Ferraris Draw Car Enthusiasts to Rizzuto’s Festa

Ferraris Draw Car 
Enthusiasts to Rizzuto’s Festa

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

6/12/11

Fairfield, CT – To a chorus of “Mambo Italiano” and a lingering aroma of Margherita pizza, local folks strolled about checking out all the eye candy sitting pretty on the asphalt.

The site was Rizzuto’s Wood Fired Kitchen & Bar at 540 Riverside Avenue and the draw Sunday afternoon was the 2nd Annual Mille Ferrari, a day of Italian food, wine and cars. Besides the featured Ferraris privately owned by Ferrari Club of Connecticut members, there was a quartet of Maseratis from Miller Motor Cars of Greenwich, a batch of Ducati motorcycles, motorized go-karts provided by Grand Prix New York and a racing simulation system.

The event was first hatched by Jon Fontane, president of Motorsport Simulation Consultants, a Rizzuto’s patron looking for ways to promote his company’s racing simulator. “I spoke to Linda Kavanagh, Rizzuto’s publicist, about the restaurant hosting the system and building an event around it,” he said. “Then we picked this day and time to align with the running of the Canadian Grand Prix.”

Fontane added, “Besides offering some great fun to the general public and creating an Italian theme, the event benefits Make-A-Wish foundation. There’s a strong tie between the club and the charity. Car entry fees, private donations, and simulator and go-kart fees will be contributed.”

Paul Bova, president of the Connecticut chapter of the Ferrari Club of America, said the club does a number of owner gatherings throughout the year, with most supporting a charity. “Make-A-Wish is such a great group and so supportive of our event activities,” he said.

New Canaan resident Jill Pescatore, onsite with her eight-year-old son Dylan, said, “We love all things Italian, and thought it would be a great family event with good food and activities.”

Andrew Berry, 12, from Westport, walking about with his family, remarked, “I like Ferraris and Maseratis. They’re really fast and look cool.”

Showing off the Ducati bikes was Anne Marie Albate, representing the motorcycle maker’s New Rochelle dealership. The owner of a Ducati 696 Monster, Albate said about the bike, “While it tops out at 150, I’ve only pushed it to 120 – I know I had a lot more left, but you can only go so fast on the streets of Long Island.”

On hand to convey the feeling of driving a Ferrari was Mike Sutka, a car collector from Wilton. He was displaying his 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia, with a current-day value of $300,000. “It’s all about the engineering and performance,” he said. “That’s what you’re buying. It’s a very raw car – a street legal race car essentially. It’s fairly loud, and rides a little stiff, but is reliable. It’s really in its own element on the track, where it’s well balanced with tremendous straight line performance and acceleration. I like to put it through its paces at Lime Rock Park. I like fast machines period.”

While families milled about and sat in the cars, hopped on the bikes, sampled San Pellegrino and let their children compete against one another on the go-kart circuit and simulator, restaurant patrons eyed Montreal-based Grand Prix action on HD sets inside Rizzuto’s. The race started in rainy conditions and, through the first 25 laps, the Ferrari team – Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso – held spots among the top 10 positions. Fortunes changed, however, after a two-hour rain delay, resulting in Massa placing sixth and Alonso failing to finish.

While it wasn’t a banner day for Ferrari in Montreal, it sure was a grand day for the carmaker in Westport.

Levitt Pavilion Grounds Green Up for EcoFest

Levitt Pavilion Grounds Green Up for EcoFest:

Third annual event continues to build in scope

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

6/11/11

Fairfield, CT – There was a fine mist, chilly temperatures, lots of teens and lots of green… green initiatives, that is.

Despite the gray, rainy weather, the third annual EcoFest, firmly rooted on the grounds of the Levitt Pavilion, went ahead Saturday afternoon as planned. The event attracted throngs of environmentally conscious people who enjoyed live music, food, scores of exhibits and raffles. The fest was sponsored by Westport’s Green Village Initiative (GVI) and Staples High School’s Club Green.

“The goal of EcoFest is to get the word out about environmentally friendly businesses around town and raise awareness about the service work that the Club does,” said Nicole Brill, co-president of Club Green.

“The first year was successful, but only had a handful of vendors,” added Ben Meyers, Brill’s counterpart. “Last year, we climbed to 35 vendors. This year, we have 55 vendors as well as 14 performers, all local talent.”

The pair noted that this year’s theme is “Think Clean Go Green”, and is about your home and what you can do personally to make positive environmental change.

“EcoFest was originally targeted to the high school crowd, but it has really attracted a wide audience,” said Meyers. “It has become a great event.”

