's, Hartman Hardware, Carol Cosmetics, Garrison Electric. They're all mom-and-pa stores." … and they’re all gone. Sussman added, "I believe we're probably one of the last of the original stores in town with the original owners." Trudie's, Gene's and Mercurio's are gone, as is the Fairfield Store, 1499 Post Road, which closed in 1996. In 1999, the redeveloped site opened with Borders, Victoria's Secret and Banana Republic Women, among other businesses. Fairfield Center Jewelers is still going strong. However, Sussman, his son, Bobby Sussman, and Howard Diamond, a relative by marriage, have owned the shop for about 20 years so they are their own landlords. Jacky Durrell, who served as first selectman from 1983 to 1993, said she finds the changing face of downtown "heartbreaking." For the entire Fairfield Citizen News story see: http://www.fairfieldcitizen-news.com/local/ci_4197310 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Fairfield
WardeHigh School Improvement? August 21, 2006 ---The recent flea market at Fairfield Warde High School has had an unexpected side effect ….. many area residents are now questioning the wisdom of “improvements” to the traffic loop and parking at the school. On a recent hot afternoon you could see cars circling the first parking lot attempting to discern exactly what the approved traffic pattern was and how exactly how to exit the lot. In addition the striping of spots seemed a little too close as adults attempted to back out of spots …. Starting Aug. 29th we get a chance to see how inexperienced drivers circumvent the maze. As one parent commented on Sunday “Well they said it would be equal to Ludlowe High School …. so I guess they had to make the parking equally bad.” http://www.fairfield.k12.ct.us/PTA%20Council.htm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CL&P Bridges How Big and How Ugly?? CL&P has a proposal to build bridges across Fairfield waterways carrying very high voltage lines. The Town Conservation Committee has disagreed with the proposed bridge proposal claiming, "Asethically, it stinks". However our First Selectman agrees with CL&P, is at odds with the Commission and a feud seems to be brewing over this issue. Read the details in an 8/23 Citizen News article by Jessica Wakeman. http://www.fairfieldcitizen-news.com/local/ci_4225352 Well it’s not just the Conservation Commission that agrees with CL&P and Fairfield’s First Selectman and their plans to build utility bridges over Ash Creek, Mill River and Sasco Creek. In the case of Ash Creek it will be a separate structure built about 25 feet north (on the Grassmere side) of the bridge on Fairfield Avenue (where it connects to the Post Road in Fairfield). The bridge would be 160 feet long, 9’8” wide and 8’2” high. The proposed utility bridge will be very visible. It will be built at an elevation higher than the roadway, so that as you pass over the bridge into Black Rock you will see to your left ... a structure looking like an elongated doghouse. Because the structure is over 8 feet high and 25 feet from the roadway, it will block much of the scenic view of Ash Creek. Ugly will be the appropriate adjective. Since the power lines will be buried under the waterways at the Saugatuck River and the Housatonic River, it is unclear to many why the lines cannot also be buried at Ash Creek. The power companies are running huge power cables from Middletown to Norwalk to increase electrical transmission capacity. Construction work along Fairfield Avenue and the Post Road in Fairfield, begun this summer, is part of that project. The power companies are burying the cables under Fairfield Avenue and other roadways wherever possible. They had planned to attach the cables under the bridges, however DOT (Department of Public Transportation) determined that for safety reasons the cables would not be allowed to be attached to the bridges. In response, the power companies filed a revised application to tunnel under Ash Creek using the Horizontal Directional Drilling technique (HDD). “CL&P/UI pursued the HDD proposal until they found the HDD proposal to be too costly, too time consuming, and prone to environmental risks due to reported unstable soil and bedrock conditions.” In 2006 the power companies requested approval for what they originally had determined to be their least desirable design -- a utility bridge. The utility bridge has not yet been approved by the Connecticut Siting Council, the Army Corps of Engineers, or the Department of Environmental The plan for the bridge will move forward unless an intervener submits a petition signed by at least 25 people by September 13. Construction of the bridge is scheduled to begin this fall unless the DEP is forced to hold a public hearing on the issue. The Fairfield Conservation Commission may decide to intervene and collect the signatures. They will vote on this at their September 7 meeting. If you would like to learn more about the power line construction, there is an interactive map on www.transmission-nu.com. You will not find any information on the utility bridge on the site, however. If you would like a copy of the Fairfield Conservation Department’s 8/18/06 report on the utility bridges, please contact the Fairfield First Selectman at 256-3030. If you would like to read the 91 page Findings of Fact from 4/7/05 on the power line project by the Siting Council, you can download it at: www.uinet.