Moms Fight Cancer One Pie at a Time

Moms Fight Cancer 
One Pie at a Time

By Mike Lauterborn
(for Fairfield Citizen News)

3/22/11

Fairfield, CT – They schlepped pitchers of water, juggled cups of soda, balanced trays of pizza and pumped beer taps, dashing in and out of the kitchen and darting from table to table. This Mom Squad meant business and the community responded.

For a five-hour period Tuesday evening, Fairfield’s “Moms Making a Difference” Relay for Life Team took over waitressing duties at the Colony Grill, 1520 Post Road. All tips they received plus an honorarium from the restaurant were earmarked for the American Cancer Society. Patrons also had the opportunity to win a pair of tickets to an upcoming New York Rangers home game.

The “Moms” team, which is comprised of 20 Fairfield women, is one of the many teams participating in the Relay For Life fundraising event on June 4, 2011. Last year’s event raised over $325,000 for cancer research.

“It’s going to be easy, just smile,” said Colony co-owner Ken Martin, addressing the mom crew at the outset of their shift. “It’s about personality and letting people know what we’re doing. It’s a simple menu – pizza and drinks. If you drop something, it’s not a big deal. Just have fun with it.”

Martin was glad to support their effort and said it’s good business besides. “We don’t do a lot of advertising,” he said, “so we get involved with events like this. These are women from Fairfield raising money for Fairfield. We like that premise. This is what it’s about to own a small business. It’s not just about the revenue.”

Leading the mom pack was Amy Crawford, a Fairfield University area resident and Relay Team captain. “We have moms from the elementary and nursery schools from all over Fairfield,” she said. “We’re here just trying to do something great.”

Crawford added, “The tie that binds us is being moms, but we’re also caregivers, survivors and providers. It’s important for us to show our kids that moms can make a difference.”

Patron Dana Kery thought the fundraiser event was ideal. “What better way to support local business and moms helping raise awareness and funds for a great cause?” she said. “Cancer has touched so many people. Everyone knows someone affected by it.”

Another patron, Lea Padilla, of Black Rock, said, “My mom has Stage 4 cancer, but a very good support group. This is great what the moms are doing here to raise awareness.”

Though she appeared a bit tuckered out from all the back and forth retrieving and placing orders, Relay Team member Monica McMullan said, “I was hoping it would be this busy. I’m glad to see such a great turnout. I hope I’ll last the night!”

First Selectman Flatto Accepts Gov. Malloy Appointment as Executive Director of Division of Special Revenue

First Selectman Flatto Accepts 
Gov. Malloy Appointment as 
Executive Director of Division 
of Special Revenue

(Posted to Fairfield-Sun website 3/22)

By Mike Lauterborn

3/22/11

Fairfield, CT – At a hastily assembled press conference at Sullivan Independence Hall Tuesday morning, First Selectman Kenneth Flatto announced that he would accept an appointment by Governor Dannel P. Malloy as Executive Director of the Division of Special Revenue and leave his First Selectman position. His new role will entail managing various special revenues and regulating legalized gaming in the State of Connecticut, including the Lottery, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. Democratic Selectman Sherri Steeneck will assume Flatto’s current role in April through the November election period.

“I’m very excited about this but it’s one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make,” said Flatto, adding that he will start his new job toward the end of April. “It’s been an absolute pleasure to serve as First Selectman for the past 12 years and on the board for the past 16 years. I love this job and I love the town of Fairfield.”

Flatto said that, in large part, he was favoring re-election, but “the people of Connecticut have a lot of challenges, and the draw to help was strong.” He added, “The tipping point for me was knowing that I would have a chance to be part of a great administration and help the state. I’ve been so impressed by the people they’ve been selecting and think I can fit in well.”

Assessing Fairfield, Flatto said it’s in great shape. “We’ve touched every facet of our town in positive ways and done a lot to shape the future,” he said. “If there was ever a time to move on, it’s when you’re in a good position.”

The First Selectman said he had accomplished 80-90% of the key things he had planned for the town. These include the building and renovation of eight schools, a library, a sewer plant, town’s recreation center and three new parks, as well as the creation of over 120 acres of new open space. Flatto also claimed the revitalization of Fairfield Center, maintenance of the town’s AAA rating, certain neighborhood improvements and implementation of public safety programs.

