“Where’s the Party?” Is a Loaded Question Says Panel

“Where’s the Party?” Is a Loaded Question Says Panel:

Warde-hosted interactive session focuses on underage drinking

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 5/12)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

5/11/11

Fairfield, CT – Bad decisions can have dire consequences especially when it comes to underage drinking.

That was the message drilled home Wednesday night in the Fairfield Warde High School auditorium by a team of moderators and the Interactive Educational Theatre group, which performed a series of skits illustrating all too common scenarios related to alcohol and minors. The theatre group, a non-profit touring company that specializes in social issue education, was comprised of teachers Erika Nelson-Hayden, Tony Republicano and Magda Skomal. The moderators were Fairfield criminal defense attorney Megan McLoughlin, Fairfield Police Chief Gary McNamara and Fairfield Police Lt. Tom Mrozek. About two dozen local parents of teens attended.

“Titled ‘Where’s the Party?’, the program is designed to raise awareness about underage drinking issues at hand in town and surrounding communities and comes on the heels of a 2010 online survey conducted by the Fairfield Cares Task Force,” said PTA volunteer and event co-chair Debbie Strachan. “Questions were tailored to parents and showed many surprises in terms of what parents thought their children were doing compared with what the kids said they were doing.”

For example, the Survey showed that 11% of Fairfield parents of juniors and seniors think their kids have ridden with a drunk driver, while 26% of Fairfield kids report they have ridden with a drunk driver.

In between each skit, the moderators provided crime statistics and insights, and took questions from the audience. Parents like Marie Lavigne found the program particularly relevant. “I have a son in 10^th grade and a daughter in 8^th grade and want to be aware of what kids are doing,” she said. “We think we’ve seen it all, but things have changed. Kids find ways to get alcohol.”

The theatre group led off the program by reading actual, startling headlines, that were pulled from local news services, about alcohol-related incidents involving minors. This was a segue to the first skit, which opened with three responsible kids getting together while parents were away, other kids finding out about the gathering and it getting out of control, with alcohol and drunk driving ultimate results.

McNamara said the situation happens frequently. “We often get calls to break up a party that has gotten out of control,” he said. “Kids party hop. We try to prevent that all over town.”

Attorney McLoughlin said the consequences are more serious when there is an adult present while alcohol is being consumed by a minor in a home. “Whether the adult is aware of the consumption or not, they can be charged with reckless endangerment or risk of injury to a minor, felonies that carry stiff penalties, even mandatory jail time.”

Lt. Mrozek said that when they find a party, they call in additional manpower and try to lock it down. Then they hold the kids, call parents and release the kids to their parents when they appear. “Communication is such these days that kids will quickly let other kids know that we’ve shown up and they won’t go.”

He added, “If a parent has sponsored the party, there are going to be arrests. We had a case of a schoolteacher that was present at a party we broke up, but hiding in a closet. We only found out afterwards but still arrested the teacher two weeks later.”

McNamara said the community can help the police department do its job by reporting anything they’ve heard or know right away. “If we get info early enough about an anticipated party, we’ll investigate it. We need you as much as you need us,” he said.

Another hazard related to underage drinking is acquaintance rape, the focus of another skit. In the scenario, a girl is out of it at a party and encouraged by the male host to lie down in his room. He lets on to the audience that he has put something in her drink.

“There are twisted people out there who will drug someone or feed them too much alcohol and take advantage of them,” said Skomal.

In a related scenario, a couple has a few beers, strolls to the beach and has sex. She apparently resisted and said ‘no’; he says he never heard her say no and thought it was consensual.

“A majority of the time, a girl doesn’t make a report because chances are they’re going to be victimized by a criminal defense lawyer like me,” said McLoughlin. “This he-said, she-said situation is also a grey area. Again, though, sexual assault is a symptom of underage drinking. People don’t think about the collateral damage.”

McLoughlin added, “Kids are listening to you, but hearing their friends, too. You have to keep telling them.”

New Station on Track for October Opening

New Station on Track 
for October Opening:

Platforms and pedestrian 

crossover essentially completed

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 5/12)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

5/10/11

Fairfield, CT – A project years in the planning, Fairfield’s third train station, along Commerce Drive, is finally nearing completion. Both north and south going platforms, with covered waiting shelters, as well as a pedestrian crossover from north to south sides, are, for the better part, complete.