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Golden Lion Tamarin Monkeys Born See them at the Beardsley Zoo Aug. 16, 2006 – Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is proud to announce the birth of two golden lion tamarin (GLT) monkeys on August 5. GLT’s are one of the world’s most endangered species, with approximately 1,500 living in the wild and roughly 450 living in captivity as part of breeding and protection programs. This is the first GLT birth at Beardsley and the first for this adult breeding pair. The offspring are on exhibit with their parents in the Tropical Rainforest Building. Golden lion tamarins are small (500-600 grams) monkeys. They live in the heavily populated coastal region of Brazil, where less than 2 percent of the forest remains. GLT’s got their name from the long golden hair that grows around their faces and resembles a lion's mane. They are endangered because their habitat has been fragmented into small, unconnected areas, each capable of supporting only a small number of groups. Without intervention by the zoo industry, organizations and the Brazilian government, inbreeding would soon lead to the local extinction of many of these small populations of tamarins, and eventually of the entire species. In the early 1970s, there were fewer than 200 of these small monkeys in Brazil's Atlantic coastal forest. Thanks to the National Zoo, other zoos, conservation organizations, and Brazil's government, there are now about 1,500 living in the wild. Golden lion tamarins are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, insects and small lizards. GLTs actively search crevices, bark, bromeliads and other hiding places for their prey. They use their long, slender fingers and hands to probe into these areas, a behavior called "micromanipulation." At Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, GLTs are fed fruit (bananas, apples and oranges), canned marmoset diet, mealworms, and crickets. In the wild, GLTs live in family groups of 2-9 animals. Births are usually twins, and both parents care for the offspring. They live approximately 8 years in captivity, although infant mortality before the first year is 40 percent. Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo bred its adult pair of GLTs at the recommendation of the Species Survival Plan team for Golden Lion Tamarins. The SSP will eventually determine where the offspring will reside and if the adult pair should breed again. ABOUT CONNECTICUT’S BEARDSLEY ZOO Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, visit aza.org For more about the Beardsley Zoo see: http://www.beardsleyzoo.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Chief Dave PeckFairfield’s new Police Chief Promotion Ceremony … August 9th Chief Dave Peck was sworn in as Fairfield’s new Police Chief at a promotion ceremony Wednesday evening August 9th. The ceremony was held in the Roger Ludlow Middle School auditorium.  Keynote speaker at the ceremony was James Kallstrom. Mr. Kallstrom is currently senior advisor to Governor George Pataki for Counter-terrorism and a retired FBI Assistant Director. Stressing that we lived in a dangerous world he applauded those individuals who daily risk their own personal safety for the safety of others. He is pictured here with Fairfield’s Fire Chief Dick Felner. In addition to Chief Peck’s promotion three other Fairfield police officers were promoted…. Captain Gary MacNamara, Lieutenant Donald Smith and Sergeant Christopher Tursi. Chief Peck is a third generation Fairfield resident. He attended Fairfield Public Schools and graduated form Fairfield High School in 1974. He received an A.S. degree in Criminal Justice from Housatonic Community College in 1979. Chief Peck received a B.S. degree in Law Enforcement Administration from the University of New Haven in 1998.In his remarks after being sworn in to his new office Chief Peck started his guiding principle would be “Leadership – Teamwork – Empowerment”.  Support for our new Police Chief was evidenced by the number of adjoining towns that sent representative Police motor cycle patrols to Fairfield for the ceremony. For more on Fairfield’s police department go to: http://www.fpdct.com/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Army Surplus Property—180 High Streetup for grabs …. Town to determine use !! NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLICIT INDICATIONS OF INTEREST REGARDING ARMY SURPLUS PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE JOHN S. TURNER US ARMY RESERVE CENTER SITE AT 180 HIGH STREET, FAIRFIELD, CT As part of the implementation of the 2005 BRAC Act, the Department of Defense (DOD) is closing its Army Reserve Center at 180 High Street in Fairfield, CT. The Fairfield High Street Local Redevelopment Authority is the LRA designated by the DOD to plan and determine the redevelopment of this site. The LRA is hereby advertising this notice of interest, as required, to seek prospective ideas and plans for this site and to obtain community input. The LRA will review indications of interest from any organizations wishing to present proposals regarding this site. Proposals and indications of interest must be submitted to the LRA by Friday, September 15, 2006. Applications may be obtained online(.pdf) or from: Thomas Bremer, Chair, Fairfield High Street LRA c/o First Selectman’s Office 725 Old Post Road Fairfield, CT 06824 (203) 256-3030 http://www.fairfieldct.org/armysurplus.htm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Online Tax Payments Fairfield residents may now pay their current real estate, motor vehicle, personal property and/or sewer use taxes online. You may also pay more than one installment at a time as long as no installments are delinquent. To use the online service, residents will be required to register. with the secure vendor. The list number from your tax bill will be required to make a payment. Registration: To register you will need to provide your name, address, phone number, email address and a password. Once you have submitted your registration information, an email will be sent to you with your activation number. Information about checking your email settings to be sure it will accept email from our vendor can be found at the registration site. Payment Methods: * Electronic Check (ACH Transaction) using your checking or savings account. You will need your routing number, account number, and account type. To avoid delays, please double-check the account information as you enter it. Convenience Fee: 25 cents for each