With regard to unfinished business, Flatto said, “It would have been nice to be First Selectman when the new train station opens, and I would have liked to have shaped the future of the Exide site. I also wanted to take the town website to the next level and make it more functional for townspeople.”

About a new First Selectman, Flatto remarked, “I certainly would want my successor to be competent and do the job right. It’s traditional for the party to make a recommendation. I’ll put my two cents in and make my hopes known. Who’s chosen is up to the people in power when I step down.”

For her part, Steeneck said she would not be interested in the position long-term, though Flatto had every confidence she would do the job well. “I don’t have the time or inclination to continue as First Selectman, but I’m happy to cover during the transition,” she said.

Flatto said that, though he would be moving on to a new chapter, he was not leaving the town behind. “I will make sure the transition is seamless, and while I’ll be a private citizen, I will help my successor in any way I can.”

Looking to his new role, Flatto said he has laid the groundwork already. “I met with the governor last month, and met with staff. I thank the governor and lieutenant governor for their confidence.”

Flatto said the executive director position has existed for the past 20 years but that it is being restructured, and how it works will be determined over the next few years. The pay level is slightly less than his current salary, which he said would be a hardship but outweighed by the opportunity to help the state’s citizenry.

Flatto commended the town for making him and his family, who will continue to reside in Fairfield, welcome. “The citizens of Fairfield have been so incredible to me and my family. The greetings around town and just driving around and knowing the impact I’ve had on the surroundings has been rewarding.”

The First Selectman thought it was interesting that when he first took office, his son Evan was a toddler. “Now he’s a senior in high school and going on to college. Things have come full cycle.”

Fairfield’s first citizen looked forward to his new challenges. “I have the opportunity to be part of a new world, a bigger world, do some great things and impact even more.”

Hands-on Cooking Demo A Fun, Healthy Evening

Hands-on Cooking Demo A Fun, Healthy Evening

By Mike Lauterborn

(For Fairfield Citizen News)

3/16/11

Fairfield, CT – Meat eaters, tofu munchers, young and old. They were all gathered together to learn about, prepare and share healthy food choices.

Held early Wednesday evening at Roger Ludlowe Middle School, “Feeding the Mixed Table”, a free program aligned with Fairfield Library’s One Book One Town effort, addressed how to cook healthy and tasty food that both omnivores and vegetarians could enjoy. About 20 people pre-registered for the session, which was conducted in the school’s Food Lab. Robin Glowa, a self-described passionate food professional, health counselor certified by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and columnist, led the activity.

“The main book selected for our One Book One Town program is ‘Eating Animals’ by Jonathan Safran Foer,” said Nicole Scherer, Head of Teen Services at Fairfield Library and Chair of the One Book One Town campaign, “and one of its prime concerns is food and family participation when someone’s diet changes. In this case, the author became a vegetarian. He raised a lot of questions about the role of food and family. These days, more and more young people are deciding to become vegetarians, which can cause stress at the family table, especially if parents remain omnivores.”

Scherer said that Cheryl Beatty, a librarian at Roger Ludlowe and One Book One Town committee member, came up with the idea for the evening’s program and called in Glowa to help suggest meal solutions.

“We’re not here to tell people to stop eating meat, but to try and incorporate more vegetables, beans, etc. into their diet once or twice a week,” said Glowa. To this regard, she distributed recipes to the group for several healthy food options: double bean burritos, mixed vegetarian minestrone, ancient Aztec quinoa salad, double tomato bruschetta, fruit salsa and cinnamon chips, and vegan dark chocolate cupcakes with chocolate ganache. Attendees, the majority of whom identified themselves as meat eaters, were then divided into five teams and assumed separate cooking stations.

The Pierz family of Fairfield – Robbin, husband Walter and daughter Lindsey – chose to make cupcakes. They were prime targets for the talk.

“I’ve been an on-and-off vegetarian for 20 years and, last January, Lindsey decided to become a pescatarian,” said Robbin.