Keith Shove, a Metro North conductor, who was onsite on a recent sunny Tuesday morning, provided a quick update on remaining work on the site. “With regard to the platforms and crossover, we’re just going through a punch list, with paint touch-up, hand railings, etc. to be done. Then the state will sign off.”

As to the parking lot, for which a crushed rock base had been put down, Shove said it would be completed by October, if not sooner, and “as soon as people have a place to park, the station will be open.”

Meanwhile, crews are finishing the main roadways in and out of the site, drainage is in, contaminated soil has been capped, and the main contractor, Guerrera Construction, is ahead of schedule with building the ticket station.

He added, “The vendor slots for the ticket station are all sold out as are the parking spaces. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the state grab up more land, especially for parking.”

As to surrounding property, Shove said values have gone very high and adjacent land owners have been toying with putting in parking garages and retail attractions.

Shove said one immediate neighbor, Bigelow Tea, which owns a building to the east of the station, is “not happy about the project as they’ll need to put up fences and a security shack to keep commuters from parking in their lot.”

Destructive teens have been another issue, as evidenced by graffiti tags on platform walls. “The building material is pre-cast concrete and it’s going to cost about $4,000 to remove the graffiti,” he said.

“All in all, though, for a large construction site like this, problems have been few,” said Shove, summing up.

Local Author Promotes Vegan Sweets

Local Author Promotes Vegan Sweets:

Hannah Kaminsky offers 

healthy dessert recipes

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

5/7/11

Westport, CT – When you think of a book signing at a mainstream bookstore franchise, most imagine the author will be a conservative looking, plainly dressed type. Hannah Kaminsky, with her lace-up boots, four-inch heels, black attire, multiple piercings and reddish hair, shatters that notion.

The 22-year-old Fairfield-based author was on hand early Saturday afternoon at Barnes & Noble bookstore, 1076 Post Road East, to introduce and autograph her new book, “Vegan Desserts: Sumptuous Sweets for Every Season.” She also offered a few samples of her baked treats, including five-spice snaps. The book is her second; “My Sweet Vegan” was her first, introduced in 2007.

“I had a lot of friends that were vegetarians and I thought that was interesting, and toyed with joining them as a fun thing,” said Kaminsky. “But then I did research into animal rights and the industry and, after a month, went straight Vegan and haven’t looked back. That was 8 or 9 years ago.”

Kaminsky’s mom, Margo, who was on hand for the signing, said she was concerned when Hannah first started pursuing a Vegan lifestyle. “I was worried she wouldn’t get the proper nutrition, so we met with a nutritionist to ensure that,” she said.

Five years ago, Kaminsky started a blog, centered on crafts at first and the various handicrafts that she also enjoyed doing. “Then I got into cooking and baking,” she said, “which seemed like its own craft. As I got more comfortable with baking, which I learned through trial and error, I started creating recipes. Then I got entirely lucky and a publisher approached me to create my initial book, which was about Vegan baking in general.”

Kaminsky describes her new book “Vegan Desserts” as seasonal, focused on the ingredients and some of the nostalgia around baked goods at the holidays and certain seasonal periods. “For summer, I have an Ant Hill Cake, which is essentially a yellow cake with chocolate sprinkles inside, that makes you think of picnics,” she said. “For the Fourth of July, I have a red, white and blue layer cake, made of different berries and whipped frosting.”

The young author said Vegan cuisine is becoming more mainstream and accepted, though there’s still a stigma. “In Fairfield, though, there are three restaurants that have a Vegan focus,” she said. “One of those is Health in a Hurry on the Post Road, where I work part-time as a cook.”

Besides the book signings and cooking, Kaminsky continues to blog, trying to put up three new entries a week, bakes almost every day and is finishing her studies at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. “I’m schooling myself online,” she explained.

For the moment, though, she is just trying to encourage people to think about Vegan baking and try something different. “Years ago, Vegan desserts weren’t as good, and that may have stayed with people,” she said. “They’ve become much improved due to recipes being fine-tuned. It’s about learning from the past and not making the same nut loaf.”

Mom Margo said she’s not a Vegan herself, but admires Kaminsky’s passion. “She’s very inspiring and has convinced many of my friends that Vegan desserts are good,” she said. “Often I would bring samples into my workplace, which were embraced and changed a lot of minds about Vegan food.”