check. * Credit Cards: COMING SOON... (Note: Credit card payments will be accepted for online payments only). Convenience Fee: sliding scale based on payment amount (approximately 3% of the total bill ... could this be the 3% increase Flatto promised???). For more information see: http://www.fairfieldct.org/tax-onlinepayment.htm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Collis P. HuntingtonState Park …Redding Life-like sculptures of bears and wolves welcome your arrival to this peaceful and tranquil setting featuring open fields and dense woodlands. The park was donated to the citizens of Connecticut by the internationally renowned Huntington family. Activities: Canoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, Fishing (5 ponds), Hiking, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking Location: Take Route 58 to Sunset Hill Road. Park entrance is on east side of Sunset Hill Road http://dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/parks/huntington.htm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Indian Well State Park - Shelton The park's scenic waterfalls and splash pool give this park its name, Indian Well. The lovely falls, and shaded picnic grove at the water's edge make this park a great place to spend a lazy summer day. The sandy beach and swim area, with State Lifeguards on duty from 10:00am until 6:00pm, offers a great way to cool off on hot summer days. From Route 8 north: take Exit 14. At the end of the exit ramp take a left, and then take the next left onto Howe Avenue. Go north for approximately 2½ miles. Indian Well State Park will be on the right. http://dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/parks/indianwell.htm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 The Ogden House & Gardens Open 1 - 4:00 pm on Sundays, June to September 1520 Bronson Rd., Fairfield Ogden House is an exceptional survivor of a typical mid-18th century farmhouse. The house, which escaped the burning of Fairfield by British forces during the American Revolution, provides a glimpse into the life of a family of the ''middling sort.'' Called "the new house" in a 1750 deed, this austere saltbox-style house was built for David Ogden at the time of his marriage to Jane Sturges. For the next 125 years it was home for the Ogden family in the farming and coastal shipping town of Fairfield. Family documents and inventories have been carefully examined to furnish the house appropriately with objects ranging from a "silver hilted sword" and a "tin candle box" to textiles and fine pieces of furniture with Fairfield provenance. Although no longer surrounded by its original farmland or outbuildings, the Ogden House retains its beautiful situation overlooking Brown's Brook in the fertile Mill River Valley. An eighteenth-century style kitchen garden behind the house is laid out symmetrically with raised beds. The garden features vegetables and herbs typical of those used at the time. A bridge across the brook leads to a trail planted with native Connecticut wild flowers and shrubs. Ogden House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. http://www.fairfieldhistoricalsociety.org/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Gertrude Warner Boxcar Museum In Putnam CT “Imagination is the beginning of everything and allows us to expand ourselves” What could be more fitting than a Boxcar to honor Putnam’s famous first grade teacher Gertrude Chandler. Located in Putnam , not that far from us, the Boxcar museum will delight fans of these wonderful books. Inside is the desk that had belonged to Edgar Warner, Gertrude's father. The ink stains and the secret quotes written on the desk are still there to be seen.. Gertrude wrote her first story, "Gollywog at the Zoo," at age 9, on that desk. More family and student memorabilia also packs the boxcar. Also inside is a representation of the Boxcar Children, in silhouette. The train and its surroundings are true to the books that Warner wrote. The museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends May through mid-October. For more information see: http://www.putnamct.us/putnamatglance/LocalLinks/GertrudeWarner.htm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 iCONN.org Access is FREE to any Connecticut resident who has a library card Thousands of magazine titles, including Consumer Reports The Hartford Courant, The New York Times, and many other newspapers Statewide library catalog – search over 400 libraries in Connecticut at once Databases for elementary, middle and high school, and college 700,000 photos from the Associated Press Photo Archive It’s where to go when your child just told you she needs information for a homework assignment that’s due tomorrow! Replace magazine subscriptions with an online database of over 25 million full-text articles that can be searched instantly Icon.org is a service of the Connecticut State Library and Public Libraries in partnership with the Department of Higher Education is authorized and funded by the Connecticut State Legislature. The search engines are little slow … but the price is right and it’s usually worth the wait. http://www.iconn.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The planned field space located on Mill Plain Road may have been used as a burial
ground by what is now Trinity Episcopal Church. Archeologist will survey the
land to be certain. 
Fairfield Historical Society looked through its records and confirmed that the
church moved in 1738 to another site and the burial grounds appear to have been
forgotten by most people.  |
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 Pampered Chef, premier seller of high quality kitchen tools, makes meal preparation quick, easy and fun. We offer unique holiday gifts and simple ways to make your holiday table festive. Gather your friends and host a kitchen show! It's a mini cooking class right in your home. Click here for more details. |
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