An Oasis with European Flair

VAn Oasis with European Flair:

Pia Lauren’s Spa Di Bellezza provides perfect pampering for health-conscious 

relaxation seekers

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairield.Patch.com 8/5)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

8/4/11

Fairfield, CT – Soothing music, inviting spa beds and ceilings hand painted with images of clouds, the sun and birds. The environment transports visitors from a busy thoroughfare in Fairfield to a setting that might overlook the shimmering Ionian Sea in Italy’s Reggio di Calabria.

Most likely, that’s the intention, given the owner’s roots. Pia Lauren, of Spa Di Bellezza at 1828 Post Road, hails from that idyllic part of the world and has incorporated its ways and flavors into her popular, full-service, edge-of-downtown spa business.

“My mom is Greek and my dad is Italian,” said Lauren, flashing a heart-melting smile and shaking her long mane of brown hair, her skin radiant in early morning sun streaming through the shop’s street-facing windows. “I came alone to the U.S. at 16, settling first in New York, for a year. Then I was in Scarsdale, New York, with family that was already here. Ultimately, I moved to Westport in 1985.”

Professionally, she initially started designing clothes for boutiques. Along the way, she got married, had kids, divorced and, needing to stay home with her three boys, went into the skincare business.

“I worked out of my home for 10 years, from 1985 to 1995,” she said, leading this reporter to one of five treatment rooms, all located on a second level. “Then I rented a space in Westport, calling it Pia Lauren. ‘Lauren’ was a stage name I had adopted that fit the business well.”

That first space was only 500 square feet and she decided she needed more room as her clientele expanded. So, in 2002, she moved to her current location, which is 2,000 square feet. When she took over the building, it had been a real estate office and, before that, a private home built in the 1940s. Now the spa retreat is maintained by five staff members and offers everything from massages and facials to body care, manicures, pedicures and waxing.

“My clients are predominantly women, though the last couple of years, many men have started to come in,” she said, having this journalist lay back, shirtless, on a spa bed while she arranged equipment to provide both a facial and a foot massage.

“Men are becoming more conscious about taking care of themselves,” she added. “They are married for the most part. Their wives, who are already clients, encourage them to come in.”

Among men, massages and pedicures are the most popular, according to Lauren, “though facials are becoming more of an interest.” A facial moisturizes a person’s skin by removing the top layer / dry skin. It helps increase circulation and makes skin look younger, Lauren explained.

“I grew up on the water in Italy and was often in the sun all day long,” she recalled. “My mom always made us wash our faces when we got home and had her own recipe of olive oil and other ingredients, and would make us put it on our faces every morning and night. I have incorporated that ‘recipe’ into my own products.”

With a mix of both sadness and fond memory registering on her pleasant face, Lauren continued, “My mom died at 89 but, to that day, she never had a wrinkle, and was in the sun all day long every day. She loved to swim and be in the water.”

Lauren started in with the facial treatment, first conducting a cleanse, with a seaweed product. A scrub / exfoliator followed, to remove dry skin. All the while, a silent machine pumped out a jet of steam, to help open pores.

Black head extraction was next in the process, wherein Lauren used gloves and cotton balls to pinch areas of the skin to push out dirt from clogged pores. Using a diamond tome, she then gently removed the top layer of skin, which had dried from exposure to sun and winter weather.

Lastly, Lauren applied an enzyme peel, made from papaya and pineapple, into which her mother’s facial oil had been mixed.

“In the winter, mom and dad would go to the beach and fill huge jugs with salt water, bring them home, mix them together with regular water and make us bathe in the mixture,” she said. “It would help us to not have any dry skin or blemishes and breakouts. Leaving dry skin on the body is not good. Pores have to breath, to eliminate toxins. It’s important to use good products.”

This journalist’s feet were the next area the spa matron focused on, her firm hands applying an expert touch. As with the face, the process began with a scrub – a sea salt mix. Then, a callous remover was introduced, followed by an indulgence body cream – all organic – rubbed into the skin.

Switching gears, Lauren returned to the face, removed the enzyme peel, which had dried, with a warm wet cloth. She worked in a signature crème – containing collagen, shea butter, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, pomegranate and grape seeds – to heal, protect and stimulate the skin and help restore and rebuild collage.

“This is good for sun damage, wrinkles and blotchiness,” Lauren remarked, applying oil de bellezza, her mother’s moisturizing oil.

A textbook of knowledge in the beauty / skincare field, she added, “We have seven layers of skin, and as we get older, between exposure to the sun, winter and free radicals, it gets thinner and ages. By removing dry cells and replenishing the skin, we help maintain collagen and elasticity.”