“I end up making my own dinner – chicken, beef, barbecue,” said Walter.

“I’m hoping to get Walter to take vegetarianism more seriously, as a lifestyle possibility,” said Robbin.

Others, like Liz Beardsley of Shelton, just wanted to know about healthy options. “I’m interested in learning more about holistic, natural and vegetarian cooking from someone with the qualifications Robin has,” she said.

As the chop chop of kitchen knives began, steam curled from pots and ingredients were stirred in bowls, Michelle Flashman, liaison for the Family and Consumer Sciences department at Roger Ludlowe, hopped from group to group to provide assistance.

“It’s really been over the last few years that we’ve adopted a whole foods curriculum,” Flashman said. “Ancient grains and lean proteins are what we talk about. This aligns well with our programming.”

Chopping fresh basil for bruschetta, Samantha Heilweil of Fairfield, said a recent film steered her to healthier food choices.

“Ever since I saw the movie ‘Food Inc.’, I haven’t been able to eat a hamburger or farm raised food,” she said. “I’m happier eating more organic foods.”

As all the cooking aromas mixed together in the room, Glowa exclaimed, “It’s really starting to smell great in here! Look at that beautiful basil!”

Mariko Bender of Trumbull, who was born and raised in Fukushima, Japan, which had been stricken by a recent earthquake and tsunami, was just glad to have something else to occupy her for a little while than worries about family there.

“I try to choose healthy food,” she said, preparing quinoa salad, “and often go to Catch a Healthy Habit Café here in town. I try not to eat too much meat, but it’s challenging to translate that to my family. My husband is a big meat eater.”

Debra Jones, a social studies teacher at Roger Ludlowe, was enjoying the social aspect of the gathering. “How great is this? I’ve spent an hour with these people and I could write their life story,” she said. “We’ve been cooking and chatting up a storm.”

As they finished their creations, the teams set them out on platters at their stations and grabbed plates and bowls to go around and secure a small portion of each menu item. 

“This is the best part of the whole event,” said Bender. “I’m hungry!”

Full Court Peace Founder Breaks Barriers with Basketball

Full Court Peace Founder Breaks 
Barriers with Basketball

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

3/20/11

Westport, CT – Weston native Mike Evans never imagined his passion for basketball would take him around the world on a peace-making mission. Now he’s planning to apply his experiences in Connecticut to address the achievement gap in local communities.

Sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Westport and Weston, Evans, 28, presented a lecture titled “Full Court Peace” late Sunday afternoon in the Community Room at St. Luke Church, 49 Turkey Hill Road North. The talk focused on Evans’ efforts to use basketball as a means of diplomacy in war-torn parts of the world. About 25 people attended the free session, which was followed by a brief reception.

Mary Attanasio, co-chairperson of the Interfaith Council, said Evans’ talk had particular relevance to her group’s work. “The Council is comprised of 15 congregations – three Catholic, three Jewish and nine Protestant,” she explained. “Mike’s efforts to enhance relations in various parts of the world, and breakthroughs in Protestant/Catholic relations, in particular, are of great interest to us.”

Basketball has always been Evans’ sport of choice. His parents, who emphasized how lucky he was to be raised in Weston, pushed him to play in underserved areas, which was “a real eye-opener,” he said. “Much of my motivation comes from my early experiences with my teammates.”

Reluctant to join the corporate world upon graduation from Hamilton College in 2005, Evans went abroad to Belfast, Northern Ireland to play semi-pro basketball. “It was the worst league in Europe, where six-foot tall white guys are allowed to play,” he joked. “When I was there, I saw the intense division between Catholic and Protestant communities. Even the sports were divided. Cricket is predominantly Protestant while Gaelic football and hurling are predominantly Catholic. Basketball was the only sport there that did not seem to have religious baggage.”

The climate inspired Evans to try an experiment. “I approached the principal at one Catholic high school and one Protestant high school, two structures separated by a 50-foot wall,” he said. “I offered to coach travel basketball in each of the schools, without letting on to either that I was dual-coaching. Soon enough, I had five 15-year-old boys from each school that had caught on to me as a mentor.”

