Special Olympian encourages children, inspires love of swimming

Written by James Passeri
Wednesday, 08 February 2012 16:40

It's not easy keeping an eye on the Fairfield YMCA swimming pool, especially on days when open swim and beginner lessons overlap.

Youngsters splash and yell — some try sneaking under the shallow-end rope into deep water, while others run on the wet deck — and instructors chase after floating toys and tubes as their teary-eyed students (many first-time swimmers) sit teetering along the pool edge, crying and grasping for parents on the bench.

But lifeguard Lisa Ellis is up for the task, and has set a high standard of professionalism and vigilance, according to Aquatics Director Maureen Scinto. She can be counted on to diligently scan the pool with a whistle around her neck, rescue tube under her arm and first-aid kit buckled around her waist.

Fairfield Happiness Club meeting at the library

Thursday, 09 February 2012 20:17

At this month's Fairfield Happiness Club meeting, Lionel Ketchian will speak about what he calls the "happiness response."

Jill Sobule to play Fairfield Theatre Company

Thursday, 09 February 2012 20:11

Jill Sobule belongs to a rare breed of artists, and her work is at once deeply personal and socially conscious, seriously funny and sarcastically tragic, according to Fairfield Theatre Company staff.

Over five albums and a decade of recording, the Denver-born songwriter, guitarist and singer, has tackled such topics as the death penalty, anorexia, shoplifting, reproduction, the French resistance movement, adolescence, and the Christian right. Did we mention love? Love found, love lost, love wished for and love taken away.

Children learn domestic abuse isn’t their fault

Written by Karen Kovacs Dydzuhn
Thursday, 02 February 2012 10:53

Angry, threatening words; shouting, crying. A slap from the back of a hand, whipping with a belt, a punch to the face. A family member doubling over in pain; tears, and more tears.

Library to host home energy seminar

Wednesday, 08 February 2012 22:42

Fairfield homeowners have an opportunity to attend a special program on the benefits of having a Home Energy Assessment. This free, hour-long seminar will be offered at the Fairfield Public Library on Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.

Home Energy Assessments have become popular as they help homeowners save energy. However, many homeowners often do not understand what an Energy Assessment entails. This presentation will explain the benefits of an Energy Audit including how it can save homeowners money.

Grant received for downtown LED lights

Tuesday, 07 February 2012 16:02

Fairfield First Selectman Mike Tetreau announced today that the town has signed a $138,060 agreement with the United Illuminating Company to replace the 114 existing decorative lights along the Post Road in Fairfield Center with highly efficient LED lights, and to replace or repair existing poles and fixtures.

The agreement does not require any new appropriation from Fairfield. The $138,060 cost includes an incentive, or grant of $15,297 and a zero interest loan of $100,000.

The loan is paid back by the savings in the UI bills over four years.

Fairfield bank and restaurant inaugurate 'Community Spirit Awards'

Tuesday, 07 February 2012 15:45

The management of The Bank of Fairfield and Chips Restaurant said they believe that there is some local recognition that needs to take place, honoring constituents of the community who make Fairfield and the surrounding area an outstanding place to live and work.

As a result, they have established the Community Spirit Awards.

There will be five categories to the awards, including volunteer, not for profit, government, education and youth.

Sacred Heart receives $45,000 grant for finance and economics programs

Tuesday, 07 February 2012 13:45

A $45,000 grant awarded by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Group Foundation will allow Sacred Heart University economics and finance professors to carry out advanced research designed to help financial market participants better understand financial futures behavior and, in turn, better manage financial risks.

Receipt of this competitive award recognizes the University's "scholarly strengths and research accomplishments," said Economics and Finance Chair, Professor Lucjan T. Orlowski., who along with assistant professors Abu S. Amin, and Kwamie Dunbar, will lead two projects funded by the grant.

Specializing in research that concentrates on international financial markets, monetary policy regimes and their impact on macroeconomic and financial stability, Orlowski will conduct a study that examines stock and bond market volatility.

Merritt Parkway to close lanes until March 30 for tree removal

Monday, 06 February 2012 18:34

The State Department of Transportation announced that they will be removing trees which have been identified as potentially hazardous along the Merritt Parkway in Fairfield.

Tree removal will begin on Monday, Feb. 6, and continue through Friday, March 30, or possibly later due to weather related or other delays.

Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone.  The regular work schedule for this project is 9 a.m. to noon on the northbound lanes, and noon to 3 p.m. on the southbound lanes, Monday through Friday.

Fairfield University honors civil-rights advocates

Tuesday, 07 February 2012 11:44

Fairfield University's 2012 Martin Luther King, Jr. Vision Award winners gather at Fairfield University award celebration. Left to right: Jasmine Fernandez, Debnam Chappell, and Melissa Quan.

Fairfield University awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Vision Award to three individuals whose work exemplifies the legacy of the civil rights leader. This year's recipients were Debnam Chappell, the recently retired dean of exploratory academic advising at the school.