Imparting her general theory, Lauren said, “You have to pamper yourself. Our bodies need it.”

Spa Di Bellezza is located at 1828 Post Road, Fairfield. To schedule an appointment, call 203-254-8308 or visit www.pialaurenspa.com

Fairfield Arts Center Drawing Up New Programming

Fairfield Arts Center Drawing Up New Programming:

Summer workshop for teens first of many classes to come

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

7/28/11

Fairfield, CT – Sitting on the ground against trees and brick walls, cross-legged with pads in their laps, they studiously sketched away, capturing from their own perspectives the layout of the Town Green.

The Wednesday July 27 afternoon session was the fourth of a five-week Drawing Workshop for Teens offered by the Fairfield Arts Center, 70 Sanford Street. Designed to enhance students’ creativity and artistic confidence, each of the five 2 ½ hour classes was dedicated to a different drawing activity, including still-lifes in pencil, figures, abstract shapes and textures, drawing on location and drawing animals. Stephanie Peterson, a certified art teacher at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, is the instructor, providing guidance on drawing techniques like lines, spacing, shading, volume, individual expression and imagination.

“Our teen drawing class is an inaugural program targeted to the teen segment of our constituency, which in its broadest sense is the town of Fairfield,” said Kristin Fox, who has held the role of Executive Director at FAC for the past year now. “About 10 students are enrolled in the class. We had to turn away half a dozen more, which leads me to believe that there’s a need for this programming in the community.”

Fox said the goal is to lay a foundation for future artists, while providing a vehicle for self-expression. “This is all part of our mission to integrate the arts into the lives of Fairfielders,” said Fox. “The drawing class is part of the educational component of our mission.”

Fox said the class has been very well received and, based on its success, the Center is going to explore other genre-based workshops – watercolors, painting, sculpture, etc.

“I work in developing programming with Stephanie,” Fox said. “The next program may be as early as September. “We’re determining best scheduling, especially with the return to school.”

For more information, contact the Fairfield Arts Center at www.fairfieldartscenter.org or call 203-319-1419.

Serendipity Magazine Stages Casting Call at Fairfield Pinkberry

Serendipity Magazine Stages Casting Call at Fairfield Pinkberry:

Dozens of children line up for a shot at the limelight

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

8/3/11

Fairfield, CT – One and all they came -- boys, girls, triplets, teens – all looking for a shot at fame, or at least to be featured in the pages of a magazine.

Serendipity Magazine that is, a lifestyle publication circulated in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, geared to families with content that includes travel, food, style, health and fitness. This summer, the magazine decided to conduct several casting calls at ice cream and yogurt places in their focus areas. Pinkberry Fairfield, the only Pinkberry in the state, is a client, so it was a given that it would be a stop when staffers came to town Wednesday afternoon.

“This has been a 14-week effort,” said Dana Jevarjian, marketing events director for Serendipity. “Pinkberry and Serendipity go hand in hand in terms of target audience, life, fun and health. It’s a perfect marriage.”

The recruits the magazine sought were girls and boys ages 4 to 16. A photo of each was taken, personal information captured and the details catalogued as ongoing model resources for the publication’s style sections.

“We want to give back to the community and use real kids – our readers’ children,” said Jevarjian. “Our slogan is ‘Your Town, Your Style, Your Magazine.’ This is a perfect illustration of that idea.”

Filling out a form secured to a clipboard near Pinkberry’s front entrance at 1512 Post Road, Fairfield mom Shreya Patel, with her sons Jaden, 5, and Kalen, 4, clutching at her dress, said, “I thought it would be fun for my boys. They have never done anything like this before. I wasn’t familiar with Serendipity, so I’m looking forward to reading it as well.”

Fellow Fairfielder Linda Smith showed with her daughter Madison, 4, saying she’d learned about the event through SuzySaid.com. “Madison is a natural born ham,” Smith said. “She loves to be photographed. I thought it would be a great opportunity… and, who knows, it may be a launching point for a modeling career. Every time I take her to a show, I say, ‘Do you want to go see this?’ and she says, ‘No, I want to be in it.’”

Soon to be a fourth grader at Osborne Hill Elementary, nine-year-old Samantha Galluzzo was ready for her fifteen seconds of fame. “I think I might like to be a model,” she said. “It seems very glamorous.”

Mom Sarah remarked that this was new to Sam and that it was an easy way for her to get some exposure, versus going into the city.

Twenty-three-year-old Anggy Young, who could easily be mistaken for a potential recruit given her girlish look, had brought her six-year-old daughter Angela to the audition after seeing it advertised in the Pinkberry store.