Evans then took things up a level. “After a month of coaching, I tried to convince the two sets of boys to play on the same team together,” he said. “They said ‘absolutely not’, which was disappointing. I started looking for answers to help understand how to unite the two factions.”

Courageously, Evans, passing himself off as an American journalist doing book research about Ireland’s “troubles”, tracked down and met with Eddie Copeland, the head of the Irish Republican Army. Evans hoped Copeland could provide insights. Copeland told him basketball wasn’t going to make the kids come together and that it would take something more. It inspired Evans to offer the students a trip to the United States.

“The first time these working class boys played together was in Weston, against a well-to-do Catholic high school team,” Evans said. “The ice started to melt and we beat them by 25 points. I’ve never seen a more terrified opposing team.”

Evans and his players returned to Northern Ireland where their season continued. “We were 9-0 then suffered a loss, which seemed to undo everything,” he said. “I knew I had to get the support of the two ringleaders of our team to reverse the negative spin. Our last game was against St. Mary’s, an all-Catholic school. We won the game on a collaborative basket between these two boys.”

In celebration, the team returned to Weston for another visit, staying with local host families. Their last night was spent in New York, where they really bonded, said Evans.

The experience led Evans to found Full Court Peace in 2008, a non-profit organization with a mission of using team basketball to enhance education and build social capital around the world.

“I began rolling out a principle of sports diplomacy wherein basketball serves as a catalyst to break down barriers,” he said. “I’ve applied this since in Havana, Cuba, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.”

Evans said basketball is the only sport in Cuba not controlled by the Communist regime. He set up a youth team there in the summer of 2010. In Mexico, where over 1,000 children have been killed in drug violence since 2006, Evans set up basketball clinics. The latter took kids off the street and taught them Harlem Globetrotter-style trick shots that served to build self-confidence. Locals in both areas have since become advocates for change and are carrying on Evans’ work.

While pursuing a Masters in Social Entrepreneurship at Harvard College, Evans is now turning his attention to domestic division. “I am focusing on fighting the achievement gap between students in Bridgeport, Stamford and Norwalk and those in surrounding affluent communities.”

To learn more about and help support Full Court Peace, email Michael Evans:

Michaelevans@fullcourtpeace.org

Caribiner Climbing Contest Helps Youths Reach New Heights

Caribiner Climbing Contest Helps Youths Reach New Heights

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Fairfield Citizen News)

3/19/11

Fairfield, CT – They came, they climbed and they conquered.

Over 75 youths ages six to 19 tested their mettle Saturday afternoon at Caribiner Indoor Climbing in Fairfield’s new Sportsplex, 85 Mill Plain Road, in a USAC Sport Climbing Competition. In addition to offering a number of challenging climbs, the event featured a DJ, raffles, frozen yogurt samples from Tasti-D-Lite and a bake sale to raise money for the resident climbing team to attend a national competition. The facility, which is housed in a former factory space, opened August 6, 2010, and has a vertical climbing height of 40 feet.

“This is the first ‘top roping’ competition being held in this location,” said general manager Alicia Aguiar. Top roping is any climbing activity wherein the climber is in a harness attached to a rope secured to a top point and held by a belayer. The belayer is a certified guide who takes the slack out of the rope and is required for any climb at the facility.

Meaghan Smith, coach of the Junior competitive team, gave an overview of the day’s competition. “USA Climbing is a national organization that offers a bouldering series, college series and sport climbing series,” she said. “Today’s competition is a SCS event, primarily youth targeted but open to all ages. There are 67 routes defined across 30 stations. Kids have been divided into categories by age: 11 and under, 12-13, 14-15, 16-17, 18-19 and open. They are scored and verified by belayers who ensure they complete their defined routes. There are degrees of difficulty assigned to routes and points are tabulated accordingly. Participants can climb for the full three hours of the competition but are scored on their top five climbs only.”

Smith said that youths that are USA Climbing members would be accumulating points that count toward a regional competition in Boston, a divisional in Pennsylvania and nationals in Georgia.

