<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>FC Buzz Weekend May 10-12</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><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/performing-arts-at-moca-stella-cole-jazz-at-lincoln-center-emerging-artist" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Performing Arts Stella Cole</strong></a></p><p><strong>MoCA Westport</strong></p><p>Friday, May 10, 7:00 pm - 12:00 am</p><p>To watch Stella Katherine Cole perform is to be transported back in time. Her voice, personality, and presence all shine with a timeless quality, as if she’s been plucked straight out of an old MGM movie. The joy she derives from the music of the Great American Songbook is irresistible. Spend a few minutes scrolling through the thousands of comments on her viral singing videos, and you’ll see she has people of all ages falling in love with this music.</p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/v-eccbs-5th-anniversary-spring-season/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>V – ECCB’s 5th Anniversary Spring Season</strong></a></p><p><strong>Darien Arts Center</strong></p><p>Friday, May 10 to May 11, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm</p><p>The evening highlights the versatility, technical prowess, and acute artistry of ECCB's dancers and celebrates four different choreographers and their varying styles. Complete with live music, come enjoy works by Dorothea Garland, Seyong Kim, Alejandro Ulloa and Claire Mazza.</p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/bird-banding-demonstration-at-birdcraft/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Bird Banding Demonstration at Birdcraft</strong></a></p><p><strong>Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary</strong></p><p>Saturday May 11, 8:00 am - 10:00 am</p><p>A fascinating, up-close view of how bird banding works. Watch as birds are gently captured in the Birdcraft Sanctuary, their measurements are recorded, and they are fitted with an identification band before being released back into the wild, unharmed. Participants may get to release a bird too! Bird banding is one of the oldest and most important techniques used for studying and understanding birds. All ages welcome. Located at 314 Unquowa Rd. in Fairfield, Birdcraft operates a licensed bird banding station where more than 18,000 birds have been documented since the 1970s.</p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/plant-sale-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Plant Sale</strong></a></p><p><strong>Bartlett Arboretum &amp; Gardens, Stamford</strong></p><p>Saturday, May 11, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm</p><p>The Sale features hundreds of plants for you to choose from, for gardens with sun or shade, in dry areas or wet: Native perennials and shrubs, Aromatic and Culinary herbs, Garden Vegetables and more! UConn Master Gardeners will be on hand throughout the sale to help you make the best choices.</p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/madama-butterfly-puccini-the-met-opera-live-in-hd/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Madama Butterfly (Puccini)</strong></a></p><p><strong>Ridgefield Playhouse</strong></p><p>Saturday, May 11, 12:45 pm - 4:15 pm</p><p>Three extraordinary sopranos—Aleksandra Kurzak, Eleonora Buratto, and Asmik Grigorian (in her highly anticipated Met debut)—tackle the demanding role of Cio-Cio-San, the loyal geisha at the heart of Puccini’s devastating tragedy. Tenors Matthew Polenzani and Jonathan Tetelman co-star as the callous American naval officer Pinkerton, whose betrayal destroys her. Mezzo-sopranos Elizabeth DeShong and Eve Gigliotti share the role of the steadfast maid Suzuki, and baritone Davide Luciano and Lucas Meachem are the American consul Sharpless. Acclaimed maestro Xian Zhang makes her Met debut conducting Anthony Minghella’s vivid production.</p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/living-with-connecticuts-wildlife/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Living with Connecticut’s Wildlife</strong></a></p><p><strong>Connecticut Audubon Society Center, Fairfield</strong></p><p>Saturday, May 11, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm</p><p>Connecticut’s citizens are blessed with the rich diversity of wildlife in the state. Learn all about our wild neighbors from Paul Colburn, master wildlife conservationist with CT’s DEEP (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection) for “Living with Connecticut’s Wildlife” presentation focuses on how to live with and enjoy our wild neighbors. Species covered include Black Bear, Eastern Coyote, Bobcat, Fisher, Raccoon, Skunk, Virginia Opossum, Red and Gray Fox, Woodchuck, White-Tailed Deer, birds, bats venomous and non-venomous reptiles, and amphibians. </p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/victorian-tea-service/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Victorian Tea Service</strong></a></p><p><strong>Wilton Historical Society</strong></p><p>Saturday, May 11, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm</p><p>Guests will be seated in a beautifully decorated tent in the courtyard of the Society’s campus, with all the classically magnificent details expected from a 19th century tea service. Delicious teas and bites </p><p>catered by A Dash of Salt will be accompanied by a presentation on the History of Tea from an expert from Bigelow Tea.</p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/awakening-opening-reception-a-group-exhibition-featuring-floral-artwork-to-benefit-local-organization-earthplace/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Awakening: Exhibition Reception Featuring Floral Artwork to Benefit Local Organization Earthplace</strong></a></p><p><strong>Sorelle Gallery, Westport</strong></p><p>Saturday, May 11, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm</p><p>During the reception Explore floral artwork, Watch a frosting piping demo and taste cake samples by Harborview Cakes, Watch a bouquet-building demo and shop flower arrangements by New Petal Flower Farm, Enjoy light refreshments including a specialty floral cocktail, Percentage of proceeds from partnering organizations and artwork sales to be donated to Earthplace!