‘I wish there were more places like this’

Written by Brad Durrell
Friday, 20 November 2009 17:58

Virginia Macias of Stamford was walking down the stairs of the American Fabrics complex with two friends, having just spent time checking out all the artist studios inside the former East End factory.

Macias didn’t need to give a detailed explanation of what the group thought of the AmFab open studios event on Saturday. “I think the bags tell the story,” she said, with all three women holding bags from purchases they had made as they prepared to leave.

Downtown merchants seek parking fix

Written by Bill Bittar
Friday, 20 November 2009 12:35

Carolyn C. Xifaras shelled out $300 for a parking permit in the downtown area, yet on some mornings she finds herself circling buildings along side streets in search of a free designated parking spot near Pink Cloud Beading Co., her business on Donnelly Walk.

When she can’t find a space, Xifaras parks her car in one of the two-hour spaces and displays her permit in hopes the special police officers won’t give her a ticket.

“They still ticket me,” Xifaras said angrily. “It’s obscene.”

All aboard! A train ride back in time

Written by Bill Bittar
Thursday, 19 November 2009 12:02

Clinking sounds of metal spikes driven into wooden ties could be heard back in 1848, as tracks were made for the first ride along the rails from Fairfield to New York City.

Puffs of smoke billowed into the cold winter air from the first train that rumbled into town on Dec. 27. Passengers who shelled out 95 cents for their one way tickets climbed aboard for the historic two-and-a-half hour voyage.

Toy trains stir holiday memories

Written by Bill Bittar
Thursday, 19 November 2009 11:42

Groups of children peering into toy stores’ picture windows to watch the latest model train race around the tracks, while dreaming of seeing it under their tree on Christmas morning, was once a common holiday scene.

Fairfield Museum and History Center’s Holiday Express Train Show will stir memories of adults and create new ones for boys and girls next month.

Wake up call: Flatto proposes tax freeze

Written by Bill Bittar
Tuesday, 17 November 2009 18:08

Voters upset over the country’s economic conditions expressed their dissatisfaction at the polls on election day by bouncing Democratic candidates from office.

First Selectman Kenneth Flatto, a Democrat, saw the opposing party take majority control of Fairfield’s major boards and commissions, including the Representative Town Meeting. He believes concerns over taxes drove the majority of voters to push for a change.

Don't dump on me

Written by Bill Bittar
Thursday, 12 November 2009 10:13

Autumn leaves fluttered to the ground and the sun shone brightly in the deep blue sky overhead, but trash was the only thing on Dan McCoy’s mind one recent Thursday afternoon.

His orange town garbage truck pulled into Veterans Park and came to a stop beside two metal barrels on the edge of the grass. McCoy slid out and lifted the lid of a green receptacle.

Disposing of garbage properly

Written by Bill Bittar
Thursday, 12 November 2009 10:10

The Parks and Recreation Department and police are cracking down on illegal dumping.

To dispose of household trash the right way and avoid a $100 fine, residents can hire a private hauler to pick up refuse from the curb, or they can bring their trash to the transfer station at One Rod Highway themselves.

Sun Preview: Don't dump on us

Written by Bill Bittar
Wednesday, 11 November 2009 12:49

Autumn leaves fluttered to the ground and the sun shone brightly in the deep blue sky overhead, but trash was the only thing on Dan McCoy’s mind one recent Thursday afternoon.

Tanker fire causes evacuation in Kings Drive area

Monday, 09 November 2009 12:45

Neighboring residents evacuated their homes early this morning after the Fairfield Fire Department received a call of a tanker fire in the north lane of I-95, near exit 19.

Assistant Fire Chief George Gomola said a passerby called at 4 a.m. to report fire coming from the back tires of a tanker, which firefighters later learned contained over 6,800 gallons of methanol — a highly flammable liquid.

Beware of scareware hackers

Friday, 06 November 2009 15:52

Computer experts are sounding the alarm about a wave of attacks with a new form of online risk to your computer and personal information: “scareware.”