At the outset of the contest, member Tyler Cordes, 13, of Shelton, hoped to rise to the challenge. “I’ve been climbing since November,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun, though was a little difficult at first. I’m getting much better. I’ll go on to regionals no matter how I perform today and, if I do well there, I’ll go on to divisionals.”

Cordes’ pal Henry Boyd, 14, of Fairfield, had adopted a similar attitude. “I was excited about this place opening and started climbing late August,” he said. “The climbs are graded 5.4 to 5.14 depending on difficulty. I’ve reached a steady level of 5.10.”

Halie Saferstein, 14, of Weston, was a virtual veteran and a big fan of the facility. “I started doing this around age 7 or 8, in camps and at carnivals,” she said. “Then I climbed at Go Vertical in Hartford. When it closed, I started coming here. The people are really nice and the routes are really good.”

The few parents that were standing by, like Kristin Schleiter of Fairfield, said climbing has been a beneficial pursuit for their children. “It makes my daughter Greta feel empowered and more confident,” Schleiter said. “She really competes against herself. We were so excited when this opened here.”

Classified as a “Junior” climber, Augy Cohn, 18, echoed the benefits that Schleiter’s daughter has experienced. “I’ve been climbing for seven years and it’s a fun way to challenge myself,” he said. “There are times when I think a climb’s going to be hard or I have a scary slip, but I take it in stride.”

It was clear, as participants scrambled up the steep and angular walls and were lowered back down by their belayers, that they enjoyed the day’s contest. Satisfied smiles trumped any feelings of exhaustion as they clipped on and off climbing ropes and rotated from station to station throughout the facility.

Blood Donors Offer a Pint on a Day of Green

Blood Donors Offer a 
Pint on a Day of Green

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Fairfield Citizen News)

3/17/11

Fairfield, CT – For many, St. Patrick’s Day signals a time to celebrate and raise a pint. For others, it was an opportunity to give a pint.

At midday on Thursday March 17, the Fairfield Police Department at 100 Reef Road hosted a Red Cross blood drive in the facility’s parking lot. The Red Cross provided a bus in which to conduct the process and several staff members to facilitate. Over 50 people pre-registered to donate and many more participated as walk-ins.

“We partner with the Red Cross because a constant blood supply is critical,” said Sgt. Ed Greene, who contacted the organization to arrange the visit. “Most people take it for granted that, in an emergency, blood is going to be there when they need it.”

Greene added, “Our work puts us in situations where we see the need for blood – whether it’s an assault victim or accident case – so bringing the Red Cross here gives officers the opportunity to walk out the back door of the station and give blood. Our civilian employees also donate. We get support from everyone. Of course, the general public is also contributing. We’ve scheduled over 50 appointments for today’s session.”

Christine Holschlag, R.N., who was coordinating the Red Cross personnel onsite, gave some background about how this visit came about  and the organization’s blood drives in general.

“The Fairfield Police wanted to sponsor today’s blood drive and contacted our recruiting department to schedule,” she said. “The Connecticut Red Cross does about 12 blood drives every day, Monday through Friday, throughout Connecticut. The department does another six drives on Saturday statewide and even a few on Sunday.”

Holschlag says there are quotas they aim to meet. “We look for roughly 600 pints per day from all collections,” she said. “We are not currently in an emergency situation, though the importance of having an ample and safe blood supply can’t be stressed enough.”

The nurse explained what a donor experiences when they board the bus and how donated blood is handled. “At the beginning of the process, we do a mini physical exam,” she said. “Then we ask an extensive amount of medical history questions to determine eligibility. From there, we draw the blood. Samples are also taken for testing purposes. The blood goes to our headquarters in Farmington where it is processed and tested. Some of the blood is stored there, the rest is provided to hospitals.”

Holschlag noted that blood has different shelf life terms depending on components like platelets, plasma and red cells.

Before donors were processed, they were required to register with phlebotomists Luz Gonzalez and Troy Smith, who manned a table in the police department’s lobby. Gonzalez explained that information is captured from driver’s licenses or donor cards and that donors are required to read a short manual about what to expect from the process.