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/mcc-spring-concert-featuring-frostiana" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Mcc Spring Concert, Featuring Frostiana</strong></a></p><p><strong>Saint Luke Church, Fairfield</strong></p><p>Saturday, May 11, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm</p><p>Join the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut for a springtime concert, featuring Frostiana, along with other works. </p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/finely-tuned-paintings-by-marlene-siff-35e6a" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Finely Tuned: Paintings By Marlene Siff</strong></a></p><p><strong>Westport Library</strong></p><p>Sunday, May 12, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm</p><p>Each of the five massive, dimensional works in "Finely Tuned, Paintings by Marlene Siff"— Fanfare, Crescendo, Legato, Elegy, and Fugue — is named for, and linked to, a specific expression found in music. Visitors to the gallery can scan a QR code next to each piece and listen to the musical selections that the artist used as inspiration. Also on view are several maquettes that Siff made as studies prior to the construction of these awe inspiring works. </p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/cinderella-23d5e" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Cinderella</strong></a></p><p><strong>Downtown Cabaret Theatre, Bridgeport</strong></p><p>Sunday, May 12, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm</p><p>The timeless story of Cinderella and her journey to find love and happiness with the handsome Prince Charming, but this is unlike any Cinderella you’ve ever seen! Cinderella’s her wicked step mother and stepsisters try everything they can to keep Cinderella from attending Prince Charming’s Royal Ball, but with a little help from a magical fairy Godmother, Cinderella makes it to the Ball for a night she will never forget.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/harmony-in-hues-exhibition-c1a2f" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Harmony In Hues</strong></a></p><p><strong>The Norwalk Art Space</strong></p><p>Sunday May 12, 12:00 am -12:00 am</p><p>Resident Artists of TNAS join together for a group exhibition featuring Alejandra Gonzalez, McLee Mathias, Brie Miyoko, Remy Sosa and Tiara Trent. Excerpt of exhibition statement by Brie Miyoko: "In the heart of our TNAS community, the Resident Artists embark on a transformative journey similar to the growth of a vibrant garden. The canvas of the artist’s experiences mirrors the stages of blooming flowers.</p><p>See these and discover hundreds more events on the <a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FCBUZZ EVENTS</a> page at <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://culturalalliancefc.org</a> Sign up for the <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cultural Alliance eBuzz</a> to receive top picks and spotlights each week in your inbox.</p><p><br></p>

<p>Join Norwalk Hospital on Saturday, May 11, 2024 beginning at 9am at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, Connecticut for the&nbsp;Whittingham Cancer Center Walk.</p><p>Proceeds from the event will fund programs and services at the Whittingham Cancer Center that directly benefit patients, including:</p><ul><li>Adding a nurse navigator to the cancer care team to support patients every step of the way.</li><li>Enhancing the integrative medicine program, which offers supportive therapies including acupuncture.</li><li>Expanding the transportation assistance program to help patients in need get to their appointments.</li><li>Providing cold cap therapy to help patients preserve their hair during chemotherapy.</li></ul><p>You can make a difference by walking or donating to the event! Learn more about it and register today by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://wccwalk.funraise.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(31, 65, 139);">nuvancehealth.org/wccwalk</a>.</p>

<h2><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Join Fairfield County Bank In Celebrating National Pet Month By Supporting Local Animal Rescue Organizations</span></h2><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Announcing Fairfield County Bank’s Pet Supply Collection benefitting </span><a href="https://www.nutmegclinic.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Nutmeg Spay and Neuter Clinic</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp; Monday, May 6 through Wednesday, May 22 at </span><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/branch-locations/branch-locations.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">all branch offices</a><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 85, 147);">.</strong></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Why support Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic?&nbsp; </strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Nutmeg is actively and humanely reducing the number of homeless animals by offering low-cost spay/neuter services for both companion and free-roaming animals. They are the bridge between residents in under-served communities and the services they need and want for their pets including spay and neuter services, basic veterinary wellness care, and pet supplies.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">With the amount of surgeries Nutmeg goes through on a weekly basis, their supplies go very quickly.&nbsp; Consider donating off their wish list.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Most need items</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Cat canned food: Friskies Shreds, Friskies Poultry, Friskies Pate, Friskies Prime Filet, Fancy Feast Poultry &amp; Beef</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Cat dry food:Purina CatChow Gentle &amp; Purina CatChow Complete</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Dog wet food: Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials or Purina One Chicken &amp; Rice Formula</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Learn more </span><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/PetSupplyCollection/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">here</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<h2>Best Mother's Day EVER! Run Like a Mother on Sunday, May 12 at 8:30 am</h2><p><span style="color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">The Run Like a Mother registration deadline is fast approaching! Registration closes on Saturday, May 11th, and there will be no same-day registrations on race day.</span></p><p><a href="https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Ridgefield/RunLikeaMotherRidgefield" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">REGISTER NOW</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">The 5k Women's Race will kick off at 8:30 am at The Ridgefield Playhouse and end at Ballard Park. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced runner, this event is perfect for you. The course is designed to be welcoming and enjoyable for all participants, with a mix of flat stretches and gentle hills that showcase the beauty of Ridgefield.