One popular vendor onsite was Whole Foods Market. The representative there, Lavinia Hurd, was sampling Steaz tea but also promoting a recycling initiative called Gimme 5. “Customers can bring into the store their #5 recyclables, which we then provide to Preserve, a company that repurposes them into plates and toothbrushes. It’s a way for customers to make a difference.”

Nearby, the Backyard Beekeepers Association was abuzz with information about its pursuit. “We’re a group of about 400 beekeepers, mostly in Fairfield County, guaranteeing through our hobby fruitful flowers and vegetables while generating premium honey,” said board member Gabriele Kallenborn. “It’s about local sustainability.”

At lead sponsor GVI’s table, Deirdre Price was busy educating the public about the group’s initiatives, which include putting edible gardens in schools in Bridgeport, seeking to establish an urban farm in the same area and starting GVIs in surrounding towns. “By establishing a network, we create strength to drive environmental legislation in Hartford,” she said.

Across the grounds was Mimi Auer of Brighter Concepts of CT, distributors of an innovative daylighting system called Solatube. “The equipment captures daylight on your roof, transfers it through a tube in the attic and delivers it into a dark space in your home,” she said. “The tubes are lined with a reflective material called Spectralight, which transfers light through the conduit. There are no negative by-products in the process.”

Proving that being green doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style, Janet Foster of Westport-based Eco-Chic spoke about her business, which she runs with co-founder Kim Reiter. “We are a luxury green gift box company,” she said. “All our materials are natural and organic, including items for beauty and bath, baby and home. The price point for our gift sets is $60 to $140. I was sick of gift baskets with the cellophane wrap. It’s extra garbage and obscures the view of the product. Our boxes are custom-made and reusable.”

Taking it all in was Westporter Elaine Daignault, sitting with daughter Mia, 8, and Mia’s friend Abby Fleming, 9. “I wanted to support GVI and Club Green and teach the girls about how to preserve the environment,” she said, pausing to add, “and rock out to the music!”

Ducks Dodge Drizzle in Annual Rotary Race

Ducks Dodge Drizzle in 
Annual Rotary Race:

Spectators line river rails to 

catch the drift

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

6/11/11

Westport, CT – The weather late Saturday morning – light rain, gray skies and gusty wind -- was really for the birds… ducks specifically. About 2,000 of them.

Stars of The Great Duck Race event sponsored by the Westport Sunrise Rotary, the bright yellow rubber ducks were dropped from Parker Harding Plaza into the Saugatuck River where they rode outgoing currents through a defined grid to a channeled finish line. Each was numbered and tied up with the name of a person that had paid $20 to back. Owners of the top ten finishing fowl received prizing that overall totaled $10,000. All entry fees collected, various sponsor fees and revenue gathered from the sale of duck-themed merchandise benefited the Rotary and, in turn, will benefit area charities.

“This is the third year we’re hosting this,” said Roy Fuchs of the Rotary’s Publicity Committee. “It’s one of two major fundraisers we conduct – the other is a wine tasting at the end of October at Longshore,” he said. “The first year, we raised $20,000; the second year, $30,000. The event is wide open to the public, and an opportunity to enjoy some fun and downtown Westport, while supporting a good cause.”

With regard to the Rotary Club, Fuchs said the organization has over 1.2 million members worldwide and basically operates two kinds of service projects. “We do hands-on efforts in the community, like clean-up days, food drives and homeless shelter dinners,” he said. “We also give cash contributions to charity. At the same time, we have an active program with teens, honoring students-of-the-month at Staples High School and Greens Farms Academy, and a service-oriented Interact Club at Staples.”

Besides the featured duck race, event highlights included a dozen vendor tents, two moonbounce units, a live jazz band, kids’ craft activities and free 10-minute massages provided by Massage Envy. Among the vendors was RxEnergy sunscreen, Down Under Surf Shop, Fire House Hot Dogs, Izzi B’s allergen-free cupcakes and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Corporate sponsors also decorated large rubber ducks, to enter into a contest. Entries were judged by event visitors, who indicated their top three favorites on accompanying lists. Most popular entries were awarded small trophies.

Enjoying all the fun was three-year-old New Canaan resident Caroline Quill, with her grandfather Kevin, from New Hampshire. “My wife is shopping and we just happened to luck out seeing all the duck activity,” the elder Quill said. “Caroline wanted a duck but settled for a duck call.”

Norwalk resident Howard Rose, with his three-year-old son L.J., said he was drawn by the signs around town. “It seemed like a good family event and opportunity to enjoy the day,” he remarked.