Stepping from the bus after donating, Chris Pedersen from Trumbull said, “Every time I donate blood, my employer pays me for the day. It’s considered a ‘blood day’. I donate every 50 to 60 days approximately. I look at it this way: At some point in my life, I may be needing blood and so I want to pay it forward now. It’s the right thing to do.”

Fairfield Officer Kevin McPadden, who was just climbing aboard the bus to donate, said, “This is the fourth time I’m doing this. Every little bit that can help save a life is important. I try to do this more than once a year. Sometimes the scheduling doesn’t work out. It’s nice when the bus is here.”

With regard his donating on St. Patrick’s Day, McPadden said, “I hope it won’t inhibit my ability to celebrate the day. I haven’t had an issue in the past with passing out. This is my good deed for the day.”

Man About Town: Steered to Angus

Man About Town: Steered to Angus

(column for March 18 Fairfield Citizen news)

By Mike Lauterborn

3/11/11

It was an overcast Friday a week out from St. Patrick’s Day and buckets of rain were in the forecast. The friendly glow of The Angus Steakhouse, at 2133 Black Rock Turnpike, was like a beacon drawing me in from the gloom. Manager Steve “Dibo” Dibartolomeo happened to be on hand at the lunch hour to give background about the place, share its evolution and outline menu favorites.

“Joe ‘Cozy’ Dolan, a bartender in Bridgeport, came out in 1950 and built the whole strip mall here, calling it Dolan’s Corner,” Dibo began. “The only other thing out here was Miro’s Farm. Most people thought Dolan was crazy to build in the middle of farmland. On Mother’s Day that year, Dolan opened the original Angus Steakhouse, which was actually called The Black Angus Steakhouse. ‘Black’ was dropped from the title after a suit for trademark infringement was filed by a similarly named restaurant.”

Dibo said The Angus quickly became popular. “The old-style steakhouse, with its masculine dark rich woods and colors, came to define Black Rock Turnpike. Actor Paul Newman used to frequent the steakhouse in the late 50s and early 60s as well as legendary NY Giants players Andy Robustelli, Y.A. Tittle and Frank Gifford, after they finished up practice at Fairfield University. Their patronage became an original draw of the restaurant and helped popularize both the eatery and the area,” Dibo said.

The Angus changed hands several times in its history and, as its popularity grew, so did the space. “The original place was 1,200 square feet,” said Dibo, “and consisted of a small kitchen, bar counter about 12 feet long and seating for 55 to 60 people. Over the years, The Angus changed its configuration by adding a single unit at a time from the adjacent strip mall, so that it now encompasses four store spaces totaling 3,400 square feet and accommodating 168 people – 68 in the bar and 100 in the dining room.”

Dibo said that as the space grew, the bar itself kept getting relocated, until Dibo’s brother Steve, an experienced restauranteur, purchased The Angus from Robert Wool in 2007. “Wool had operated the restaurant under the banner Eric & Michael’s Angus Steakhouse. Steve gutted it and returned the bar area to its original layout and glory. The décor is retro with tin ceilings and mahogany wood throughout, and the fare is classic steakhouse with an Italian flair serving certified Angus beef and the classic Angus Burger on a large English muffin. The latter has been an original favorite since 1950.”

Besides traditional steaks, Dibo said they also feature favorites like eggplant lasagna, swordfish over escarole and beans, a huge selection of pasta and chicken dishes and Pork Chops Giambotta – onions, mushrooms and cherry peppers in a demi-glaze over the meat. “These are a few examples of how we’ve put an Italian twist on the classic  steakhouse fare,” said Dibo.

With regard to patrons, he said, “We have served generations of local people who used to come in here as kids with their parents. Our customer base is families and we have an expanded kids menu that offers smaller versions of the dinner menu.”

Dibo’s own background as a pro baseball pitcher with the Cubs also attracts notable baseball figures like Tommy John, Jimmy Piersall and Rob Dibble.

Dibo said the atmosphere varies within the entire space. “The tap room provides a light festive environment with big screen TVs and high top tables, and people order light food like sandwiches and burgers. The dining room offers a more classic dining experience.”

It had come time to saddle up and head back out on the range. Many more Fairfield establishments lay in wait to be profiled as Man About Town adventures.