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">For the kids, there's a 1-mile Fun Run that takes place just before the 5k. It's a fantastic opportunity for the little ones to join in the excitement and experience the thrill of crossing the finish line.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">There will also be plenty of spots along the route for your family and friends to cheer you on, so be sure to tell them to bring their best poster-making skills! After the race, Ballard Park will come alive with activity as happy moms, fans, and families gather to celebrate. The family celebration area will offer runner refreshments and activities for the kids.&nbsp;</span></p><p><a href="https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/Ridgefield/RunLikeaMotherRidgefield" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">REGISTER NOW</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;and prepare for a day of fun, fitness, and celebration as we honor and celebrate moms everywhere.</span></p><p><br></p>

<p>This past week I was talking to friends at work and the topic somehow turned to tv shows of our childhood. I love this topic as much as I love talking about my favorite childhood books. I shared that Magic Garden with Carole and Paula was my most favorite show. If you grew up in the NY area in the 70s/80s, you probably remember Magic Garden.</p><p>I loved this show. I can’t say that enough. I saw them perform live as child and many years later, when my children were small, I took them to see Carole and Paula perform live at children’s book day at Sunnyside, Washington Irving’s home.</p><p>A children’s tv show may seem like an unusual topic for a column about books but this show fits in perfectly here. On the show, Carole and Paula would open the story box (a giant trunk) filled with props for that day’s story. They would then use the props to tell their audience captivating stories. A few simple props became a magical tale with their ability to intertwine some magic….voices, accents, costumes, and the ability to keep their young audience’s attention. I loved their story time.</p><p>The oral tradition of telling stories is so important. As a young child, hearing those stories, I felt Carole and Paula’s excitement for the tale. I felt the magic of the story. I loved listening. I loved seeing their take on how the story came to life. I could never replicate it, but I can bring my own excitement to reading stories aloud to young listeners.</p><p>Many childhood books shaped me as a reader, but I would be remiss if I did not include the tv show Magic Garden in that list. Carole and Paula were a big part of my early childhood and they too shaped me as a reader. They presented stories in another way, and I learned from them that stories are so much more than simply words on a page. Those words on a page are so important but equally important are those stories we share. The ones that captivate the listener. The ones that might not be written down on any paper and might be told a little differently each time. They are passed on from storytellers to their audience.</p><p>I don’t remember the specifics of all the story box stories but I remember how it felt to listen to those stories (and I still remember the song “the stories are here, there all in here”). I remember that magical feeling hearing a story. For young readers and story listeners, the feelings of excitement, wonder, captivation that come from hearing a story aloud are the foundation of building a love of reading. Thank you, Carole and Paula, for making stories come alive for me.</p><p><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Jessica Collins is an award-winning writer whose column "On The Children's Shelf" has garnered multiple Connecticut Press Club awards and has been honored nationally. Visit her blog online&nbsp;</em><a href="https://onthechildrensshelf.com/ivan-the-shopping-mall-gorilla/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;"><em>here</em></a><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">.</em></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto today announced that Interstate 95 in Norwalk will be fully reopened to traffic in both directions by 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 5, 2024.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Following the major motor vehicle collision that occurred during the morning of Thursday, May 2, which shut down the highway and snarled traffic in lower Fairfield County and around Connecticut, the Connecticut Department of Transportation and its contractors got the highway fully reopened in less than 80 hours.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Work involved demolishing the Fairfield Avenue Bridge over I-95 because of the significant damage it sustained from the collision; removing tons of concrete, steel, and debris from the roadway; sweeping the road; milling; paving; and restriping pavement markings.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">“It is truly amazing that in less than 80 hours from that fiery crash Thursday that shut down traffic in both directions, the highway again is fully open,”&nbsp;<strong>Governor Lamont said.</strong> “It takes a village, and from the response from local and state police and fire departments to the environmental cleanup by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the demolition and rebuilding by the Connecticut Department of Transportation and contractors, everyone did their part. I am impressed by these efforts and thankful for the dedication, skill, and labor of everyone who has been involved.”</p><p class="ql-align-justify">“This has been a team effort, and I can’t thank enough the CTDOT crews, contractors, and workers who spent the weekend ensuring the public could resume traveling on I-95 as soon as possible,”&nbsp;<strong>Commissioner Eucalitto said.</strong> “While the roadway is open, the work continues as we are planning how and when the Fairfield Avenue Bridge will be replaced.”</p><p class="ql-align-justify">While crews were working to reopen I-95, CTDOT engineers worked through the weekend to develop preliminary replacement plans of the Fairfield Avenue Bridge. Those initial designs are expected to be completed within the next two weeks.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">The public is encouraged to continue utilizing&nbsp;<a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail20.com/t/j-l-glhkyz-tlluktiylh-u/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 113, 187);"><strong>CTroads.org</strong></a>&nbsp;for traffic alerts and roadway updates throughout Connecticut.</p><p><br></p>