Claudia Nielitz, visiting from Stuttgart, Germany with her friend Sandra Holzaepfel, had also seen the street signs and thought the event would be funny to see. “I let friends back home know about it and they said there’s a duck race there, too, but in October, in Tubingen,” she said. “We bought a couple of ducks and are hoping to win.”

According to Rotarian Sheila Keenan, weeks went into planning for the duck release. “It’s been timed for noon, coordinated with the outgoing current, which allows the ducks to travel down river,” she said. “It took a lot of measuring and calculations to get to this point.”

At the appointed hour, the ducks were loaded into the shovel of a front loader and, to much cheering, dumped over the side into a noose of tubing in the water below. This was towed into a larger channel defined by tubing, then opened. The initial forward progress of the flock was hindered by westerly-blowing crosswinds, making the “race” anti-climactic.

“It’s a bit like watching paint dry,” said one of more than 300 spectators crammed against riverside railings, as the ducks then started to clump up on one side.

“My heart is beating, it’s a blistering pace,” joked Bob Lasproga, emcee for the Rotary Club, calling the action over a P.A. system. “That first duck is just outside the chute… he’s got to paddle a little faster… he’s finally in! Give that duck a nice round of applause,” he said.

Results were radioed to tabulators Sheila Keenan and Frankie Smith, and announced by Lasproga. Finishing first and collecting a $5,000 Visa gift card was Scott Schaake of Southbury, CT; second was Nick Clarke of Westport, taking a $1,000 gift card; and third was Westporter Andy Boas, earning a $500 gift card. The top three decorated duck winners were retailers Melissa & Doug, Vintage Virtuosa and Ranney Michaels.

Despite the feather-ruffling weather, a ducky time was had by all.

Pequot Campout Kicks Off Summer Reading Programs

Pequot Campout Kicks Off Summer Reading Programs:

Library’s Great Lawn transforms into family playground

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Fairfield Citizen News)

6/11/11

Fairfield, CT – As the sun set behind the red tile roof of the stone building, “Summer Wind” was the tune floating in the air, kids ran about with hula hoops and badminton racquets, and adults sat in sports chairs visiting with each other. It was good old-fashioned family fun.

Held Friday evening into Saturday morning, Pequot Library’s Annual Potluck Supper and Campout attracted over a dozen families. They pitched tents on the facility’s Great Lawn and enjoyed contributed food, a bonfire with marshmallow roasting, live music performed by Chris Merwin, badminton, Pop’s ice cream truck, a limbo contest and a sail cloth that adults waved up and down while kids ran under it. The event marked the start of the library’s summer reading programs for adults, tweens/teens and children.

Executive Director Dan Snydacker commented on how suitable the site is for the event. “This is a great place to camp out,” he said. “It’s nice and flat, and the grass is nice and soft. The bears are also well behaved – much better than the Canadian Rockies,” he joked.

Snydacker added, “We love this event and Susan Ei, the Children’s Librarian, does such a great job organizing it. It’s a great use of the Lawn.”

Leslie Mahtani, a library services helper, spoke highly of Ei’s efforts as well. “Susan, who’s worth three times her weight in gold, created this event,” she said, “and my daughter Sitara and I started coming here right from the get-go. I like how many people come out and all the activities.”

Sitara, 18, chimed in, “And it’s a festive way to kick off summer.”

Ei noted that the event is the sixth annual and, historically, the weather has been cooperative. She also commented on how it has grown in popularity. “We went from three tents at the first event to 18 last year,” she said.

Lori Mediate, sitting on the perimeter of the lawn watching all the fun, was another attending who had been coming to the event since its inception. “This is small-town Connecticut Americana,” she said. “And they’re making S’mores – you can’t beat that.”

Struggling to assemble his tent, Fairfielder Tom Lawlor said, “We bought our tent for this event initially. Some years, it’s the only occasion it comes out. And every year I forget how to put it together. I have to relearn every time.”

Lounging along a pathway with several neighbors, Yogesh Sadarangani said the event has become a group destination. “We’re all from Osborne Lane,” he said about his counterparts. “We began this tradition three years ago. It’s a great way to bond. Sure, some of us parents would rather be in our beds, but our kids make us come,” he smiled.

While the weather remained clear and warm through mid-evening, gusts of wind began to kick up and, ultimately, rain arrived after midnight and pummeled the temporary shelters. No doubt its patter on the tents kept light sleepers awake, but then that’s just part of the camping experience.