“I’m here three to four times a week, saw the sign, told Angela and she said, ‘ok’”, said Anggy. “She hasn’t done any modeling but is very photogenic, and watches a lot of fashion shows.”

Chirped the youngster, “I love chocolate Pinkberry, with strawberries. It’s so yummy!”

Twelve-year-old candidate Avery Bebon was practically a modeling veteran compared with many of the other children. “I like modeling and acting and I thought this would give me a head start on what I want to do career-wise,” she said. “I tried out for a few acting roles in the past – I was on the Disney Channel for one small contest. It was really exciting. Who knows how this might go? This could be my big break.”

Stepping up to a long table that magazine staffers had set up curbside were four-and-a-half year-old towheaded triplets Dylan, Charlie and Shawn, from Rye, N.Y. Their proud mom had also heard about the event through SuzySaid.com and figured they had nothing to lose. “This is a good age to try this I think because they are more cooperative than they were when they were little, and they love getting their pictures taken,” she said.

While Serendipity captured great attention, the Pinkberry brand would not be repressed. A comparable line led through the front entry right up to the counter, where Pinkberry fans placed their orders and counter people – correct that, “Goodness Guides” – like Cassie Voley, 19, delivered the goods, passing off delicious concoctions with a “Enjoy your Pinkberry” salutation.

Bravo for Nuvo

Bravo for Nuvo:

Former restaurant owner Mike Constand leads new nightclub venture

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

8/3/11

Fairfield, CT – A native son who earned his restaurant management stripes as a college student in Florida, Fairfielder Mike Constand has put a tough incident behind him to lead operations at one of the hottest new nightlife spots in town.

Keeping watch on the crowd, shaking a hand or two and monitoring bartender activities, Constand, 42, leaned on the long bar at Nuvo, 238 Post Road, on a recent busy Tuesday night and spoke about the fledgling club he oversees and the path that brought him to its door.

Constand’s roots were simple, Fairfield-based and not oriented at all to his career choice. His dad, Bill, was a building manager for Scinto Development, while mom Cheryl ran Trinity Nursery in Southport. He was educated at North Stratfield Elementary and Fairfield Woods Middle School, and graduated from Andrew Warde High School in 1987.

It was his choice of colleges – leastways the location – that was the earliest influencer. “I went to Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, in 1992,” he said. “FAU was in an area very heavily dominated by restaurants and bars.”

To put change in his pocket, he began working at Boston’s on the Beach, a restaurant in nearby Del Ray. “I was a clam shucker freshman year,” he said. “Then I started working all over southern Florida, serving as everything from bartender and doorman to waiter.”

With a developing interest in one day running his own place, he decided, “You have to get this type of experience, from all angles, to be in this business.”

After graduating, he returned to Fairfield, but pursued insurance, as a partner/broker, for Corporate Benefit Enterprises in Bridgeport. At the same time, though, he bartended, over a 10-year period. He worked at Fairfield restaurants Europa (now Bangalore Indian restaurant) and La Cucina (now Sweet Basil), and several places in South Norwalk, like Liquid and Rain.

Around 2003, Constand approached the owners of Rooster’s restaurant, on the Post Road in downtown Fairfield, and proposed that he help them solidify their business by serving as a majority owner and manager. “It was a three-year buyout deal wherein I basically paid off their debts,” he said. “In 2005, I assumed full ownership and sold my insurance business to complete the three-year deal.”

About that period, Constand said, “It was a big gamble to move from a cushy insurance job to a risky restaurant/bar business, but I thought the spot, which was a legend in town as Tommy’s for about 20 years, was ideal. I used to sit in there dreaming of one day owning the space. It was a lifelong dream fulfilled when I eventually did.”

The former owners had already changed the name from Rooster’s to Bravo, a name honoring Peter Bravo, a cop that helped them run out a former owner. “They were so grateful for his help,” said Constand.

New captain Constand put $100,000 into renovations, with a goal of bringing a fun singles environment to Fairfield. “I always felt the town didn’t have any action,” he said. “I wanted to inject a SoNo – New Haven atmosphere, which I did. For three years, on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we were full to the gills with singles, while also serving a family crowd on weekdays and Sundays.”

He said Bravo became very popular quickly, with one of his strongest segments being the college crowd. “I had a college night on Tuesdays,” he said. “We had huge traffic and I was doing my diligence in terms of keeping things safe and fun. But then, on October 22, 2009, on one of these college nights, the Fairfield police and State of Connecticut Liquor Board conducted a raid and, of 200-plus people in the bar, half were caught with fake I.D.’s.”