Stepping up to purchase a book, Alberto Mignucci of Westport said he was impressed that someone Kaminsky’s age has written two successful books, with another on the way. “She’s very prolific and passionate about providing healthy food choices to the public,” he said.

Scooping up a five-spice cookie, another passerby, Cal Kish, said, “I’m not a Vegan, but my wife is kind of one and teaches yoga. These spice cookies are excellent. If I didn’t know it had a Vegan base, I would be none the wiser.”

Chappaqua Neurologist Pursues Cure for Epilepsy

Chappaqua Neurologist 
Pursues Cure for Epilepsy

By Mike Lauterborn

(for June issue of

Inside Chappaqua magazine)

4/5/11

For the past 35 years, Chappaqua resident and pediatric neurologist Dr. Solomon Moshe has worked tirelessly toward finding a cure for epilepsy, a condition that affects over 50 million people worldwide. While his work at all levels has improved clinical care and an understanding of the disease, he says research will continue until such time as epileptologists are out of business.

“There are more people with epilepsy than people with cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy combined,” said Moshe, who is Vice Chairman of the Dept. of Neurology and Director of Pediatric Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York. “It’s more common than autism, has many forms and can affect any age, though it’s mostly apparent in children and seniors over age 70. One in 100 people have epilepsy.”

Moshe said the condition can manifest itself in several ways. “The most common appearance is a sudden inability to communicate, but also generalized spasms and contractions,” he said. “In young children, we often see spasms, and parents think their child will die. And while more people die from epilepsy than women with breast cancer every year, less than one percent of the 50 million people with epilepsy will die annually.”

He said the common approach to the condition has been to try and prevent it from happening by using existing medications effectively. However, realizing that one-third of people with epilepsy don’t respond to medication, he and his team have developed new medications and other treatments such as surgery. They are also trying to identify beforehand those that may have the condition by doing elaborate testing, including genetic testing.

“One part of research involves developing biomarkers that can predict if seizures will be controlled or if they will be associated with other bad outcomes such as learning difficulties, autism, depression and even sudden death,” he said, “although not all people with epilepsy will exhibit these conditions.”

Moshe said they have made significant progress. “We are getting close in understanding all the crucial factors involved in the better diagnosis and treatment of all people with epilepsy,” he said.

He cited the work of several associates at Einstein. “Dr. Aristea Galanopoulou has identified new molecules that are effective in lab animal testing,” he said. “Other studies we have done uniquely involve a condition call status epilepticus, which is a very long seizure. Most often in children it’s associated with fever. Dr. Shlomo Shinnar has received government funding to identify biomarkers that will predict which children will develop epilepsy after the first bout of status epilepticus. This will lead to treatments that will influence the biomarkers early and prevent the consequences.”

Another area Moshe and his team are investigating is what makes seizures stop. “We found out that there are specific centers in the brain that can stop seizures as a function of age and gender,” he said. “This will lead to very individualized treatments.”

Moshe’s colleague Dr. Sheryl Haut is working on identifying stress factors that may precipitate a seizure in a person with epilepsy. “Once these are clearly identified, the treatment can start at the time the person first experiences the stress rather than waiting for the seizure and all the negative effects to occur,” he said.

“The last area we have pioneered is understanding the relationship between epilepsy and autism and studying the common factors that may allow the two conditions to co-exist, to design treatments that can affect both.”

Moshe said epilepsy at times can be genetic, either because there is a gene that causes the seizure or a gene that increases the susceptibility of having a seizure. “Seizure epilepsy can also happen after head trauma or a difficult birth or as a result of infections or tumors,” he added. “But even now it can be a challenge to identify a cause.”

Dr. Moshe’s peers, like Dr. Douglas Nordli, Jr., Division Head of the Epilepsy Center of the Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL, commend him on his dedication to the cause. “He is an extraordinary individual whose research, teaching and advocacy efforts have influenced the lives of countless patients and scores of medical professionals. It is safe to say that he is the best-known and most influential pediatric epileptologist in the world.”

Moshe remains committed to the fight to eradicate and bring greater visibility to the disease. “We are trying to bring epilepsy to the forefront of awareness with government officials and public institutions so there’s better support to promote both better care and research,” he said. “As many of these patients are children and can’t speak for themselves, they need advocates. With all the emphasis and research on how the brain functions, the time is now to develop cures.”