New First Selectman Tetreau Ready to Get Started:

New First Selectman Tetreau 
Ready to Get Started:

Ceremonial swear-in held 

Friday morning at Sullivan Hall

By Mike Lauterborn

(posted to Fairfield-Sun.com 6/10)

6/10/11

Fairfield, CT – Looking dapper in a dark blue pinstripe suit and light blue paisley patterned tie, Fairfield’s new First Selectman, Michael C. Tetreau, was excited about his mission and anxious to get started.

In remarks shared prior to a ceremonial swearing-in at 10 a.m. Friday in a conference room on the first level of Sullivan-Independence Hall, Tetreau said, “It’s like the first day of football. You know it’s going to be tough ahead.”

Among his top initial priorities, the 59-year-old named several items. “The train station is the biggest project ahead, ensuring that it opens on time in October,” he said. “I need to meet with all the department heads and review the impact of budget adjustments by the Board of Finance and RTM -- a July 1st deadline is coming up quickly. I also have have a very important meeting with the rating agencies on July 6. Overall, with the multiple transitions, I want to make sure no one drops any balls and all goes smoothly for the town.”

Tetreau also mentioned his predecessors, commending their service. “I have two big challenges – following Ken Flatto, who was in the position over 10 years and accomplished a tremendous amount over time and, on top of that, following Sherri Steeneck who, in 30 days, set a great example for energy dedication and commitment.”

A Democrat who was officially appointed Thursday, Tetreau will serve at least until the Nov. 8 municipal election, in which he is a candidate.

Many friends and family members packed into the conference room to support and congratulate Tetreau. Among them was his mother and father “Fern” and Rowena Tetreau, godmother Rita Jackson Bradtmuller, brother Jack and Jack’s girlfriend Crissy Sepot. Among town and area officials were State Representative Tony Hwang, Fairfield Fire Chief Dick Felner, Probate Judge Dan Caruso, Town Clerk Betsy Browne, Fairfield Police Chief Gary McNamara and Fairfield Police Lt. Jim Perez.

Standing at a podium at the head of the room, Browne administered the oath to Tetreau and the pair shook hands, eliciting hearty applause and cheers from the gathering. The new first selectman then launched into brief remarks, which included a thanks to his brother Bill, currently serving in Afghanistan, and an old high school friend, Dave Seres, who read online that Tetreau had made a remark about receivers and reminded him that he caught every pass that Tetreau threw his way.

With a smile, Tetreau admitted to having a Twilight Zone moment. “I was looking at my Blackberry just after midnight and saw a congratulations from John Sullivan,” he said. “My immediate reaction – uh, oh, he really is still on the job… then I opened it and saw that it was the one from my high school, not the one we’re all thinking of.”

Tetreau further acknowledged Steeneck, saying she approached her job with a long-term view. “She didn’t dodge any task or activity,” he said, “and put in long hours and worked weekends – down to the very last minute. It’s 4:30 a.m. on her last day and what is she doing? Getting up to buy fruit and water for the DPW. That type of commitment will be tough to match.”

In a general sense, Tetreau said, “Fairfield is a great community. There is so much that is special about this town. I appreciate more than ever the many opportunities that Fairfield has given me, and having a Fairfield education prepared me for the challenges at Princeton University and beyond.”

In conclusion, Tetreau remarked, “There have been a lot of people that have helped me throughout my life and it is time for payback. I am ready to get started and I promise not to let you down. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”

Aspetuck Land Trust Meet Spotlights Explorer Richard Wiese

Aspetuck Land Trust Meet Spotlights Explorer Richard Wiese:

Weston resident shares 

tales of adventure

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Fairfield Citizen News)

6/2/11

Fairfield, CT – From stories of crocs and dogsledding to climbing the heights of Everest and Mt. Kilimanjaro, the good-natured Weston resident kept the audience rapt.

Explorer Richard Wiese was the highlight of the Aspetuck Land Trust’s (ALT) Annual Meeting, held Thursday evening at Southport’s Pequot Library. The event attracted a full house of Land Trust members, board members, volunteers and curious locals who came to enjoy a welcome reception, Board presentation on ALT’s activities and Wiese’s talk focused on his amazing adventures. Wiese also signed copies of his book “Born to Explore”, which provides skills, projects and information for budding explorers. Wine and lemonade was provided by Newman’s Own, courtesy of ALT board member Lissy Newman.

“We’re all about connecting people to land, which aligns well with Wiese’s book about exploring right in your own backyard,” said David Brant, ALT’s executive director, with regard to choosing the adventurer as the evening speaker.