Constand defends to this day that his door staff had done everything possible to check for underage patrons. “We scanned every I.D. with a video system that allows for comparing the I.D. to the person’s face,” he said.

“I was faced with some tough choices,” Constand reflected. “Do I continue to make a go of it or put it up for sale and check out. I did the latter, completing the sale February 15, 2010, to management that has since reopened the place as Old Post Tavern.”

Part of Constand’s sale agreement stipulated that he turn in his liquor permit, and he was not allowed to own another place for at least one year.

During the post-Bravo period, Constand was approached by Ron Gavern, who asked him to help design and manage his new nightclub Nuvo, formerly Lupita’s Mexican restaurant.

“Drawing on all my club experience, I developed a vision for a place that would appeal to a 21-35 crowd, with dancing and cocktails – an alternative to the basic dive bar.”

Nuvo opened in June 2010, starting with a loyal following from the Bravo days and steadily building on it.

Now, Nuvo showcases different local deejays Tuesday through Saturday, who spin top-40 tunes that fill the loungy space, which features chic pinspots, lighting effects and a New York feel.

“I want to provide a fun, safe place and alternative entertainment for people to enjoy themselves,” Constand said. “I’m committed to Fairfield and hopefully the town is committed to me.”

Neighborhood Watch Program Reignited

Neighborhood Watch Program Reignited:

Citizens become extensions of Fairfield police force

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 8/2)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

8/1/11

Fairfield, CT – More than two dozen select citizens throughout Fairfield have just completed a five-week training session to become Neighborhood Watch leaders, helping Fairfield’s finest do their jobs even better and assist with apprehending criminals. Though the Watch program is not a new one, the latest iteration features a strong two-way line of communication between these citizens and the police department that did not previously exist.

In a special press briefing Monday morning at Fairfield police headquarters, 100 Reef Road, Lt. Jim Perez noted that 28 Fairfielders had just finished the program, the goal of which is give them a “police mind”, train them to observe possible crime and learn how to report criminal activity to get the proper response from police. The training included terrorism awareness, observation skills, reporting and defining suspicious behavior.

“We want to reinvigorate their sixth sense,” said Perez, “because often times society teaches us to deny our gift of fear.”

The program drew town residents from the beach area, Mill River, Greenfield Hill and Stratford. “Participants tell others and interest grows,” said Perez, who said that an additional round of classes is scheduled to be held in September.

In the past, back in the 80s when the program first started, citizens were trained and released. It was up to the block captains to keep things going. Now, these NETs (Neighborhood Emergency Teams) coordinate activities between their leaders and police with regard to issues and problems. The police are also doing more reach-out to the community, scheduling meetings to listen to complaints, putting response plans together and then addressing concerns. “The key is effective, open communication all the time,” said Perez.

During the briefing, Perez cited a fresh example of how the program is working. He read a letter from a community team leader that related how a driver had run down and driven away from a stop sign and how his group collected evidence at the scene which enabled police to track down the perpetrator and arrest him. The incident occurred this past Saturday, around midnight, at the corner of Melville Drive and Greenfield Drive. Citizen response helped lead to the apprehension of Timothy Andrews, 53, of 21 Garden Drive, on a charge of evading responsibility and failure to drive right.

“Without the Neighborhood Watch program, officers would have ultimately seen the stop sign but wouldn’t have made a connection,” Perez said. “In this case, the neighbors protected the evidence and allowed police to do a better job of solving the case.”

Perez added, “The neighbors were alert, took their responsibility seriously, and catalogued and photographed evidence. Police can’t be there all the time. Neighbors can help serve as our eyes and ears in the community.” 

Annual Tag Sale Gives Hope to Homeless and Hungry

Annual Tag Sale Gives Hope to Homeless and Hungry

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Fairfield Citizen News)

7/30/11

Fairfield, CT – The work of hundreds of volunteers, donations from thousands of local residents and uncountable man hours all resulted in the successful launch Saturday morning of Operation Hope’s Annual Tag Sale, held in and around First Congregational Church, 148 Beach Road.

Operation Hope’s Executive Director Carla Miklos estimated that the two-day sale (Sunday hours are 12 to 4) is the organization’s 18th annual. “In the old days, we would pull in around $30,000 or $40,000,” she said. “In recent years, the take has been smaller. People do more consigning and eBay these days. Still, we have a lot of generous donations. There are literally thousands of items, including furniture, sporting goods, artwork, frames, mirrors, toys, electronics, housewares, linens, holiday items, jewelry and ‘finer things’ like collectibles.”