Wrestling Program Builds Character, Teaches Discipline

Wrestling Program Builds 
Character, Teaches Discipline:

“Beat the Streets” targets inner-city kids

(for East Haven Patch.com)

By Mike Lauterborn

5/5/11

East Haven, CT – An East Haven coach stumbled across a New York-bred afterschool wrestling program to help inner city kids, and is now bringing the program to New Haven. It promises to keep at-risk youth safe and pointed in a positive direction.

The program is being steered by Hamden resident Nathan Stadig, a wrestling coach who has taught for the past five years at Joseph Melillo Middle School in East Haven.

“I had wrestled for four years in high school, at both Killingly High in Danielson, CT and Branford High in Branford,” he said, with regard to his own interest in wrestling. “My father influenced me to pursue the sport – I was a little guy and was getting my butt kicked. It was a good way to gain some self-confidence. Once I started, I said, ‘This is the sport for me.’”

Following high school and a five-year tour in the Marine Corps, Stadig landed the coaching position in East Haven. “I immediately took to the work and enjoyed teaching these suburban kids the skills I had learned back in high school,” he said.

At the time he began teaching, he also initiated a relationship with USA Wrestling, the governing body of the sport. “Membership is not a requirement for teaching wrestling, but is a requirement for competing off-season, which I was doing outside of teaching, in the New England region,” he said. “Back in March, as I was browsing their website, I learned about a new program called ‘Beat the Streets Wrestling.’ The main objective is to get inner-city kids off the streets and involved in something productive.”

The program was started in New York about five years ago and has spread to five major cities in the U.S. “I thought it was an awesome idea, spoke with chairman Al Bevilacqua, and we agreed to establish a program in the New Haven area,” he said. “It would serve as a bridge between Boston and New York, with me as executive director for the branch,” Stadig said.

Stadig secured a partner, Julia Paigo, who had the same dream for the Hartford area, and together they started getting the word out in their local communities. “The initial response was huge, prompting us to locate respective facilities,” he said. “I approached New Haven’s Athletic Director Joe Canzanella, and he was very enthusiastic. Thus far, he has offered the use of mats and facilities, though he has yet to define a school location.”

Canzanella said the program fills the missing link between the pre-high school student athlete and high school wrestling program. “We’re excited about the possibilities. It can help build fitness levels in our urban students,” he said.

Program sponsorships are being offered and already two slots have been filled, by Kevin Sullivan Building and Remodeling of Branford and As Seen on TV in Wallingford. “Their support will cover non-profit application fees with the IRS,” said Stadig. “In return, they will receive recognition on our online sites.”

Stadig said the next step is filing their non-profit paperwork. Then, at the end of May, Stadig will meet with Canzanella to hopefully secure a spot with the goal of a summer launch.

“In the meantime, in New Haven, we are starting to hang up registration posters in schools to drive enrollment,” he said. “We’re also looking for additional sponsors, to pay for uniforms, gear and cleaning supplies.”

Summing up the program, Stadig said, “It’s a tough sport for tough kids in local inner-city areas, and a great character builder, teaching discipline, self-control and self-worth.”

For more information about Beat the Streets Wrestling, visit:

Google: https://sites.google.com/site/beatthestreetsct

Facebook: www.facebook.com/beatthestreetsct

Twitter: @beatthestreet

Interested sponsors can Nathan at 203-500-2650 or email: beatthestreetsct@gmail.com

Crafty Creations Attract Mom’s Day Shoppers to Town Hall Green

Crafty Creations Attract Mom’s Day 
Shoppers to Town Hall Green

By Mike Lauterborn
(for Fairfield Citizen News)

5/7/11

Fairfield, CT – Amongst blossoming dogwoods and beneath a canopy of maple trees, people strolled about, visited with each other and eyed various merchandise displayed within white tents set up in rows in the clearing.

Held Saturday May 7, the 29th Annual Craft Fair sponsored by the Fairfield Woman’s Club attracted scores of local residents out enjoying the sunny weather and shopping for last-minute little somethings in advance of Mother’s Day. Over 50 vendors were onsite, from all over New England, with everything from jewelry, clothing and furniture to home decorative items and accessories. The Woman’s Club also offered baked goods and plants for sale.