“Richard has young children now, so his focus is changing to local pastures,” added Princie Falkenhagen, ALT board president. “I think he wants to instill the love of nature and exploration in his own family. ALT is also focusing on young children, the future stewards of our preserves, and offering programs like ‘Short Hikes for Short People.’ Parents need help counterbalancing technology overload with good, natural outdoor fun.”

Before Wiese launched into his tales, Falkenhagen thanked, in particular, fellow Board members for their various efforts, including getting the organization on Facebook and Twitter. “If you build it, they will come,” she said. “Our name is out there, our preserves are being used and our parking lots are suddenly full. Now we’re balancing the needs of the public with the mission of being stewards of the land.”

In terms of Trust business, Falkenhagen, Don Hyman, Jack Light and Ken Bernhard were all re-elected to the ALT Board for four-year terms, as Directors for Easton, Fairfield, Weston and Westport respectively, while Cynthia Williams was tapped as director at-large.

Wiese said he had selfish reasons for wanting ALT to do well. “As a local resident, I’m a user of the product, the product being the Land Trust,” he said. “I hike the trails with my kids, wife and friends. All winter, I skied Trout Brook Valley. I’d like people to look at the outdoors with new eyes, see that nature is nourishment and use it like they do gym time.”

Wiese stars in a new TV show, launching Sept. 3 on ABC, titled “Born to Explore”, like his book. “The goal is to awaken people’s innate curiosity about the outdoors,” he said. “There’s a cultural component to it as well, showing how people live in other parts of the world. I used to go on a lot of expeditions and what you think is going to be the most interesting moment – climbing a mountain, for instance – usually isn’t. It’s the people along the way.”

Wiese said his father was an early inspiration. “My dad was an airline pilot with Pan Am,” he said. “He introduced me to so many things. The first thing we always talked about was the weather. When I was 11, he took me to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. I’ve since climbed it 18 times.”

When Wiese became president of the Explorers Club, he had the thrill of having a Boy Scout camp named after him. “I stayed in the camp and, in one of life’s ironies, got a case of chiggers on my rear end,” he laughed.

He noted that the North Pole was a highlight experience. “It was often 25 below and the ice was constantly shifting,” he said. “This, and the fact that the sun never set, would keep me awake at night.”

In the TV work Wiese does, he’s often asked to handle snakes. “I was raised in Long Island and we really didn’t have snakes,” he said, smiling.

“Alaska as an outdoor resource is fantastic,” Wiese said. “I had an opportunity to climb a mountain there that had never been climbed before. It’s neat to think about that.”

In terms of adventure value, he said the Everglades is best. “There are crocs and alligators living in the same place, and a wide variety of birds,” he said.

Mt. Kilimanjaro is likely Wiese’s favorite adventure. “It’s so novel and breathtaking,” he said. “It will be a tragedy when it loses its ice cap.”

As thrilling as his world adventures have been, Wiese said the Land Trust is a jewel worth noticing and preserving. “I get as excited seeing bobcat tracks in Devils Den as seeing a moose in Alaska,” he mused.

The Aspetuck Land Trust maintains 42 trails and 113 parcels of land across Weston, Easton, Fairfield and Westport, preserving open space for public benefit. For more information, visit: www.aspetucklandtrust.org

Violent Quick-Moving Storm Thrashes Area

Violent Quick-Moving Storm Thrashes Area:

Trees down, local flooding and power outages mark passage

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 6/9)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

6/9/11

Fairfield, CT – The darkening skies and wind-whipped trees foretold the arrival of a wicked thunderstorm that dumped buckets of rain, interrupted power and knocked down trees across Fairfield early Thursday evening.

Around 6 p.m., the storm rolled in from the west, bringing premature darkness and driving people off beaches and streets to find shelter indoors. Rain came down so hard that visibility was stunted to less than 100 yards at one point, as windshield wipers fruitlessly slapped at the heavy precipitation. Roadways quickly flooded, as the torrents could not be absorbed fast enough, and cascades of water flashed up as cars drove through accumulated pools.

Accompanying high winds pulled trees up from their roots while large limbs split off other trees and came down, blocking through access on thoroughfares like North Benson Road just north of the railroad overpass, and Penfield Road in the Beach Area, north of Quincy Street. Police were onsite at each incidence diverting traffic.

Power outages in the area south of the Post Road were reported, though they were brief and electric service was soon restored.

The storm had peaked by 6:30 p.m. and fast-tracked east, the skies still rumbling and flashing with thunder and lightning as it moved out.