Miklos added that, for the last three years, they have been offering hi-end raffle baskets, pulled together from businesses and people in the community. In addition, the Fairfield Rotary Club is on hand selling donuts and coffee in the morning, and hamburgers and hot dogs in the afternoon, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Operation Hope. Sherwood Farm in Easton and Billy’s Bakery have contributed items for sale as well.

The sale funds general operations of Operation Hope’s center at 636 Old Post Road and 50 Nichols Street. The shelter houses 18 men, six women and three families at any given time, according to Miklos. The organization’s food pantry serves 475 unique households. Forty-six units of affordable housing is also scattered throughout Fairfield and Bridgeport. In addition, a community kitchen serves lunch and dinner to anyone that is hungry and a clinical team supports clients’ medical and basic needs.

“It’s hard to put into words how generous the community is,” said Miklos. “The community is a combination of hundreds of volunteers that help with set up, the merchandise donated by people all week, volunteers that work the sale and people that come out to shop for a good cause.”

Among the 50 to 60 volunteers on hand Saturday was former First Selectman Ken Flatto. “When you love your town, you have to keep volunteering,” he said. “I’m pleased to help organizations like Operation Hope. Last week, I was doing a stint at Pequot Library (annual summer book sale). It’s the least I can do.”

Another volunteer, 19-year-old Serena Mistry, a student at the University of Connecticut, said she wanted to help out during the summer before starting back to college and that her efforts would serve as good work experience while helping a great cause.

As to attendees, Sarah Booth, from Southport, who was pacing around a table, said, “I’m looking for furniture to furnish an apartment. I’m seeing many interesting items here. There’s quite a range of quality, styles and great values.”

Tanya Kujan, at checkout, said, “We came down today to see what great stuff we could find. We also donated many items. We’re rotating our stuff. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”

Operation Hope’s Annual Tag Sale is being held Saturday through 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., inside and around First Congregational Church, 148 Beach Road, at the corner of Old Post Road. Parking is available at the intersecting streets as well as in the parking lot sharing by the church and Gaelic-American Club.

Les Bon Temps Rouler at Pequot Library

Les Bon Temps Rouler at Pequot Library:

Cajun musician Papillion 

entertains families Friday night

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 8/1)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

7/30/11

Southport, CT – One of the most devastating hurricanes the United States has ever experienced led to his doing permanent annual gigs in the northeast and, on Friday, July 29, the performer was visiting the area again.

Papillion, billed as a Louisiana musician and storyteller, was the attraction at Pequot Library in Southport this past Friday evening when the institution presented a Cajun and Zydeco program on the great lawn. Several adults and their young children attended, sitting in chairs or blankets and enjoying a picnic dinner as they listened to the guitarist strum away and relate stories about his rich Bayou history.

Ironically, if it had not been for Hurricane Katrina’s unwelcome visit in August 2005, and the total interruption it caused in his capacity to earn an income in his home state of Louisiana, Papillion may not have come up to this area at all.

“It blew me up here,” the bearded, 40-ish looking Southerner said. “I had presented a workshop in the Ansonia area, in the spring before Katrina, and made good connections there. A few weeks after Katrina came through, the directors called me and offered assistance where they could. They flew me up and booked me at preschools, elementary schools and libraries, and that just lit the match in terms of my getting a foothold in the Northeast.”

Now the musician comes up three times a year for three weeks at a time. He stays in an apartment/guest room at the Julia Day Nursery School in Ansonia, which has been provided to him annually free of charge since Katrina.

Papillion said his Cajun music is very much about family and celebrating that experience. “I do stuff about life, values, matters of the heart, grandparents,” he said. “It’s for all ages – there are multi-levels in what I share. Kids rise up to sophisticated themes.”

Papillion explained that he was born and raised in French Louisiana, as were his parents, grandparents, etc., and that many of his song themes are built around his family history. “My way-back ancestors, whom we call ‘Acadie’, came from Canada – Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.”

Local audiences here in Connecticut have given Papillion a very warm welcome he said. “One of my best indicators is when I am playing Fais Dodo (the Cajun Dance) and see Connecticut mommas and papas and grandparents all dancing with their babies,” he added.

Children’s Librarian Susan Ei said the Cajun format fits well with library programming. “Our summer reading theme is ‘One World, Many Stories,’” she said. “There are many stories in our own country and the Cajun aspect is one of them.”

There was no question families were enjoying the presentation. Fairfield mom Erin Russell, with husband Bill (Pequot Library’s board president), four-year-old daughter Maggie and twin one-year-old sons Henry and Edward, said, “I can’t think of a better way of spending a Friday night than listening to Cajun music.”

For more information about the performer, visit www.papillion.com