“Booth rental fees and funds raised from our plant and bake sales go toward one $2,500 scholarship provided to a graduating senior at one of Fairfield’s two high schools,” said Debi Callan, co-president of the Woman’s Club. “This year the benefiting school is Fairfield Warde. Anything collected over the $2,500 goes to various charities like Fidelco Guide Dogs, Special Olympics, Relay for Life, the police department’s new K-9 Unit and more. We also give a drama award which this year was covered by a generous member of our Club.”

Reflecting on the Fair in general, Callan said, “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together, for kids to shop for their moms and to support some great causes.”

Exhibitor Lois Barker, of Jean Elton Studio, offering platters, cups and dinnerware, was glad to be returning for a second year. “We like to support local art and events,” she said. “All our items are handmade at our Fairfield studio. It’s a great day today and we hope people will turn out to shop, especially for their deserving moms.”

Bruno Miglietta, sitting amongst his decorative lawn and mobile creations, was also a return vendor. “I’ve exhibited here for many years,” he said. “It’s one of the best shows. People are very friendly and the show is well organized. I’m glad we have a nice day today.”

Leading around his three-year-old twins, Elena and Nathan, Fairfielder Chris Mach said he was passing by, saw some nice crafts and thought he could find something for mom for Mother’s Day. “When you get a nice day like this, it’s good to get out and mingle, and it gives mom a break,” he said.

Missy Seymour and her mom, Gaye, were browsing the Fair together. “I came here not only with my mom but my sister and our dogs, too,” she said. “It’s a great day to be out with the family and this is always a good fair. We’re just looking for anything of interest. There’s always a couple of unique and interesting booths and I brought a couple bucks for baked goods.”

Westporters Shred a Few Pounds

Westporters Shred a Few Pounds:

Residents turf out tax docs, 

statements on Shred Day

(for Westport News)

By Mike Lauterborn

5/7/11

Westport, CT – It was an excuse to spring clean, help the environment and guard against identity theft, and Westporters took full advantage.

On Saturday morning May 7, dozens of town residents rolled up in the parking lot at the Westport/Weston Health District offices to dispose of accumulated sensitive documents as part of Community Shred Day, hosted by the Town of Westport. Facilitating the shredding with a truck onsite was Secure EcoShred of Brookfield. Drop-off was limited to three boxes (12” x 18”) or five paper bags. There was a $5 fee per car and participants were able to watch their papers get shredded via a monitor built into the side of the truck. Volunteers from the Staples High School Service League of Boys were onsite as helpers to break down boxes and guide drop-off.

Patty Strauss, Town Clerk and manager of the records management committee for the town, was the lead coordinator of the event. “We use EcoShred for town projects,” she said. “This is also their community service effort and they donate their time.”

Strauss added that this was the third annual event and that the idea was hatched by a Westport resident who wrote a letter to Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff saying that her daughter goes to college in North Carolina and participates in a community shred day there. The resident asked why we don’t have a shred day here. Gordon liked the idea and we organized it.”

“It’s environmentally responsible, a great way to clean out an attic but also key to preventing identity theft,” Strauss said. “We do this at this time of year for several reasons: it’s spring so you’re already doing spring cleaning, it’s close to Earth Day and it’s just after tax time when you have a lot of financial documents laying about.”

Strauss said the event is very popular. “Last year, we had about 120 cars come through, and that was in pouring rain,” she said. “As of 9 a.m. this year, we already had 25 cars roll up.”

Michael Martinez, EcoShred Operations Manager, who was onsite operating the shredder, commented on the shredder equipment. “There’s a commercial shredder built inside the truck,” he said. “The truck will hold six tons of paper. As long as the material is paper, it will take anything.”

Town resident Philip Mathews was one of the earlier arrivals. “This is a great service to the community and always done with a smile,” he said. “I’m dropping off business and personal finance papers. This is responsible disposal, and it’s terrific that young people are helping. It’s a great training ground toward citizenship.”

Another resident, Jon Polayes, was disposing of old tax documents. “This is a good idea for security reasons and is environmentally preferable,” he said. “I could have shredded at home, but it takes longer.”

Terrence Kelley pulled up with several bags full of bank and credit card statements. “I constantly do this at home myself, but this is easier – you just drop off 1, 2, 3.”